Ciutadella or Mahón: Which Town Should You Stay In, and What Is Each Good For?

Menorca has two towns that matter to a visitor, and they sit at opposite ends of the island. Mahón (Maó in Menorcan) is the capital in the east and has the airport. Ciutadella is the former capital in the west. They are about 45 km apart.

Neither is the wrong choice. They are good at different things.

Mahón: the harbour town

Mahón is built along one of the largest natural harbours in the world, and the old town sits on a cliff above it. The things people come for are on or near the water: the waterfront, the fish market, the Xoriguer gin distillery, and the island of Illa del Rei in the harbour.

The airport is on this side. If you land late or leave early, a base in or near Mahón saves you a transfer.

The most direct way to see the harbour is from the water. Two one-hour trips run from Mahón, both with underwater viewing: the harbour boat tour with underwater viewing and commentary (€18, 4.4 from 862 reviews) and the one-hour harbour cruise with underwater views (€18, 4.6 from 489 reviews). Our guide to the Mahón harbour trip explains how the two differ.

Ciutadella: the old capital

Ciutadella is older and quieter in character. It is the seat of the diocese, so it has a cathedral and a bishop’s palace, and the old town is centred on the Plaça d’es Born, with an obelisk in the middle.

It is also the better base for the south-west coast. The beaches you read about, such as Macarella and Turqueta, are on this side; the guide to the best calas and how to reach them covers the access rules. For the sea route, the boat trip to coves and beaches with optional paella leaves from Ciutadella (€40, 3.5 to 7 hours, 4.3 from 2,557 reviews).

On land, the family winery tour in Ciutadella is one hour, €25, with two wines to taste (4.7 from 86 reviews).

Beaches near each town

Both have sand within about a quarter of an hour by car, according to one local comparison. Near Mahón that means Sa Mesquida and Cala Llonga; near Ciutadella, Cala Blanca and Cala en Bosch. The same source puts the other beaches near Mahón at least 25 minutes away.

Getting between them

The airport to Ciutadella is about 46 km, around 40 minutes by car. A regular bus, line 1, links the two towns via Alaior, Es Mercadal and Ferreries; sources describe it as roughly hourly and about an hour long. Timetables change by season, so check the operator’s page, TIB, for your dates.

If you want to see both without being tied to a bus, a car makes it a plan rather than a chore. You can compare rental cars for Menorca and check the excess and deposit in the booking, because they vary by supplier.

Which to choose

• Short stay, early flight, harbour and food: Mahón.
• Old-town evenings and the south-west beaches: Ciutadella.
• A week with a car: either. At 45 km you will drive between them anyway.
• No car, and you want the coves: Ciutadella and a boat trip, or check the summer bus to the cove before you book a room.

For the whole range of trips, see boat trips in Menorca.