Menorca
Calas, Camí de Cavalls & Cordero

The 1352 Gothic cathedral on its own little peninsula above the port of Maó: the free trick is shooting it from the quay with the water and the boats behind, and a few coins keep the doors open inside (the proceeds maintain the building). The DOP cheese is a short walk away.

The old town of the island's royal capital, before Maó took over: the Plaça des Born, the Quarters of the Friars and the streets where the street market takes over twice a week. Everything is on foot in 40 minutes — and it's most photogenic before 10:00.

The 130 m headland where the island turns from pine forest into sheer cliffs: the lighthouse, the viewpoint over the coves and the turn that photographers queue for. Go before 09:00 — by 11:00 the car park fills and you'd be paying.

The salt-pan landscape on the south-east: the old salt works, the white lighthouse, the salt museum (~€4) and the walk on the Camí de Cavalls between the coves. Part of the Menorca Natural Park — the “where the island began” spot.

The white rock pillar that marks the south coast: 220 m of limestone where the old castle stood, free to walk to with the best south-west panorama in one view. Park at Cap de ses Salines and walk up the track.

The whitewashed church and the Genoese watch-tower on a cliff above Cala Galdana: a 20-minute climb from the cove, the bell that has rung sailors in since the 1600s, and the free view over the cove that the Camí de Cavalls passes below.

The path that makes the island: 185 km of former mule track along the whole perimeter, free and mostly open all day. Don't try all of it — pick a segment: Macarella–Galdana (~4.5 h) or Dalt Vila–Favaroxa (~1 h 40), and use a boat for the east-side skips.

The prehistoric cave on the west coast: 5,000-year-old ox bones, the old salt stores and the small museum inside the cliff, ~15 min on foot from the cala. The cheapest “time machine” on the island.

The natural arch north-west of Ciutadella: a 20 m hole in the limestone the sea carved, best from a boat in the bay or the short walk along the coves. Free, wild, and the least crowded arch in the Med — that's the point.

The megalithic culture of the island in one small museum: the navetas (boat-shaped tombs), the talayots and 3,000 years of the people who built the towers you'll see from the Camí. Half an hour, ~€6, and the whole island makes sense after.

The open-air boat tomb on the Camí de Cavalls: a 2,500-year-old megalithic “ship” built of limestone slabs, free to walk to if you're on the path. The outdoor version of the museum — bring water, there's no shade.

The walled port where Maó began: the 1700s fortification lines, the Mirador de la Mota with the cathedral and the port below, and the free ramparts walk. The “free view” version of the cathedral climb — and IB-RED Wi-Fi on the quay.

The main street of the old capital: the local shops, the artisan corners and the street market that takes over the street on Fri and Sat. It's a street to walk, not a mall to hit — like the island itself.

The little medieval quarter next to the Plaça des Born: the small shops, the galleries and the “I found this in the old town” kind of shopping. The best 20 minutes of window shopping on the island.

The port-side shopping of Maó: the jewellery and fashion shops on the Explanada, the port walk and the IB-RED Wi-Fi while you people-watch. Walk it free; shop if the day is right.

The island leather shop that ships around the world: bags, belts and the small leather goods made locally. The “I bought the leather here” gift — and the queue is the sign it's real.

The concept stores and galleries of the old town: local design, the ceramic corners and the small fashion labels from the island. The “design” version of the Friars quarter, on the same 20-minute loop.

The linen and organic-cotton shop Maó is known for: the table linen, the clothes and the outlet corner with the last seasons at a third of the price. The “I bought the linen here” — it's the local thing, not the tourist thing.

The only real shopping centre on the island: 3 floors at the port, the national chains and the discount corners. Not local, but it's the one place you can do “all the shopping” indoors on a rainy day.

The shoe factory shop of the village: the Mascaró shoes made the old way, the factory outlet prices and the workshop you can watch. The “buy the maker” version of shoe shopping.

The local gastronomy store: the Mahón–Menorca DOP cheese by the slice, the island wine, the honey and the “take the island home” basket. Cheaper than the airport, better than the supermarket, the obvious last stop.

The small local shops of the inland village: the deli, the bakeries and the fruit corners with the island produce. The “not-a-tourist” shopping, 5 min from the calas on the west coast.

The local commerce of the south village: the small shops around the Plaça des Ramal and the Thursday market that keeps the street alive. The quiet version of the two capitals.

The street market of the old capital: the cars park in the street and the market takes over — the fruit, the fish, the flowers and the local cheese. Go at 10:00 for the full street before the best of it goes.

The municipal market of Ciutadella: the DOP cheese counter (the one to buy), the fresh fish and the covered market that's open the same days the street market runs. The “cheese stop” of the trip.

The port-side market of Maó: the fish, the fruit and the small corners around the Explanada, twice a week. The earlier the better — 09:00 for the fish before the day boats.

The market of the south village: the small Thursday market with the local bread, the produce and the village feel. The quiet version — 30 min from the centre if you're based west.

The market of the inland village: the goatherds, the honey, the local cloth and the old village square. The “traditional” market of the island, and the Mascaró factory shop is 2 min away.

The Sunday-morning market of the inland village: the produce, the flowers and the small corners. The “quiet Sunday” version, 5 min from the west-coast calas.

The market of the old port town: the fish from the day boats, the fruit and the small square on the west peninsula. The “fish before breakfast” stop if you're based west.

The market of the old citadel town: the produce, the small shops and the ramparts walk that follows. The “old town + market” combo on the west peninsula.

The artisan night market by the port: the local makers, the lights on the quay and the summer hours (Jun 1–Sep 30). The “evening” version of the market — combine with the port Wi-Fi and a beer.

The Balearic Islands' only real outlet village: 100+ stores, 10–20 h, free parking and 30–70% off, 15 min from Palma. From Menorca it's a ferry day trip — leave Maó early, shop 3 h, come back for dinner.

The Balearic sale periods: a full month from New Year and 6 weeks from Jul 1, in every shop from El Faro to La Cerería. Time the trip to the July period and the “full price” corners become the deal corners.

The Spanish off-price app: 30–70% off the big names in the sales events, delivered or picked up. The “where the locals shop off-price” answer — plan it before or during the trip, the sales run all year.

The big-island shopping day trip: the Mallorca Fashion Outlet is 15 min from Palma, but the centre (Catalunya street, Avenidas Mall) is the “one day, full shopping” version. The ferry from Maó is ~2 h each way.

The island's only mall, with the discount corners that matter: the seasonal sales in the chains, the outlet-style corners and the hypermarket below. The “close to home” version of the outlet day trip.

The tapas corner of the old town: the small plates, the island wine by the glass and the queue that's the sign. The “tapas hour” (17:30–20:00) version of the menu del día.

The port restaurant with the stuffed squid that people queue for: the fish of the day, the wine from the island and the quay view. The “one restaurant to queue for on the island”.

The port paella: the arroz by the pan, the simple menu and the ~€16 paella that's the best “one dish” on the port. Sit outside for the boats.

The classic port café: the €22 menu del día, the coffee and the long history on the quay. The “dine like a local” lunch, 13:00–15:30.

The old-town restaurant with the grilled meat and the island produce: the “evening” version of Ciutadella, the small menu and the locals at the bar. Book in August.

The hidden-corner restaurant: the local cooking, the quiet street and the “ask a local” kind of place. The non-tourist version of the old-town dinner.

The casual corner of the old town: the quick plates, the casual counter and the “don't need a reservation” dinner. The cheap-and-fast version after a day on the calas.

The “treat yourself” restaurant: the caldereta (the fish stew) for ~€55 to share between two, the wine and the old-town corner. Not a daily stop — the once-in-the-trip one.

The small port bar with the dips: the ~€6.50 dips by the piece, the cheese and the “cheapest good dinner on the port”. The budget version of the quay.

The brasa (grill) restaurant of the small port: the fish on the coals, the reservation that's worth it and the “dinner” version of Fornells. Book the day before in season.

The small corner of the port: the light plates, the salads and the “not hungry enough for the brasa” lunch. The casual version of the port.

The fresh-fish corner: the fish of the day, the simple menu and the “cheapest good fish on the island” that the locals point to. The fish stop of the east coast.

The beach bar of the port: the quick plates, the cold ones and the “post-swim” version of dinner. The beach version of the port.

The poke-bowl corner: the bowls from €7.95, the cold lunch and the “cheapest full plate in Fornells”. The budget lunch after the calas.

The second fish corner of the port: the fish, the simple menu and the “which of the two” debate with the locals. Either is right.

The courtyard restaurant of the village: the local cooking, the quiet courtyard and the “inland” version of the island dinner. The 10-min stop between the two coasts.

The village restaurant with the cheese: the DOP cheese on the plate, the local cooking and the “5 min from the calas” lunch. The village version of the west-coast stop.

The tapas corner of the south village: the small plates, the cheap prices and the “village” version of the tapas hour. The budget version of the south.

The bakery of Maó with the ensaïmada: the same-day pastries, the cheese-and-ensaïmada combo and the island's famous sweet. Get it in the morning, eat it with the DOP cheese.

The two coves with the turquoise water that made the island famous: the white sand, the pine forest and the “impossible” colour of the sea. Go before 10:30 or take the boat from Fornells to skip the car park.

The quieter sister cove: the pine trees down to the sand, the free car park (usually) and the “same water, half the people” trick. The hidden version of Macarella.

The dunes, the lighthouse and the northernmost cove of the island: the wide sand, the shallow water and the “early morning” light that the photographers wait for. The lighthouse walk is the bonus.

The rocky cove of the Camí: the rock platforms in the water, the pine forest and the “swim between the rocks” version of the cala. The Camí de Cavalls passes right above it.

The red-rock cove of the wind: the kitesurfers in the morning, the red cliffs and the “surf + swim” combo. The wind version of the island.

The small port with the boats and the “Es Mirlai” cove: the fishing boats at sunrise, the small quay and the “real island” photo. The port version of the island.

The headland at the end of the world: the lighthouse, the sheer cliffs and the “turn for the photo” that everyone queues for. Go at sunset with the car park half empty — the best light on the island.

The cathedral on its own peninsula: the white stone, the rose window and the port with the boats behind. The “shooting from the quay” trick is the one everyone posts.

The old town before the tourists: the baroque stone, the Plaça des Born and the “10:00 before the market” light. The old-town version of the island.

The white lighthouse of the salt pans: the salt landscape, the white tower and the “desert” version of the island. The UNESCO landscape from the top.

The urban cove with the cliff and the “Torre d'en Galiot” above: the blue-and-white umbrellas, the pine forest and the “walkable from the old town” trick. The 5-min version of the cala.

The quiet hillside cove: the white houses, the pines and the “no car park queue” version of the east coast. The sunset version of the island.

The IB-RED network of Maó: the main square, the port side and the “connect, open a browser, done” Wi-Fi. The one to save before you land.

The port Wi-Fi of Maó: the quay, the sa Palangana and the old fortification walk. The “sit by the boats” version of the square.

The viewpoint Wi-Fi of Maó: the Mirador de Plaça Miranda, the port view and the “sunset + free internet” combo. The view version of the square.

The Cototo Wifi of the old town: the Plaça Nova, no password (just a terms portal) and the “connect + browse” of the old capital. The one to save if you're based west.

The second Cototo corner: the Plaça d'Artrutx, next to the old cathedral and the archaeological museum. The “museum + Wi-Fi” version of the old town.

The port Wi-Fi of Ciutadella: the quay, the artisan night market and the “evening by the boats” version. The port version of the old town.

The IB-RED of the west peninsula: the squares of Sant Lluís and Es Castell, the ramparts walk and the “old citadel” Wi-Fi. The west version of the island.

The airport Wi-Fi: the terminal, the “arrival” to the island and the L10 bus stop right outside. Plan the day, charge the phone, done.

The first Wi-Fi beach in Menorca: the beach itself with the network, the “swim + browse” combo and the rare “beach with internet” thing. The beach version of the island.