Originally published February 24th 2025.

All images are courtesy of the Spain Less Traveled team unless otherwise stated.

Serene Menorca

When people think of the balearics they tend to think of stunning Mallorca or maybe Ibiza. Rarely is the serene island of Menorca on the radar of many travelers, especially those coming from overseas. But Menorca is a gem of an island, the perfect destination for those seeking beautiful beaches, a slow-paced style, and tons of history too!

Carlos and Karen of Spain Less Traveled recently went on an exploratory trip to Menorca. And they came up with a list of their favorite things about the island in several categories.

These are just some of our top reasons to visit Menorca Spain. And once you are ready, we’d love to help you plan your dream trip to Menorca or any other Spanish destination!

So here are our Menorca favorites!

But first, a bit of geography and logistics.

Where is Menorca, Spain?

Mallorca is located approximately 300 kilometers (190 miles) east of the Spanish mainland in the Mediterranean Sea.

Its closest neighboring island is Mallorca, about 80 kilometers (45 miles) away.

How can I get to Menorca, Spain?

There are several ways to reach Mallorca from the Spanish mainland.

The most common way is by air, flying in to Menorca airport (MAH) with daily flights departing from major Spanish cities like Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia. The flight duration is typically around 1 to 1.5 hours (keep in mind that you will still need to get to the airport early, so that will add time to your journey).

There are also direct flights from Palma de Mallorca.

Menorca also has limited direct flights to other European countries such as France and Germany. Those coming from the United States, Canada, or Australia will need to transfer planes as there are no direct flights.

Alternatively, you can also reach Menorca by sea from the mainland. Ferry services operate from several ports in Spain, such as Barcelona and Valencia. The amount of time on the ferry varies depending on the departure point but generally ranges from 6 to 9 hours.

Overall, whether by air or sea, reaching Menorca from the Spanish mainland and further afield is relatively convenient.

(Need more help planning your transportation? Be sure to read our comprehensive guide about getting around Spain!)

Our favorite things to see and do in Menorca

Now that you know where Menorca, Spain is, here are some of our top picks of things to see and do there. You will find something for everyone on Menorca. We love how diverse this small island really is!

Our favorite “cities” in Menorca

Carlos: Ciutadella de Menorca (its official name), or simply Ciutadella (small city in “Menorquí,” the language of Menorca) is the quintessential Mediterranean city, full of history, art, and joy of life. Most of the city center is pedestrian only, so it’s a pleasure to stroll around, shop and discover its quaint alleys and impressive palaces. Plaça de la Catedral, Plaça Nova or Plaça del Roser are some of the charming plazas that you’ll discover.

Also, Ciutadella has a great marina, with many restaurants and terraces specializing in seafood. “Caldereta de Llagosta” (lobster stew) is the main specialty here.

Karen: Mahón or Maó is the largest city on the island. Even though the population is just over 30,000, Mahon still feels like a city.

There are two major areas that are of interest to visitors, the historic center and the area around the port. The historic center is full of quaint streets and plazas. The Mercat des Peix, the historic fish market, is one of the most interesting markets in Spain, selling many Menorquí goods. You can take an elevator down (or back up) from the center to the port. Mahón’s port is one of the deepest in Europe, and it is where ferries from the mainland and Mallorca dock. From there, you can also take a boat ride in Mahón Bay.

Our favorite towns in Menorca

Carlos: If you want to experience the real life of a town, Alaior is your place. It’s a sleepy village, with little tourism, where you can relax, get a glimpse of local life and discover some of its treasures, such as the church of Santa Eulalia, the convent of San Diego, or LOAC, a contemporary arts center.

Plaça de la Constitució is the heart of the town, with several cafés and terraces where you can enjoy a break with the locals.

Karen: Though it may not be the prettiest of the small towns, I really love Es Mercadal. This village in Menorca’s interior has a strong connection to artisans and traditional menorquí crafts. Be sure to visit the Centro Artesanal de Menorca, which hosts different exhibitions and showcases local artists.

Our favorite calas and beaches in Menorca

Carlos: Menorca is famous for its marvelous “calas” (coves), with pristine and warm blue water. My two favorites are Cala Galdana, easy to access with your car, and even public buses. It’s large and with many amenities around (restaurants, cafés, stores…).

Cala Macarella will surprise you for its water, so clear that boats seem to float in the air. But to get there be prepared to walk at least for 40 minutes, and during the summer the access is limited, so you better get up early.

Karen: Cala Blanca, close to Ciutadella is often nicknamed “the sunset cala” because of its westward-facing sunsets. It is also super easy to access without a long hike to get to the views.

Restaurants line this cala where you can dine and look out at the crystal clear water.

Our favorite beachside towns in Menorca

Carlos: Alcaufar is one of the nicest surprises you can get in Menorca. It’s a cute little town surrounding a beautiful cove, where you can enjoy its tiny but charming fishing port (just a few little rock wharfs and some old warehouses), its small beach, and Hotel Xuroy, the first beach hotel in Menorca, with a restaurant and terrace that will make you travel to the 1950’s.

Don’t miss the old fishermen’s houses, directly caved into the rock!

Karen: I fell in love with Binibeca. As Carlos says, it’s everything they teach you NOT to do in architectural school, but it works!

Binibeca Vell, or old Binibeca, is not so old at all. It was built in the 1960s by F.J. Barba Corsini, an architect from Barcelona. Its maze of whitewashed houses, leading down to the sea front, was designed to emulate a typical Mediterranean coastal town. The little streets and alleyways, all pedestrian only, are perfect for photographs!

Our favorite museums in Menorca

Carlos: Menorca had a really convoluted history for sure. The island has some of the oldest building remains in all of Spain (more than 4000 years old), and it was occupied by the Romans, the Muslims, and even the British through most of the 18th century. To better understand it, you shouldn’t miss Museu de Menorca, in Mahón. It has a large and comprehensive collection of artifacts, with a modern and clever presentation. And it’s located in a former 18th century covent, with impressive architecture.

Karen: Fresh off the flight, we went to Can Saura, a comprehensive museum in Ciutadella. It was a great overview for the rest of our time on the island as it went into detail about the island’s history, culture, archeology, and biodiversity.

I really appreciated the interactive exhibits that felt like a trip through Menorquín history. It is a small museum but a total gem!

Our favorite hikes in Menorca

Carlos: As we commented earlier, getting to some of the best “calas” in Menorca require some walking. From the place where you park your car, or the bus drops you, you have to walk at least 20 or 30 minutes to get to the beach. But don’t worry, these are great hikes, through Mediterranean forests, getting glimpses of the sea and building anticipation. One of the nicest is the hike from Cala Galdana to Cala Macarella, with some great vista points of both coves, and that extends to get to Cala Macarelleta, Macarella’s little sister. It’s a very popular walk, so we suggest you go early.

Karen: Ok, so this is not necessarily a “short” hike, but it can be hiked in parts making it a short hike. The Camí de Cavalls, literally meaning horse trail, loops around the entire edge of Menorca, Spain. It is about 180 kilometers (110 miles) in total.

Officially called the GR-223, there are 16 stages and to complete the whole thing takes anywhere from 2-4 days. But you will find trails on this route all over Menorca and can easily do a hike of a just a few hours instead. Of course, if you do hike the whole thing, you will literally walk through the island’s rich history and biodiversity. But if you don’t have time for that, I recommend focusing on the stages around the southernpart of the island.

Our favorite historical sites in Menorca

Carlos: Binissues is a large manor located in the interior of Menorca, close to the town of Ferreries. It was built in the 18th century, with clear British architectural influences (for instance, the green shutters, also present in many buildings in the island). The front gardens are a delight to stroll around.

The manor houses two museums, one dedicated to the ways of life in the 18th century, and the other a natural sciences museum with a large collection of butterflies and other insects.

Karen: Anyone who follows me on social media or reads my posts in this blog will know that I can not resist a good fortress or castle. And Menorca has one! The Fortress of La Mola in Mahón’s harbor has a long history of protecting Menorca from enemies and invaders.

One of the largest fortresses in Europe, La Mola offers panoramic views of the bay, the sea, and the island. Bonus: you can even reach the fortress by boat!

Our favorite archeological sites in Menorca

Carlos: Torralba d’en Salort is one of the main ancient sites in Menorca. Dating back to 4000 years ago, it has some interesting structures, such as a “Taula” (a “T” shaped magalithic structure said to resemble a bull’s head), a small “naveta” and some cool underground constructions. It can be a bit crowded with tourists sometimes, but it’s worth the visit.

Karen: Menorca is full of prehistoric sites. In fact, it is said that there are over 1,500, so it is hard to choose a favorite. But I am easily going with Naveta des Tudons.

Fresh off the tail from a non-work trip to Egypt where I saw the great pyramids, this pyramid is also great and has much less tourism than the Egyptian pyramids! In the middle of a field, it is a short walk to reach Naveta des Tudons. But as soon as you see it in front of you, you will understand why this is such a remarkable piece of history.

Personally, I love how many prehistoric sites Menorca, Spain has. And unfortunately not all 1,500 are accessible, but you can visit quite a few!

Our favorite architecture in Menorca

Carlos: Next to the cathedral, the courtyard and garden of Ciutadella’s Episcopal Palace is a delightful and quiet space, with a blend of architectural styles (most from the 18th century) and orange trees. With its well and the Christ statue, it looks almost like a theater set. Entrance is free.

Karen: I love the loggias in Ciutadella!

This beautiful arched exterior gallery is just so perfect. I am sure it is no surprise, but these were inspired by Italian architecture. But they just fit in so well in Ciutadella.

Architecture lover? Be sure to check out our guide to Spanish architecture!

Our favorite Menorquín food

Carlos: One of the simplest and most delicious specialties that you will find in Menorca is its signature sandwich: “Sobrasada con queso y miel”. It can be found with different types of bread, but the filling is the same: “Sobrasada” (a local sausage made with pork meat and paprika) spread on the bread, with local Mahon cheese and honey. The real breakfast of champions.

Karen: Again, this will come as no surprise to anyone, but I am saying it… queso de Mahón, or cheese of Mahón. This Menorquín cheese does not really come from the city of Mahón, but you will find farms that produce it all over the island.

This young, buttery, semi-cured cheese goes well with just about anything. And is just so easy to eat. It is one of Spain’s most popular cheeses, and you can often find it exported overseas too!

You can read more about the best foods in Spain, region by region to help whet your appetite!

Our favorite Menorquín drinks

Carlos: The British domination of the island during the 18th century left a tradition in Menorca: Gin making. Even if it follows the traditional recipe, Menorca’s gin has a different and particular flavor, very different to British and Dutch gins. And it’s the ingredient of the island’s most popular cocktail: “pomada”, which is basically gin with lemon juice. Simple but so refreshing and delicious.

Karen: So Carlos stole my choice of pomada, so I am going to go in a different direction, one that many don’t realize Menorca has: wine.

Though not really well known compared to the other wines of Spain, Menorca, Spain has a small wine industry, with a variety of reds and even a few whites. The wine making tradition on Menorca dates back to the 1200s. And if you want to try my personal favorite, look for Torralbenc White.

Our favorite shopping in Menorca

Carlos: Es Mercadal is a nice town that is located practically the center of the island. Its center is mostly pedestrian only and full of many small shops and boutiques. It’s the best place to buy and taste local delicacies such as pastissets or ensaimadas. There are also several clothing boutiques.

Bonus point: Very close to Es Mercadal you can drive up to the summit of Monte Toro, the island’s highest mountain. There you will find a small beautiful church, and some amazing views. And to go with the theme of shopping, there is a small market up there too!

Karen: I love the little shops in Binibeca! Some of them sell the typical tourist knick knacks, but you will also find shops selling original arts, crafts, and Menorquín specialties.

I couldn’t resist purchasing an original drawing of Binibeca and the sea. Now it is framed and is hanging in my office, and giving me inspiration to write this post!

Our favorite experiences in Menorca

Carlos: We already mentioned the delicious Mahon cheese, and a great experience in the island is to visit one of the many cheese factories where it’s produced, like the one in Subaida. We learned about the production process, saw how the cows are fed and taken care of, and enjoyed a huge cheese tasting, with many different varieties depending on the type of milk used and how long it’s aged.

Karen: Carlos discussed the pomada, which is a mix made of the island’s gin. But where is that gin produced and why is gin produced on Menorca, Spain, you ask. The best news is you can go discover this for yourself.

A tour of the Xoriguer Gin Factory in Mahón is not only possible, but highly recommended! There you will get to see how the gin is produced and learn about the colored history of Menorca’s gin industry. At the end it gets quite dangerous as they leave you in a room with many gin varieties and serve yourself cups to taste the gin!

Hot tip: don’t plan to drive anywhere after your gin tour and tasting!

Need help planning your trip to Menorca, the Ballearic Islands and the rest of Spain?

Carlos and Karen would love to personally assist you!

Through our varying levels of professional Spain travel planning services we can assist you with putting together your dream trip to Menorca, Spain. Whether you want to do a Balearic Islands itinerary or Menorca is just part of your trip to Spain, we have ways to work with you to make your trip unique, special, and memorable. All tailored to your passions, interests, and timeframe, of course!

Or you can book a FREE 15 minute discovery call to help you decide which of our professional Spain travel planning services suits you best.

If you loved this, you might like our other in depth guides by region.