Things to do
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Binibeca Vell
Whitewashed lanes, small arches and outside staircases twist through this holiday village on the south-east coast, built to look like a fishing hamlet. The houses are private homes, so visitors keep their voices down and stay out of doorways. Arrive early in the morning or towards evening to avoid the tour coaches, and allow about an hour.
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Cala Macarella
Pine cliffs close around a bay of white sand and pale turquoise water on the south coast west of Cala Galdana. A path over the headland leads on to Macarelleta, its smaller neighbour. Arrive early in summer, when the car park fills and the sand is crowded by midday. There is a small bar above the sand in summer and nothing else, so water and shade come with the visitor.
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Cala Mitjana
Limestone walls frame this small cove a short walk through pine woods from the road near Cala Galdana. The water is clear and shallow at the edge, and swimmers cross to the rocks on either side. Shade is limited and there are no services on the sand, so bring water and food. The sand is fullest between eleven and four in August.
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Cala Pregonda
Reddish sand and rock stacks set this north coast bay apart from the white southern coves. No road reaches the beach: a walk along the coast from the car park at Binimel·là leads there. Wear proper shoes, carry water and shade, and expect no services. North winds can bring rough water and seaweed, so calm days are best.
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Cala Turqueta
Named for its colour, this south coast cove sits between pine-covered headlands south of Ciutadella. A walk of a few minutes leads down from the car park through the trees. Arrive before ten in July and August, when the car park fills quickly. No kiosk, no sunbeds and no shade on the sand: the pines at the back are the only cover.
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Camí de Cavalls
Waymarked all the way round the island, this coastal path runs 185 kilometres in 20 stages past coves, cliffs, lighthouses and farmland. Most visitors walk a single stage, such as the stretch between Cala Galdana and the southern coves. Carry plenty of water, close every farm gate and stay on the marked path. April, May and October give walking temperatures; July and August stages start at first light.
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Ciutadella Old Town
Arcaded lanes, palaces and a Gothic cathedral fill the island's western town, and the old harbour below is lined with fish restaurants that come alive after dark. Walk the arches of Ses Voltes in the morning, then return for sunset at the harbour mouth. The Sant Joan festival in June brings horses into the streets and the town fills; book rooms well ahead for that week.
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Fornells
White houses line the waterfront of this fishing village on a wide, sheltered bay in the north. Calm water makes the bay a centre for windsurfing, paddleboarding and kayaking, and a small watchtower stands on the point. Lobster stew is the dish the village is known for; book a table ahead in summer, especially for lunch on weekends.
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La Mola Fortress
Guarding the mouth of Mahón harbour, this large 19th-century fortress spreads across a peninsula with tunnels, gun batteries and ramparts above the sea. Routes through the site take a couple of hours, and the walk includes uneven ground and dark galleries. Bring a hat in summer, since much of the visit is in the open sun, and check opening hours before driving out.
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Lithica Pedreres de s'Hostal
Quarrymen cut sandstone blocks from these pits outside Ciutadella for centuries, leaving deep geometric hollows that now hold gardens, a maze and a stone amphitheatre. Paths run along the rims and down into the cuts. Allow about ninety minutes, wear sturdy shoes, and come in the morning or late afternoon, since there is little shade.
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Monte Toro
Rising from the centre of the island above Es Mercadal, the highest hill on Menorca carries a sanctuary church and a terrace that looks over both coasts on a clear day. A winding road climbs to the top in a few minutes from the village. Come in the morning before haze builds, and allow about an hour for the views and the small church.
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Naveta des Tudons
Built of large stone blocks in the shape of an upturned boat, this Bronze Age burial chamber stands in fields off the main road east of Ciutadella. A short walk from the car park reaches it. The interior is closed to visitors, so the visit is about the outside and the setting. Allow under an hour, and pair it with Ciutadella on the same day.
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Port of Mahón
Stretching inland for several kilometres, the natural harbour below Maó is lined with quays, cafes and old naval buildings. Steps climb from the waterfront to the town above, and boat trips leave from the quay to circle the islands in the inlet. Late afternoon is the best light for the walk along the water, when the heat has gone out of the day.
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Torralba d'en Salord
Among holm oaks near Alaior, this prehistoric settlement keeps a tall T-shaped taula inside its sanctuary, along with stone houses and a water cistern. Paths with signs lead round the site in under an hour. Visit in the morning or late afternoon, when the light through the trees is softer and the stones are cooler underfoot.
