Menorca’s most famous coves are on the south coast of Ciutadella and Ferreries: Macarella, Turqueta and Mitjana, with white sand, turquoise water and pine woods. In the north, coves have reddish sand and rock, like Pregonda. With children, the best are calm beaches with facilities such as Cala Galdana, Son Bou or Es Grau. In summer, get up early: car parks close when full and some coves can only be reached by bus.
Cala Macarella and Macarelleta
Menorca’s two most famous coves, linked by a 10-minute path. From 1 June to 30 September they can only be reached on bus L69 from Ciutadella or on foot along the Camí de Cavalls.
Take one of the first buses (from 8:25): by mid-morning it’s full. Macarella has a beach bar; Macarelleta doesn’t. Everything on the Cala Macarella card.
Recommended itinerary
3 days
Nightlife and leisure
Menorca for couples
Three days of coves, sunsets and dinners by the sea: the Cova d’en Xoroi, Punta Nati and Cavalleria.
Cala Turqueta
An unspoilt cove with white sand and pines down to the water, with no buildings. Its car park, with about 120 spaces, closes when full: around 8:00 in July and August. Bus L68 also runs from Ciutadella.
If you arrive late, go after 17:00, when it empties. There’s no beach bar: bring water and food. More on Cala Turqueta.
Recommended itinerary
1 day
History and culture
Ciutadella in a day
The naveta, the marès quarries, the old capital, an unspoilt cove and sunset at Punta Nati.
Cala Mitjana
A cove with crystal-clear water between cliffs, a 20–30 minute walk from Cala Galdana along the Camí de Cavalls or 15 minutes from its dirt car park.
Next to it is tiny Mitjaneta. No facilities. More on Cala Mitjana.
Recommended itinerary
3 days
Beaches and coves
Menorca without a car
Three days by bus and on foot: Es Grau, Ciutadella, Macarella, Cala Galdana and Cala Mitjana.
Cala Pregonda, in the north
The prettiest cove in the north: reddish sand and rocks and islets off the shore, a 35-minute walk from the Binimel·là car park. No bus goes there.
The path has no shade: go early. More on Cala Pregonda.
Recommended itinerary
3 days
Charming places
Lighthouses and villages of Menorca
Three days, three coasts: Favàritx and Es Grau, Monte Toro and Cavalleria, Ciutadella and Punta Nati.
Beaches for children
Cala Galdana, Son Bou and Es Grau have calm water, sand and facilities, and you can get there by car or bus without walking.
- Cala Galdana: a shell-shaped cove with everything close by; a base to walk to Mitjana.
- Son Bou: Menorca’s longest beach, with almost 3 km of sand.
- Es Grau: water that stays shallow for many metres, ideal for little ones.
- Cala en Porter: a beach between cliffs, with the Cova d’en Xoroi above.
Recommended itinerary
7 days
Beaches and coves
Menorca’s coves with the family
A week of beaches: one area a day, short drives and a plan for every rainy day.
Tips to enjoy the coves
Start early in summer, bring water, food and shade to the unspoilt coves, wear shoes for the paths and take everything away with you: many are in protected areas.
If you’d rather not depend on a car, our guide to getting around Menorca tells you which bus reaches each beach.
Take it organised
Itineraries with the order of each day, how to get there and where to eat, ready on your phone.
7 days
Beaches and coves
Menorca’s coves with the family
A week of beaches: one area a day, short drives and a plan for every rainy day.
3 days
Beaches and coves
Menorca without a car
Three days by bus and on foot: Es Grau, Ciutadella, Macarella, Cala Galdana and Cala Mitjana.
