Welcome to the island of Menorca, declared a biosphere reserve in 1993.
The distance between Mahon and Ciudadela is 45 km, which is covered by the main road (Me-1). This road passes through most of the villages on the island (Alayor, Es Mecardal and Ferreries). From north to south the maximum distance is 15 km. On the map (download below) we indicate the main roads of the island, as well as the beaches and coves of Menorca. We indicate in green the beaches or coves that can be reached by car, and in red those that can be reached on foot.
Zona Norte
What to visit in the northern area? The northern zone is very attractive due to its wild landscape, without much vegetation due to the north wind (tramuntana) that blows this part of the island during almost all the winter
Cap de cavallería: Virgin beach of dark sand known either for the famous clay baths or for its lighthouse and views of the cliffs.
Binimel·la: Just next to the cavalleria, a beautiful beach which can be reached in the direction of Fornells by taking the roundabout on the left.
Pregonda: Once you are in binimel-la, at the end of it there is a path that leads to cala pregonda.
Fornells: If you have already visited the previous beaches you can go to this beautiful village with a fishing port. A village with a large number of restaurants, many of which specialise in Caldereta de Langosta.
Cap de favaritx: A lighthouse in a lunar landscape’, a definition of one of the most beautiful places on the island.
Es Grau: Here you can visit the natural park of s’Albufera d’es Grau, its small fishing port and its beach. A good place for hikers as Es Grau boasts the best landscapes and good information to follow its paths.
La Vall: Natural area of special interest, with spectacular virgin beaches. You can access it from Ciutadella taking the road to Cala Morell.
Cala Morell: rocky landscape where you will find a Talayotic necropolis. There are many prehistoric caves with free entrance that make it a must see.
Zona Sur
What to visit in the southern area? The southern zone of the island is the most urbanized, but there are also a lot of beaches and virgin coves. This area is characterized by its fine white sand, lush vegetation, cliffs and ravines full of pine trees.
Cala Galdana: Urbanized cove, with a lot of services on the beach, we recommend it if you travel with children as it is a comfortable beach. Easy access and shady areas thanks to its pine trees.
Cala Mitjana: Virgin white sand cove, accessed on foot from Cala Galdana.
Santo Tomás: Urbanised beach, from this one you can access two virgin coves: on your right to Binigaus (10′ on foot) and on your left you can go to Atalis which is 20′ on foot.
Son Bou: The longest urbanised beach in Minorca (4 km approx)
A C E S S: From Ciutadella’s southern ring road, one can access the most famous virgin coves in the south: Macarella – Macarelleta – Calan Turqueta – Son Saura. To access them, take the roundabout on the southern ring road towards Sant Joan de Misa. Access to the car parks in these coves is regulated and before taking the road you will be informed of their full/free status
A route through the south?
Below we recommend a route to spend a morning and visit beaches and villages in the south-eastern part of the island:
On the main road ME-1 at Alayor you will find an exit with the indication Calan Porter. By this same road you will find one of the most important megalithic monuments of the island ‘Torralba’. A few kilometres away you will arrive at the Calan Porter crossroads, in this urbanization you will find the ‘Cova den Xoroi’, some caves that can be visited during the day as a museum or at night that becomes one of the most famous discotheques of the Balearic Islands. Leaving Calan Porter we go towards Mahon and we find the village of Sant Climent. In this village you will find the signs to the right towards Binidalí -Binibequer, taking this road you will find the only coastal road on the island. This road passes through beautiful villages such as Binidalí -Binibequer (a fishing village with white houses)- Binisafuller- finally ending up at Punta Prima where the island of Aire is located, home to the famous ‘sarganta negra’.
Menorca is not just a beach...
When the sun goes down, the beaches of Minorca empty out and the towns of the island take on colour… Towns like Ciutadella, Mercadal, Mahon, among others, see their squares fill up with people going to night-time craft markets. These markets, added to the great offer of restoration that there is in these towns, make a good plan not to stay in the hotel and to go out and visit the small streets and squares of the different interior towns of Minorca.
Menorca can boast of having the first sun in Spain, however it can also boast of having one of the best sunsets. It’s a free, short activity and doesn’t cut into your day as you can do things before and after the sunset. Cliffs, bars, mountains, beaches… there are many places where you can see a good sunset. Without a doubt, what you have around you at the moment of watching the sunset is what makes that moment different and beautiful, and that is what makes Menorca. Cavalleria lighthouse, Punta Nati or Monte Toro mountain itself are spectacular corners of the island that will leave you with a good memory of the moment.
Mahón
The administrative capital of Menorca, has the second largest natural port in Europe with a length of 5 km. Next to the maritime station there are several catamaran companies with which you can visit the port, visiting the King’s Island, the Lazaretto and the Mola fortress.
Ciutadella
Former capital of the island until the English occupation in 1714. It is the seat of the bishopric of Menorca. From our point of view it is the most beautiful city in Minorca. We recommend a walk through its old town and its narrow streets, visit its cathedral, palaces and small squares, discovering one of the best medieval cities in the Mediterranean. Don’t forget to visit its small natural harbour full of restaurants.