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Menorca is the quietest of the main Balearic Islands: about 50 kilometres from end to end, a Biosphere Reserve since 1993, with dry-stone walls and pine forests reaching down to the water.
Deciding where to stay in Menorca depends on how you want to spend your days: wandering around a historic town, relaxing on a fine-sand beach or hopping from cove to cove. Here’s what each area has to offer and the places we hand-pick, including their drawbacks. See the full list of hotels in Menorca.
How to choose an area
Ciutadella and Maó are about 45 kilometres apart, but each coast has a distinct character:
- Ciutadella: the former capital, at the western tip, with an old town, a harbour and the unspoilt southern coves half an hour away.
- The south coast: pale sand and calm waters at Son Bou, Cala en Porter or Binibeca.
- The west: Cala en Blanes and Cala'n Bosch, with villas beside small coves.
- Maó and the north: Maó revolves around its large natural harbour; Fornells is the fishing village on the north coast.
For a first visit, Ciutadella offers more variety without relying so much on a car. The south coast is the easiest option with children; for groups, a villa with a pool in the west offers more space and freedom.
Staying in Ciutadella
Ciutadella was the island’s capital until the 18th century, and it still feels like one: grand palaces, a Gothic cathedral, the arches of Ses Voltes and Plaça des Born overlooking the harbour. From here, it’s a short journey to coves such as Macarella and Turqueta, as well as Naveta des Tudons.
These are the two hotels we like most: one with a pool and a holiday feel, the other right in the old town.
Riviera Hotel Menorca
A four-star hotel with an outdoor pool, garden and terrace, about 500 metres from Sa Platja Gran. The suites, which have balconies, sleep three, and there’s a restaurant, café and bar, with buffet or à la carte breakfast. There’s no private parking, only free public parking nearby.
S'Enclova Petit Hotel
Small, adults-only and a couple of blocks from the cathedral. The double rooms have air conditioning, a coffee machine and minibar, and some overlook an inner courtyard. Consider it if you’re here to explore and dine in the centre rather than swim: there’s no parking and the beach is just over a kilometre away.
Staying in Son Bou
Son Bou, in the municipality of Alaior, has Menorca’s longest beach, almost three kilometres of sand with dunes and a protected wetland behind it. The remains of an early Christian basilica stand beside the shore, and the Talayotic settlement of Torre d'en Galmés is a few kilometres away.
It’s a convenient area for families, with gently shelving water. The bus connects it to Maó via Alaior in about 25 minutes, although you’ll need a car to explore the island. Here are our picks of two villas with sea views:
Villa Ponent
Four bedrooms for up to seven people, a private pool and Son Bou beach about 550 metres away. The kitchen has an oven, microwave and dishwasher, and pets are allowed. A damage deposit is required before arrival, and quiet hours must be observed from 23:00 to 8:00.
Villa Ona
Made for sharing: four bedrooms, two living rooms and space for eight, with a private pool and sea views. It has free private parking and a well-equipped kitchen. The beach is almost two kilometres away, and pets are allowed on request.
Staying in Cala en Blanes
Cala en Blanes is a residential area a few kilometres west of Ciutadella centre, with low-rise houses and a rocky coastline dotted with tiny coves. Cala en Forcat, Cales Piques and Cala en Brut are all within walking distance.
This is villa-with-a-pool territory for groups and large families, with the town just a short drive away:
VILLA NOKA
Five bedrooms and five bathrooms, a garden, terrace and private pool, with Cala en Brut about 350 metres away. It suits large families or several couples travelling together, and has free private parking. The pool is seasonal, and parties aren’t allowed.
Villa Nayade
Three bedrooms and two bathrooms for six people, a pool with sun loungers, a barbecue and a terrace with sea views. Cala en Forcat is 60 metres away, perfect for a swim before breakfast. Parking is public, on the street.
What to see in Menorca
In 2023, UNESCO added Talayotic Menorca to the World Heritage List: nine prehistoric sites featuring talayots, navetas and taula enclosures. The 185-kilometre Camí de Cavalls circles the island and connects almost all the coves. Add Maó harbour, the Favàritx lighthouse, Fornells lobster stew and a climb up Monte Toro.
When to go
May, June and September are the most pleasant months, with warm water and room to spare in the coves. August is peak season: in August 2026 alone, more than 765,000 travellers passed through the airport, so book ahead. The Sant Joan festivities fill Ciutadella every 23 and 24 June, with more than a hundred horses in Plaça des Born.
Getting there and getting around
The airport is next to Maó; by sea, Maó has connections to Barcelona and Ciutadella to Alcúdia, on Mallorca. Buses connect the main towns, but a car is almost essential for reaching the coves. If you’re planning to bring your own car by ferry, the Consell de Menorca plans to restrict the entry of vehicles from outside the island starting in summer 2027, although the regulation is still being processed.
Menorca is part of our guide to where to stay in the Balearic Islands. To choose a neighbourhood in the former capital, see where to stay in Ciutadella, and to plan your journey, read how to get to the Balearic Islands.
Frequently asked questions
Answers to the most common questions when planning a few days in Menorca.
What is the best area to stay in Menorca?
It depends on your trip. Ciutadella is the best base for a first visit: an old town, a harbour with restaurants and the unspoilt southern coves half an hour away by car. The south coast, including Son Bou, is the easiest option for families looking for sand and calm water. The residential areas in the west, such as Cala en Blanes, suit groups looking for a villa with a pool near the sea.
Is it better to stay in Ciutadella or Maó?
Ciutadella has a more picturesque old town, more evening atmosphere by the harbour and is closer to coves such as Macarella and Turqueta. Maó is the capital, next to the airport, and centred around one of the largest natural harbours in the Mediterranean. For a holiday of beach time and exploring, we usually recommend Ciutadella; for short stays or late arrivals, Maó is more practical.
Do I need a car to get around Menorca?
Yes, if you want to explore the island freely. Buses connect Maó, Ciutadella and the main towns, and go to some beaches, including Son Bou, about 25 minutes from Maó. But many coves can only be reached by car and on foot. If you’re bringing your vehicle by ferry, bear in mind that the Consell de Menorca plans to restrict the entry of cars from outside the island starting in summer 2027.
When is the best time to visit Menorca?
May, June and September combine good weather, pleasant water and fewer people in the coves. Demand peaks in July and August: more than 765,000 travellers passed through the airport in August 2026, so it’s worth booking early. The Sant Joan festivities fill Ciutadella on 23 and 24 June. The island is very quiet in winter, and many coastal places to stay close.
Where should I stay in Menorca with children?
The south coast is the easiest option: Son Bou has a long sandy beach where the water deepens gradually. If several families are travelling together, a villa with a private pool in Son Bou or Cala en Blanes offers space and flexible schedules. Check each property’s rules in advance, as some require quiet at night, and remember that several small hotels in Ciutadella are adults-only.
