BeMenorca
A local's guide to Menorca

The island, told by the people who live here

The coves we actually go to, where to order caldereta, which stretch of the Camí de Cavalls to walk if you only have a morning, and how to get around without losing the day hunting for parking.

Start with the beaches Explore the Camí de Cavalls
[PHOTO: Cala Pregonda at sunset, red earth and turquoise water]
The wind rule

Before you pick a beach, check where the wind is coming from. With a tramontana (north wind), head for the southern coves: flat, crystal-clear water. With a migjorn (south wind), go north. It's the first thing every Menorcan learns.

Two coasts, two different islands

The south is pine woods, white sand and turquoise water. The north is red earth, dark rock and wild coves. Both are worth seeing.

[PHOTO: Cala Macarella]
South · Ciutadella

Macarella and Macarelleta

The island's postcard. In summer you get there by bus from Ciutadella or on foot from Cala Galdana along the Camí de Cavalls. Go early.

[PHOTO: Cala Pregonda]
North · Es Mercadal

Cala Pregonda

Golden sand between reddish rocks. Park at Binimel·là and walk along the sea for a while. Bring water: there's no beach bar.

[PHOTO: Cala Mitjana]
South · Ferreries

Cala Mitjana

White cliffs, pines down to the shore and a short walk from the car park. Next door is Mitjaneta, smaller and quieter.

[PHOTO: Cavalleria beach]
North · Es Mercadal

Cavalleria

A wide beach of reddish sand, easy to reach. Round off the afternoon by heading up to the Cavalleria lighthouse to watch the sun go down.

See all beaches and coves
GR 223

The Camí de Cavalls

A historic path that circles the whole island along the coast. You can do it on foot, by mountain bike or on horseback, in stages or in one go.

185 km
full loop
20
signposted stages
Stage-by-stage guide

Three stretches if you're short on time

Es Grau → Favàritx Through the s'Albufera des Grau nature park to the island's most lunar lighthouse. Binimel·là → Cala Pregonda Short and spectacular. The best taster of the north. Cala Galdana → Macarella Among pines and viewpoints over turquoise water. About 40 minutes on foot.

Inland and out at sea

Menorca is more than its coast. Inland it's dry-stone walls, ravines and old tracks; and from the water you see caves and coves no path reaches.

Inland hiking The Algendar ravine, the climb up Monte Toro from Es Mercadal and the tracks between farms. Mountain biking Rideable stretches of the Camí de Cavalls and the Camí d'en Kane, the old road that crosses the island. Bike hire Where to hire mountain bikes and e-bikes in Maó, Ciutadella, Es Mercadal and Fornells. Kayaking The bay of Fornells, Es Grau and the caves of the south coast, best first thing in the morning. Paddleboarding Sheltered water to get started and cove-to-cove crossings when the sea is flat.

What we eat here

Before choosing a restaurant, it helps to know what to order.

  • Lobster caldereta. The island's big dish. Fornells is its home.
  • Mahón-Menorca cheese. Young, semi-cured or cured. Buy it at a cheese dairy, not at the airport.
  • Sobrasada and carn-i-xulla. The local cured sausages, with bread and little else.
  • Pomada. Maó gin with lemonade, ice cold. The drink of the Sant Joan festival.
  • Ensaimada and pastissets. For breakfast or to take home.

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Stone, history and places you won't forget

A Biosphere Reserve since 1993 and, since 2023, a World Heritage Site for Talayotic Menorca. There's plenty to see once you're out of the water.

[PHOTO: Naveta des Tudons]

Talayotic Menorca

The Naveta des Tudons, Torre d'en Galmés, Torralba d'en Salort: taulas and settlements thousands of years old, out in the countryside.

[PHOTO: Ciutadella harbour]

Ciutadella and Maó

Two towns, two characters. Stone alleys and palaces in the west; one of the great natural harbours of the Mediterranean in the east.

[PHOTO: Lithica, the s'Hostal quarries]

Lithica

The old marès sandstone quarries of s'Hostal, turned into a garden and labyrinth. One of the most unusual places on the island.

[PHOTO: Favàritx lighthouse]

Lighthouses and viewpoints

Favàritx, Cavalleria, Punta Nati and the summit of Monte Toro, where you can see the whole island on a clear day.

Where to stay

Choose your base to suit the trip: Ciutadella for the southern coves, Maó for the east and the harbour, Es Mercadal or Fornells if you want to be in the middle of everything. Rural farm stays if you're after quiet.

Hotels Farm stays Apartments and villas
Check availability and prices

[AFFILIATE LINK: booking platform]

Car hire

To reach the good coves you need a car or a scooter. Book well ahead for July and August, and go small: the lanes are narrow, with dry-stone walls on both sides.

Airport pick-up Scooters Local companies
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[AFFILIATE LINK: car hire comparison]