Travelling to Menorca? Wondering where to stay: Ciutadella or Mahon? Can you get around without a car? If you have all these questions, you’ve come to the right place.

Before my trip to Menorca, I too was also confused about all these things. But after visiting the beautiful Balearic island, I think I know a little better, and I’d like to share that knowledge with you.

Here’s a quick tour of the island before we proceed.

Best Area To Stay In Menorca

Menorca’s two primary cities, Mahon and Ciutadella, are situated at opposite ends of the island. Mahon lies to the east, while Ciutadella is located on the west. Although there are smaller towns such as Es Mercadal, Alaior, and Ferreries, most tourists prefer to base themselves in Mahon or Ciutadella, where the majority of tourist attractions are located.

Santo Tomas and Los Delfines are smaller towns that also see a fair number of tourists, but the bulk of visitors opt to stay in Mahon or Ciutadella. Here’s a glimpse into some ongoing deals for your consideration. However, keep reading to determine which city is the better fit for your travel plans: Mahon or Ciutadella.

Mahon (or Mao)

Església del Carme in Plaza de Espana, Mahon

Mahon, the bustling capital city of Menorca, is known for its commercial vibrancy and larger population. Home to Menorca’s international airport and a harbour that accommodates cruise ships, Mahon boasts one of the world’s largest natural harbours. The city is also the birthplace of mayonnaise, adding an intriguing fun fact to its charm.

During our visit to Mahon, we were captivated by the city’s allure. Its labyrinthine streets, lined with ancient cathedrals and bustling markets, showcased its unique character. We savoured scrumptious meals at many restaurants and marvelled at the panoramic views from Mirador’s vantage point café.

Best Hotels In Mahon

Here are some of our top recommendations for hotels in Mahon.

However, we didn’t stay at Mahon. We stayed at Ciutadella. Why do you ask? Read on.

Ciutadella de Menorca

The Palau Salort at night, Ciutadella, Menorca

Ciutadella de Menorca (or simply Ciutadella), the historic capital city of Menorca before Mahon took over that title in the late 18th century, offers a charming contrast to its more commercial counterpart. It’s a smaller town, with more character in my opinion.

Nestled on Menorca’s western coast, Ciutadella boasts a rich history and picturesque Old Town, characterized by its narrow streets, historic buildings, and bustling market. The houses and lanes in the Old Town reminded me of Seville.

Ciutadella is more popular than Mahon among tourists because of its proximity to the most beautiful beaches in Menorca. The virgin beaches in the southwest of Menorca (Cala Turqueta, Cala Macarelleta, and others) are greatly regarded as the most beautiful on the island. And I agree. Unless you’ve rented a car, it’s much more difficult to get to these beaches if you are staying in Mahon. Even then, the journey could be over an hour. From Ciutadella, the beaches in the south are approximately 20 minutes away.

Another reason why I’d recommend Ciutadella is its sunsets. The sunsets in the Mediterranean are absolutely gorgeous! I witnessed them for the first time when I visited Ibiza and Formentera in 2012. Ciutadella and the surrounding towns provide you with some of the best viewpoints for catching these beautiful sunsets.

Best Hotels In Ciutadella

Here are some of our top recommendations for hotels in Ciutadella.

As a couple, we enjoyed staying at Ciutadella. It was more charming, closer to the beaches, and had great places to eat.

We stayed in the heart of the old town in a boutique hotel called Cheap & Chic and loved it! It had such a quaint character, and beautiful, big rooms. We would recommend this hotel to anyone going to Ciutadella. It has limited rooms, so it’s best to book early.

We also discovered that Los Delfines (a town close to Ciutadella) attracted large families, and as such had loads of entertainment options for kids.

How To Get Around Menorca

If you’ve rented a car, getting around Menorca is a breeze. It’s highly recommended to rent a car as access to the beaches and other remote locations can be difficult without one.

Luckily, it’s not the end of the world if you can’t or don’t want to rent a car. We didn’t, and we managed just fine using buses and taxis.

Buses in Menorca

To start with, there is a regular bus service (operated by TMSA) that runs between Ciutadella and Menorca. The journey takes an hour and runs from the bus station in Mahon to Plaza Pau in Ciutadella. The map of the routes and the timetable can be accessed here. Buses run between almost every town and village in Menorca.

Plaza del Born, Ciutadella, Menorca

To get to Ciutadella from the airport, one first needs to go to the Mahon Bus Station, and then catch the bus to Ciutadella. We found that the bus schedules were synced such that passengers travelling to Ciutadella from the airport didn’t have to wait at the bus station.

For intra-city journeys, and to get to the beaches, there are shuttle services operated by Autocares Torres. Their map and shuttle schedule can be found here.

Taxis in Menorca

Taxis are another option to get around Menorca. Although I would not recommend them for travelling between Ciutadella and Mahon, they’re good for shorter distances.

We used taxis to get to beaches and places such as Punta Nati, or Los Delfines. They usually stand at designated taxi stops or can be summoned via phone.

However, I cannot stress this enough –

1. Keep a couple of business cards from taxi operators with you at all times. If you need a taxi, just call anyone and they’ll come to wherever you are.
2. Mobile signal in Menorca is weak or non-existent in remote locations (beaches, and outer edges). You may need to walk towards civilization to catch a mobile signal.

Returning from Punta Nati after the sunset

I hope I was able to share my knowledge about Menorca through this post and that helped you understand the island a little better. If you require any more information, feel free to leave a comment or ask me a question below.