Five days is a great amount of time for Menorca: enough to explore Maó and Ciutadella at a relaxed pace, swim in the coves of the south and north, climb Monte Toro, eat in Fornells and check out the lighthouses and Talayotic Menorca. This itinerary is based on the ones in our guide (4 days and 1 week), adjusted to five days and with the places we recommend.

Every place on this route is on our Menorca map on Google Maps, and you'll find the full info (restaurants, hotels, transport and practical tips) in our Menorca PDF travel guide.

The itinerary at a glance

• Day 1: Maó, La Mola Fortress and Es Castell.
• Day 2: the southern coves near Ciutadella (Turqueta, Macarella and Macarelleta).
• Day 3: Ciutadella, the Naveta des Tudons and sunset at Punta Nati.
• Day 4: Monte Toro, Cala Pregonda, Cavalleria and Fornells.
• Day 5: s'Albufera des Grau, Favàritx, Talayotic villages and Binibeca.

Before you start: base, car and season

Where to stay

For five days, the most practical option is to pick one base or split your stay between two: Ciutadella, in the west, close to the unspoiled southern coves, or Maó, in the east, close to the airport, Es Castell, Sant Lluís and s'Albufera des Grau. In the guide we have hotels in both areas: in Ciutadella, for example, Can Araya, Hotel Fragile, Ses Voltes Sant Antoni or Mon Restaurant & Fonda; in Maó, Cristine Bedfor, Can Albertí 1740 or Jardí de ses Bruixes; and inland, near Alaior, Torralbenc or Amagatay.

Getting around

With a rental car or scooter you can go at your own pace and reach coves the bus doesn't. If you don't drive, the TMSA bus connects Maó and Ciutadella, stopping in other towns along the way, and from the airport to Maó there's Autocares Torres line 10 (about €3, cash only). In summer, from June to September, you can't drive to Macarella and Macarelleta: there's a shuttle bus from Ciutadella.

When to go

For the coves, June to September. In July and August highs are around 29-30 °C (84-86 °F), so save the beach for early morning and late afternoon. In October and November the days are still warm and it's a great time for hiking, seeing lighthouses and archaeological sites, and exploring the towns with fewer people around.

Day 1: Maó and Es Castell

Morning: start in Maó, the capital, with the largest natural harbor in the Mediterranean. Stroll around the old town and don't miss Plaça d'Espanya, the Church of El Carmen with the Cloister Market, the Fish Market, the Church of Santa Maria and the Museum of Menorca.

Afternoon: head around the harbor to La Mola Fortress, on the other side, to learn about the island's military history. Then swing by Es Castell, the town at the mouth of the harbor, known for its British past and Fort Marlborough. Walk down to Cales Fonts, the town's little port.

Night: grab a sunset drink at Blue Sky Bar in Es Castell and have dinner at Maó's harbor. From the guide: Vida Una, El Rais, Café Baixamar or Oysters Menorca.

Day 2: The southern coves near Ciutadella

Morning: head out early to Cala Turqueta, because the parking lot fills up fast. Then continue to Cala Macarella and Cala Macarelleta. In summer you get there on the bus from Ciutadella or on foot along the Camí de Cavalls; off-season, by car.

Afternoon: hike a stretch of the Camí de Cavalls between coves. If you want another option, Cala Galdana and Cala Mitjana are right next door, and Galdana has all the amenities.

Night: have dinner by the sea or head back to Ciutadella. If you're staying in Maó, on this day it's worth sleeping in the Ciutadella area or getting up really early.

If you want more coves or access details, check out our route through Menorca's most beautiful coves, with the northern and southern ones, parking and buses.

Day 3: Ciutadella at a relaxed pace

Morning: explore Ciutadella, the former capital, declared a historic-artistic site in 1964. Wander the old town and visit the Cathedral, the Town Hall, the obelisk in Plaça des Born and Farmàcia Llabrés, then walk down to the port.

Afternoon: visit the Naveta des Tudons, one of the island's best-known prehistoric monuments, or go for a swim at Cala en Bosch.

Night: watch the sunset from Punta Nati Lighthouse or at Voramar, in Cala en Blanes, and have dinner in Ciutadella. From the guide: Bar Imperi or Cas Consol, in Plaça des Born, Ses Voltes or El Diamante.

Day 4: The north, Monte Toro and Fornells

Morning: drive up Monte Toro, the island's highest point (358 meters) and the best viewpoint in Menorca. From there, head north to Cala Pregonda, parking in the Binimel·là area and walking along the coast.

Afternoon: stop at Cavalleria Beach, with its reddish sand and open water, and stay for sunset at Cavalleria Lighthouse.

Night: have dinner in Fornells, the fishing village in the north, and try the caldereta de langosta (lobster stew). From the guide: Es Cranc or Es Port. If you're heading back through the center, Molí d'es Racó is in Es Mercadal.

Day 5: s'Albufera, Favàritx, talayots and Binibeca

Morning: explore s'Albufera des Grau Natural Park and continue to Cap de Favàritx, with its lighthouse and almost lunar landscape. If you feel like hiking, from there you can reach Cala Presili and, farther on, Cala Tortuga.

Afternoon: spend some time on Talayotic Menorca. Of the settlements we recommend, Trepucó and Talatí de Dalt are near Maó, and Torralba d'en Salort is next to Alaior. Finish in Binibeca, on the Sant Lluís coast: it's a residential area, so visit quietly and be respectful of the people who live there.

Night: a farewell dinner in Maó or Es Castell and, if you've still got energy, order a pomada (Menorcan gin with lemonade).

Breakfasts and cafés along the way

To start the day right, our guide has a whole coffee & brunch section by town. Some that are on the way on this route:

• In Maó (days 1 and 5): Pipet & Co, OhLaLa, Margarita or Es Llonguet.
• In Ciutadella (days 2 and 3): Forn Can Bep to grab something for the beach, or a coffee in the old town before exploring it.
• In Fornells (day 4): Café del Nord, between Fornells and Cala Tirant.

For your picnic on cove days, shop in town before heading out: there's nowhere to buy anything at the unspoiled coves, and in summer you don't want to lose your parking spot to go get lunch.

If you have more time

• A long beach day at Son Bou, Menorca's longest beach, with snorkeling, kayaking or paddleboarding and the Es Corb Marí beach bar.
• A boat trip to see the southern coves from the water.
• Another stretch of the Camí de Cavalls, which loops all the way around the island in about 184 km and 20 stages.
• More inland towns: Alaior, with its historic center and the Church of Santa Eulàlia; Es Mercadal, famous for its cheese and its festivals; Ferreries and Es Migjorn Gran.
• More lighthouses: Artrutx, Punta de sa Farola, l'Illa de l'Aire or Sant Carles.

Our tips for 5 days in Menorca

• Get up early on cove days: the parking lots at Turqueta and Son Saura fill up fast.
• Check the wind: with the tramontana (north wind), the southern coves are a better bet. If needed, swap days 2 and 4.
• Group by area: the east and Maó one day, the west and Ciutadella another, and the north with Fornells. That way you'll save a lot of driving.
• Bring water and food to the unspoiled coves: many have no services at all.
• Eco-tax: in the Balearic Islands you pay a sustainable tourism tax at your accommodation of €1 to €4 per person per night depending on the category (plus VAT). Kids under 16 don't pay, and it's cheaper from November to April.
• Try the island's food: caldereta de langosta, sobrasada, Mahón cheese and pomada.
• Respect the island: Menorca is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Stick to marked trails and take your trash with you.
• Download the map: some areas have poor coverage. We explain how in our post on Google Maps lists for travel.

Take the itinerary with you on your phone

Download our Menorca PDF travel guide, with the 4-day and 1-week itineraries, coves, cafés, restaurants by town, hotels and practical info, or take every spot with you with the Menorca map on Google Maps.