Territory capital · Spain
Maó
Base in Maó for 2 nights: old town on foot, harbour boat trip, one day out to a beach or fort. Skip it as a beach base — the town has no sand.
Maó is Menorca's capital and its working harbour town: a compact old town of churches, a gin distillery and a food market, wrapped around a 5 km inlet. It is where you land, eat and sleep well, not where you swim — the nearest sand is 8 km north at Es Grau or 11 km south at Punta Prima. Two nights covers the town; add nights if you use it as an island base.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (crowds and heat), Nov–Mar (many harbour places shut)
- Airport
- MAH
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 9Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Iberia ↗Plan meals on the Iberian clock: Spanish kitchens serve lunch from about 13:30–14:00 and dinner from 20:30–21:00; Portugal eats an hour or so earlier. Early evenings are for tapas or petiscos, not full meals.
- Iberia ↗Inland Spain and Portugal (Seville, Córdoba, Madrid, the Alentejo) pass 40 °C in heatwaves from late June to August: sightsee before 11:00 and after 18:00, and keep July–August for the coasts and the green north.
- Iberia ↗Andorra and Gibraltar have their own border and customs rules and are reached only through Spain (or France for Andorra); read their pages before adding them, especially if you hold a limited Schengen visa.
- Spain ↗Spain is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors at the first Schengen border, and further pre-travel authorisation rules are being introduced.
- Spain ↗High-speed trains have airport-style baggage screening at the station and boarding gates that close a few minutes before departure: arrive early.
- Spain ↗Carry your passport or ID: police may ask for it, and hotels must register every guest's document.
- Spain ↗The Alhambra in Granada and the Sagrada Família in Barcelona sell timed tickets that sell out weeks ahead in season; book on the official sites before you fix your dates.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Maó112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Maó, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR, €).Spain-wide
- SIM or eSIMcheckEU and EEA plans roam at home prices; UK and other plans may charge — check before you land.Spain-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe across the mainland; it tastes of chlorine in some coastal areas.Spain-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Round up or 5–10% for good service; service is not usually added.Spain-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Spain-wide
- SafetyMaó is a low-risk town: the usual pickpocket care on the Moll de Ponent bar strip at night, sun and rock care at the swimming spots…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFew public toilets; use bars and cafés (buy a coffee).Spain-wide
- Emergency numbers112 All services (police, fire, ambulance) · 091 National police · 062 Guardia Civil (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysSmall shops close about 14:00–17:00 and on Sundays; big chains and department stores open all day.Small shops close about 2:00 PM–5:00 PM and on Sundays; big chains and department stores open all day.Spain-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportMAH Menorca Airport (5 km (3.1 mi) southwest in Sant Lluís; bus to town every 30 min, about 10 min).MAH Menorca Airport (3.1 mi (5 km) southwest in Sant Lluís; bus to town every 30 min, about 10 min).
- Getting aroundThe old town is traffic-restricted and camera-enforced: park outside and walk.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee€1.50–2.50 (≈ US$2–3)
- Beercaña at a bar / supermarket can€2–3.50 (≈ US$3–5)€0.80–1.50 (≈ US$1–2)
- Metro or bus rideBus Maó to Ciutadellaabout €6–7 (≈ US$7–9) (check)
- Museum or sight ticketMuseu de Menorca entryabout €4 (≈ US$5) adult (check)
- Budget bedHostal or guesthouse double, a night, per room€70 (≈ US$85)
- Mid-range bedHostal or guesthouse double, a night, per room€100 (≈ US$120)
- High-end bedHostal or guesthouse double, a night, per room€140 (≈ US$170)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €60 (≈ US$70) · Mid €110 (≈ US$130) · High €200 (≈ US$250)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MAH Menorca Airport (5 km (3.1 mi) southwest in Sant Lluís; bus to town every 30 min, about 10 min)MAH Menorca Airport (3.1 mi (5 km) southwest in Sant Lluís; bus to town every 30 min, about 10 min)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Feb
Avoid
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Mar
Avoid
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Apr
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
May
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jun
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Jul
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Aug
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Sep
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Oct
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Nov
Avoid
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Dec
Avoid
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Best: May–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Nov–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jan (7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C) low), wettest Nov (8 rain days), driest Jul (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Maó: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
7 rd
Feb
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
6 rd
Mar
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
6 rd
Apr
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
6 rd
May
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
4 rd
Jun
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
2 rd
Jul
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
1 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
2 rd
Sep
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
5 rd
Oct
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
7 rd
Nov
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
8 rd
Dec
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
8 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The old town is traffic-restricted and camera-enforced: park outside and walk. TMSA buses run the island spine (Ciutadella–Ferreries–Alaior–Maó–Sant Lluís) from the bus station by Plaça Esplanada; bus 1 to Ciutadella takes about 1 h, bus 2 to Es Castell about 15 min. Taxis wait at the Esplanada and on the waterfront.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Es Castell and Fortalesa de la Mola
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Bus 2 from Maó bus station, about 15 min, then a taxi or long walk to the fortress
Fortress entry about €8 adult; check seasonal hours before you go.
Es Grau beach
goDoor to door: 20–30 min
Car or taxi, 8 km (5 mi) north; no direct town busCar or taxi, 5 mi (8 km) north; no direct town bus
Shallow, sheltered sand and a nature reserve behind it; free car park at the village edge.
Sant Lluís and Punta Prima
goDoor to door: About 30–45 min
Bus 91 or 94 from Maó bus station, 20–30 min
Punta Prima has a 100 m beach that fills up in summer; S'Algar has no beach.
Ciutadella
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Bus 1 (about 1 h) or express bus 14 (about 45 min, weekdays)
Former capital with 17th-century streets; a full day or an overnight.
Cala Galdana
cautionDoor to door: About 45 min
Car via Ferreries, about 35 km (22 mi)Car via Ferreries, about 22 mi (35 km)
No direct bus from Maó; parking is tight in July and August.
Son Bou
cautionDoor to door: About 30 min
Car via Alaior, about 20 km (12 mi)Car via Alaior, about 12 mi (20 km)
Long sandy beach; easiest with your own transport.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Old town (centre)
Around Plaça de la Constitució and Carrer Nou: walk to everything, quiet at night, few rooms.
Moll de Llevant / Moll de Ponent waterfront
Harbour views and the bar strip; 10–15 min uphill walk to the old town.
West edge (Sant Esteve, Dalt Vilanova)
Modern hotels with pools, 10–15 min walk in; cheaper than the centre.
Son Vilar / Bintaufa
Suburban, 2–3 km (1.2–1.9 mi) out; only worth it with a car or for the sports pavilion.Suburban, 1.2–1.9 mi (2–3 km) out; only worth it with a car or for the sports pavilion.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €60–95 (≈ US$70–120) excl. bed
- Mid
- €95–160 (≈ US$120–190) excl. bed
- High
- €160 (≈ US$190)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid hotel double1 × 2 nights × €140 | €280 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × €110 | €440 |
| Airport bus to town, one way2 × €3 · check | €6 |
| Harbour boat trip2 × €15 · check | €30 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × €10 | €20 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €78 |
| Trip total≈ €214 per person per day, bed included | €854≈ US$1,000 |
2026 estimate in euros; flights and ferries excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | €1.50–2.50 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Menu del día at lunch | €14–22 (≈ US$17–30) |
| Tapas plate | €4–9 (≈ US$5–11) |
| Beer: caña at a bar / supermarket can | €2–3.50 (≈ US$3–5) / €0.80–1.50 (≈ US$1–2) |
| Gin tour and tasting at Xoriguer | about €15 (≈ US$18) adult (check) |
| Museu de Menorca entry | about €4 (≈ US$5) adult (check) |
| Bus Maó to Ciutadella | about €6–7 (≈ US$7–9) (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No beach in town: the waterfront is rock and quay, not sand.
- Old-town streets are traffic-restricted and camera-enforced — fines are automatic.
- Many Moll de Ponent restaurants close or cut hours from November to March.
- Sunday and public-holiday buses run a reduced timetable; check the TMSA site before relying on one.
Emergency numbers
- All services (police, fire, ambulance)
- 112
- National police
- 091
- Guardia Civil
- 062
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
MaóMaó
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A aquesta adreça, si us plauTo this address, please
Emergency
- All services112
- National police091
- Guardia Civil062
Embassy
No embassies in Maó; the US has a consulate-general in Barcelona, the UK and most others have embassies in Madrid.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Airport → Maó bus station: about €3 (≈ US$4), 10 min (check)
- Bus Maó → Ciutadella: about €6–7 (≈ US$7–9), 1 h (check)
- Taxi across town: €8–12 (≈ US$10–14) (check)
Say or show
- Hola — Hello (OH-lah)
- Gràcies / Gracias — Thank you (GRAH-syehs / GRAH-syahs)
- El compte, si us plau — The bill, please (el KOM-tuh, see oos plow)
- On és l'estació d'autobusos? — Where is the bus station? (on ehs luh-stah-SYOH dow-toh-BOO-sos)
- Puc pagar amb targeta? — Can I pay by card? (pook pah-GAR um tar-GEH-tuh)
- Una taula per a dos, si us plau — A table for two, please (OO-nuh TOW-luh pehr uh dos, see oos plow)
Menorca has two official languages, Catalan and Spanish; place names on signs are usually Catalan (Maó, not Mahón).
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Maó. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (crowds and heat), Nov–Mar (many harbour places shut) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for MAH: last bus from the airport, taxi fallback, first-night rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Plaça de la Constitució, the harbour quays, the market and Carme, the museum and San Francisco.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Santa Maria, Museu de Menorca, Xoriguer, La Mola) and eat pages with last orders.
- Ferry and cruise-day fixtures so harbour-area pages can go green.
Sources
- officialAjuntament de Maó (official)
- officialTMSA — Menorca bus network
- officialMuseu de Menorca
- officialFortalesa de la Mola — visits
- officialXoriguer distillery
- secondaryWikivoyage: Maó, revision 5149106 (CC BY-SA 4.0)