Mahón, the capital of Menorca, is much less well-known than its Balearic sisters, Palma and Ibiza Town. Tourists tend to pass through it or just take a day trip from the island’s beach resorts. But it’s a small and relaxed place, with a unique history and a handful of really nice hotels that help make its case as an easy and enjoyable city break destination.
I tacked it on the end of a trip that was mostly focused on the west of Menorca, where I fell in love with Ciutadella and enjoyed some hikes along the coast.
But I loved my time in Mahón too. I made a few errors, I missed a few things due to closures, so here’s what I would do if I was going back again and had roughly 48 hours.
There’s a strong focus here on food, art, and spa time because these are the things that I love best, but with 2 days you’ll have ample time to wander around the city, do a bit of shopping, and take a short trip outside the city if you like.
If you only have 1 day just be aware that afternoon closures for siesta make it tricky to pack everything into 24 hours – especially if you’re travelling in the spring or autumn. You’ll have a few more options (plus more daylight) in the summer. But you could definitely fit in some highlights: Illa del Rei followed by lunch at the fish market and afternoon at the Illa spa.
I’ve arranged the itinerary assuming that you’re there on a Saturday/Sunday to take Sunday closures into account. If you’re not travelling at the weekend, then you’re a bit freer with the order you do things. Although there’s more open here in the winter than in Ciutadella, it’s still not really geared up for winter travel and you might find some things closed (for example, Illa del Rei closes over winter until the spring).
Why go? What’s the vibe?
Mahón (or Maó in the local dialect) is the capital of Menorca, but it only gained that status in 1713 after the British took control of the island. Before that, Ciutadella had always been the capital, and the two cities feel completely different as a result. Ciutadella is Moorish-meets-Gothic, with honey-hued palaces and narrow medieval streets. Blink and you could be in the Costa Brava or Andalucía. Mahón, by contrast, has elegant Georgian touches: sash windows, grand townhouses, and pastel façades. And gin.
Mahón is a small, quiet, well-heeled city of around 30,000 people including its suburbs. Its relatively recent status as capital means there isn’t a vast list of big sites, and because it’s only 20 minutes from the airport it’s perfect for a short, low-stress city break or as an add-on to a longer trip.
Outside the peak summer months, it feels surprisingly untouristy for a Mediterranean coastal city. Especially one with an airport, a cruise ship terminal, and world-class sandy beaches.
Menorca has also managed to resist overdevelopment: it became a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1993 and has been careful with tourism ever since. Although most of the coastal resorts are a bit bland, it isn’t built up in nearly the same way as Mallorca or Ibiza.
In recent years, Menorca has become a discreet hotspot for sustainable travel, luxury rural finca hotels, and contemporary art. In Mahón, you’ll find a handful of sleek boutique hotels tucked inside converted mansions, some with excellent spas. It’s great value compared to neighbouring Mallorca and Ibiza.
I stayed at Boutique Hotel Ses Bruixes – you can read my full review here. It’s ideal for a low-key, restorative break.
Most of the historic centre sits atop a ridge and is fairly flat once you’re up there, but the walk down to the port is steep. There is a lift at the Mirador if you’d rather avoid the climb. The port itself is lined with restaurants, bars, and small tourist businesses, and it buzzes in summer when the pontoons fill with visiting yachts. It’s much more pleasant than most Mediterranean cruise ship terminals I’ve been to, that’s for sure.
Getting to Mahón from the Airport
There is a frequent bus (L10) between Mahón and the airport costing €2.80 (cash required) – see the timetable.
A taxi will set you back around €15.
Day 1
Illa del Rei (Hauser & Wirth)
Your first stop should be a tiny private island in Mahón’s huge natural harbour, Illa del Rei, home to a contemporary outpost of the international Hauser & Wirth gallery. cutting-edge art, With cutting-edge art, sculpture gardens, and Mediterranean landscaping, it’s all very James Bond. Note that it closes in winter and reopens in spring.
A private shuttle boat leaves from the main harbour (timetable on their website on their website; look for the pillar-style sign). You pay for the boat (€5 in advance, €6 on the spot) and entry to the gallery is included. As well as the main exhibitions, there’s a restaurant, shop, community programmes, and an outdoor sculpture trail. Even if modern art isn’t your thing, the setting alone makes it worth the trip. The island once housed a British naval hospital. there are English-language guided tours on Thursdays.
I suggest making it the first stop in your itinerary in case of boat-related issues. You might also find, if you’re visiting at a quieter time of year, that the shuttle boats don’t run too late in the day.
Mercat des Claustres / Sa Plaça
There’s a restaurant on the island, but if you’re looking for something more casual before or after your island trip then head to Sa Plaça/Mercat des Claustre, a food court set inside the cloisters of a church. You’ll probably pass it nearby on your way down to the port. Expect tapas, local cheeses and meats, fruit and veg (ideal for picnic), tacos, baked goods, and casual meals like tacos. My hotel receptionist tipped me off on the salads and bowls at Sa Petita, a lifesaver if – like me 0 you sometimes struggle to hit your vegetable quota in Spanish restaurants. There’s also a good selection of souvenir shops.
Mercat des Peix (Fish Market)
Right next door is the Mercat des Peix, Mahón’s fish market which is highly rated for its highly rated for ‘pintxos’ style tapas. Somehow, I managed to mistime all my visits here (the story of my trip), outside the summer the opening hours vary but morning/lunchtime is a better bet than the evening.
Gin Xoriguer
Another legacy of British rule is Menorca’s love of gin. The local brand, Gin Xoriguer, has its distillery and shop right on the harbour near the cruise terminal. The shop is open all day during the week but it closes early on Saturdays and is shut on Sundays. You can sample and buy the gin, the ready-made pomada (gin and lemonade), and herby local liqueur Hierbas de Menorca.
Once the season opens for the year, you should be able book distillery tours on Getyourguide.
Afternoon: Siesta or Es Castell
Mahón takes siesta seriously. Use this time for a long lunch, a wander, or a rest. Most shops and many restaurants will close. If you would like to work off some calories, it’s a short walk to Es Castell, a small town further along the harbour with similar architecture and a harbour. I recommend walking along the port to El Fonduco then taking the clifftop path. You can dine in Es Castell, or it’s a short bus journey back to Mahón.
Evening: More art + dinner
For another quick art hit, pop in to Centre d’Art Ca n’Oliver, a historic house with an elegant interior and a collection focused on Menorcan history.
A few recommendations for drinks and dinner:
- Es Suis – immaculate wine and vibes, bikinis (the toasted sandwich not the swimwear).
- Dolcevita Vinoteca – for antipasti and tasting flights of Menorcan wines.
- Vertical Maó – for fans of funky natural wines.
- Ses Forquilles – modern casual.
- Ulisses – modern, buzzy, local.
Day 2
Morning pastries
If your hotel doesn’t provide breakfast pastries, head to a bakery like Pigalle for an ensaïmada (a local coiled, fluffy pastry). For a bigger brunch try Pipet.
Yellow Submarine Harbour Tour
Head down to the port again, this time for a tour on one of the Yellow Submarine boats (you can’t miss them) or the larger Don Joan Catamaran. Yes, it’s touristy and a bit cheesy, but it gives you a brilliant overview of Mahón’s enormous natural harbour. There’s commentary in several languages. Naval history is a huge part of Mahón’s identity, and seeing the harbour from the water puts everything in context. I promise you it’s more interesting than it sounds! Both options have a glass bottom although I’m not sure you’ll see much but sea grass.
I loved admiring the grand houses across the bay in lush Sant Antoni, they remind me of Lake Garda or Cofu. Apparently it’s a celeb enclave. It made me want to hire an e-bike to explore the area.
Or take a beach boat
If the sun is shining and you’d prefer to hit beach, some excursion boats leave from Mahón harbour to cruise the eastern coastline. There aren’t any beaches particularly close to Mahón, but during the summer it’s easy to reach resort towns by bus. The nearest/quickest is Punta Prima.
Museo de Menorca
The island museum, Museo de Menorca, is open on Sundays (closed Mondays) but only until 2pm. If you want to visit, squeeze it in before lunch. It’s ideal for anyone interested in the island’s prehistoric Talaiotic culture, but it also has displays on local history and even some contemporary sculpture.
Church of Santa Maria
Walk up from the cruise terminal part of the port and pop in to Mahon’s main church, Santa Maria (small fee to enter). It’s known for its huge 3,210-pipe organ – there are recitals at 1pm every day except Sunday.
Siesta time is spa time
Jardi Ses Bruixes has an atmospheric candlelit subterranean spa called Illa Spa underneath the hotel, it’s the perfect place to while away a few sleepy hours during siesta or bad weather (although you will need to book in advance at busy times of year). The thermal circuit is €55, or €35 for hotel guests. Massages and other treatments are available too.
If you’re visiting in the summer, finish up with dinner at Can Vermut on the harbour.
If you’re not a spa person, or you have a few extra days in Mahón, here are a few suggestions for ways to kill a day or half-day:
- Private water taxis are very reasonable, if you’ve seen somewhere in the bay you’d like to visit.
- Rent a car and head to the wild north coast hotspots like Sa Mesquida and Es Grau, or naval sites Castillo de San Felipe, La Mola and Marlborough Fort (check opening times first though)
- Take the bus inland to Alaior to visit LOAC Contemporary Art Centre. It’s open on Sundays but closed for siesta hours (and Mondays).
- Ciutadella is only an hour on the bus – see my Ciutadella guide.
- Walk some of the Cami de Cavalls.
Where to stay?
Tourism in Mahón is very seasonal; it has some fantastic boutique hotels which are expensive in the summer peak and a relative bargain in the shoulder season. My top picks are:
€€€€ – Christine Bedfor – located in a historic mansion a few blocks from the centre, has a small pool in its picturesque city garden.
€€€ – Boutique Hotel Jardi Ses Bruixes (check out my full review here) is on the same street as Christine Bedfor, has an underground spa and courtyard but no pool.
€€€ – Boutique Hotel Sant Roc & Spa – modern rooms in a historic conversion, with a small steam room/jacuzzi area available free to guests (advance booking required).
If these hotels are booked, other mid-range options include:
- Hotel Hevresac – arty and modern, on the same road as Christine Bedfor and Ses Bruixes.
- Hotel Catalonia Mirador des Port is a 4-star resort hotel built on the west side of the old town, with port views, indoor and outdoor pools, and modern rooms.
- Hotel Sindic – whitewashed rooms, rooftop pool, adults only.
- Can Alberti 1740 – comfy heritage vibes, ivy-filled courtard and a massage room.
- El Consul Mao – city rooms with minimalist boho decor.
- ARTIEM Capri – just outside the city centre, but it has a rooftop pool and hot tub rooms.
Budget options are harder to come by in Mahón than in Ciutadella. Hostal Jume (not a hostel but a 2-star hotel) is simple but excellent for the price point. It has fresh modern decor, clean rooms, and a wide range of room types including singles, family rooms, and two-bedroom suites.
Otherwise, have a look at the cheaper resort hotels in nearby Es Castell which is a short bus ride from Mahon.
Read more about Menorca:
Cami de Cavalls: Day Hikes By Bus
All images © The Mediterranean Traveller