Menorca in 2 Days: everything you need to know

There are three islands that are close to everyone's heart in Spain: Ibiza, Majorca and Minorca. The latter, for many considered the little sister of the whole Balearic archipelago, is full of paradisiacal beaches and an exciting history.

Two days is just enough time for you to get to know both sides of the island of Menorca: the historical and cultural side, as well as the beaches and relaxation. It all depends on what your priorities are and what you aspire to do on this unique and multifaceted island.

The actual capital of the island is Mahón. It is a small city with a registered population of just over 30,000 inhabitants, but in summer it doubles that number, making it a very busy place. Moreover, the airport is very close by, so it's best to start your trip here.

During the first day of your trip, you will be able to get to know the charms of Mahón. But there are other activities to do in Minorca, such as relaxing in the afternoon on the beaches of Son Bou and nearby, and ending the day with a visit to the Torre d'en Galmés archaeological site, where you will learn something of Mediterranean prehistory. Are you up for it?

Mahón, from the airport to the port

The best way to get to Menorca is by flight, especially if you are travelling from the Iberian Peninsula or from another country. Menorca airport is just 4 kilometres from the city centre, so it is very easy to get to the city from there. If you take bus number 10, you will be in the city in about ten minutes. There are also airport transfers that can take you to your hotel.

If you come by plane, my advice is to rent a car. For two days it won't be expensive and will allow you to see all the corners of the island at your leisure, without the pressure of bus frequencies that often don't reach more remote areas. You can rent a car the day you arrive, when you are already in Mahón.

On the other hand, if you don't want or can rent a car, the situation is more limited but there are still alternatives. In Mahón and the next day in Ciutadella you can take buses, but the frequency is not the best. For longer distances or if you are going to more remote coves and places, the best option is a taxi or Uber. Finally, don't rule out hiring an organised excursion, with a departure and arrival time, although in this case you will have to organise your agenda accordingly.

Drive to the fortress of Isabel II

As a first urban tour, I recommend you drive towards the peninsula of La Mola, the coast in front of the city's port. You won't get lost and, at the end of it, you can access a huge fortification: this is the fortress of Isabel II, an original military construction from the 19th century that is opposite the Castle of San Felipe. It is a military fort built for its strategic position and was never attacked, so it is spectacularly preserved.

My advice is that, if you have a car, drive half an hour around this peninsula and get to the fortress of Isabel II. If you don't, you have two options:

• Hire an Uber or a taxi, which can take you along the 8 kilometres of coastline in just a few minutes.
• Book a Water Taxi, which will take you along the coast in a more expeditious way. On the way back, you can take the same alternatives to get to the centre of Mahón.

This construction is perfect for strolling around, as you can take a quick tour in the open air, ideal for taking photos. Very close to the fortress is Spain's most easterly point, so it's a great place to visit. You can also visit the Cova de s'Aigua, which is a real marvel.

Tour the port of Mahón

Once you have finished at La Mola, I recommend that you go to the city's port, which is very close to the city centre, where you can continue the rest of the tour. It's charming: it's an extremely long natural harbour, where you can see all kinds of boats, large and small.

Take advantage of the morning to walk along the entire edge of the harbour and take photos at the series of viewpoints there, as well as finding out about possible boat trips, if you have availability. Here are some of the options available to you:

• Boat trip to the coves in the north of Menorca, from RM190
• Kayak Tour in the Marine Reserve, from RM228.
• Boat trip to the coves in the south of Menorca with lunch, from RM252
• Boat trip around Menorca, from RM288.
• Catamaran excursion in Menorca, from RM206.
• Sailing excursion in Menorca, from RM751.

One of the most characteristic viewpoints of the port is the one at Plaza de la Miranda, but on the route you will find others that are also very cool, such as the one at Pont Des Castell or the one at Punta Cala Figuera.

Walk and have lunch in the city centre

You may well start to get hungry, as it will be around midday and it is imperative to find somewhere to eat. The best thing to do is to go to the town centre. This is located on the rise behind the port of Mahón and besides having a wonderful charm for its architecture and streets, it is also a perfect place to sit and eat.

You can park in one of the streets if you go on a day when it is not very busy, but if not, I recommend that you leave it in the free car park on the Carrer de Sant Sebastiá. And if you don't have a car, it's best to take a bus or go directly on foot, because it's not that far away. From there, don't hesitate to walk. The Plaza de la Constitución is the most central square and where the town hall is located, a 17th century building, which was renovated centuries later. You can also see the churches located around the square.

When you go to eat, you can choose from some of the best restaurants in Menorca. Very close to the square is Es Musclet, a tapas bar with excellent references. But one and a half streets away you can try the best seafood and have the best lunch at El Romero. Half a street further down, towards the sea, you can eat a fantastic vegetarian menu at Clorofil. And a tip: be sure to try Mahón cheese, one of the most typical products, so much so that you can book a cheese workshop in Mahón.

Learn about history at the Torre d'en Galmés archaeological sites

Ready for lunch? Then let's go to the next stop on this tour of eastern Menorca. These archaeological sites reveal part of the Talayotic culture that is thought to have inhabited Mallorca and Menorca between 1200 BC and the Romanisation of the island. But why is this site worth visiting?

It is not common to see prehistoric works and civilisations that left very little built and nothing written. Menorca' s prehistory has been studied extensively and a great effort has been made to bring all these findings to light, and the Torre d'en Galmés is one of these sites. Once you arrive, you'll be able to park your car in total comfort, the general entrance fee is only around €3 and the site is divided into two parts:

• An interpretation centre, where the history and Talayotic finds are told. If you go through the interpretation centre, you will be able to better understand how the site was laid out and what constructions there were. This visit does not take more than an hour.
• Another part is the actual settlement of Torre d'en Galmés.

You can get there by car in about 20 minutes via the Me-1, crossing over to the Son Bou road to end up on the Sant Llorenç road. If you don't drive, the main alternative is to take a taxi or a service from a car-sharing app. You can also find out if there are any organised excursions with guided tours and book them in advance, but be aware of the time and place of departure.

Relax on the beaches of Son Bou

Once you've filled your stomach and strolled through Mediterranean prehistory, you need to relax. So why not go to one of the best and most important beaches in Menorca? Son Bou is a paradisiacal spot. By car you are only ten minutes away from the village of Torre d'en Galmés and you can park easily. Also, if you hire a taxi from there, the fare will be quite cheap.

This beach is incredible for tourists, because it is up to 2.5 kilometres long, which makes it the longest on the island. Moreover, it preserves the characteristic of many of Menorca's beaches and coves: very clear waters and soft, warm sand. Moreover, the sea is very calm on this beach, so you can swim in relative peace and quiet. It is also an area where there are many services. You can practice all kinds of sea sports such as :baptism of diving and also have a snack in the different beach bars.

My recommendation is that, if you arrive at the beach at about 3 o'clock in the afternoon, you can relax until night falls and get rid of all possible worries, contemplate the sea, swim, enjoy the waves, the sand and all that Son Bou has to offer. If you want to have dinner, a chiringuito (beach bar) is a phenomenal offer. Even if you like to party, you may even find some bars and hotels nearby. Otherwise, Mahón awaits you again for a rest and in this case, you can take a bus that will drop you off directly. To do so, take the TMSA lines, for about €2.60.

There is so much to see and do in Menorca. Already on the first day, you were able to tour the east coast of Menorca. Now the other half of the island, where you will find a beautiful town: Ciutadella. But not only: you can also visit the most unspoilt beaches of Menorca, such as Cala en Turqueta, and end the day at a bucolic viewpoint in Fornells.

Straight to Ciutadella

At the other end of Minorca there is a phenomenal town called Ciutadella. If you are staying in Mahón, I recommend that you get up very early, have a good breakfast and take the car so that you have time to see all that Ciutadella has to offer In just 40 minutes you will be able to get to the old town, which is the start of this route. If you don't go by car, it's best to take a TMSA bus, which costs around €5.40.

It's best to leave your car at Carrera del Príncep and from there, walk the route. When you leave it, you'll only have to walk down one and a half streets until you reach Plaza de Alfonso XIII, popularly known as Plaza de las Palmeras. This is a square surrounded by bars and restaurants, so if you haven't had breakfast yet, this is your best chance to sit down and do so.

In fact, one of the options you have, although depending on the time you're there, is the Molí des Comte Asador, a traditional Spanish restaurant that serves mainly roast beef and monkfish. The peculiarity of this place is that it is located inside an old wheat mill that was preserved and adapted to form this structure.

Get close to the cathedral, the town hall and the Explanada Square

As you walk around you will realise why Ciutadella is such a beautiful city. Its architecture, all huddled together in pastel colours and low-rise, is iconic because it combines different styles centuries apart that have come together to give it its unique beauty. If you continue practically straight ahead, you'll see other centres such as the Cathedral of Santa Maria de Ciutadella, a Gothic style building also in pastel colours. In front of it there is a small square that is an ideal spot for taking the best photos.

If you keep walking for another five minutes, you will come across the Plaza des Born, which has an imposing obelisk in its central part and is usually occupied by street vendors selling handicrafts. Opposite is the imposing town hall building, known as Palau Squella, originally from the 18th century and with postcard-perfect palm trees in front.

Finally, just half a street away, you'll come to the Explanada square which is the largest square in Ciutadella and is full of terraces, bars and places to sit. This is the place to take a few minutes to relax.

Traveller Tip

If you are a fan of historical monuments, then you can spend more time walking around the historic centre, all the way to the Nou Mercat.

Stroll and have lunch in the port

Just as in Mahón the port is one of the most important places, in Ciutadella it is exactly the same. This port originated in the Middle Ages, but it was after the enlargement of the city in the 20th century that it acquired greater commercial importance. That is why, although it looks like a very old port, its restorations have made it look newer and newer.

If you are in the Plaça des Born, you can walk a little towards the sea and, from the top, have a panoramic view of the whole port. This is the perfect place for you to take all the pictures you want of the coastline of this city, because it looks phenomenal. Afterwards, all you have to do is go down some very picturesque stairs and you'll be at the port, from where many boat trips leave from Ciutadella that you could do, if you have the time.

It's great if you cross the port between both coasts and from one end to the other. It all depends on how much time you have and if you are already tired from walking. But what is important is that you eat. In the port, you have mainly seafood options. Many of them are specifically Menorcan specialities. For example, in the Cafè Balear restaurant you have a wide variety of seafood, which you will also find in the Aquarium Port Ciutadella, specialising in lobsters. If you prefer something more international, there are also pizza and buffet options.

Relaxing in the turquoise bays

If you've had lunch, all you have to do is walk back to the car park, pick up the car and head to the beach to relax for the afternoon. Now, my advice is to go to the coves: beautiful beaches that can be found in Spain and that seem hidden because they are between small cliffs and difficult to access, which has preserved them in their natural state.

However, if you don't go by car, then to get to them you will have two main options:

• Hire an excursion from the port of Ciutadella to take you there or take a taxi or Uber.
• There are also buses from companies such as Autocares Torres that make these tourist routes, but you have to find out the frequency beforehand.

In the west of the island, 20 minutes by car from the centre of Ciutadella, you have some of the best coves in Menorca such as Cala des Talaier and Cala en Turqueta, which I recommend. This is the most famous virgin beach on the island. Its name is due to its turquoise waters and its own physical characteristic. It is like a kind of cliff, surrounded by mountains in the shape of a semicircle that make it very inaccessible. For this reason, you must leave your car in a car park that is 10 minutes away from the beach.

In this cove you will not find any major infrastructure. There are public toilets, a lifeguard in case of emergency and little else. It's just about being there, enjoying the sea and disconnecting from the hustle and bustle of the city. This is your time to relax and you can stay here without any problems until the end of the afternoon.

Say goodbye to the trip in Fornells

Not so soon: there is still one more spot left on your itinerary. The best sunsets can be seen on the north coast of Menorca. That's why, depending on what time the sun sets, it would be great if you go north. And to do so:

• You have the option of taking the car again.
• You can go by bus. For this, you will have to go back to Ciutadella first and then take another one to Fornells.
• I advise you to take a taxi or Uber if you can't drive. In about 30 minutes you will arrive in Fornells, a small coastal village with beautiful architecture and nestled between hills and which is also the starting point for different boat excursions.

If it is still daylight, the best thing to do is to go straight there for a stroll and a bite to eat. Fornells is a great place to eat lobster stew. In fact, you can eat it right in front of the sea, in restaurants like Sa Llagosta, while you watch the sky turn orange.

Fornells is very small and quick to walk around, but to see the majesty of the sunset my advice is to go up towards the north. There you will find the Torre de Fornells, an old military defence and just before the cliff, some viewpoints where you can end your trip in peace and quiet, watching one of the best sunsets on the island. On the way back, you only have to drive about 20 minutes to Mahón or take a bus. And if you are still looking for more plans, I recommend you to end your trip with a stargazing tour.