What to See in Menorca in 5 Days: Beaches and Tips

Person wearing a beige cap with a tattooed shoulder overlooks a sunny, sandy beach and turquoise bay with colorful jet skis on the shore.

We’ve just got back from 5 days in Menorca, in early July, and I’ll start by saying that it welcomed us in a way I wasn’t expecting: with the tramontana, the cold, dry wind coming from the north, which made most of the wind-exposed beaches practically unusable.

After the first 2 days the wind disappeared, the sea turned back into a mirror and we discovered the true face of Menorca: a wild island, with a very slow rhythm and crystal-clear water practically everywhere.


In this article I’ll tell you about our experience: how we got around, where we stayed, which were the most beautiful beaches and coves we saw (including a boat tour along the whole south coast), where we ate well and where we didn’t, and an honest comparison between Menorca and Mallorca to help you work out which of the two is really right for you. 🌊

In short: Menorca can comfortably be explored in 4-5 days, with a hire car practically essential. We split our stay between Punta Prima (south-east) and Arenal d’en Castell (north), but for life and bars the handiest base is Ciutadella (though factor in the distance from the airport). The golden rule for enjoying the island is to check the wind: with the tramontana from the north you head to the southern beaches, with the migjorn from the south to the northern ones. At the most famous coves in the south (Macarella, Macarelleta, Turqueta) in summer you can’t arrive by car: only by shuttle bus from Ciutadella, on foot, by bike or by sea. It’s a perfect island for anyone who loves the sea and nature and slow rhythms, less so for anyone looking for nightlife.

Close-up selfie of a smiling woman with a floral tattoo on her arm, wearing a necklace, at a clear turquoise sea under a blue sky.

Getting to and around Menorca

In short: Menorca has a single airport, near Maó, with seasonal direct flights from Italy. On the island a hire car is the most convenient choice, but it needs booking well in advance because availability is limited; alternatively, staying in Mahon or Ciutadella you can get around with public buses and the beach shuttles. It’s a small island: everything is close by and the pace is deliberately slow.

We arrived from Bergamo on a Ryanair flight, about an hour and 15 minutes to Menorca airport.

From there we picked up the car straight away: essential for properly visiting the whole island! We went with the company Alamo.

So do you really need a car? For the way we like to travel, yes: if you want to see several coves in a day or reach the wild beaches of the north, without a car you’ll miss a large part of the island. Honestly, though, it can also be done without: staying in Ciutadella or Mahon and relying on buses and shuttles you’ll still reach several beaches, giving up a bit of freedom and flexibility. Alternatively you can use a scooter! Although not advisable with the gusts of wind that accompanied our first few days.


One last thing about the pace: Menorca is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The distances are tiny (from the far end of Ciutadella to Mahon it’s about 47 km), the inland roads are narrow and people drive slowly (according to Fabio, excessively slowly) — cars rarely reached 40-50 km/h. You get it within an hour: here everything moves veeery slowly.

Where to stay in Menorca

In short: we slept in two areas: Punta Prima (south-east) and Arenal d’en Castell (north). On top of that, during my research I’d saved a few properties, and having now seen the areas in person I feel able to point them out to you: worth a look, at least.

While researching the trip I’d saved a number of properties, and having now seen these areas with my own eyes I feel able to tell you to give them at least a look.

Cala’n Porter. I discovered it during the boat tour and as a location it struck me as really convenient. From the sea I was taken with THIS HOTEL: it’s the only hotel in Cala’n Porter right on the beach, so by going down early (before 10) you’ll find a parasol easily. Here it is on Booking. If you prefer an apartment, I’d saved one about 900 metres from the beach, with very few negative reviews: have a look at it here on Booking.


Son Bou. It’s one of the beaches I loved most (be careful with the wind, though, because it isn’t sheltered), so if you want to be in the area I’ll leave you two apartments I’d saved, both with excellent reviews: one very close to the beach (you’ll find it HERE) and one with a pool and an incredible view (you can see the details HERE), described in the reviews as fully equipped, in a beautiful setting and with a wonderful view.

If instead you’re after life and bars for the whole holiday, the handiest base remains Ciutadella: livelier and well connected to the southern coves, bearing in mind the distance from the airport (about 45 km).

Turquoise water along a rocky cove with a sandy beach and sunbathers in the background

Mahon and Ciutadella: Menorca’s two most famous towns

Mahon, the capital

Honestly, Mahon didn’t wow us. It’s pretty, yes, but so small that you get round it in no time and it didn’t leave us with much. Interesting all the same that its harbour is the largest natural harbour in the Mediterranean!


Ciutadella, the one I liked more

Ciutadella is bigger than Mahon and above all it feels far more alive: there are plenty of bars and a bit of buzz, something almost entirely missing from the rest of the island. I really liked the little streets in the centre and it’s the town where, if I went back, I’d choose to stay.

The practical point, though, is the distance from Mahon and the airport (about 45 km, an hour by car). We landed late in the evening so we preferred to stop near the airport. If your flight arrives in the morning, I’d head straight to Ciutadella. On top of that, the buses leave from there, so if you’re thinking of using the car very little it’s a base that makes life easier, evening life and bars included.

Sunny pedestrian street lined with pastel buildings and decorative lanterns hanging overhead; a few people stroll along the cobblestone walkway.
Mahon
Sunny narrow pedestrian street in a Mediterranean town, old stone buildings with balconies, people strolling under a bright blue sky.
Ciutadella

The wind in Menorca: the first thing to check

I learned this the hard way. We arrived in early July 2026 in the middle of a tramontana: three days of northerly wind, with gusts of up to 40 km/h. As a beginner I went to Son Bou because “it’s in the south”. Mistake: Son Bou is the longest beach on the island, low-lying and completely open, with nothing to shelter it. Sand in your face and the feeling of being on a motorbike. Beautiful beach, but on the wrong day.

What to actually do in strong wind: go for the enclosed bays, which act as a shield. In the south the most sheltered are Cala Galdana and Cala en Porter (the locals recommend them too). And here’s the surprise: even in the north, a tucked-away bay like Arenal d’en Castell can stay usable even with the tramontana — on those days the locals were reporting sheltered wind, just with higher waves, because the north with a northerly wind takes the sea head-on. On really extreme windy days, though, not even the enclosed bays are an absolute guarantee.

Two tools the Menorcans use, and that I started checking every morning myself: the Windy app for the wind and the forecasts from AEMET, the Spanish weather service. And if you’re getting around by scooter: with gusts of 40 km/h, take great care.

The most beautiful beaches and coves in Menorca

In short: the real reason you come to Menorca is the beaches, and the good news is that the water is crystal-clear practically everywhere: there’s no need to chase after the coves at dawn to find a swimming-pool sea. That said, the most famous ones on the south coast (Macarella, Macarelleta, Turqueta) have regulated access in summer, and we chose to see them in the most convenient and scenic way: from the sea.

🚤 The boat tour along the south coast

If I had to recommend a single experience in Menorca, it would be this one. We did a boat tour along the whole south coast, the one with the white coves set among the cliffs, and it was the perfect way to see them all in one go. It was a small-group tour, maximum 10 people — we almost felt like we were on a private outing.

During the excursion we stopped for a swim at some of the most beautiful ones, such as around Cala Turqueta, with that turquoise, transparent water that looks fake. Macarella and Macarelleta, on the other hand, we admired and photographed from the sea: and here there’s a not insignificant practical advantage, because in summer you can’t reach these two coves by car (I’ll explain below).

I’ll leave you the link to the tour we did. And remember my code ANGELAISAI5: it’s valid on any GetYourGuide activity, anywhere in the world, not just in Menorca.

Two people sunbathing on a bright blue inflatable boat in crystal turquoise water near a small wooden dock.

How to reach the famous coves (Macarella, Turqueta and co.)

At Cala Macarella and Macarelleta, from June to September, you can’t arrive by private car: only by shuttle bus from Ciutadella (buy the ticket online in advance, because in July and August it sells out days ahead), on foot along the Camí de Cavalls from Cala Galdana (about 45 minutes), by bike or by sea. At Cala Turqueta and Cala Mitjana, on the other hand, you can still get there by car, but the car parks have a capped number of spaces: if they’re full you get turned back, so it’s worth arriving early in the morning (I was told in August by 7:30-8:00). The Camí de Cavalls, by the way, is the ancient path that circles the whole island: if you love walking, the south-coast stretches are scenic and beautiful.

Person stand-up paddleboarding on calm turquoise water near a sandy beach with sunbathers and a forested hill behind.
Cala Macarella
Aerial view of a turquoise beach with boats anchored in clear water and a crowded sandy shore with colorful umbrellas and sunbathers.
Cala Turqueta

Cala Galdana

We really liked it. It’s a large horseshoe bay enclosed by tall white cliffs and pine woods that come almost down to the water: scenic and, unsurprisingly, one of the few beaches with full facilities. It’s also the perfect base for setting off on foot towards Macarella (about 45 minutes on the Camí de Cavalls) or towards Cala Mitjana.

Son Bou

The longest beach in Menorca (about 2.5 km), low-lying and golden, with the dunes and the Prat wetland behind it. Precisely because it’s so long, it never gets as crowded as the small coves: there’s always plenty of space. It’s beautiful and very convenient, but as I told you it’s open and exposed: on the wrong tramontana day it becomes unusable.

Crowded beach with umbrellas along clear turquoise water, backed by resort buildings and trees on a hillside.
Cala Galdana
Sunny beach with white sand, light blue water, and people playing near the shore; rocky hill in the background.
Son Bou

Arenal d’en Castell

My favourite. On the north coast, it’s an almost circular bay, enclosed and sheltered, with calm, warm and shallow water: perfect for relaxing and great for families. It’s built up and has all the amenities within easy reach.

Cala (Platja de) Cavalleria

If you want a completely different landscape, this is the beach. We’re on the wild north coast, the one with the reddish sand, almost Martian, due to the clays of the area: an incredible contrast with the blue of the water. You get there easily by car as far as the free car park and then with a short walk down a little wooden staircase. There are no facilities on the beach (only a chiringuito at the car park), so bring water and lunch. An honest warning, worth its weight in gold: being in the north and exposed, with the tramontana it fills with waves and often with jellyfish.

The thing we take home, though, is exactly what I said at the start: in Menorca the water is wonderful everywhere. If you don’t fancy dawn alarms or long walks, that’s absolutely fine: stop at the first cove you come across and it’ll be a dream sea anyway. 🌊

We saw several other beaches but honestly? The water is stunning everywhere. After seeing quite a few, I kept asking myself why there’s this obsession with racing off at dawn for certain beaches when in fact the water is crystal-clear and stunning everywhere. I understand it if you get bored after a while and so it becomes almost an adventure to see as many beaches as possible, but if you want a relaxing trip, listen to me: there’s no need to rush. Menorca is surrounded by splendid waters.

Arenal d'en Castell
Aerial view of a crescent sandy beach with turquoise water and sunbathers under umbrellas along the shore.
Cala de Cavalleria

Where to eat in Menorca

The two we happily went back to

Locanda Margot, in Ciutadella: run by Italian staff, with good tapas. And Casa Andrés, near Son Bou.

The one that didn’t convince us

Here I have to be honest: El Olivar de Amagatay, in Alaior (a stone’s throw from Son Bou), is a hugely famous restaurant (I swear I found it in every single article about Menorca) belonging to an elegant agriturismo set in a centuries-old olive grove, and the location really is wonderful: dinner among the olive trees, in the light of the sunset. The problem is everything else: for us the value for money just wasn’t there. You pay a lot, an awful lot, for cooking that isn’t up to the setting. A shame, because the place has enormous potential, but we wouldn’t go back. I’m telling you to save you a nasty surprise, given how famous it is. Then again, as always, it can come down to taste!

What we didn’t do (but that I’ll flag for you)

In 5 days spent mostly on the beach we didn’t see absolutely everything. These are the things my followers recommended to me and that, with a few more days, I’d have added: I’m flagging them as destinations to consider:

  • Monte Toro — the highest point on the island, above Es Mercadal.
  • Favàritx Lighthouse — a lighthouse set in a landscape of dark slate, almost lunar, inside the S’Albufera des Grau nature park.
  • Fornells — a fishing village on the north coast, famous for the caldereta de langosta, the lobster stew that is Menorca’s signature dish.
  • Cova d’en Xoroi — in Cala en Porter, a bar carved into a cave overlooking the sea, famous for sunset drinks.

What to pack for Menorca (the things that saved us)

Woman wearing a beige cap in a car, shading her eyes with the brim in bright daylight.
UPF 50+ hat, water- and stain-resistant. It's super lightweight and foldable — for me a brilliant product in summer! Click the photo to see it on Amazon
Person clips a pink striped fabric to a clothesline with a bright green clothespin; sunglasses and a tattooed arm visible outdoors.
The sunlounger clips that are a must on this trip, given Menorca's constant wind! Never again will your beach towel blow away. You can find them by clicking the photo
Man hiking away from camera on a rocky desert trail, wearing a black sleeveless shirt and a black backpack.
Our dry bag! Phones, power bank, wallet and so on always go in here because NOTHING gets in! We submerged it in the water and everything inside stays perfectly dry. Click the photo!

Menorca or Mallorca? My comparison

I’m including this section because on Instagram you’ve asked me about it so many times: is Menorca or Mallorca better (you’ll find the dedicated article HERE)? Let’s start with the concrete differences. Mallorca is more than five times bigger, and that means more things to do, more life, more variety: there’s Palma, a lovely city to visit with its Gothic cathedral, there are gorgeous villages, the mountains, evening life. Menorca is the opposite: still wild, largely deserted and with an extremely slow pace. What there is to see here is mainly the coves and the sea and little else: scarce nightlife, everything slowed down, lots and lots of families. Two different holidays, not one better than the other.


If you know me, you know I love buzz, cities and having plenty of options, so I have a soft spot for Mallorca. But it’s a purely personal matter and precisely for that reason, if you’re after sea, silence and nature, Menorca suits you more than it suits me. What’s more, its waters really are incredible — for me they beat not only Mallorca but a great many other islands.

How to choose: do you want to slow down, a postcard sea and nature in its purest state? Menorca, without a doubt. Do you want a richer, more varied and livelier island, with towns and evening life too? Then take a look at my 4-day guide to Mallorca. Either way, you can’t go wrong — both are very beautiful.


Conclusions: our honest verdict on Menorca

What do we take home from these 5 days? Menorca does one thing only, but it does it superbly: sea and nature. The water is among the most beautiful we’ve seen, crystal-clear practically everywhere, and the slow pace forces you to switch off for real. If that’s what you’re looking for, it’s an island that repays you.

But it’s only fair to know the rest too, unfiltered. Menorca is expensive, both for accommodation and for restaurants (we often cooked to keep costs down). It’s slow and with little to do beyond the beaches: you realise it straight away, even just from the cars going at 30-40 km/h. And the wind can easily ruin your plans.


And all that’s left is to wish you a great trip, as always! 🙂

Frequently asked questions about Menorca

We were there for 5 and that was enough to explore the main beaches of the south and north at a relaxed pace
It’s highly recommended for reaching the coves and the northern beaches freely. Alternatively, by staying in Mahon or Ciutadella you can get around with the public buses and the beach shuttles.
May-June and September offer good weather and fewer crowds. July and August are the hottest and busiest months, with the famous coves regulated by access limits and shuttles.
From June to September you can’t reach Macarella and Macarelleta by private car: only by shuttle bus from Ciutadella (ticket online, in advance), on foot along the Camí de Cavalls from Cala Galdana (about 45 minutes), by bike or by sea.
In the south the most famous are Cala Galdana, Son Bou, Macarella, Macarelleta and Turqueta; in the north Arenal d’en Castell and Cavalleria, with its reddish sand. The golden rule: choose the coast according to the wind.
Mahon is the capital, small, with a spectacular natural harbour. Ciutadella is bigger and livelier, with more bars: it’s our favourite and the handiest base for a stay, bearing in mind it’s about an hour from the airport.
It depends on the trip. Menorca is ideal for anyone who loves the sea, nature and slow rhythms; Mallorca, much bigger, offers more to do, more life and a city like Palma.

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