Maó (Mahón), Menorca’s capital, overlooks one of the largest natural harbours in the Mediterranean, about 5 km long. Up top is the old centre, with the church of Santa Maria, the markets and the Museu de Menorca; below, the Moll de Ponent, with restaurants and the Xoriguer distillery. Around it, Es Castell, the Illa del Rei and La Mola fortress.
The old centre
The church of Santa Maria, with its great organ; plaça de la Constitució, with the town hall; the Claustre del Carme, now a market; and the Costa de ses Voltes steps, which lead down to the harbour.
You can see it all on foot in a morning. More on Maó: town centre and harbour.
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.
The markets
The Mercat des Claustre, in the cloister of the old Carme convent, opens Monday to Saturday 9:00 to 21:00 and Sunday 8:00 to 14:00; the Mercat des Peix, Tuesday to Saturday 7:00 to 14:00, with tapas counters.
Try Mahón-Menorca cheese, sobrasada and ensaïmadas. More on the Mercat des Claustre.
The Museu de Menorca and the Teatre Principal
The Museu de Menorca tells the island’s story from prehistory in the old convent of Sant Francesc; the Teatre Principal, opened in 1829, is the oldest opera house in Spain.
The museum is closed on Mondays and free on Sundays. The Teatre Principal stages opera, concerts and plays all year.
The harbour and Xoriguer
The Moll de Ponent has restaurants, bars and the Xoriguer distillery, where you see how Mahón gin is made. In season, boats leave for a one-hour harbour tour, with views of the Illa del Rei and the Lazareto.
At the Xoriguer distillery you can taste gin and pomada; guided tours are booked on its website.
Around Maó: Es Castell, the Illa del Rei and La Mola
3 km away, Es Castell and Cales Fonts, with waterside dinners; in the harbour, the Illa del Rei, with the old British hospital; and at the harbour mouth, La Mola fortress, from the 19th century.
Cales Fonts, the Illa del Rei and La Mola fortress each have a page with opening times. The area’s British history, in British Menorca.
Recommended itinerary
4 days
History and culture
Menorca history route
Four days of talayots, British fortresses, museums and the old capital, from east to west.
Staying in Maó
Maó is the handiest base if you fly in or will get around by bus: the airport is about 15 minutes away and lines to the whole island leave its bus station.
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.
