Cruise ships dock in the harbour of Maó (Mahón), about 15 minutes on foot from the centre up the Costa de ses Voltes steps. On a half-day stop you can see the centre and the markets, have lunch by the harbour and do a tasting at the Xoriguer distillery without taking any transport.
From the ship to the centre
From the terminal, the centre is about 15 minutes on foot up the Costa de ses Voltes steps. The Moll de Ponent, with restaurants and the Xoriguer distillery, runs along the waterfront.
If you’d rather not walk up, Radio Taxi Menorca serves Maó on 971 367 111. The harbour is about 5 km long and one of the largest natural harbours in the Mediterranean: more in Maó: town centre and harbour.
If you have 3 or 4 hours
Walk up to the centre, visit the Mercat des Claustre and the church of Santa Maria, go down the Costa de ses Voltes and finish with a tasting at Xoriguer, right on the harbour.
The Mercat des Claustre has a great view of the harbour, and the Mercat des Peix next door has tapas counters Tuesday to Saturday until 14:00. At the Xoriguer distillery you can taste Mahón gin and pomada.
If you have the whole day
Add the Museu de Menorca (closed on Mondays), lunch on the Moll de Ponent and an afternoon in Es Castell and Cales Fonts, 10 minutes by bus from the centre.
The Museu de Menorca explains the island in an hour and a half. In Cales Fonts, old fishermen’s caves are now waterside restaurants.
Recommended itinerary
1 day
Food and local markets
Maó in a day, on foot
Markets, museum, tapas by the harbour, a gin tasting and dinner in Cales Fonts, no car needed. Ideal for cruise passengers.
Short trips from the port
In season, boats leave the Moll de Ponent for a one-hour harbour tour. By taxi, La Mola fortress is about 15 minutes away and Binibeca Vell about the same.
From mid-June to mid-September there are daily boats to the Illa del Rei, whose museum opens Wednesday to Sunday. La Mola fortress needs about two hours; Binibeca Vell, one.
Tips for your port day
Check the day: on Mondays the Museu de Menorca and the Mercat des Peix are closed, and on Sundays only the Claustre opens, in the morning. Head back to the ship with time to spare: the way up and down is steep.
Take it organised
Itineraries with the order of each day, how to get there and where to eat, ready on your phone.
1 day
Food and local markets
Maó in a day, on foot
Markets, museum, tapas by the harbour, a gin tasting and dinner in Cales Fonts, no car needed. Ideal for cruise passengers.
4 days
History and culture
Menorca history route
Four days of talayots, British fortresses, museums and the old capital, from east to west.
