If I tell you Menorca, do you have any idea that this unspoilt Balearic island has many museums? As well as beaches and natural wonders, you’ll be well served if you love art and history in all their forms. A visit to Menorca’s 7 museums will give you a better understanding of the rich history and culture of this Mediterranean jewel!
Whether you’re passionate about contemporary art, crafts, architecture, religious and military history or painting, the island has a multitude of museums to visit. I enjoyed the diversity of styles, locations and collectibles on display, which gave me a whole new perspective on Menorca’s history.
In this article, I give you my photo tips for visiting the 7 best museums in Menorca, to help you organize your visit.
Before my tips + photos, here are my favorites for Menorca:
My favorite platform to rent a car in Menorca: DiscoverCars
My favourite sea activity: transparent kayak
My favourite excursion in Menorca: a half-day catamaran trip
My favorite places to stay:
- Cala’n Porter, close to the village of Alaior – my favourite hotel: Osprey Menorca Hotel or view top rated hotels
- Port Mahon, the most convenient for exploring – my favourite hotel: Catalonia Mirador or view top rated hotels
- Cala Galdana, the liveliest – my favourite hotel: Ilunion Menorca Hotel or view top rated hotels
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Visiting Minorca’s best museums: my tips
The reality of Menorca’s museums
Menorca’s museums are mainly located in Port Mahon, the island’s capital, and Ciutadella, Menorca’s 2nd largest city. You’re bound to find a museum to suit your preferences. By the way, if you’re looking for other ideas for activities on the island, you can read my dedicated article where I offer 35 ideas for things to do in Menorca.
Discover my 7 favorite museums, a dive into the art, history and culture of this surprising island. It’s an enriching experience that will help you better understand Menorca’s heritage and appreciate the island’s artistic, cultural and historical diversity.
Don’t forget to wear comfortable shoes, appropriate clothing and hydration before you set off! I recommend that you plan several days on site if you want to discover all these museums (most of them are closed on Sundays and/or Mondays), so don’t hesitate to check out all my tips for where to stay in Menorca.
My favorite places
Before diving into the analysis of each museum, I share with you my favorite places!
- Illa del Rei and Hauser & Wirth Art Gallery:I was overwhelmed by the beauty of this islet near Port Mahon. It’s home to the former British military hospital transformed into a museum, the contemporary art gallery and a splendid garden featuring numerous works among the plant species.
- Minorca Museum in Port Mahon: this museum immerses you in the island’s history through various collectibles. The stone building in the heart of the capital is also a marvel for the eyes and architectural enthusiasts!
- Minorca’s military museum in Es Castell: I found this rather original museum set up in a former barracks in Es Castell (a village near Port Mahon), tracing the island’s many military occupations. An unusual and different way of approaching Menorca’s history.
Need to rent a car in Menorca?
My tips:
- Compare prices on my favorite platform: Discovercars.com – one of the best rated comparison sites!
- Don’t choose a car too large, since some roads are very narrow
- Consider their full coverage option – it for peace of mind!
- Book early to have a large choice of vehicles!
1. Illa del Rei and Hauser & Wirth Art Gallery near Port Mahon
- About the Illa del Rei and the Hauser & Wirth Art Gallery –
The Illa del Rei is a magnificent islet off the natural harbor of Mahon, capital of Menorca.
It got its name because it was the 1st Balearic land where King Alfonso III landed in the 10th century at the time of the reconquest. This place, which I really loved, is a jewel of the island’s heritage, witness to several occupations: Muslim, Andalusian, English and French, which have followed one another over the centuries.
In the 18th century, the island’s main naval building, the British Military Hospital, was built to house the soldiers of the English Navy. It can still be visited today, with many historical medical and military artifacts preserved. On the same islet, discover the remains of an early Christian basilica dating back to the 6th century. It is also home to the Hauser & Wirth Art Gallery, a cultural center that combines art, education and conservation in a natural setting.
- Practical information –
From mid-June to mid-September: open daily from 11am to 10pm. From mid-September to the end of October: open Wednesday to Sunday from 10am to 4pm. Official website here.
Fare: round-trip boat shuttle €7 per adult, €3 for children under 18 (free for children under 3). You can pick up tickets directly at the port, but the round-trip price per adult is €10. Visits to the islet are free, but guided tours can be booked on site or online.
My article dedicated to the Illa del Rei will be available soon.
Where to stay in Menorca?
I recommend staying either close to one of the 2 main towns, Ciutadella or Port Mahon, or in one of the charming little villages all over the island. You’ll enjoy good restaurants, typical markets and their picturesque atmosphere. For example, you could opt for:
- Hotel Gran Melia Villa Le Blanc Hotel in Santo Tomas – View photos & availability
- Hotel Catalonia Mirador des Port, overlooking the natural harbour of Mahon – View photos & availabilities
- Hotel Smoix Hotel, in the old town of Ciutadella – View photos and availability
2. Minorca Museum in Port Mahon
- About the Menorca Museum in Port Mahon –
Situated in a 17th-century Baroque-style Franciscan convent, the Menorca Museum in Port Mahon traces the island’s history through its heritage. Prehistoric and Talayotic cultures, Roman, Andalusian Muslim, British, French and Spanish conquests: every era is represented and illustrated.
A rich collection of works of art on permanent display highlights the role of painters and the evolution of painting in Menorca. But also the way in which artists have represented the island of Menorca in their creations. In addition, temporary exhibitions are sometimes held on the first floor, covering a variety of artistic subjects.
This is a fairly interactive museum, suitable for young and old alike.
- Practical information –
Fee: €4 per person.
Open all year round with opening times varying according to the period. Closed every Monday.
Official museum website here.
3. Minorca Military Museum in Es Castell
- About Menorca’s Military Museum –
Minorca’s Military Museum, housed in the former Cala Corb barracks in Es Castell, on the east of the island near Port Mahon, offers a captivating experience. This barracks, which bears witness to the British occupation of Menorca in the 18th century, once served as a base for the Academy and the Artillery Regiment. I found this a rather original way of discovering the island’s history, especially as the village of Es Castell, where the museum is located, really appealed to me! A visit to the museum takes you through 19 exhibition rooms covering the island’s history from prehistory to the 20th century. You’ll admire ancient cannons, engineering instruments, original plans of the La Mola Fortress and models of Minorcan fortifications, making for a rich and varied experience.
- Practical information –
Free admission, museum closed in January and February.
Open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 2pm.
Official museum website here.
My favourite activity in Menorca
I highly recommend the Binibeca: guided transparent kayak tour.
In just 2 hours, you’ll experience an unforgettable moment: a glimpse of the turquoise waters without diving, in the magical coves, caves and beach of Binibeca.
4. Palacio Can Saura Museum in Ciutadella
- About the Museum of the Palacio Can Saura in Ciutadella –
Located near Ciutadella’s Santa Maria Cathedral, the Palacio Can Saura Museum houses a valuable collection of ethnographic and archaeological objects. Many of the exhibits come from excavations carried out in the Càrritx cave near Cala Galdana, in the south-western part of Menorca. The design of the museography aims to educate visitors about Menorca’s ancestral rituals, their evolution over the centuries and the different occupations. Did you know that the remains of an ancient Andalusian necropolis dating back to the Muslim occupation have been discovered beneath the museum building? These walls date back to the late 17th century. If you’re passionate about history, archaeology and ethnology, don’t miss this educational venue! It’s ideally located in the heart of the narrow streets of the old town, making it easily accessible on foot. You can park on Plaça des Born, then walk just 1min to get there.
- Practical information –
Fee: €5 per person – free for under-18s, students, over-65s and pensioners.
Open daily 10:30am-1:30pm then 6pm-9:30pm, closed Sundays and Mondays.
5. Palacio Torre-Saura Museum in Ciutadella
- About the Museum of Palacio Torre-Saura in Ciutadella –
The 19th-century Palacio Torre Saura is just a stone’s throw from Plaça des Born, the Cathedral and the Episcopal Palace. This remarkable building is part of the heritage of the Olives family, an ancestral lineage of Menorca. The family’s patriarch, who had close ties with the monarchy, was elevated to the rank of count. Step through the doors of this palace in the heart of the city’s bustle, and you’ll discover a perfectly preserved home that tells the story of this notorious Ciutadella family through a collection that includes antique furniture, decorative objects, paintings, tapestries and even a variety of copper cooking utensils. The palace’s current structure was built in 1839. I was stunned by its imposing façade, which overlooks the Plaça des Born and boasts a neoclassical style with two loggias inspired by Italian architecture. In the center is a huge door, historically designed to welcome horse-drawn carriages as they arrive.
- Practical information –
Fee: €5 per person.
Closed Sundays and Mondays.
Open Tuesday to Saturday, 10:30 am to 2:30 pm.
6. El Roser municipal exhibition hall, Ciutadella
- About the El Roser municipal exhibition hall in Ciutadella –
In Ciutadella’s old town, 2pas from the Palacio Can Saura Museum, the charming baroque church of Nostra Senyora del Roser, transformed into a gallery, offers captivating temporary exhibitions and various cultural events throughout the year. When I was there, Spanish artist Jaume Fedelich was presenting his contemporary-style art.
- Practical information –
Open Monday to Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Closed Sundays and public holidays.
Need to rent a car in Menorca?
My tips:
- Compare prices on my favorite platform: Discovercars.com – one of the best rated comparison sites!
- Don’t choose a car too large, since some roads are very narrow
- Consider their full coverage option – it for peace of mind!
- Book early to have a large choice of vehicles!
7. Diocesan Museum of Ciutadella
- About the Diocesan Museum of Ciutadella –
Located in the former convent of Saint Augustine, now a seminary where young clerics study, construction of this iconic building took almost 140 years from the 17th century! It includes: a cloister transformed into a verdant garden, a Herrerian-style church (developed under the reign of King Philip II in the 16th century) currently dedicated to concerts, and a facade adorned with twin towers that stand out easily amid Ciutadella’s maze of rooftops.
- Practical information –
Entrance is charged and combined with Santa Maria de Ciutadella Cathedral for €6.
Menorca : open-air architectural, natural and archaeological museum
Best archaeological sites, ruins, caves and talayots in Menorca
One of Menorca’s special features is its open-air museum of archaeological ruins, talayotic sites and land and sea caves. The locations of the main towns at the 2 extremities of the island, Port Mahon and Ciutadella, are bordered by prehistoric sites, which also makes them a prime criterion for staying there:
- the talayotic village of Talati de Dalt,
- the Talayotic village of Trepuco, covering an area of over 5,000m2,
- the talayotic village of Torre d’en Galmès,
- the Talayotic village of Son Catlar (free admission),
- Europe’s oldest prehistoric monument: the Naveta d’Es Tudons, an ancient burial tomb built in the Bronze Age,
- The Bufador de Binibequer cave is located near Binibeca beach on Menorca’s southeast coast, accessible by kayak,
- the Cueva de la Luz near Cala’n Porter between the cliffs of the Mirador del Mediteraneo. It can therefore only be visited by accessing it by sea in a kayak or paddle,
- the Cova des Coloms cave, the island’s most famous, used as a burial space during the post-Talayotic period from the 6th to 2nd centuries BC,
- the “water cave” Cova de S’Aigua, a natural original with a rich prehistoric past and an isolated lake of extraordinary clarity.
Military monuments in Menorca
The island has been occupied several times over the centuries, resulting in the construction of defensive towers and other military monuments that can still be visited today:
Fortress de la Mola: Also known as Fortress Isabelle II, Fortress de la Mola is a 20min drive from Port Mahon. It is a military defense structure built in the second half of the 19th century in response to the threat of British attack. Comprising a dozen fronts to provide both sea and land defense, this fortress is a significant example of 19th-century military architecture in Menorca. A must-see if you’re passionate about history and military buildings.
- Open all year round, closed in January and on Mondays in December.
- Price: €8 per adult, free for children under 6.
Fort Marlborough: A former fort built under the British occupation of Menorca, discover the remains of an 18th-century defensive military building that’s still very well preserved. Did you know that this fort was carved directly into the rock? A remarkable British legacy in Menorca, the tour of this military construction is immersive, with a section devoted to the re-enactment of the siege of Fort Marlborough, complete with uniformed soldiers and special effects.
- Open daily from 9:30 am to 2:45 pm.
- Located 15min drive from Port Mahon.
- Price : 3€ free admission, 6€ admission and audioguide. Book your place now!
- Guided tours are also available if you’d like to find out more with a local guide.
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Museums to do with children in Menorca
Most of the places mentioned in this article can be visited with children, giving them a different approach to their knowledge of Menorca. Museums with interactive tours and children’s workshops are more interesting for children.
This Balearic island is a family-friendly destination, with plenty of activities for youngsters. However, outings in the wild, unspoilt countryside still require extra supervision of your children. Remember to take regular breaks to avoid fatigue, and make the most of the playgrounds and nearby gardens set up all over Menorca, in both large towns and villages.
If you’re looking for other fun family activities in Menorca (depending on the age of your children) :
- walk to Castillo de Menorca (Ciutadella) and go-karting inside Menorca Castle,
- explore little-known corners of the island and rugged terrain during a safari by jeep with the whole family,
- visit the Binissuès Natural Science Museum and observe 8,000 different species of insects from Menorca and around the world,
- Menorca’s lighthouse routes, starting with the sumptuous Punta Nati lighthouse on a barren stretch of land at the end of the world to the west of the island.
Read my tips on the best places to sleep with your family in Menorca.
Plan your trip to Menorca:
Best-of:
- 35 best things to do in Menorca
- Menorca’s most beautiful landscapes
- Menorca’s most beautiful villages and towns
- Best beaches in Menorca
- Menorca hidden gems
- Best museums in Menorca
- Best caves
- Best calas
- Markets in Menorca
- Best restaurants
Useful tips:
- Where to stay in Menorca
- Best luxury hotels in Menorca
- Best family hotels in Menorca
- Best boutique hotels
- Tips for driving in Menorca
- Renting a car in Menorca
- My itineraries in Menorca – coming soon
- Road trip in Menorca – coming soon
Towns:
- Port Mahon: Things to do – Best hotels
- Ciutadella: Things to do – Best hotels
All my advice in this article was put into words with the help of Myriam.
