Where to stay in Menorca
Let’s start with the best areas to stay in Menorca. These include:
- Ciutadella.
- Mahon.
- Fornells.
- Arenal d’en Castell.
- Binibeca.
- Galdana Cove.
- Cala en Porter.
- Son Bou.
- Santo Tomás.
- Cala en Bosch.
Now, I’ll share a bit more about each of these areas.
By the way, if you’re looking for hotel options that will offer an unforgettable stay, be sure to check out our selection of the best boutique hotels in Menorca. They are on the pricier side, but if you’re traveling for a special occasion, they are worth every dime.
1. Ciutadella, one of the best places to stay in Menorca
One of the most popular places to stay in Menorca, especially if you’re looking to be in an urban center, is Ciutadella. If you’re visiting in the off-season and aren’t focused on beach time, it’s one of the best options, alongside Mahón. The tourism in this area is more about exploring monuments and the island’s rich history.
Ciutadella was once the capital of Menorca, which is why it boasts a wealth of historical buildings. The town center is entirely pedestrian-friendly, with charming shops offering local crafts and typical gastronomic products.
If you’re not traveling by car, Ciutadella is an ideal spot to stay since the main bus routes across the island depart and return here.
The town is also known for its boutique hotels, perfect for a romantic getaway or a peaceful stay. The cafés in the center are perfect for having breakfast or an afternoon snack, where you can relax while reading a good book after exploring the island.
As night falls, Ciutadella takes on a different vibe. Beyond its diverse restaurants offering delicious local cuisine, it has the island’s liveliest nightlife, with plenty of bars and clubs to choose from.
While Ciutadella is located at one end of the island, there are still plenty of places to visit. Notable attractions include the Port of Ciutadella, the Cathedral of Santa Maria de Menorca, the Castle of San Nicolau, and the Mercat des Peix. For a deeper dive into the city, consider joining a free walking tour to discover all it has to offer.
Recommended hotels in Ciutadella
If you choose this area to stay in, the hotel offer is very wide in terms of the typology of hotels and tourist apartments. The taste of each one and also the price will be the decisive points because any street in Ciutadella is a good place to stay.
You should consider the following hotels:
- Hotel Maïa. Great 4-star hotel located in the city center. It offers double rooms and suites and has breakfast service.
- Hotel Artemisia. This is a 4-star hotel located in a beautiful building in the center and decorated with great taste. They offer several types of double rooms, some with a terrace or views of the historic center. There is a small gym, and breakfast is served.
- Marosi Boutique Hotel. A beautiful boutique hotel exclusively for adults, featuring bright and cozy spaces. It offers both double rooms and suites, each designed with comfort in mind. The hotel boasts a lovely terrace and offers a delicious breakfast.
- Boutique Hotel Can Sastre. This 4-star hotel is also in the center of Ciutadella and has beautiful decoration. They offer double rooms and suites with terraces. There is a bar and breakfast service.
- Faustino Gran Relais & Chateaux. Spectacular 5-star hotel located in 3 palaces of the XVI, XVII, and XVIII centuries. It has a spa with a hammam and sauna, a gym, private parking, several swimming pools, a bar, and a restaurant. You can choose between single rooms, double rooms of different categories, suites, and a villa.
2. Mahon, the capital of Menorca
Just at the opposite end of the island is Mahón, the other urban point of Menorca. We chose it to stay, and I couldn’t be happier. It has a different charm than Ciutadella, but I liked it much more… If you like to enjoy the essence of the places, I recommend Mahón.
I am in love with its food market. You can buy the fruit, vegetables, fish, and meat of the day along with legumes, rich cheeses, and handicrafts or island fashion. At the back is the old fish market, which today is a snack bar. In the market I recommend Sa Petita for breakfast.
Mahon also has several places to visit: the Fortress of La Mola, the Museum of Menorca, the Church of Nostra Senyora del Carme, the Church of Santa Maria, the Portal de Sant Roc, and the Castle of San Felipe. If you want to get to know Mahón in depth, you can book this free tour of the town.
If you want to go to the beach near the center, you can go to Sa Mesquida Beach or Cala Alcaufar.
Recommended hotels in Mahon
In hotels, there is also a great offer, but it is more affordable in terms of price than Ciutadella (perhaps because it is less touristic). They are very nice and pleasant.
- Can Alberti 1740 Boutique Hotel. This 4-star hotel located in the city center is housed in a charming single-family home built in 1740. It offers a selection of double rooms and suites, some featuring a private patio or terrace. Guests can enjoy a shared lounge, a library, and outdoor terrace. A delicious breakfast is served each morning.
- Hotel Hevresac Singular & Small. Beautiful hotel where everything is taken care of in detail, from the decoration to the service. They offer double rooms, suites, and a duplex. It also has a bar and an exceptional breakfast.
- Cristine Bedfor. If your budget allows it, this 5-star hotel will offer you a unique experience in the center of Mahón. It has a garden, outdoor swimming pool, fitness center, bar, restaurant, terrace, and common lounge.
💡 If you have only a few days to explore this beautiful island? Check out this 4-day itinerary to discover Menorca. I recommend a daily itinerary that will take you to the main towns, lighthouses, and the most beautiful beaches.
3. Fornells, a beautiful fishing village
Leaving the urban centers and choosing more beaches and nature to stay at, the offer expands, and there is much more to choose from. We will start in the north of the island with Cala Fornells. It is one of the best-known beaches, but what is really interesting is the small fishing village that still retains its most authentic essence.
We’ll begin in the north of the island with Fornells. It is an area known for its small fishing village, which still retains its most authentic essence. Near the village there are beaches like Cala Tirant, ideal to enjoy the natural environment.
In spite of this beach being very well known, there are not too many lodgings. There are a couple of hotels in the village itself, and the rest are further away or are tourist apartments. It is clear that it is a perfect place to stay in Menorca if what you are looking for is the most authentic relaxation and disconnection away from everything but in a beautiful environment.
The most picturesque places in this area are the Torre de Fornells, the lighthouse of Cavalleria, the beach of Fornells, and the Cala Tirant or Monte Toro. In addition, many boat trips depart from here, such as this one to the coves in the north of the island.
Recommended hotels near Fornells
Near this area, you can choose to stay in some of the following hotels:
- Hostal Restaurant s’Algaret. A 2-star hotel is located in the center of Fornells with a bar-restaurant and swimming pool. Breakfast is served.
- Hostal La Palma. This hotel is located in the center of the village, and it offers double rooms (some with sea views), a bar, a restaurant, and a swimming pool. You can enjoy a very pleasant stay.
- Comitas Tramontana Park. This is a 3-star hotel located by the beach of Fornells. It offers sea views and has an outdoor swimming pool with a solarium and sun loungers, a bar, a restaurant, and a gym. You can choose between apartments with one, two, or three bedrooms.
4. Arenal d’en Castell, good option for families
Before leaving the north of Menorca, and especially if you are looking for a quiet and romantic destination, let’s make a stop in Arenal d’en Castell. It is one of those beaches with white sand that invites you to lie there for hours and enjoy the sunset without worrying about anything but catching a few more minutes of sunshine.
Arenal d’en Castell beach is extensive and has white sand and beautiful turquoise waters, inviting you to lie there for hours. This area also has a good range of accommodation, from resorts to apartments, as well as restaurants and activities.
Recommended hotels in Arenal d’en Castell
Although there are many large tourist resorts, they are designed and conceived for quiet vacations, so they work hard to offer couples:
- Palladium Hotel Menorca. 3-star hotel consisting of one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments located next to the beach. It has a nice swimming pool with sea views. It also has a bar and restaurant.
- White Sands Beach Club. Palladium Hotel Menorca. A 4-star hotel also located near the beach. It has double rooms, family rooms, and suites. Many of them have sea views. There is also a bar, restaurant, gym, children’s club, and several swimming pools. Breakfast is served.
5. Binibeca, the most beautiful village to stay in Menorca
After arriving in Menorca, Binibeca was the first place we visited, and I have to say that I would have stayed there to live or, at least, to spend a few days relaxing. Binibeca is the most charming village of Menorca, and it cannot be more beautiful.
This small fishing village is formed by narrow streets and low houses of pristine white. It is built next to the sea, next to a small dock where fishing boats rest. As you can imagine, walking around Binibeca is a magical experience.
Staying in Binibeca is a fantastic option for those seeking peace and an idyllic setting, but also a good base for exploring the south and the rest of Menorca. Although the village itself is quiet, it is well connected to other key points on the island, making it a strategic location.
In the area, you will find a small but great hotel offer, from villas and tourist apartments to charming boutique hotels.
Recommended hotels in Binibeca
These hotels in Binibeca can be a great option:
- Menorca Binibeca by Pierre & Vacances. 3 star hotel for adults only located on the coast. It has several swimming pools and terraces with views, bar, restaurant and gym. You can sleep in one of its double rooms or suites.
- Binibeca Beach Villas. A hotel composed of several villas with private terraces with two, three or four bedrooms. In addition, there is a nice garden with swimming pool from which you will have sea views. There is free private parking.
🚗 The best way to get around the island is by car. If you still need to rent a car for your trip to Menorca, I recommend Discover Cars, as they have the best prices and you can include comprehensive insurance.
6. Cala Galdana, where to stay in Menorca with the family
To be in the center of the island and at an intermediate distance from everything, the best is, without a doubt, Cala Galdana (especially if you are looking for a beach and a touristic place). They say that these are the most beautiful beaches on the island, but it is also true that some beaches are ugly in Menorca.
Cala Galdana is ideal for couples, but it’s perfect for families with children. It offers a wide range of services, including water sports and boat trips.
From here depart the routes to the most photographed beaches of the island, such as Cala Macarelleta. If you are interested in this activity, take a look at this boat trip to the southern coves. The boat leaves from Cala Galdana.
Cala Galdana is the largest beach in the area, offering services, hammocks, and beach bars. However, there are other coves in the surrounding area that are worth exploring. These are Cala Mitjana, Cala Macarella, Cala Macarelleta, and Cala Turqueta.
Recommended hotels in Cala Galdana
At this point, there are several hotel options, all of which are close to the beaches.
- Comitas Floramar: A 4-star hotel offering studios and one- and two-bedroom apartments. It features a bar, restaurant, gym, outdoor swimming pool, private parking, and an exceptional breakfast.
- Artiem Audax: A beautiful 4-star hotel, perfect for relaxation and enjoying the surroundings. It offers double rooms and suites, some with sea views. Amenities include a swimming pool, wellness center, bar, restaurants, gym, and breakfast service.
- Meliá Cala Galdana: A luxurious 5-star hotel with breathtaking sea views. It boasts multiple restaurants, a bar, swimming pools, a wellness center, a children’s club, a gym, and private parking. Guests can choose from a wide variety of rooms and suites.
7. Cala en Porter, where to stay in Menorca if you’re on a budget
If you are on a tight budget or simply don’t want to spend a large part of your budget on accommodation, this is the best area in Menorca. It is beautiful and with more moderate prices. In addition its beach is very nice, it is not overcrowded at all and its location is very good since it is 15 minutes away from the airport and the capital, Mahón.
Located in the south of the island, the most remarkable besides its beaches are its impressive cliffs, magnificent to enjoy the sunset. Cala Porter is famous for being a small secluded beach embraced by two large cliffs that you will want to immortalize in your memory.
In the small urbanization located there there are different restaurants, bars, playgrounds, stores and pharmacies to cover any need during your stay.
From there, I recommend visiting Cova d’en Xoroi, Cala en Porter, Cala Binidali, which is very close to Mahón. Also don’t miss this kayak tour through the caves of Cala en Porter.
Recommended hotels in Cala en Porter
The most reviewed hotels in the area are:
- Hotel Sa Barrera. Adults-only 3-star hotel with standard and superior double rooms (some with sea views). There is a bar, a restaurant, and an outdoor swimming pool. Breakfast is served.
- Aparthotel Nelva Resort. Lodging composed of several apartments with one, two, or three bedrooms. In addition, there is a bar, restaurant, outdoor swimming pool, and breakfast service.
- Osprey Menorca Hotel. Hotel of 3 stars surrounded by a charming natural environment. They offer double and triple rooms. The accommodation has a bar, restaurant, and breakfast service. You can also enjoy the outdoor swimming pool with sunbeds.
8. Son Bou, the longest beach in Menorca
The longest beach on the island of Menorca is Son Bou, and it is also located in the southern part. It is one of the most attractive for tourists (perhaps because of its length) and has all the services of a large beach: lifeguards, showers, water sports, etc.
Son Bou beach, with crystal clear waters, is perfect for swimming and enjoyment in the sea. It is especially popular for families due to its width and shallow depth, ideal if you are traveling with children. The only large dunes on the island are just behind, in what is known as the Natural Area of Special Interest.
It is a very popular area because its access by car is quite easy (with a large parking lot at the entrance), and it is also very well connected by public transport.
Recommended hotels in Son Bou
There is a variety of hotels to suit all tastes:
- Valentin Son Bou. 4-star hotel with all the necessary services for a very pleasant stay: outdoor swimming pool, indoor swimming pool, buffet restaurant, gym, free private parking, breakfast… They offer single rooms, double rooms, and an apartment.
- Royal Son Bou Family Club.A 4-star hotel with one- or two-bedroom apartments. It is perfect to enjoy with the family since it has several leisure facilities (swimming pools, tennis courts, game rooms, playgrounds…) and there is an entertainment program. It also has a bar, two restaurants, and breakfast service.
9. Santo Tomas, a very quiet area
A few kilometers from the previous area (Son Bou), Santo Tomás is also located in the south of the island and enjoys a magnificent location but more tranquility and peace. With a beach 390 meters long (and 25 meters wide), this is its main attraction.
Its promenade, along which to stroll in the evening, surrounded by restaurants, bars, and craft stores, is its other great attraction, perfect to enjoy in perfect combination with tranquility.
Keep in mind that in Santo Tomas there is not much to do, and if you are looking for activities, you will have to move around. In the surroundings, you can visit other beaches such as Playa de Son Bou, Playa de San Adeodato, or Playa de Binigaus. If you are a diving lover, this is a good place to go for a dive.
Recommended hotels in Santo Tomas
Among the most outstanding hotels are:
- Seth 55 Santo Tomás. 4-star hotel ideal for relaxing, either as a couple, family, or in the company of oneself. They offer double rooms and suites with private pools. In addition, there is a large outdoor swimming pool, wellness center, gym, restaurant, and bar. Breakfast is served, and private parking is available.
- Villa Le Blanc, a Gran Meliá Hotel. Beautiful 5-star hotel with an unbeatable location and beautiful sea views. It has a wide variety of rooms, suites, and penthouses to stay in. Many with terrace and sea views. There is also an outdoor swimming pool, a bar, several restaurants, a gym, and a wellness center.
10. Cala en Bosch, lively area in Menorca
To finish the tour of the areas where to stay in Menorca, we stop in Cala en Bosch, in the southwest of the island. The balance between the gastronomic and tourist offerings of this area is perfect, since it is a step away from Ciutadella but surrounded by impressive coves of crystalline waters.
Here you will find everything that the urban and historical center of Ciutadella has to offer, but a little apart and enjoying the beaches and coves… A strategic point to combine all the best of an island getaway.
From there, if you have a car (or if not, there is also regular public transport), you can go spend the day in Ciutadella and then return to the most representative beaches of the area, such as Cala en Bosch, Playa de Son Xoriguer, Cova des Pardals, and all this, to finish the day visiting the Cap d’Artrutx Lighthouse.
If you are interested, you can also book this attractive boat trip through the coves in the south of the island.
Recommended hotels in Cala en Bosch
At this point the hotels to be reviewed may be:
- Sagitario Menorca Mar Apartamentos. Adults-only accommodation featuring fully equipped one-bedroom apartments. It also offers an outdoor swimming pool with sunbeds, a bar, and a restaurant.
- Nuramar Resort & Villas. A 4-star hotel offering one-bedroom apartments and two-bedroom villas. It features multiple swimming pools, a bar, a restaurant, and breakfast service.
Map of where to stay in Menorca
In the following map, I have marked all the areas to sleep in Menorca and the recommended hotels.
This concludes our tour of the best areas to stay on the island for your next getaway. Each place has its own charm and unique appeal. As I mentioned at the beginning, the best choice depends on your preferences, travel goals, and, of course, your budget.
I hope this guide on where to stay in Menorca has been helpful and that your next experience on the island is absolutely perfect!
