What to see in Menorca by car: routes, coves and villages

Menorca is a small, compact island with enormous variety: over a hundred coves, whitewashed villages, lighthouses, prehistoric sites and two completely different coastlines. Travelling by car is by far the best way to discover it at your own pace, without depending on bus timetables or organised tours. In this guide we tell you what to see, how to plan your routes by area and the practical tips that make all the difference.

If you arrive by plane, the easiest option is to pick up the car as soon as you land with our car hire at Menorca airport; and if you come by ferry, we deliver it at the Port of Mahón.

Getting around the island

The main road, the Me-1, crosses Menorca from east to west, linking Maó (the capital) with Ciutadella in just under an hour. The turn-offs to the coves branch off this central axis, almost all at the end of minor roads. That's why the key is to plan by area rather than zig-zag from one end to the other.

A local tip: the Camí de Cavalls (an old bridle path of about 185 km that rings the whole island) connects many neighbouring coves on foot. For some beaches, walking part of the way is the prettiest —and sometimes the only— way to get there.

The south: white sand and turquoise water

The south coast is the classic Menorca postcard: pale sand, turquoise water, pine woods and ravines.

• Cala Galdana. The most accessible cove and the best equipped; ideal for families. A great starting point for walking to other beaches.
• Cala Macarella and Macarelleta. The most photographed on the island. In summer (roughly June to September) private cars are not allowed: you get there by shuttle bus from Ciutadella, on foot from Cala Galdana (about 30-40 minutes along the Camí de Cavalls) or by boat. Out of season you can drive in.
• Cala en Turqueta and Cala Mitjana. Two gems you can reach by car, with free but small car parks that fill up very early: arrive first thing in the morning or late in the afternoon.
• Son Saura and Son Bou. Son Bou is the longest beach in Menorca, with services; Son Saura is wilder, with good shade from the pines.

The north: wild scenery and reddish sand

The north coast is more rugged, with reddish, darker tones and the tramontana wind as the main character. If it's blowing hard, the south is usually better for swimming; if the sea is rough, the north makes up for it with viewpoints and spectacular lighthouses.

• Cala Pregonda and Cala Cavalleria, with golden-red sand and an almost lunar feel.
• Cavalleria lighthouse, with unbeatable views of the northern cliffs.
• Favàritx lighthouse, in a slate landscape within the s'Albufera des Grau Natural Park. In summer car access is usually restricted, as it is to the nearby Cala Presili and Cala Tortuga.

Charming towns and villages

• Maó. The capital, overlooking one of the largest natural harbours in the world.
• Ciutadella. The prettiest old town on the island, with its cathedral and harbour at sunset.
• Fornells. A fishing village in the north, famous for its lobster stew (caldereta de langosta).
• Binibeca Vell. A maze of narrow lanes and white houses recreating an old fishermen's village.
• Es Mercadal and Monte Toro. Climb the highest point in Menorca (about 358 m) to see the island from coast to coast.
• Cova d'en Xoroi, in Cala en Porter: caves in the cliff turned into a viewpoint, spectacular at sunset.

A trip into prehistory: Talayotic Menorca

Menorca is dotted with megalithic monuments thousands of years old, recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Don't miss the Naveta des Tudons, near Ciutadella, or the Talayotic settlements scattered across the island. Having a car is practically essential to visit them.

Practical tips for driving around Menorca

• Get up early in summer. The car parks at the most famous coves fill up before mid-morning; on the access roads to the south, panels show which car parks are full.
• Check the season's access restrictions. Some coves and lighthouses can only be reached by shuttle bus, on foot or by bike during the summer, and the dates change every year.
• Footwear and water. Many unspoilt coves require a final walk along a path.
• Book your car in advance, especially in July and August.

The freedom of having a car is what turns a trip to Menorca into a complete experience. At AblaCars we are a local company and we make it easy: a final price, with no excess and no deposit, and no surprise extras at the counter. Book your rental car in Menorca and, if you arrive by plane, we'll have it waiting for you at Menorca airport.