The Port of Maó is the harbour of Maó, the capital of Menorca in the Balearic Islands, and one of the largest natural harbours in the Mediterranean. Its waterfront runs below the cliff that carries the old town, lined with restaurants and moorings, and a lift links the quay with the streets above. Ferries and cruise ships use the port. The harbour's strategic value shaped the island's history: under British rule in the 18th century the capital moved here from Ciutadella.
Puerto de Mahón
Natural harbour below the old town of Maó, with boat-filled moorings, waterfront restaurants and a lift up the cliff.
- Entrance
- Free; there is no ticket, the waterfront is public.
- Accessibility
- Wheelchair-accessible parking, entrance and toilets; a lift connects the waterfront with the old town above.
- Parking
- Two paid asphalt car parks about 160–175 m away; wheelchair-accessible spaces available. Spaces near the lift to the old town are hard to find.
- Difficulty
- None along the waterfront itself; the walk up to the old town is a hard climb, which the lift avoids.
- Transport
- Bus stop Cos Nou, about 320 m away; ferries and cruise ships berth in the harbour.
- Advance booking
- Not needed to walk the waterfront.
- Hours
- Open 24 hours, every day.
- Address
- Costa de Ses Piques, 35, 07701 Maó, Illes Balears, Spain
What makes it special
Boats of every kind fill the moorings, and the restaurants stand side by side along the water behind them. The Port of Maó works as a harbour and a promenade at once: ferries and cruise ships come in, boats are chartered from the quay, and a walkway follows the water past the moorings.
Take the lift up to the old town and turn round. From the top the whole harbour opens out below, the quays and masts under the cliff and the inlet running out towards the sea. Out on the water sit small islands, among them King's Island (Illa del Rei) with the former British naval hospital, and old forts guard the harbour mouth. The mood along the quay is unhurried.
Good to know
- The walk up from the waterfront to the old town is a hard climb; a lift close to the quay carries you up.
- Parking near the lift is hard to come by, and the car parks closest to the waterfront charge a fee.
- The port building has little in the way of food or shopping; the restaurants across the road are busy.
- Public toilets stand about 360–390 m away, one of them free, and a free drinking-water tap about 460 m away.
Getting there
By car, the nearest options are two paid car parks about 160–175 m away in a straight line; spaces near the lift to the old town are hard to find. The closest bus stop, Cos Nou, is about 320 m away.
From the old town the harbour lies below you: walk down, or take the lift, which is worth remembering for the way back, since the climb up is hard going. Smaller cruise ships dock at the port building itself, and a walkway runs along the water from there, past the restaurants and moorings. Ferries also berth in the harbour.
Best time to visit
Best: early morning or evening, when the light is low over the moored boats.
Avoid: the middle of the day in July and August.
The island is at its fullest in high summer, and the open quay takes the full midday sun, which also makes the climb to the old town heavier going.
Sun & daylight
Nearby Places
Similar Places
Puerto de Mahón on the map
Parts of the quay have no railing and drop straight into the harbour, with mooring lines and bollards underfoot. Keep children close to you along the edge.
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Frequently asked questions
How do you get from the Port of Maó up to the old town?
A lift near the waterfront carries you up to the old town. Walking up is possible, but it is a hard climb.Is there parking at the harbour?
Yes. Two paid car parks sit about 160–175 m away in a straight line. Spaces near the lift to the old town are hard to find.Can you take a boat out from the harbour?
Boats can be chartered from the harbour, and ferries leave from the port.Are there toilets near the waterfront?
Public toilets stand about 360–390 m away, one of them free, and there is a free drinking-water tap about 460 m away.Is the Port of Maó wheelchair accessible?
There is wheelchair-accessible parking, an accessible entrance and accessible toilets, and the lift spares the climb between the waterfront and the old town.