Overview
An eight day, self-guided adventure cycling in Menorca, a Balearic island idyll which you get to explore over eight days. Your bags are transferred between the five different hotels and traditional guesthouses that you stay at, with a carefully-crafted mix of both inland and coastal, as the island proffers a wide array of landscapes. From coastal pine to inland oaks forests, Mediterranean coves to the dunes and lagoons of the island’s UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, each day of cycling brings new delights. Starting with its foodie heaven capital of Mahón. E-bikes are also available for rent on this holiday.
- Mahó and Ciutadella
- Favàritx, Cavalleria and Punta Nati lighthouses
- Torre d’en Galmes
- Cala Morell archeological site
- Macarelleta and Turqueta coves
- UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Mahón/Maó
Depending on arrival time, spend the afternoon exploring Menorca’s capital city Maó, a natural harbour also known as Mahón, with pretty pastel streets and a welcoming historical centre. Treats include eating at its atmospheric fish market, seek out many artisan craft stalls and boutiques and also its famous Xoriguer Gin distillery.
- Accommodation: Hotel Capri or similar in Maó
Day 2: Maó – Alaior | 40km
Start the day with a ride around Maó to visit its fortress, La Mola, and ride along the bay to the port. After visiting the city centre, the ride continues to Cales Coves, Cala en Porter and Torre d’en Galmés. End the day in the inland town of Alaior, famous for the island’s Queso de Menorca, or cheese.
- Cycling for the day: 40km, ↑415m, ↓532m
- Accommodation: Finca Llimpet or similar in Alaior
Day 3: Cap de Favàritx loop | 39km
Today’s circular ride heads to the northern side of the island, traversing forests and impressive vistas. The highlight of the day is Cap de Favàritx, on the east side of the island, famous for its lighthouse built in 1922.
- Cycling for the day: 39km, ↑466m, ↓350m
- Accommodation: Finca Llimpet or similar in Alaior
Day 4: Alaior – Fornells | 43km
Spend the morning cycling to Cap de Cavalleria and lighthouse. This is the northernmost point of the island and home to Menorca’s second oldest lighthouse. Later, make a stop at Binimel·là beach to visit its lagoons and dunes before finishing the day in Fornells.
- Cycling for the day: 43km, ↑353m, ↓600m
- Accommodation: Hostal Port Fornells or similar in Fornells
Day 5: Fornells – Cala Galdana | 36km
Leave Fornells behind and cross the island from north to south, passing by the town of Es Mercadal and the small village Es Migjorn Gran. Stop at Sant Tomàs beach for a dip before heading to the day’s final destination, Cala Galdana, a huge bay with high cliffs dotted with pines. Make the most of this sandy beach with crystal-clear waters, the perfect place to refresh and snorkel after a day on the bike.
- Cycling for the day: 36km, ↑449m, ↓698m
- Accommodation: Hotel Cala Galdana or similar in Cala Galdana
Day 6: Ciutadella – Cala Turqueta | 37km
You are transferred to Ciutadella. Today’s stretch runs along the southern coves, passing by Son Saura and Cala Turqueta, famous for their white sand, crystal-clear waters and high cliffs covered in pine trees. The day ends in the medieval town of Ciutadella, and we recommend trying one of the local harbour restaurants, famous for their local seafood.
- Cycling for the day: 37km, ↑340m, ↓325m
- Accommodation: Hostal Menurka or similar in Ciutadella
Day 7: Ciutadella coast | 37km
The coast north of Ciutadella is the wildest of Menorca. Ride through diverse landscapes and make a stop at Algaiarens and Morell coves along the way. Visit Cala Morell’s necropolis, a set of 14 artificial caves that form one of the largest and most spectacular prehistoric burial sites on the island. It was used as a cemetery during the Naviforme era (1,700BC) up until the second century AD.
- Cycling for the day: 37km, ↑369m, ↓323m
- Accommodation: Hostal Menurka or similar in Ciutadella
Day 8: Departure
Departure after breakfast.
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation on this tour includes mostly small, locally-owned hotels. They have been carefully selected based on a variety of criteria including their location, warm hospitality, fine local food or commitment to responsible tourism. All rooms have en-suite or private bathrooms.
Click to view default hotels
- Hotel Capri (Maó)
- Finca Llimpet (Alaior)
- Hostal Port Fornells (Fornells)
- Hotel Cala Galdana (Cala Galdana)
- Hostal Menurka (Ciutadella)
Hotels are subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel being fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Meals
Breakfast is included. When no restaurant location is available on route lunches and snacks should either be bought from local shops, or packed lunch can be pre-ordered from your hotel the night before. Dinner is available either from the restaurant in your accommodation or restaurants in the village near your hotel. There is also the option to upgrade to half-board.
Difficulty and terrain
This tour is rated moderate and is suitable for regular bikers with a good fitness level. Daily rides range from 30-42km and mainly follow asphalt roads (95% of the tour) with small slopes every day (read more about difficulty grades). Some of the climbs, although short, are steep and thus a bit challenging, especially to and from the beaches, where there is no tarmac. There is, however, plenty of time to do each route.
We will provide you with detailed road notes and maps, and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime.
More detailed info on route navigation will be included in your holiday information pack.
When to go
This trip is available from March to June and from September to the beginning of November.
The flexibility of self-guided holidays means that there are no fixed dates, meaning you can start your trip on any date during the season. If you wish to travel on other dates please enquire with us.
The best time to visit is between May and October when the weather is warm and pleasant. The high season for beach tourism is between June and September and, although this island never sees as many tourists as neighbouring islands, we don’t offer holidays in the peak tourism months of July and August. See our blogs, Ultimate guide to the Balearics and Best time to go to Spain.
Getting there
Click to view travel options
By plane
Our recommended airport for this tour is Menorca (MAH).
By train or bus
- Menorca has two ports, one in Ciutadella and one in Maó/Mahón. You can travel between Menorca and the ports of Barcelona and Valencia on mainland Spain by ferry (trips ranging from 4-8h). For more information, visit Balearia or use the Omio planner above.
- Once in the airport of Menorca, you can take the shuttle bus line 10 into Maó city centre. Services operate every half an hour. You can also order a taxi direct to your hotel in the city centre.
Inclusions
Included
- 7 overnights in rooms with private bathrooms
- 7 breakfasts
- Luggage transfers between accommodations on all cycling days (one piece of luggage per person)
- Digital detailed route notes and maps and GPS tracks
- 24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
- Welcome meeting
Excluded
- Airfare and connecting land transfers
- Bike rental
- Lunches, dinners, drinks and snacks
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Personal expenses
- Local tourist taxes and entrance fees (payable locally)
- Any items not specifically mentioned as included in the programme
- eSIM data for international travel (get an eSIM)
Options, extras and supplements
- If you’re travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have a room of their own
- This holiday is available for solo travellers. However, a supplement will be charged as the cost of rooms and also luggage or private transfers (when applicable) is not shared. Please note that solo travellers are always accommodated in their own room. For logistical reasons, we don’t offer an option for solo travellers to share rooms with other solo travellers
- Extra nights in Maó and/or Ciutadella available on request
- Bike rental
- Half-board
- Airport transfers
- Paper documents and a GPS device with tracks available on request
Bike rental
Orbea Comfort 28/10 Open bikes and Orbea Optima Asphalt e-bikes are available to rent on this tour. All bicycles are equipped with helmet, pump, toolkit, spare tire, panniers and lock. Sample pictures attached below, please note that the exact models may differ depending on availability, but the standard will be the same.
Orbea Comfort 28/10 Open bike
- Frame: Orbea aluminium
- Gearbox: Shimano HG200 12-32 8-Speed
- Brakes: Shimano T4000 V-Brake
- Bike weight: 16.59kg
Orbea Optima Asphalt e-bike
- Frame: Orbea Optima Hydroformed Alloy, Bosch Gen2/Gen3 Powerpack
- Gearbox: Shimano Nexus 18t
- Brakes: Shimano MT200 hydraulic disc
- Bike weight: 24kg
Spain’s legal requirement for personal information
Please note: in December 2024, the Spanish government introduced a new law making it a legal obligation for all visitors to Spain to share personal details with their accommodations and car rental companies. Consequently, as we book your accommodation for you, we are obliged to pass these on to our local partners on the ground. After booking your holiday, we will send you a form to complete requesting all the legally-required information, including: name, nationality, gender, passport number, DOB, address, phone numbers and email address. This applies to all travellers aged 14 and over. If you are travelling with people under 14 years old, you need to declare your relationship to them. We apologise for any inconvenience. For more information, see here.
