If it rains in Menorca, spend the day in Maó or Ciutadella: the Museu de Menorca, the markets, the Xoriguer distillery, Ciutadella cathedral or a performance at the Teatre Principal are all indoors. Outside winter, rain usually doesn’t last long, so keep a beach plan ready for when it clears.
In Maó: museum, markets and gin
The Museu de Menorca, the Mercat des Claustre and the Mercat des Peix, and the Xoriguer distillery on the Moll de Ponent fill a whole morning indoors without moving the car.
- Museu de Menorca: Tuesday to Sunday (afternoons only on Tuesday and Thursday); €4, free on Sundays.
- Mercat des Claustre, Monday to Saturday 9:00 to 21:00, and the Mercat des Peix, Tuesday to Saturday until 14:00, with tapas counters.
- Xoriguer distillery: copper stills and a tasting of gin and pomada; guided tours are booked on its website.
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.
In Ciutadella: the cathedral and Ses Voltes
The cathedral (8:00 to 13:00 and 18:00 to 20:00; no tourist visits on Sundays and holidays) and the arcades of Ses Voltes let you explore the old town under cover.
Then a long lunch in the old town: our Ciutadella itinerary has three checked restaurants, one of them serving Slow Food Menorcan cooking.
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.
A fortress and a museum on an island
Much of the visit to La Mola fortress runs through underground galleries, and on the Illa del Rei the museum fills the old British hospital. Their opening times vary a lot by season.
La Mola fortress opens from April to September, 10:00 to 20:00, and closes in January. The Illa del Rei has daily boats from mid-June to mid-September; in winter, Sunday mornings only.
Visits with a tasting: cheese and gin
The Hort de Sant Patrici cheese dairy in Ferreries runs guided tours with a tasting Tuesday to Saturday at 11:30, booking required; at Xoriguer, tours and tastings are also booked online.
At Hort de Sant Patrici you see the dairy and the ageing cellars of Mahón-Menorca cheese. If you’re into the island’s food, read what to eat in Menorca.
Recommended itinerary
2 days
Food and local markets
Flavours of Menorca
Two days of markets, gin, Mahón-Menorca cheese and lobster stew in Fornells.
In the afternoon: the theatre, or a plan for cloudy days
The Teatre Principal in Maó, the oldest opera house in Spain (1829), stages opera, concerts and plays all year. If it’s only cloudy, Lithica and s’Albufera des Grau are good options.
Check the Teatre Principal programme on its website. The s’Albufera des Grau visitor centre has an exhibition on the park’s landscapes, and Lithica takes about an hour and a half.
Tips for a rainy day
Don’t walk on wet rock: marès sandstone and slate get slippery. Avoid the Camí de Cavalls in a storm, and remember that the Museu de Menorca and the Mercat des Peix close on Mondays.
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.
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.
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.
