Maó
The best base if you arrive by plane: it is a few kilometres from the airport, with a harbour, restaurants and a bus station.
Itinerary · Menorca
Menorca in 7 days: day-by-day itinerary
7-day itinerary for Menorca: Maó harbour, La Mola, Ciutadella, southern coves, Monte Toro, Fornells, Cavalleria, talayots, Camí de Cavalls and a boat trip.
- 7days
- 19stops
- 12Areas
This 7-day itinerary is designed for those who want to get to know Menorca in depth and without rushing. It goes further than the 5-day one: it makes time for La Mola fortress, a full day of beaches, and a slower day in the east and the interior, with Alaior and Favàritx. It assumes you will hire a car, although Maó and Ciutadella can be linked by bus.
From the airport, which has a single terminal, line 10 Maó-Airport takes you to Maó bus station, with a service every half hour for much of the day. Other lines to the island’s villages connect there. If you pick up a car at the airport, the centre of Maó is only a few kilometres away.
Tips
- Book your car and accommodation in advance if you are going between June and September.
- The southern coves fill up in summer: arrive early or late in the afternoon.
- Bring comfortable shoes, water and sun protection. Many access routes are footpaths and the archaeological sites have little shade.
- The Camí de Cavalls circles the whole island. Choose short stretches of a few hours and go early if it is hot.
- The tramontana, the north wind, can change your plans: adjust the days according to the weather.
- Menorca is a Biosphere Reserve, so do not leave litter on the coves or the footpaths.
Day 1
Maó and its harbour
Port de Maó
Maó
One of the largest natural harbours in the Mediterranean, several kilometres long. Stroll along the quay and the Costa de ses Voltes, or see it from the water on a boat trip around the bay.
Historic centre of Maó
Maó
Climb the steps to the Plaça de s'Esplanada and the old town. The church of Santa Maria, with its great organ, and the Claustre market are worth a stop. Try the Mahón-Menorca cheese and the local gin here.
Museu de Menorca
Maó
It occupies a former convent and is a good way to understand the island's history, from the Talayotic period to the present day. It is a perfect plan if the weather is not on your side.
Day 2
Es Castell, La Mola and Binibeca Vell
Es Castell
Es Castell
A small military village beside the harbour, a few minutes from Maó. Its quay, with waterfront restaurants, is a good place to eat fish.
Fortaleza de la Mola
La Mola
A large 19th-century fortification at the tip of the entrance to Maó harbour, with wide views of the coast. Take your time exploring it; wear comfortable shoes.
Binibeca Vell
Sant Lluís
White houses and narrow lanes imitating a fishing village on the south coast. It is quick to explore and ideal in the late afternoon.
Day 3
Ciutadella, the harbour and Naveta des Tudons
Naveta des Tudons
Ciutadella
A Talayotic burial chamber shaped like an upturned boat hull, between Maó and Ciutadella. It stands in open countryside; it is a short stop on the way to the town.
Ciutadella
Ciutadella
The former capital has a historic centre with a cathedral, stately palaces and arcades. Stroll through the Plaça del Born, along the narrow streets and around the harbour, full of terraces.
Ciutadella harbour at sunset
Ciutadella
End the day with dinner beside the harbour, a narrow channel between old buildings. It is a good place to take your time and watch the sunset.
Day 4
Cala Macarella, Macarelleta and Turqueta
Cala Macarella and Macarelleta
South coast
Macarella is a cove of white sand and turquoise water surrounded by pine woods. A short path leads to Macarelleta, smaller and more secluded. In summer the car parks fill up early, so set off first thing.
Cala Turqueta
South coast
A cove of clear water between pines and rock, a few minutes by car from Macarella. The final stretch is on foot, so wear comfortable shoes and bring water.
Camí de Cavalls at Cala Galdana
Cala Galdana
The Camí de Cavalls is the path that circles the whole island. From Cala Galdana you can walk a stretch with views of the coast, the sea on one side and pines on the other. Wear hiking footwear.
Day 5
Monte Toro, Fornells and Cavalleria
Monte Toro
Es Mercadal
It is the highest point on the island. At the top there is a sanctuary and a viewpoint with views over almost all of Menorca on clear days. You drive up a winding road.
Fornells
Fornells
A white-washed fishing village on a wide bay, famous for its lobster stew (caldereta de langosta). Book a table if you go in summer and stroll around the harbour.
Faro de Cavalleria
North coast
At the northern tip, the lighthouse rises above cliffs in a landscape of red earth and wind. It is the best place to watch the sunset. Wrap up warm: the tramontana blows hard.
Day 6
Talayots, Alaior and Favàritx
Torre d'en Galmés
Alaior
One of the largest Talayotic settlements in Menorca, with talayots, groups of houses and a large structure with a central column (a taula). There is little shade: bring water and a hat.
Alaior
Alaior
An inland village of white streets, known for its cheese-making tradition. It is a good place for a relaxed lunch and to buy Mahón-Menorca cheese.
Cap de Favàritx
North-east coast
A black-and-white striped lighthouse above a landscape of dark slate, very different from the rest of the island. It is a special place at sunset, and very windy.
Day 7 · Day trip
Boat trip along the south coast
Boat trip along the south coast
For the last day, spend the day exploring the coast by boat: trips usually leave from Ciutadella and Cala Galdana and stop at coves that are hard to reach by land, letting you swim in crystal-clear water. Choose a morning departure and bring sun cream, a hat and water.
Menorca
Where to stay in Menorca
Ciutadella
For staying in an old town with atmosphere, beside the harbour and close to the southern coves.
Fornells
Peace and quiet on the north coast, good food and scenery nearby. You will need a car.
Cala Galdana
A bay with a beach and services on the south coast, ideal for combining relaxation with walks along the Camí de Cavalls.
Itinerary · Menorca
More Menorca itineraries
3 days
Menorca in 3 days
- Day 1 Maó and its harbour
- Day 2 Ciutadella and the southern coves
- Day 3 Monte Toro, Fornells and Cavalleria
5 days
Menorca in 5 days
- Day 1 Maó and its harbour
- Day 2 Ciutadella, Macarella and Macarelleta
- Day 3 Monte Toro, Fornells and Cavalleria
- Day 4 Talayots and the Camí de Cavalls
- + 1 day
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need to see Menorca?
With seven days you can tour the whole island at a relaxed pace: towns, coves, the north, Talayotic sites, walks and a day on a boat.
Do you need to hire a car in Menorca?
Highly recommended. The bus links Maó and Ciutadella, but for the coves, the north and the archaeological sites a car gives you a lot of freedom. Book in advance in summer.
What should you book in advance?
The hire car, accommodation in summer and the boat trip. Some popular restaurants, such as those in Fornells, also require a reservation.
Can you change the order of the days?
Yes. If the north wind is blowing, leave the north for another day and make the most of the southern coves. Rainy days are ideal for museums and villages.
Photo credits
- Port de Maó: Àlex, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Ciutadella: No machine-readable author provided. 1997 assumed (based on copyright claims)., CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Cala Macarella: Markus Trienke, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons