Driving In Menorca – Everything Explained And Answered

Driving in a different country can be difficult. However we have everything below that you need for driving in Menorca safely and carefree, from the laws to top tips.

Driving In Menorca Overview

Driving in Menorca is a relatively pleasant experience in general. Winding roads, a main motorway, limited traffic during the off season, plenty of places to park and easy to read signs. However, it can have its challenges, particularly during the peak season.

Below we’ve provided various pieces of information to help your Menorca driving experience as easy and seamless as possible. All captured in our driving in Menorca guide.

Driving Laws In Menorca

Firstly, it’s important to start with the Menorcan driving laws. Particularly if you are a foreigner visiting, it pays to be clued up. Sometimes literally.

• Menorca has speed limits, which must be obeyed
• Tourists must not drink and drive in Menorca
• There is a Menorca driving alcohol limit of about 0.05% blood alcohol concentration (stricter than the UK)
• All drivers and passengers must legally wear a seat belt
• Unlike the UK, in Spain and Menorca you drive on the right hand side
• Children under 12 must use a car seat and be seated in the backseat
• It is illegal to drive in sandals with no heel straps, such as flip flops
• Always use indicators when turning or changing lanes
• Do not use a mobile phone whilst driving

Petrol Stations For Driving In Menorca

Petrol stations are not abundant in Menorca and opening hours can be restricted on Sundays and around holiday periods. Our petrol stations in Menorca guide has everything you should need, including links to locations of Menorcan petrol stations.

However, your best bet is sticking the main road artery of Menorca, the Me-1 and towns on this journey, such as Alaior and Es Mercadal. As well as around the two large towns of Ciutadella and Mahon.

Fuelling in Menorca may require you to pay in advance at the checkout counter. This locks in the price and fuel amount. Subsequently you return to you car to refuel with the prepaid amount.

Car Parking In Menorca

Parking in Menorca can be challenging, particularly around the peak season and during the UK school holidays in Menorca.

That being said, parking in Menorca and the coastal resorts can often be free. But you must be careful. Parking across drives and other areas where it may only be two lanes for example will be signposted with no parking, stopping or waiting signs. As displayed by a circular sign, with a red border, a background colour of blue with a contained red cross.

Similarly to the UK, you may notice yellow lines across the road on certain areas. Again, do not park here.

Around some of the resorts as well as the main towns of Mahon and Ciutadella, there will be areas that require pay and display parking. These are highlighted in blue.

If similar bays are highlighted in yellow, these are restricted. Therefore do not park in these bays.

Hire Cars

Car hire can be a fantastic method of exploring the island of Menorca. With Menorca’s small size and restricted bus service, driving is often the easiest and most efficient way of getting out and about.

We have our dedicated Menorca car hire guide with fantastic information and tips. However, if you want to get straight into hiring a car why not head over to car hire comparison website Kayak or Holiday Extras.

Menorca Road Network

The road network on Menorca isn’t extensive. However the Menorca road network is sufficient enough and large enough to get you around the island in good time and without many dusty trails.

The main artery road of Menorca is the Me-1. The main motorway road allows you to travel from east to west and vice versa in a relatively short time, around an hour, from Mahon and Ciutadella. Passing by other smaller towns including Alaior, Es Mercadal and Ferreries along the way.

Various other key smaller ‘Me’ roads typically fork off from the Me-1 taking you to the coastal resorts dotted around the island. For example, the Me-18 from Es Mercadal passing through Es Migjorn Gran and onwards to Santo Tomas. Another example being the Me-22 from Ferreries to Cala Galdana.

Menorca Road Network Map Table

Top Tips For Driving In Menorca

• Ensure you follow the Menorcan driving laws
• Petrol stations are typically located inland at the major towns, such as Mahon, Ciutadella, Alaior, Es Mercadal and Ferreries.
• Sundays and Fiestas can impact opening hours of petrol stations as well as other amenities.
• Always carry you driving license and passport.
• When hiring a car ensure you have a valid credit card in the name of the person who made the booking and is driving
• Obey the speed limits
• Ensure you have a child seat for anyone under the age of 12 years old
• Parking in coastal resorts in July and August can be difficult. Ensure you are parking in an appropriate area. Or have paid if pay and display.
• Traffic is fairly limited on the island. Therefore journey times are relatively accurate.
• Road signs are easy to spot and clear.
• Towns and cities may have Menorcan names, for example Mao instead of Mahon.
• If you’re heading to popular beaches and coastal towns, we advise leaving early to avoid the mid-morning rush, particularly during the peak season.

Driving On Menorca Excursions