Menorca in 3, 5 and 7 days: car itineraries

Menorca is a small, compact island: you can cross it from Maó to Ciutadella in under an hour. That makes it perfect to explore by car on day trips, without the stress. Here are three itineraries that build on each other: start with the essentials in 3 days and, if you have more time, add days 4-5 and 6-7. They're all designed to be done by car, the easiest way to reach the coves and towns with no public transport.

Pick up the car as you land with our car rental at Menorca Airport and get going on day one without wasting time.

Menorca in 3 days: the essentials

Day 1 — The south and Ciutadella. Start at a southern cove: Cala Galdana is the most accessible and from there you can walk towards Macarella. In the afternoon, wander the old town of Ciutadella, the Plaça des Born and the port at sunset.

Day 2 — The wild north. Change of scenery: reddish sand and the tramontana wind. Visit Cala Pregonda or Cavalleria, climb to the Cavalleria lighthouse and eat a lobster stew in Fornells. On the way back, go up Monte Toro, the island's highest point, to see it coast to coast.

Day 3 — Maó and the southeast. Explore Maó and its natural harbour, one of the largest in the world (worth a boat trip). In the afternoon head to the southeast: the white village of Binibeca Vell —see our car rental in Binibeca— and the beach of Punta Prima, with its rental in Punta Prima. End with dinner by the harbour at Cales Fonts (Es Castell).

If you have 5 days: add these two

Day 4 — Postcard coves. Spend the day at the southern gems reachable by car: Cala en Turqueta, Cala Mitjana and the very long Son Bou. Get up early, as the car parks fill up soon. On the way, stop at the Naveta des Tudons, Menorca's most famous talayotic monument.

Day 5 — Nature and lighthouses. Walk a stretch of the Camí de Cavalls (the path that circles the whole island), visit the Favàritx lighthouse and the s'Albufera des Grau Natural Park, with the calm beach of Es Grau.

If you have 7 days: round it off like this

Day 6 — Sea and relaxation. Treat yourself to a day at sea: a boat or kayak trip around a cove, or a quiet day at a family beach in the north like Arenal d'en Castell —here's our rental in Arenal d'en Castell— or Son Parc.

Day 7 — Inland and shopping. Discover the inland towns (Es Mercadal, Ferreries, Es Migjorn Gran), buy some avarcas (Menorcan sandals) and a bottle of Menorcan gin, and in season, round off the night with a night market or the jaleo of a local festival.

Tips for your driving routes

• Plan by area. Don't hop from end to end: group your visits by area (south, north, southeast) so you don't spend the day on the road.
• Start early in summer. The car parks at the famous coves fill up before mid-morning; some, like Macarella, have restricted car access in summer.
• Adapt the plan to the wind. If the tramontana blows from the north, head south to swim, and vice versa.
• Book the car in advance, especially in July and August.

With a car you make the most of each day without depending on timetables or excursions. At AblaCars we make it easy: final price, no excess, no deposit and no surprise extras. Book your rental car in Menorca and plan your trip your way. To prepare your stops, our guides to the best beaches and coves and to summer night markets and festivals will help.