In summer, Menorca restricts car access to its busiest spots: Macarella is closed to cars from 1 June to 30 September, the Favàritx road closes from mid-May to 30 September, and at sunset in July and August you reach Punta Nati by shuttle bus. Other car parks, such as Cala Turqueta’s, close when full.
Macarella: no cars from 1 June to 30 September
During those dates the Macarella car park is closed: you get there on bus L69 from Ciutadella (from 8:25) or on foot along the Camí de Cavalls, about 45 minutes from Cala Galdana or from Cala Turqueta.
From October to May there is a car park 15 minutes’ walk away. Everything about the cove on the Cala Macarella page, and bus times on mou-T Menorca.
Recommended itinerary
6 days
Charming places
The best of Menorca in 6 days
The whole island in six days: Maó, the south-east, the north, the southern coves, Ciutadella and Macarella.
Favàritx: road closed from mid-May to September
From mid-May to 30 September the lighthouse road is closed to cars: take the L43 from Maó bus station (€3.60; first departure around 9:45, last return around 19:45). From October to mid-May you can drive.
The bus stops at the lighthouse and at the paths to the Presili and Tortuga coves. There are no bars and no shade: bring water.
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.
Punta Nati: sunset shuttle bus in July and August
In July and August, at sunset, access to the lighthouse is by shuttle bus from Ciutadella’s ring road, booking required. The rest of the year you drive there along the CF-5 road.
Arrive half an hour before sunset and bring a layer: it is usually windy at Punta Nati lighthouse. Book on the Punta Nati lighthouse bus page.
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.
Car parks that fill up
The Cala Turqueta car park (about 120 spaces) closes when full, around 8:00 in July and August; the Binimel·là car park, for Cala Pregonda, fills before midday; and Binibeca Vell’s, around 11:00.
In season, bus L68 from Ciutadella also reaches Cala Turqueta. For Cala Pregonda, aim to arrive between 9:00 and 10:00.
How to plan around it
Go to the coves early or after 17:00, use the bus where access is restricted and keep a plan B nearby: if Turqueta is closed, Cala Galdana has bigger car parks.
Which line reaches each beach, in buses in Menorca.
Take it organised
Itineraries with the order of each day, how to get there and where to eat, ready on your phone.
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.
6 days
Charming places
The best of Menorca in 6 days
The whole island in six days: Maó, the south-east, the north, the southern coves, Ciutadella and Macarella.
