What you should know before hiring a car in Menorca
| Menorca city centre | ||
| Mahón Airport (MAH): 8 mi from city centre | ||
Car hires in Menorca: practical information
Where to rent a car in Menorca
A jewel in the Balearics, Menorca is an ideal island to explore by car because of its size. Small than it's sister island Majorca, Menorca is easily circled in a day, with enough time to stop and sight-see along the way. If you're arriving on flights to Menorca then the airport is the most logical spot to find cheap car rentals. Both Hertz and Menorca Rent have offices right in the airport.
In Mahón, the capital of Menorca, you'll find more local agencies than international ones: Sol Car Hire, Poppy Cars, Binibeca and ACG. There is another Binibeca in San Luis, along the southern coast of the island. As well, there is an ACG in Ciutadella.
Driving in Menorca: parking and other tips
Parking signs are no different in Menorca than other places in Spain and throughout Europe. Always double check signs before leaving your vehicle unattended. It's mostly common sense here. You will no doubt see some very "creative" parking by the local Menorcans, who get away with it. You will not, so don't try anything that obstructs a drive way or may cause danger to other drivers. Parking bays are outlined by blue boxes; you can obtain your parking ticket from a nearby meter, for up to two hours.
In the streets, you may not park in front of a curb painted red and white. If your car is towed, you'll find a yellow triangle sticker on the curb with the car plate number written on it and instructions on how to get your car back. Don't let this deter you from booking a holiday in Menorca however, just watch for parking signs and you'll be fine. One of the biggest draws to this Balearic Island is that it's still relatively undiscovered in terms of tourism. It doesn't have the raving nightlife like Ibiza or Palma de Mallorca so nights here are relatively quiet, except at the coastal bars where you're more likely to find locals than foreigners.
Road trips from Menorca: what to do, what to see
Menorca beaches
Menorca has more beaches than Majorca and Ibiza combined which means if you're hoping for a secluded beach holiday, you're going to have one here. The most popular and without a doubt the best include: Cala Macarelleta, Cala en Turqueta, Cala Pregonda, Cala Rafalet and Son Bou, the largest beach. All of these are easily reached by car, varying distances.
Mount Toro
Located in the centre of the island is Mount Toro, near Es Mercadal. It's only 14 miles from Mahón, just a 30 minute drive. From the top of the mountain you can see the entire island laid out beneath you. It's a stunning view, one you can reach by car very easily. This area is also a great place to do some hiking, a nice alternative to lounging on the beach all day. Just remember to bring plenty of water with you on the trails.
Fornells
Fornells is a great place to explore for a day, especially if you love seafood. Let us tell you, the Spanish do seafood… really well! This small fishing village is famous for it's amazing seafood, brought in fresh from the fishing boats a few times a day. It's only 20 miles from Mahón and should take less than 40 minutes to get there.