Maó & the harbour
Maó: the back story
Area guide
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © Àlex · CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia CommonsAbout Maó: the back story
Maó stands on the cliffs above its long natural harbour. Its old town holds the markets, the church of Santa Maria and the Teatre Principal; below, the quays lead out towards Es Castell and the islands of the harbour.
The old town
The Mercat des Peix and the Claustre del Carme, the Teatre Principal (1829) and the Museu de Menorca are all within a few minutes’ walk.
The harbour
The Moll de Llevant is the quay of restaurants and yacht clubs; Xoriguer’s distillery is on the Andén de Poniente.
Take the shuttle boat to Illa del Rei in season.
The islands
Hauser & Wirth Menorca is on Illa del Rei; the Lazareto has guided visits; La Mola guards the harbour mouth.
Our advice: an exhibition on Illa del Rei in the morning, lunch on the Moll de Llevant, and La Mola in the late light.
Why it's on our list
- The old town
- The harbour
- The islands
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Maó: the back story before you go.
What’s nearby
Distances from Maó: the back story are approximate, measured in a straight line (as the crow flies). Times are approximate too: walking at about 80 metres a minute, cycling at about 15 km/h and driving at typical city-traffic speeds. Traffic and routes vary.
Key sights
- Teatre Principal de Maó250 mWalk 3 minCycle 1 minCar or taxi 5 min
- Fortalesa de La Mola4.1 kmCycle 16 minCar or taxi 11 min
- Menorca Airport (MAH)4.9 kmCycle 20 minCar or taxi 12 min
- Cova d’en Xoroi12 kmCar or taxi 23 min
- Torre d’en Galmés13 kmCar or taxi 25 min
- Fornells22 kmCar or taxi 38 min
- Cala Galdana26 kmCar or taxi 45 min
- Cala Macarella29 kmCar or taxi 48 min
- Naveta des Tudons34 kmCar or taxi 57 min
- Ciutadella Cathedral39 kmCar or taxi 63 min