This guide has everything you need to know to plan your time in the charming white-washed village of Binibeca - whether you’re using it as a base to explore Menorca, or visiting for a day trip.
Updated November 2023
Wander the narrow streets and white-washed arches of Binibeca Vell and you could be forgiven for thinking that this village has existed upon the island for many, many years.
The truth however is a tad more contrived.
Built in the 1970s by the Spanish architect, Antonio Sintes, this collection of 165 uniquely beautiful properties (often said to look more Greek than Menorcan) was the result of a shared dream to create an idyllic space to attract bohemians and inspire artists; a stunning labyrinthine fisherman’s village of sloping alleyways, chalk-white walls and wooden balconies.
Its depiction upon canvas in many of Francesc Poch Romeu’s works (a Barcelona native, and one of Menorca’s most famous artists) suggests that this is a dream that came to fruition.
Today, Binibeca stretches 3 km along the coast and includes the original ‘Binibèquer Vell’, or old portion, as well as the new portion of ‘Binibèquer Nou’- a natural progression with many of the homes and villas in keeping with the original design. At the very eastern point of Binibeca you will also find Cala Torret, a small village which feels separate but is actually part of it.
For the tourist, visiting Binibeca Vell as a day trip remains one of the most popular things to do in Menorca, however after having spent an entire week in a charming white-washed villa of our very own a hop, skip, and a jump from it, we are keen to tell you that this charming village also makes a fantastic base from which to explore the south of the island.
In this guide we’ll cover all the best things to do in Binibeca, our favourite nearby beaches and potential day trips, as well as advice on where to stay, eat and get around - this is our complete guide to Binibeca.
Binibeca Essentials
Preferred / An ideal base in southern Menorca
Access / Easily reached from Mahón by bus - if you’re not renting a vehicle, consider this airport shuttle service.
Beach / One large sandy beach and multiple rocky calas
Wander / The pretty fisherman’s village in the morning
Explore / Drive & explore the southern coast by bike or car
Water / Dive with the local scuba school or head out on a popular guided transparent kayak tour
Drink / Visit the Binifidet winery for a tasting and a meal
Eat / The bouji and eternally popular Bambu
Stay / We spent a lovely week in this charming villa, but Binifa-Best is a fancier alternative. Maravilloso apto is a good option in Binibeca Vell. Barceló Nura is the best nearby hotel.
Things to Do in Binibeca
Explore the Pretty Fisherman’s Village
Whilst we found an awful lot to love about this little spot along Menorca’s southeast coast, as we mentioned in our introduction, many people are drawn to Binibeca for its white-washed fisherman’s village known as Binibeca Vell.
With just 165 houses, connected by labyrinthine network of narrow streets and arched passageways, it doesn’t take long to explore the village designed by Antonio Sintes - and with every street expelling you into the real world after a few hundred metres, it’s impossible to get lost.
Whilst many of the properties are now tourist accommodations, a small number are still owned and lived in by locals, therefore it’s important when visiting that you respect signs asking for quiet, and don’t clamber all over private stairwells and balconies in search of a photo.
Travel Tip // If you’re visiting Menorca during the super busy months of July or August, we HIGHLY recommend exploring Binibeca Vell early in the morning. After 10 am, the white-washed alleyways become impossibly busy and lose a great deal of their charm.
Hang Out at the Beach
Playa de Binibeca - or Platja de Binibèquer to the locals - lies directly in front of Binibeca Nou, separated from the road by a small pine tree forest. A fine sand Blue Flag Beach, despite its popularity during the summer months it is actually a really rather pleasant stretch of sand.
Shallow, crystal clear waters that are protected from the open sea by a headland make it ideal for families with young children and the exceptional visibility means that it’s a fabulous spot for some snorkelling.
There’s also a converted photogenic red and white fisherman’s hut - called Los Bucaneros - which does a thriving trade in the summer season serving up fresh seafood and drinks in an informal setting, with views over the water.
Alternatively, if you don’t fancy a big lunch, make your way to the car park where during high season you’ll find a mobile pizza van (The Mobile Pizza Al Vuelo). Opening hours are 11am to 10pm, and there are a small number of tables and chairs for customers. We didn’t get around to trying a slice, but it does appear to be very popular. There’s usually another snack van on the other side too.
This is one of the few beaches in Menorca where it’s possible to rent sun loungers; expect to pay €17-19 for two beds and an umbrella for the entire day (8am until 7pm). Reductions are available after 3pm. You can also easily lay our own towel and parasol down wherever you like. There’s also a lifeguard service on duty.
If you’re feeling adventurous, take out one of the colourful electric fun boats that cost €22 for 30 minutes.
We also think the sunset from its western rocks is a hidden gem.
Travel Tip // Do note that somewhat confusingly, Google Maps marks this beach down as Cala Binibeca (therefore not differentiating between this stretch of sand, and the genuine Cala Binibeca that we discuss in the next section). The correct location of Playa Binibeca is here.
Go For a Dip in the Calas
After a life-long love affair with the sandy beach, we’ve fallen hard for the rocky cala; for smooth warm rocks upon which we can lie and barely a speck of sand to get onto (or into) your unmentionables. It’s one of the big reasons we chose Binibeca for our base during our final week in Menorca after a month exploring the island.
So, if you think you can pull yourself away from Playa Binibeca for the day, be sure to check out:
Cala Binibeca | Cala Binibeca is located a hundred metres or so to the west of Binibeca Vell - and it is glorious. There are a number of smooth and somewhat sheltered rocky areas to throw your towel upon as well as a raised platform with a ladder down into the blue. The water is super deep almost immediately so it isn’t ideal for young swimmers (part of its attraction if we’re entirely honest) but it is insanely clear and offers up great snorkelling opportunities. Find it here on maps.
Cala Pequeña | For those of you who speak Spanish you’ll not be surprised to hear us say that this cala is pretty tiny, but its hidden away nature a couple of minutes and a little further east from the above mentioned Cala Binibeca means it is a fantastic option for those looking to escape the crowds. Find it here on maps.
Cala Sa Olla | To the other side of Cala Binibeca you’ll find the delightful stretch of rocky cove known as Cala Sa Olla. You can easily walk here along the road from Binibeca, but it’s quite sharp underfoot, so best to traverse the rocks in sandals before finding a smoother spot to sunbathe in. This is a nudist spot, with great swimming and a few steel ladders into the blue. You’ll also find a small cafe and lots of photogenic fishing huts and units across the road from the Cala.
Explore the Nearby Coast
Whilst the bus network in Menorca is fairly good (find out more here), the lack of a circular route around the island (by vehicle at least) means that visiting multiple beaches and calas by public transport, or indeed even getting to some of the smaller towns, can be super challenging and something we’d actually caution against being overly ambitious in your planning.
A much better alternative is to rent a car or, for those feeling a little more adventurous , a scooter for a day or two. One of our fondest memories from our month on the island was whizzing along country roads on two wheels, the pair of us squeezed on to the back of a moped, the sense of freedom and of having a real summer adventure.
There is a singular car / scooter rental office in Binibeca (AutoValls) so you can either grab a vehicle here or alternatively - if you want one for a few days - head back to Mahón airport for a greater selection, more availability and cheaper prices.
First though, be sure to read our guide to hiring a car in Menorca to save money.
With regards to where you go, the world, and the island, is your oyster. Choose to stay within the beautiful southeast corner and explore little coves and calas, head further west or north to some of the island’s best beaches, or inland to explore a number of Menorca’s little towns.
Travel Tip // If you really don’t want to rent a car, or can’t get hold of one, it’s worth bearing in mind that there is a ‘Binibeca Land Train’ that runs between Binibeca and Punta Prima in the high season. It costs €7 for a return ticket, and has a variety of pick up and drop off points between the two destinations.
The service usually runs between May and late September, but can continue into October if the season is busy. It’s not really our sort of thing, but may be useful for some of you.
Head out on a Dive
Located at the edge of Cala Torret is the popular Binibeca Diving Club (maps). Run by a Spanish couple with a passion for the water, they offer daily dives in the Marine Reserve of Isla del Aire and the caves of Cap d’en Font, as well as the opportunity for first-time divers to obtain their PADI.
Other activities offered include:
Two-hour snorkelling tours (€35 per person)
Boat hire without a license (be sure to ride our complete guide before giving this a go though!).
Boat tours to Isla del Aire and Menorca’s southern beaches
Kayak hire
Find further details on their website.
Travel Tip // If you don’t have your PADI, you should consider joining a kayak tour that leave from Binibeca - this one in a transparent kayak is particularly popular option and allows a unique perspective. Alternatively, this option visits nearby caves and allows time for snorkelling.
Please be aware that both these tours are currently offline - we’ll update when they’re available again.
Take a Walk to Cala Torret
If Binibeca Vell is somewhere that thrives on tourism and daytrippers, the small community of Cala Torret - just a few kilometres east - feels like home. There are a handful of restaurants, a local shop, an excellent bakery, homes that feel lived in as opposed to just rented out and a number of excellent rocky outcrops upon which you could laze the afternoon away.
To us, it was kind of perfect!
As we discuss in our ‘where to eat in Binibeca’ section, the restaurants in Cala Torret are really quite excellent (especially El Faro and Salitre Restaurante), and offer excellent views out over the Mediterranean whilst you eat.
If just looking for something light however, make a beeline to the local bakery (maps) which offers inside and outside seating, pastries, snacks, lunches and excellent juices. This is a great option for vegetarians as they have a number of veggie-friendly offerings.
We’ve included a few accommodation options for Cala Torret later in this post.
Day Trip to Mahón
Whether you’ve got your own transport or hop on the bus, taking a day trip to Mahón (Maó)- the capital of Menorca - is an essential activity for anyone basing themselves in Binibeca.
Begin the day with a stroll around the old town, pop into the fish market for a plate of pinxtos, visit a gin distillery, a museum and the city’s cathedral or simply take a slow boat around the harbour and have a glass of vermouth on the waterfront.
During the summer months, buses run regularly between Binibeca and Mahon (Line 93, 20 minutes, €1.80 per person - see timetable here), but your proximity means it’s possible and not too expensive to grab a taxi if there’s a few of you. Note that there are no buses in the winter months.
We spent a few days in the city and have put together a complete guide on our favourite things to do in Mahón, so be sure to take a look before visiting.
Walk the Cami de Cavalls
If you’re the sort that can only lie still in the sun for so long or feel the need to do a little exercise to make up for all the meals out, we can highly recommend strapping on a pair of solid shoes and hiking a small section of the Camí de Cavalls.
Tracing the entire circumference of the island, the Camí is a historical 185km trail that is thought to have existed since the 14th century. In the past, it connected locals, villages and support military defence but nowadays is utilised by visitors and those living in Menorca for recreational purposes - namely hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking.
Although some tourists visit the island with the sole intention of hiking the entire 185km, most (like us), choose to hike just one or two sections, often using it as a means to access many of the most beautiful beaches in Menorca.
Binibeca lies mid-way along section 18 of the Camí, and from here you have two options:
Head east towards Punta Prima, and perhaps onwards to S’Algar (section 19). This follows the coastline. Note that until Punta Prima, you will be following a residential road rather than a hiking trail.
West towards Binissafuller - from there the Camí continues but do note that the path is inland rather than along the sea, so not the most exciting.
Of course, you don’t have to begin walking the Camí de Cavalls in Binibeca, you could instead pick any section across the island, and use the bus network to return to your accommodation.
Alternatively, we discovered that the stretch leading west and east from here was particularly great for an evening run - if that’s your sort of thing, we highly recommend it!
Visit Binifadet
The story of Binifadet can be traced back to a single vine planted in 1979, by a chap called Carlos Anglés.
Nurtured and grown to provide wine for his family and friends, its existence inspired a lifelong project, and by 2001 had led to the purchase of the land that now bears the fruit for Binifadet.
Since opening to the public in 2004, Binifadet has grown to become the largest winery in Menorca, and a visit here is an essential experience for any and all visitors who enjoy sampling fine wines and beautiful ambience.
Visitors are able to explore the vineyards at their own pace or alternatively book a one-hour guided tour which includes a tasting of three of the winery’s best wines (if you’re lucky, you’ll also get a small plate of local cheese to try too!)
English language tours run everyday from 1st April until 21st October, at 11.30am, 3pm and 6pm. Spanish tours are at 1pm, 4.30pm and 7.30pm in Spanish.
Note that there are no afternoon tours in September and October.
Alternatively, you can make a reservation to eat in the wonderful on-site restaurant. We were fortunate enough to eat here on our first visit to Menorca, and highly recommend it. The garden setting is glorious, and the food excellent.
You can book your tour or make a reservation for the restaurant here.
Travel Tip // Other little wineries to visit on the island include Bodega Vi de S'Illa in Alaior, Sant Patrici near Ferreries, Ferrer de Muntpalau at Es Mercadal and Vine Sa Cudía at S'Albufera des Grau Nature Park.
Where to Eat in Binibeca
Paseo 60 | We could have eaten one of their delicious poké bowls for lunch every single day! Great option for vegans, it’s also nice to have a change from the standard menu offerings across the island. Find it here.
Bambu | One of the places to eat in Menorca, Bambu offers up Mediterranean dishes with an Asian twist to the well dressed holiday-makers of Menorca. They have a variety of table options, including inside seating and a pleasant garden but we think you’d be crazy not to make a beeline for one of the stunning sunset tables with spectacular views out over the ocean. Do note that it is imperative you make advance reservations - sometimes up to a week in advance if visiting on the weekend during high season. It’s also more of an occasion place, so dress up a bit! You make your reservation via their website.
Cala Torret | This small community plays host to a surprisingly high number of excellent restaurants, including El Faro (maps) which specialises in traditional Menorcan cuisine, and Salitre Restaurante (maps) which offered a unique and interesting menu, and has excellent reviews! Both have the vast majority of their tables on raised terraces overlooking the sea and get very busy over the summer months. Reservations are recommended.
Restaurante La Caraba* | Located a five-minute drive from Binibeca, La Caraba offers a true dining experience. Choose a tables within the garden and enjoy an excellent menu of Menorcan and fusion twists. Very limited vegetarian options. This restaurant appears to have now closed, but we’ll keep an eye on the listing just in case it’s temporary.
Es Forat | We didn’t actually eat here but the menu looked really good, and the location just a few minutes away from Binibeca Vell fishermen’s village gave it a much more serene setting.
Note that there are three or four standard Menorcan restaurants in the centre of Binibeca Vell but nothing to get terribly excited about. They are however very popular, and get very busy for lunch and in the evenings.
Where to Stay in Binibeca
Whilst many may initially be drawn to the romantic idea of staying within one of the original Binibeca Vell dwellings, the vast majority of accommodation options in the area are either just outside the village, in Binibeca Nou or Cala Torret - we will note the specific area in each listing below.
Additionally, it’s important to note that this is an area of Menorca where villas are most abundant, and hotel options are very limited; if your preference is a large hotel with lots of amenities, you may be better off staying elsewhere.
After exploring pretty much every nook and cranny of the island, we decided to end our month in Menorca with a week in Binibeca. That decision was partly influenced by the fantastic, affordable villa we rented (this one), but mainly due to the vibe, the fact it wasn’t a tourist resort, and its proximity to great beaches, day trips, and swimming.
Below, you’ll find our curated personal picks for all types of travel styles and budgets.
binibeca Hotels
Menorca Binibeca by Pierre & Vacance Premium | As the only hotel in Binibeca, we felt the need to cover this option. With that said however, having read pages of reviews we personally chose not to stay here due to the negative experiences many previous guests had had. If that changes or you have positive stay, then do let us know in the comments! You can find out more here.
We also had few nights at the brand new Barceló Nura, a very fancy hotel a half hour walk from Binibequer. It’s a fantastic option if you’re a couple looking for a memorable experience, or budget is of no concern.
binibeca Apartments & Small houses
Apartamentos HLG Binivell Park | A large section of the original dwellings designed by Antonio Sintes have been converted into an apartment complex known as Binivell Park. They offer a variety of one-bed and two-bed apartments as well as small studios. Do note that the decor is a little tired and they have kitchenettes rather than kitchens, but they remain a surprisingly good value option. Perhaps one for a few nights, rather than a week. Find out more here.
Alternatively, you can book to stay in a privately-run apartment within the original Binibeca Vell. These are of a much higher quality, however as there are only a handful, it is imperative that they are booked early - especially in high season. Our pick include:
Maravilloso apto | A super stylish three-bedroom apartment with, excellent reviews, balcony and views.
Apartment A | A small one-bed perfect for a couple. Kitchen facilities are a little limited but absolutely fine if eating most evening meals out.
Fabulous Views | This lovely & modern one-bed has recently been refurbished and appears a lot lighter and brighter than others, and has lots of excellent reviews. Find out more here.
This one is also really lovely.
Apartamento Binibeca Nou | One of several small apartments in the same complex, this small two-bedroom is clean and modern although a little bland. It is however very reasonably priced, well located, has a communal pool and excellent reviews. Find out more here.
Lovely Apartment | Light, bright and clean two-bedroom apartment with private balcony overlooking the sea, with direct access to the water! Find out more here.
binibeca Villas
There are so many villas for rent in Binibeca that it’s honestly pretty tricky narrowing down the options! So although all villas listed are ones we’d like to stay in, there are plenty more to be found on accommodation websites.
Do note that we have discounted all properties with a communal pool as we imagine for most people that a villa with private pool is essential.
Bini Blau | This is the three-bedroom villa that we stayed in for a week - and we can highly recommend it! Decorated with a beautiful rustic design, it had an excellent kitchen, lots of homely touches, a pool, fantastic roof terrace from which you could enjoy the sunset and was seconds away from the sea. Find out more here.
House in Menorca | We love the aesthetic of this light & bright, recently renovated three-bedroom villa - a little nautical, a little boho-chic. Amazing views from all windows, and excellent reviews. Find out more here.
Binifa-Best | If you’re looking for an exquisitely designed, contemporary property with lots of space and a fabulous outdoors space - you need to take a look at this four-bedroom property! Just stunning. Find out more here.
Ty Bihan | This three-bed villa in Binibeca Vell is really great value (one of the cheaper we’ve come across in the area) but has plenty of lovely features including great design, lots of outdoors space, a big bedrooms. Find out more here.
Another excellently priced villa - this time in Cala Torret - is Brisa Marina.
Binibeca Villa | Another beautiful and contemporary villa which has been furnished and decorated to a high standard. All of the four bedrooms open onto a terrace area, the garden and pool area is large and well manicured and there is lots of room inside soon. Must be seen! Find out more here.
If stylish and contemporary design is important to you, bas sure to also take a look at Casa Mediterránea.
Other popular villas include:
Villa BiniRe | Villa de's Ullastres | Beautiful Family Villa | Beautiful Home | Villa With Pool
Binibeca also plays host to a number of villas that can accommodate large groups (that is, with five or more bedrooms), our pick of large villas that fit these requirements include:
How to Get to Binibeca
If you’re planning to use Binibeca as your base to explore Menorca, you’ll almost certainly be arriving at Mahón Airport. To reach Binibeca from here, you have three main options.
// RENTAL CAR
If your holiday priorities involve relaxing upon a towel at the beach, or exploring the coast by sea - rather than circumnavigating the island - then we appreciate that renting a car may not make much sense. For us however, having our own vehicle to explore Menorca was essential, and makes getting to and from the airport a little simpler.
Journey time from the airport car pick up point to Binibeca should be no longer than 20 - 25 minutes.
We recommend looking + booking via Rentalcars.com as it has the best selection of local and international companies on the island, and often has discounts and deals.
We’ve written much more in this guide about Menorca car rental, so if it’s something you are considering doing, we highly recommend giving it a read first.
// TAXI
Taxis outside Menorca airport are plentiful, and with a fixed rate depending on your final destination you needn’t worry about overpaying nor the meter.
The standard fee for a Menorca Airport to Binibeca taxi is around €24, plus €0.60 per piece of luggage.
Journey time is around 25 minutes.
// BUS
Accessing Binibeca by bus is possible, but only during the summer months.
First you’ll need to hop on one of the regular buses from the airport to Mahón bus station (Line 10). These leave every 30 minutes from the single bus stop located outside arrivals. Tickets cost €2.80 per person from the driver, and the journey time is around 15 minutes.
Once at the bus station, you’ll need to change onto bus number 93. These depart frequently throughout the day (more so in summer season). You can find a full timetable here.
ESSENTIAL TIPS FOR VISITING Binibeca
// GROCERIES
There’s a well-stocked mini-markets in Binibeca Vell (here) as well as another further down the road heading towards Cala Torret. Both have an adequate selection for beach snackers, daytrippers and basic self-catering requirements, however do note that you will pay significantly more for groceries here than you would in one of the larger supermarkets used by locals.
If you’re based here for a week and plan on doing on doing a lot of cooking, we’d recommend heading to either the Eroski on the outskirts of Sant Luis, or one of the many large supermarkets in Mahón at the beginning of your holiday.
For those without a car, it’s useful to know that the bus for Binibeca stops off (and picks up) right outside the supermarket in Sant Luis. The drive with a car takes just 15 minutes.
// ATMS
There is a single ATM, however it’s a Euronet machine (they charge horrible exchange rates which leave you massively out of pocket), we highly recommend avoiding using it if at all possible. Instead, head to one of the bank-owned ATMs in Mahón or one of the smaller local towns like Sant Luis.
Paying by card will not be a problem.
// CAR RENTAL AGENCY
AutoValls (one of Menorca’s biggest car hire companies) has an office in Binibeca from which you are able to pick up a rental car.
You can find the office here, but it is advised to book your vehicle in advance of your holiday if you’re not picking up from the airport. Otherwise availability is very poor in these satellite offices and rates can be much higher than you expect.
We recommend looking + booking via Rentalcars.com as it has the best selection of local and international companies on the island, including AutoValls, and often has discounts and deals.
For more information, including ways to save money on rental, read this post: 7 Things To Know Before You Hire A Car in Menorca.
// PARKING
There are a variety of parking options in Binibeca.
For beach-goers, we recommend using the free car park that sits just behind Cala Binibeca’s stretch of sand. You can find it here.
Alternatively, should you be prioritising a day trip around Binibeca Vell, there are several small car parks from which you can choose. This carpark is the closest, but alternatively you can park here and here.
Do note that given the popularity of Binibeca amongst visitors to the island, these car parks fill up very quickly so it’s advisable to get here as early as possible to increase your chances of getting a space.
// OTHER THINGS TO NOTE
For medical issues, you can find an urgent care centre here.
Do note that during the winter months, the houses of Binibeca Vell are re-painted and maintenance works are undertaken on the gardens and cobblestoned streets; therefore it’s advisable to avoid visiting during this period.
