How to do Menorca on a budget

Cheap places to stay in Menorca

While the better-known resorts play host to the smart, big hotels, there are plenty of budget-friendly options around the island. Some of the best finds are in Ciutadella and Mahón but good bus routes link both to the surrounding beaches.

Cheap & Chic in Ciutadella’s Old Town, near the cathedral, is an amazingly good-value hotel that feels more boutique than budget. Pop-art style paintings on the whitewashed walls, crisp white cotton bedding, minimalist furnishings and high ceilings all add to the hip vibe. You can pick up a double room from as little as €52 (£43) a night.

In Mahón, the three-star Hotel San Miguel in the Old town, less than ten minutes’ walk from the harbour, is another good bet. The sixteen rooms are simply but tastefully decorated and breakfast is always included in your stay. Single rooms start from around €85 (£71) a night.

Alternatively, for self-catering options, the Ferrier Skyline complex in Ciutadella has stylish, affordable apartments built around two outdoor pools. A one-bedroom apartment for two adults starts from €90 (£76) a night.

Cheap eats in Menorca

Menorca is full of fantastic, great value places to eat. You just need to know where to find them. Basically, the further you go off the main tourist track, either on the coast or in the cities, the more you’ll get for your money.

Bars and restaurants in the cities are much cheaper than those in the beach resorts and if you’re in Mahón or Ciutadella, head away from the main harbour, port and plazas and check out the backstreets for the best deals.

Sa Botiga amidst the backstreets of Mahón is part café, part tapas bar, part wine shop and you’ll find tapas and cakes at a fraction of the price of bars near the harbour. Tapas starts from a few euros a dish.

If you do want the harbour view, try Can Joanet in Mahón, which has a two-course menu del día for around €20 with grilled seafood, paella and fideuà (like paella but with noodles rather than rice) and a glass of house wine for €4.

The tapas stalls in the Mercat del Peix (fish market) in Mahón are also great value. Grab a stool alongside the locals and tuck into fish croquettes or montaditos – mini open-topped sandwiches with different toppings such as anchovies and peppers for around €3-€5.

Alternatively, for a more DIY approach, bag some fresh red prawns at the fish market either in Mahón or Ciutadella (Menorca is famous for its prawns). Pick up some of the local speciality mayonnaise and a stick of baguette at one of the local bakeries and you’re good to go for a picnic by the harbour or on the beach.

Free and cheap things to do in Menorca

As with food and drink, the further you get away from the larger resorts, the better the prices and this applies to watersports companies too. Otherwise, Menorca’s natural beauty is its major feature – and it’s completely free to enjoy.

Outdoor adventures

The Cami de Cavalls Footpath has some of the most spectacular coastal views of the island. Perfect for walking or cycling, the path covers 185km (114 miles) both on the coast and inland. Take a half-hour stroll round the rugged rocks of the northern coast from Binimel-la beach to Cala Pregonda or for a longer hour-and-a-half stint, the stretch from Cala Blanca to Cap d’Artrutx is great for sunsets with Majorca on the horizon.

The Albufera des Grau National Park on Menorca’s north-eastern coast is also one of the most beautiful spots on the island and a haven for wildlife. Spend the day exploring forests, fields and lagoons and keep an eye out for eagles and flamingos, swallows and cormorants.

History and museums

There’s also history aplenty once you start wandering. Menorca is full of important megalithic monuments and the Torre d’en Galmés settlement near Alaior – imagine a Menorcan Stonehenge – is huge, covering some twelve acres. Admission is free on Mondays, or €3 the rest of the week.

If you want to find out more about Menorca’s history, the family-friendly Museu de Menorca, located in a former 17th-century monastery in Mahon, covers pre-history and Roman periods as well as 19th-century fine art. General admission is €4 (€3 for students).

Free gin tastings

Another part of Menorca’s history is gin which we Brits introduced to Menorca back in the 18th century. You can sample the stuff for free at the Xoriguer Distillery, or book onto a guided tour to see how the gin is made.

How to get around Menorca on a budget

The best way to see the island is undoubtedly by car. You’ll find the best variety of car hire deals at the airport where prices start from as little as £2.93 a day. Booking in advance will always give you a better price.

If you’re travelling solo or as a couple, hiring a moped can also be a good option. Otherwise, the public bus network is quite good and there are regular services between Mahón and Ciutadella and the better known beaches, especially during the summer. Bus tickets start from €1.50. Pick up a map and timetable from any Tourist Information Office.

To get to and from the airport, the route 10 bus frequently runs from Mahón. Tickets cost €2.60.

Insider tips

• Avoid escorted boat trips and organised tours to the towns. Take local buses instead and if you fancy a boat trip, book it direct from one of the boat operators.
• As in most bars in Spain, there’s a different price for drinks or food depending on where you sit. The cheapest place is always to sit at the bar itself. Prices in the restaurant area or on a scenic terrace will always be higher.
• Imported beer will always cost more than local brands. Stick to Spanish staples such as Estrella, San Miguel and Mahou. A cana is a small 25cl glass, typically served with tapas.
• Book directly with your hotel as you’ll often get the best rates. Some hotels even offer additional discounts for doing so.

When is the cheapest time to go to Menorca?

Travel outside of the peak school holiday period of July and August and you’ll find much cheaper flights and accommodation. The island is lovely in both spring and autumn, when temperatures usually hover in the low 20s.

Winter is cheaper still, although it’s cooler and you’ll find fewer flights. But if you just want some winter sun without soaring beach temperatures (December still sees highs of 16C), it’s a lovely time to explore the island.

*All prices correct as of 18 July 2024.