Maó, Menorca holidays: sights, beaches and getting there
Illes Balears · Balearic Islands · Spain · 29,125 residents · on the coast
Maó is the kind of town where you can land, collect your bags and be in the centre almost before the seatbelt sign has faded from memory: Menorca airport lies about 3 miles away, roughly a four-minute drive, with direct flights from the United Kingdom. Home to around 29,000 people and sitting just 39 metres above the sea, it combines a compact historic core with a working ferry port. Within half a mile you have the Museu de Menorca, the Church and Cloister of Sant Francesc and Palau Oliver, while archaeological sites such as Sa Cudia Cremada and Cornia Nou lie within 2 miles. Sandy coves and the Favàritx Lighthouse are a short drive north.
Why go
- Menorca airport is about 3 miles away, with direct flights from the United Kingdom.
- The Museu de Menorca and Sant Francesc cloister sit within half a mile of the centre.
- July is reliably dry, with around 3 mm of rain and highs near 30°C.
Top sights in Maó
Museums, ancient sites and quiet coves
Start with the past, because Maó has plenty of it close at hand. Sa Cudia Cremada, an archaeological site about 1.4 miles from the centre, is the best known, followed by Cornia Nou at roughly 1.8 miles and Sant Vicenç d’Alcaidús, around 3.5 miles out towards Alaior. Back in town, the Museu de Menorca and the Church and Cloister of Sant Francesc are both about 0.3 miles from the centre, and the Palau Oliver is barely a street away. The Far de Maó - Sant Carles lighthouse is also within a few hundred yards.
For the coast, the Favàritx Lighthouse stands about 7.5 miles away and makes a fine outing for couples. Families heading for the sand have a good spread of beaches: Platja de Tamarells des Nord (about 5 miles), Platja de sa Torreta (5.2 miles), Cala en Caballer (6.3 miles), Cala Tortuga (6.9 miles), Cala Presili (7.2 miles) and S'Escala (7.5 miles).
Tours and tickets for the area can be booked directly on this page through the booking cards below.
1archaeological site
2lighthouse
3archaeological site
4museum
5monastery
6archaeological site
7beachCala en Caballer, Menorca
6 miles from the centre · Photo
8beachPlatja de sa Torreta, Menorca
5 miles from the centre · Photo
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9beachS'Escala, Menorca
8 miles from the centre · Photo
11beachPlatja de Tamarells des Nord, Menorca
5 miles from the centre · Photo
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12beachCala Tortuga
7 miles from the centre · Photo
Far de Maó - Sant Carles
lighthouse · In the centre
Tours & tickets in Maó
Guided tours, day trips and tickets in and around Maó can be booked in advance, priced in GBP.
See tours & tickets (opens GetYourGuide in a new tab)Where to stay in Maó
Old town or closer to the coves
Staying in the centre puts the museum, the cloister, Palau Oliver and the port all within an easy stroll, and with around 29,000 residents Maó is the liveliest base in this corner of the island. It suits travellers who want restaurants and evening walks on the doorstep and who are happy to drive to the beaches.
For something quieter, Sant Lluís, about 2.5 miles away with fewer than 7,000 people, keeps you close to town and the airport, while the northern beaches sit 5 to 7.5 miles from Maó. The page shows live hotel prices so you can compare options across the area.
Hire a car
The easiest way to reach Maó and the villages around it is a hire car from Menorca (MAH), about 4 min away.
Best time to visit Maó
When to go to Maó
- 15°CJan39 mm
- 15°CFeb60 mm
- 17°CMar17 mm
- 19°CApr49 mm
- 21°CMay43 mm
- 26°CJun18 mm
- 30°CJul3 mm
- 29°CAug46 mm
- 26°CSept54 mm
- 24°COct30 mm
- 20°CNov28 mm
- 16°CDec16 mm
Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
June to October are the most pleasant months. June brings highs of about 26°C, July peaks at around 30°C and is almost completely dry, with just 3 mm of rain spread over a single rainy day on average. August stays hot at about 29°C, and September and October ease to 26°C and 24°C respectively.
Rain returns in late summer: August sees around 46 mm and September about 54 mm, while February is the wettest month of the year at roughly 60 mm. Winters are mild rather than warm, with daytime highs of around 15°C in January and February, which makes the cooler months better for museums and walks than for the beach.
Full monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 15°C | 10°C | 39 mm | 8 h |
| Feb | 15°C | 10°C | 60 mm | 8 h |
| Mar | 17°C | 12°C | 17 mm | 11 h |
| Apr | 19°C | 13°C | 49 mm | 11 h |
| May | 21°C | 16°C | 43 mm | 12 h |
| Jun | 26°C | 20°C | 18 mm | 13 h |
| Jul | 30°C | 23°C | 3 mm | 14 h |
| Aug | 29°C | 23°C | 46 mm | 12 h |
| Sept | 26°C | 21°C | 54 mm | 10 h |
| Oct | 24°C | 19°C | 30 mm | 10 h |
| Nov | 20°C | 15°C | 28 mm | 8 h |
| Dec | 16°C | 11°C | 16 mm | 8 h |
Averages 2015–2024. Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
Getting there from the UK
Flights, ferries and the drive
Menorca airport (MAH) is the obvious gateway: it has direct flights from the United Kingdom and sits about 3 miles from Maó, around a four-minute drive. Few holiday towns are this close to their runway.
If you are travelling overland, Maó has its own ferry port with sailings to Barcelona and Valencia on the mainland and to Palma on Mallorca. Ciutadella, about 24 miles across the island, also runs services to Barcelona and to Alcúdia on Mallorca. Driving from Calais to one of the mainland ports is possible, though it is a long journey best split over several days.
By air
- Menorca (MAH)3 miles, about 4 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
By car and ferry
Nearest ferry ports: Maó (0 miles), Ciutadella (24 miles), Alcúdia (60 miles).
Maó is good for
Around Maó
Easy trips around eastern Menorca
Sant Lluís is the closest neighbour, about 2.5 miles away, and makes a short half-day outing. Alaior, roughly 7.5 miles inland and home to some 8,700 people, is the largest of the nearby towns and lies close to the Sant Vicenç d’Alcaidús archaeological site.
Further west, Mercadal (about 12 miles) and Ferreries (about 15 miles) are small towns of around 4,000 residents each, and pairing them makes a relaxed day of driving across the island.
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Tips from Robin
Practical notes before you book
With the airport only minutes away, there is little reason to waste your first or last day on transfers; an early arrival can still mean an afternoon at the Museu de Menorca.
The best beaches lie 5 to 7.5 miles from town rather than in Maó itself, so car hire makes a real difference if coves are a priority. And while July is almost rainless, August and September bring noticeably more rain, so keep a museum or cloister visit up your sleeve for a wet afternoon.
Questions people ask
How far is Maó from Menorca airport?
Menorca airport (MAH) is about 3 miles from Maó, roughly a four-minute drive. It has direct flights from the United Kingdom, so the transfer is about as short as island holidays get.
What is the best month to visit Maó?
June to October offer the most pleasant conditions. July is the driest and hottest month, with highs near 30°C and around 3 mm of rain, while June and September are a little cooler at about 26°C.
Are there beaches near Maó?
Yes. Platja de Tamarells des Nord is about 5 miles away, with Platja de sa Torreta, Cala en Caballer, Cala Tortuga, Cala Presili and S'Escala all within roughly 7.5 miles. Most suit families.
Can I take a ferry to Maó?
Maó has its own ferry port with routes to Barcelona and Valencia on the mainland and to Palma on Mallorca. Ciutadella, about 24 miles away, also links to Barcelona and Alcúdia.
What is there to see in Maó itself?
The Museu de Menorca, the Church and Cloister of Sant Francesc and Palau Oliver are all within about 0.3 miles of the centre, and the archaeological sites of Sa Cudia Cremada and Cornia Nou are under 2 miles away.
Is Maó warm in winter?
It is mild rather than hot. Daytime highs sit around 15°C in January and February, with lows of about 10°C. February is the wettest month, with roughly 60 mm of rain.