Menorca in 4 Days: everything you need to know

Visiting Menorca in 4 days will leave you wanting more, that's for sure. You are probably wondering what to see and do in Menorca, don't worry, in this article I will give you a list of everything you can't miss on your 4-day trip to Menorca.

Menorca is world famous for its beaches and coves. The coves, in case you don't know, are places on the coast where the sea enters, forming a small bay. The vast majority of visitors come to this, the second most important island of the Balearic Islands, in search of a bit of relaxation and enjoyment in the sun.

Spend your first day enjoying the sun. Although the island has no areas that are not worth visiting, the best coves in Menorca are undoubtedly those in the south, the ones you will have seen ad nauseam on the internet. Cala Galdana, Cala Turqueta, Cala Macarella and Cala Mitjana are those places where you can indulge in that "dolce far niente" that the Italians proclaim.

Here is a linear tour of 5 of the most important coves in the southern region of the island.

Turqueta Cove

Start your first day at the beach at Cala Turqueta. This cove, hidden among pine trees, is the most unspoilt of all the coves mentioned here. It is only 11 kilometres from Ciutadella, so you can get here on foot along the Cami de Cavalls, by car or by bus.

The colour of its waters gives the place its name, although as you can see, Menorca itself is a mixture of turquoise, green and white. It is also ideal to visit with children, due to the tranquillity of its waters and the natural environment surrounding the beach. It is not unusual to see groups of goats in the middle of the beach shyly approaching tourists in search of food.

Unlike other coves, here you will not find places to eat or stock up, so I recommend that you bring some snacks, some fruit and a drink. Cala Turqueta is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful coves you will find on the island.

Macarella Cove and Macarelleta Cove

• Cala Macarella: This is definitely one of the most famous coves in Menorca. Its waters are almost out of this world. Here you can enjoy its fine, soft sandy beaches and various water activities, such as snorkelling and kayak hire. It also has a beach bar (bar Susy), but because it is the most popular beach of all it tends to fill up easily, so it is never a bad idea to bring some refreshments.
• Cala Macarelleta: Almost next to this cove is the small Cala Macarelleta. Considered by many as one of the best beaches in all of Spain, this cove has the appearance of a true paradise, surrounded by pine trees and quite inaccessible, the calm and crystalline waters are truly hypnotic.

A word of advice, if you decide to visit these incredible coves I recommend you do it by boat, you won't have to worry about finding a place to park your car, as well as having unbeatable views of the island from the sea. Cala Macarella and Cala Macarelleta are what you've come to Menorca for, I assure you.

Galdana Cove

You can get here very easily, using the footpaths from Cala Macarella next to the viewpoint. Cala Galdana is only 5 kilometres away from the coves Macarella and Macarelleta, and it is a very familiar place, with a good atmosphere.

Its sand is fine and white, and the beach is 400 metres long. The calm waters make it an attractive place where you can go swimming, snorkelling, rent kayaks or simply enjoy the sun in this dreamlike landscape.

There are plenty of beach bars where you can eat and sun loungers to have a good time without worries. In addition, the cove has an elevated viewpoint, from which you can have incredible views of the entire bay. I assure you that it is absolutely worth it.

Mitjana Cove

Finally, end the day at Cala Mitjana, another of the beautiful unspoilt coves in the south of Menorca. Thanks to its wide beaches you will have no problem finding a place to lie down, even in the middle of summer. Here you won't expect to find any beach bars or rentals of any kind, as this is nature in its purest state. There are tables and chairs where you can sit and comfortably enjoy the refreshments you bring with you.

Like many of the coves in the south of the island, for which you can book a boat trip, Cala Mitjana is ideal for activities such as snorkelling, as you can dive and explore all the richness hidden in the Mediterranean Sea, thanks to its calm and transparent waters.

For this second day, I have selected some of the most interesting spots on the island, leaving aside the beaches for a moment. Visit the charming Mahón, by booking a guided tour, and Binibeca Vell, two places you can't miss on your trip to Menorca.

Binibeca Vell

To get to Binibeca (Binibèquer) you can take the road to Sant Lluís from Mahón, or bus 93. It is about 8 kilometres from the capital.

Definitely one of the most photographable places in Menorca and one of the most visited, this beautiful village that emulates the classic style of the white houses of the fishermen of the beginning of the last century, is a charming excuse to spend the whole day wandering through its narrow and picturesque streets, as well as its stone corridors with a Greek island feel.

Discover what to see and do in Binibeca during your stay in Minorca. I recommend that you don't miss a stroll around the port, where you can take some incredible photographs of the boats along the coast.

Mahón (Maó)

If the morning is Binibeca, the afternoon is Mahón. I recommend that you travel the 8 kilometres that separate Binibeca from the capital of Menorca, and once there you visit, among other things:

• The natural harbour of Mahón, a place full of charm.
• The historic centre, with its charming Georgian-style houses.
• The Mola Fortress, a military construction that protected the city of Mahón in the times of Queen Isabella II.
• The Bastion of Sant Roc, where you can see part of the old main gate of the city. Mahón (or Maó, in Catalan) still conserves some traces of its past as a walled city.
• Don't miss a boat trip from Mahón either, so you can sail along the coast and marvel at the views of the city at sunset.

The capital of Menorca boasts one of the best places to party on the island, so I recommend you stay until the sun goes down. One of the classic places to enjoy the night here is the Ama-gi nightclub and lounge bar.

On this third day, you will visit some of the most historic places in the northern part of the island. Here we go!

Ciutadella (Citadel)

Start this third day in the former capital of the island. Here you will be able to enjoy a picturesque group of houses and dreamy little streets, which invite you to get lost and take endless photographs. A stroll through Ciutadella is ideal for learning a little about the island's past and exploring, among other things:

• The historic quarter, where you can visit the Torre Saura Palace, the beautiful Plaza del Born, the Bisbe courtyard and the Cathedral of Santa Maria de Ciutadella, which dates back to the 14th century.
• Then visit an indispensable place that you cannot fail to include in your tour of Ciutadella: its beautiful port. Filled with terraces, shops and places to hang out, the port is definitely one of the places to see and tour. With its countless boats and stone walls, this is a place where you can get tired of taking pictures.
• Take a stroll around the Nou Mercat, definitely the most modern shopping centre in the city.
• The Castle of San Nicolás is another must-see, with incredible views of the sea.
• Finish your visit to this charming Menorcan city by taking a highly recommended boat trip from Ciudadela, Menorca, so you can see the charm of the city from the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean.

Naveta des Tudons

This amazing funerary construction was discovered on the island and dates back to prehistoric times (between 1200 and 750 BC, no less!). It is known as a "naveta" because it is shaped like an inverted boat and is thought to be the oldest building in Europe. Admission to this incredible architectural relic costs around 2 Euros, and can be purchased on site or in advance.

It is built using a technique known as cyclopean, i.e. by stacking medium-sized rocks without any mud or cement to hold them together. Excavating inside, bones, ornaments and bracelets have been found in large quantities, which suggests that these were collective tombs used in the Talayotic period.

Spend the last day enjoying the most incredible thing this beautiful island has to offer: the sea! In the northern part of Minorca you will find a wide variety of activities linked to this turquoise treasure.

Spend the morning doing water sports

If you are a fan of water sports and you need an adrenaline rush to combat so much relaxation in the sun, I recommend that you head for the northern part of the island. There you will find a wide range of sporting activities. Jet skis, kayak hire, scuba diving, snorkelling and even flyboarding, the beaches and coves in the north are undoubtedly the most active. In places like Fornells, for example, there are several water sports centres and schools.

Can't live without the feeling of speed? Rent a jet ski in Menorca and live an experience like no other. Go through the coves, its incredible transparent waters, and live the adrenaline to the fullest, I assure you that you won't regret it. Discover the 5 best places to snorkel in Menorca, and marvel at the other island, the one hidden beneath the turquoise waters. You will find an absolutely fascinating universe.

Cova d'en Xoroi

And if sunset finds us in Cala de Porter, what better way to end our last day in Menorca than with a few drinks in Cova D'en Xoroi, a curious bar located right on the cliff (yes, you can hear it). The Cova d'en Xoroi has no comparison, enjoying a few drinks while watching the sunset over the Mediterranean Sea is priceless.

It is a classic on the island and one of the places you can't miss on your visit to Menorca. At night the place dresses up and brings renowned artists, so it is an excellent way to end our fourth and last day in this paradise.

If you are a fan of sunsets, here we have made a list of the places you should visit if you want to enjoy the best sunsets in Menorca.

Definitely during the summer months is when you will be able to enjoy the island's attractions to the maximum. Its beaches, all the activities and water sports, the trips and excursions on sailing boats or catamarans do not take place during the coldest months of the year.

For all these reasons, I recommend that you organise your visit to the island for the months from June to September, so that you can live a unique experience, 100% enjoyable in Menorca.

Menorca is not an overly expensive place, you can eat for about the same as in any other city in Spain, although of course if you want a restaurant with typical Menorcan dishes, and a few more premium touches, well, you pay for that. Boat trips start at around 30 Euros, and there are different options for accommodation to suit every budget.

The main languages spoken on the island are Spanish and Catalan, although the local dialect is Menorcan, which is a derivative of Catalan.

The people of Menorca are generally very friendly to visitors, so don't hesitate to strike up a conversation with them.

There are many dishes typical of Menorca, yes. In recent times the island's gastronomy has become quite famous, and something to take into account, due to its great variety, presentation and quality. Many chefs have chosen this paradisiacal destination to establish themselves and develop new dishes.

The island has a rich heritage of cultures, which have left their mark on everything from its architecture and customs to, of course, its cuisine. Romans, British, Arabs and French are just some of those who have passed through Menorca, bringing tradition and shaping the Menorcan way of life.

Some of the delicacies you can't miss are:

• Arroz de la tierra (local rice): Paradoxically, it does not contain rice, but wheat crushed in a mortar.
• Baked ray: One of the most abundant fish on the island.
• Perol menorquín: A traditional dish with pork, although it can also be found with fish or lamb.
• Crespells dulces (sweet crespells): A delicious sample of Menorcan pastries.
• Oliagua: A traditional soup of humble origins, today a classic of the island.
• Caldereta de langosta (lobster stew): The most renowned of Menorcan dishes. A delicacy.

Here is another article in case you want to know which are the best restaurants in Menorca and even book a typical cheese workshop in Mahón, are you up for it?