Where to Stay in Menorca: Best Towns and Top Hotels

If I had to live anywhere else in the world, other than Berlin, it would probably be in Menorca. This incredible, rugged, and beautiful European island has it all. Some of the most beautiful beaches I've ever been to, amazing produce and cuisine, a good mix of larger towns and villages, and great weather.

And yet Menorca is often overshadowed by Ibiza and its bigger sister, Mallorca. Whilst I also love those two Balearic Islands, I find Menorca even more charming. There's a good mix of traditional towns, kid-friendly resorts, and idyllic beaches that can only be reached on foot.

But when it comes to where to stay in Menorca, it can get a bit confusing. Whilst it's not the biggest of the Balearic Islands, the beaches and towns are pretty spread out, and making sure you're staying in the best area is important.

In this guide, I'm going to take you through my favorite places in Menorca, the top things to do there, and suggest accommodation for all budgets. Whether you're looking for a Mediterranean city vibe or a picture-perfect beach resort, you'll find it in Menorca!

Getting Around Menorca

Before I first went to Menorca, I imagined it being much smaller than it actually is. Whilst there are busses to take you around the island, the easiest way is to rent a car or scooter – depending on how far you're planning on traveling. If you're staying close to the capital Mahón and intend on staying on the beach most of the time, you can just get the bus there and use other forms of public transport as and when you need it.

But if you're going further afield, a car is a good idea. A couple of the times I've been, we've gotten a taxi from the airport to the town we were staying in and then rented a scooter there. Having a scooter in Menorca gives you much more flexibility. In summer, the best beaches get very busy which means once the car park is full, cars get turned away – but there's almost always space for an extra scooter!

Getting to Menorca

If you're thinking of traveling around the Balearic Islands, you'll be glad to know that ferries leave often from Mallorca and it's a really beautiful crossing. The fast ferry only takes an hour! There are also daily and weekly ferries from Barcelona and Valencia to Menorca which can take between 3.5 and 16 hours, depending on the type of ferry and season.

Of course, you can also get flights from mainland Spain and other European cities directly to Mahón airport.

The 4 Best Places to Stay in Menorca

Menorca is a really diverse island and offers something to every type of traveler. Whether you fancy a boutique apartment in a more remote town or a luxury hotel with spa facilities in the capital, you'll be spoilt for choice. Here are my favorite places to stay on the island.

Fornells: A quiet little old fishing village in the north of the island. Perfect for couples and those looking to travel around.

Ciutadella: The second biggest city in Menorca after the capital, Mahón. It's ideal for families and solo travelers and has plenty of beautiful beaches nearby.

Cala Mitjana, Cala Mitjaneta, Cala Galdana: 3 beautiful beaches close to each other, offering plenty of accommodation, idyllic Balearic coves, and a resort feel.

Binibeca: A beautiful town on the south coast with white-washed walls and great beaches that's close to other towns.

1. Where to Stay in Menorca for Exploring the North of The Island: Fornells (My Favorite!)

Best for: A quieter atmosphere, fewer tourists, and beautiful beaches.

Menorca is split up into several areas, each of which has a different feel to it. Many of the more touristy resorts that are great for family holidays are in the south and west of the island, whereas the north is much more rugged and has some of my favorite beaches too.

Fornells is a beautiful, quaint town in the heart of the north of the island. Its historical charm dates back to when the English owned Menorca and there are lots of great boutique shops, restaurants, and accommodation options to choose from.

Fornells is a small town, so there's not exactly a huge amount of things to do, unlike some places on the South Coast. But that's kind of the point. It's the perfect place to base yourself to go to the northern beaches, eat delicious food in one of the many restaurants, and stroll along the pier at night.

Things to Do in Fornells

Go to Platja de Cavalleria: This is such a beautiful, wild, and unusual beach just a short drive away from Fornells. It has red sand, which isn't uncommon in the north of the island, crystal clear waters, and a good stretch of beach that's relatively quiet compared to other areas of Menorca. You can also walk across to Cala Rotja, which is a rockier and quieter beach that's great for snorkeling.

Go to Platja de'n Tortuga: This beach is further to the east of Fornells and not one for those expecting to park and be directly on the beach. You park in the same car park as for Cala Presili, and either get the bus or walk the winding road to the lighthouse. From there it's about a 20-minute walk to the beach, over a landscape that can only be described as looking like Mars. Really. There's red rock everywhere and it appears to be full of craters, it's quite spectacular but make sure you go early to miss the midday heat and wear good shoes.

There's also no bathroom or cafe at Platja de'n Tortuga, so bring plenty of water and some food. The beach itself is picturesque Balearic, with sparkling turquoise water and pristine white sand. It might be a bit of a trek getting there but it's certainly worth it!

Enjoy Seafood in One of The Best Restaurants: The little winding streets of Fornells are dotted with cute restaurants, bars, and cafes. Sa Fonda in the main square serves freshly caught seafood, rice dishes, and local Balearic cuisine.

Es Tap is a great little bar that you're likely to pass if you're not concentrating. It's only open seasonally so check! Out the back of this place is a beautiful little courtyard decorated with wine bottles and plants, serving delicious local and non-local wine.

Go for a Dip in the Tiniest Little Cala: A little past the pier in Fornells is a rugged coastline with beautiful views over the sea and passing boats. There's also an adorable little Cala with steps added that looks like a plunge pool. We used to go every evening after a day exploring and we were almost always the only ones there.

Best Hotels to Stay in Fornells

($$) Comitas Tramontana Park

This apartment complex is clean, well-located, and has a large outdoor pool. There's also a gym, and private terraces, and many of the rooms have a sea view.

Check availability and best rates

($$) Hostal la Palma

This wonderful hotel is located right next to the port in Fornells and offers 2 outdoor swimming pools and a large garden. It's close to restaurants, bars, and cafes.

Check availability and best rates

($) Hostal S'Algaret

This is a great hotel just 60 meters from Port Fornells, with an outdoor pool and a beautiful garden. Each room has a garden view and there's a restaurant and bar available too.

Check availability and best rates

Pros of Staying in Fornells

• Idyllic little town

• Fewer tourists

• Great base for exploring the north

• Lots of delicious restaurants

• Plenty of nice walks around

Cons of Staying in Fornells

• You need a mode of transport

• There is a beach, but it's not as good as many others in the area

• It's smaller, so fewer accommodation options

2. Where to Stay in Menorca for History, Food, and A Good Location: Ciutadella

Best for: Bigger city vibes, access to other areas of the island, and sightseeing.

Ciutadella is often overlooked as a place to stay in Menorca with many thinking beach towns are a better bet. But I love Ciutadella. In fact, I prefer it to the capital Mahón – although Mahón is also 100% worth visiting.

Centuries ago, Ciutadella used to be the main trading hub of Menorca and you can still feel its grandeur in the buildings and streets. The historic town of Ciutadella is particularly beautiful and it reminds me quite a lot of Palma, the capital of Mallorca.

If you decide to stay in Ciutadella, you're getting the best of both worlds. You can explore the winding streets and enjoy city life, whilst also being close to beaches. Because it's a city, you can also make use of public transport, meaning you don't need a car.

Things to Do in Ciutadella

Explore the Streets: One of the best things to do in Ciutadella, or any town for that matter, is wander around and get lost in the beautiful streets. You should definitely head towards the old town and stop off in a cafe or bar to soak up the atmosphere.

Go to the Port: Wherever you go in the Balearic Islands, you're sure to see super yachts and incredible boats. One of the best places I've seen seriously impressive boats was in Ciutadella port. Take a walk around, marvel at the boats, and then stop off in one of the bars for a sunset vermouth or gin and tonic – Menorca brews its own gin called Xoriguer and it's delicious!

Visit the Cathedral: Of course, this beautiful citadel has a very impressive cathedral and one you should go to. You have to pay a small fee to enter or you can marvel at it from outside.

Go to Cala Pilar: Cala Pilar is one of my favorite beaches in Menorca – I know I've said that about nearly all of them so far, but it's impossible to choose just one. It's about 30 minutes from the city center and, as is normal for the north of Menorca, you have to walk for about 45 minutes from the car park. But the walk is stunning and quite shaded and the beach is beautiful when you arrive.

Go to Sa Caleta: This beach is smaller and not as well-known as other beaches on the island. It's not exactly within walking distance from Ciutadella, but it's closer than many others. The water is stunning and there's a small sandy area, plus many flat rocks to put your towel down on.

Go on a Boat Tour: There are lots of excellent boat trips leaving Cituadella daily to take you along the coast to some of the best beaches on the island. It's an excellent way to see Menorca and enjoy places you'd be otherwise unable to get to.

Best Hotels to Stay in Ciutadella

($$$) Faustino Gran Relais & Chateaux

This hotel is opposite the port in Ciutadella and is composed of 3 palaces from the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries. There are luxury suites to choose from and a stunning swimming pool. There's a restaurant and terraces to enjoy.

Check availability and best rates

($$) Hotel Ca S'Arader Turismo de Interior

This 4* hotel is excellently located, close to the cathedral. All rooms have a patio and some have views over the rooftops or of the sea.

Check availability and best prices

($) Hostal Sa Prensa

This is a family-run guest house with various rooms, a terrace, a garden, and views of the Mediterranean. The rooms are clean and bright and there's a tapas bar on the ground floor.

Check availability and best prices

Pros of Staying in Ciutadella

• Lots of things to do

• Beautiful Old Town

• Best of both worlds – city and close to beaches

• More regular public transport

• Great restaurants

• Lots of wonderful hotels with elegant rooms and private pools

Cons of Staying in Ciutadella

• Bigger town vibes rather than idyllic beaches – which might not be a con for all

• You need to travel to the beach

3. Where to Stay in Menorca for Perfect Beaches: Cala Mitjana, Cala Mitjaneta, Cala Galdana

Best for: Sandy beaches, hidden coves, and accommodation options.

These three beaches are all very close to each other with Cala Galdana being the biggest. Cala Mitjana and Cala Mitjaneta are beautiful beaches with white sand, crystal clear waters, and rugged cliffs that offer some welcome shade. Unlike the beaches in the north, these three beaches are more of the ‘iconic' Balearic beaches that you think of when it comes to Menorca.

Buses run from both Ciutadella and Mahón and take between 30 and 45 minutes to get there. If you're driving, you'll need to park in the large car park at Cala Galdaner. It may be large, and it may hold over 200 cars, but I went at 10 am in June and it was already full. So make sure you leave early or you take a scooter!

Cala Mitjana is bigger than next door Cala Mitjaneta and a great place to take kids. The water is clear and calm and it's a beautiful walk down. Cala Mitjaneta is pretty small and there wasn't much space to put your towel down when we got there. You can also hike up some of the cliffs for more space and a better view and walk down to the water.

Cala Galdana is just a 20-minute walk away from Cala Mitjana and it's more built up, meaning there are some great beach hotels and accommodations to choose from. This area is perfect if you're looking for a beach holiday, with three beaches to choose from.

Things to Do in Cala Mitjana, Cala Mitjaneta, and Cala Galdana

Go to the Beach: Whether you go to the large, horseshoe-shaped beach at Cala Galdana, Cala Mitjana, or Cala Mitjaneta you're sure to find perfect water and sand. Cala Galdana is a bit more built up and ‘resorty' than the other two, but it is really family-friendly.

Horseback Ride along the White Sand: You could always go horseriding to Cala Mitjana if you want a more adventurous activity. This particular tour is great for beginners to do and you get some incredible views. In winter you can walk along the sandy beaches, but it's prohibited in summer, so you go to a wonderful viewpoint instead.

Rent a Boat: There are plenty of boat rental companies along the main beach and promenade in Cala Galdana and hiring one is a wonderful way to explore the coastline.

Enjoy a Great Meal in a Typical Restaurant: There are some wonderful restaurants and cafes in Cala Galdana. One of my favorites is Es Barranc, they do amazing seafood and tapas.

Where to Stay in Cala Galdana

Even though Cala Mitjana and Cala Mitjaneta are very close, basically all of the accommodation in the area is in Cala Galdana.

($$$) Meliá Cala Galdana

Choose ‘The Level' for luxury accommodation and services with access to an adults-only outdoor pool. There are two swimming pools in this resort hotel with some of the rooms having a private terrace. There are also bars, restaurants, and cafes to enjoy

Check availability and best prices

($$) Prinsotel Villas Cala Galdana

This beautiful villa has a large swimming pool and is surrounded by Menorca's natural beauty. It's close to the beach and has a spacious terrace to enjoy. It's the perfect place for a family holiday!

Check availability and best prices

($) The Desmais

This apartment complex has a private pool, terrace, and garden to relax in. It's a five-minute walk into Cala Galdana and just 15 minutes from Cala Mitjana.

Check availability and best prices

Pros of Staying in Cala Galdana

• Short walk away from Cala Mitjana and Cala Mitjaneta

• Lots of accommodation options

• Kid-friendly beach

• Beautiful scenery

Cons of Staying in Cala Galdana

• More touristy and built up than other areas

• Can get very full in the summer

• The beach there is large and not the idyllic Balearic cove – although they're close by

• Not a lot to do if you don't like the beach!

4. Where to Stay in Menorca for White-Washed Houses, Great Beaches, and a Romantic Setting: Binibeca

Best for: Location, exploring beaches, and day trips.

For many people, Binibeca is just a day-trip destination to go and marvel at the beautiful buildings and wander around the cobbled streets. But actually, in my opinion, Binibeca is a great place to base yourself on the south coast and is certainly more charming than some of the other, bigger resort towns.

Binibeca is separated in two – the old and new town. While the newer area of town has respected the style of the old, there's a bit of a different feel to it, but both are worth wandering around and exploring. I really like Binibeca because it feels like a great mix of almost everything you'd want from a holiday in Minorca. It has bundles of charm, a wonderful beach, calas close by, and there are loads of things to do right on your doorstep.

Things to Do in Binibeca

Go to Playa Binibeca: Playa Binibeca is a stretch of beautiful sand right in front of the new part of the town. It has crystal clear waters that are excellent for snorkeling and the bay is generally sheltered thanks to the rock formation, making it ideal for kids too. There are a couple of great little restaurants and you can also rent sunbeds.

Visit Cala Torret: Cala Torret is a little fishing town to the east of Binibeca. It's a stunning town with plenty of rocky coves that you can explore and go snorkeling in. The rocky coast is lined with cute fishing huts, traditional boats, and locals and tourists swimming and enjoying the sun.

Wander Around the White-Washed Streets: A huge part of Binibeca's charm is its beautiful, winding streets, picture-perfect homes, and cacti-covered walls. I loved just wandering around the streets, getting lost, and seeing where I ended up. In summer, it's much busier during the day, so I'd recommend doing this early in the morning and heading to the beach for the rest of the day.

Go to Cala Pequeña: Having a Spanish husband has really opened my eyes to the world of calas. Not only is the water much clearer than on sandy beaches but they're often much less crowded. Cala Pequeña is one of our favorites. As you might guess from the name, it's small. But there are loads of amazing rocks to jump in from and many are flat – perfect for some sunbathing.

Day Trip to Mahon: Binibeca is ideal if you want beaches and small-town vibes but also want the possibility of going to a bigger city. Mahón is just a short bus drive away and perfect for a day trip.

Visit Punta Prima and Its Waterpark: Punta Prima is a popular resort town to the east of Binibeca. I personally wouldn't recommend staying here as it is geared more towards tourists and family holidays but there is a great waterpark called Splash, which both big and small kids will love!

Where to Stay in Binibeca

($$) Menorca Binibeca by Pierre & Vacances

This adults-only hotel boasts 3 swimming pools and terraces with sea views. Each room is air-conditioned and has a private patio. It's the only real hotel in Binibeca!

Check availability and prices

($$) Binibeca Beach Villas

These beautiful villas are just 500 meters from the sandy beach and have a swimming pool as well as private balconies. They're very well-equipped and are great for families and couples.

Check availability and prices

($) Binivell Park – Caliu Apartments

These well-priced apartments have an outdoor pool and private terraces and offer different-sized apartments. There's a grocery store close by, as well as bars and restaurants.

Check availability and prices

Pros of Staying in Binibeca

• Beautiful village to explore

• Beaches and calas close by

• Great location for exploring the south and getting to Mahón

• Shops, restaurants, and bars close by

Cons of Staying in Binibeca

• Can get very touristy, especially in high season

• More of a resort-vibe – although not as much as other towns on the south coast

• Fewer luxury accommodation options

Where to Stay in Menorca – Frequently Asked Questions

☀️ When's The Best Time to Visit Menorca?

Like other popular tourist destinations in Europe, Menorca gets very busy over the summer, and I'd recommend avoiding August. Prices go up and you need to get to the best beaches very early. May and June are perfect times to visit for good weather and fewer people. October is also lovely and prices tend to be lower.

👨‍👩‍👦 Is Menorca a Good Place to Visit With Kids?

Yes! There are loads of kid-friendly towns and beaches in Menorca, many of which have a resort feel, with water parks, activities, and different types of accommodation. I'd stick to the south of the island if you're going to Menorca with kids. The beaches in the north are much more isolated and many of them can be difficult to get to.

💰 Is Menorca Expensive?

If you want to stay in luxury villas, then Menorca can quickly become very expensive. But, if you book in advance, there are lots of very affordable options too.

🏠 What Kinds of Accommodation Are There in Menorca?

You can find almost anything you're looking for in Menorca. Whether that's a boutique hotel, a modern apartment, a large villa, or adults-only accommodation. Certain areas, particularly the larger towns, have it all, whereas smaller villages may be more limited.

🚗 Do You Need a Car in Menorca?

If you want to travel around, a car or scooter is best. If you're happy to stay closer to your base, lots of the island is walkable and you can also hire a bike. Just remember that the beaches fill up quickly and parking isn't always possible.

Where to Stay in Menorca – Final Words

Menorca is an incredible place to visit regardless of whether you want to travel around or have a relaxing beach holiday. The island changes from area to area with my favorite being in the north but, to be honest, it's all beautiful and worth visiting.

There's a great mix of large towns, fishing villages, stunning beaches, secret calas, and rural areas to explore. The accommodation options are also vast, making it easy to find exactly what you're looking for!