Whether you’re planning to use Punta Prima as your base in Menorca or just visit for a beach day (or haven’t quite decided yet), our guide covers everything you need to plan ahead!

Updated June 2023

Back in 1980s, when tourism was beginning to take off in Menorca, one of the first resorts to appear was Punta Prima; its long stretch of soft white sand in a protected bay, the perfect spot for package holiday makers in search of sun.

Fast forward a few decades, and whilst the island’s vacation options have greatly increased, the small beach town of remains a solid choice for those looking for a base in the popular southeast corner. A 25-minute bus journey from the capital Mahón, and just a bit more from the airport, it’s well-connected but also just a walk or short drive to several other fantastic beaches.

Its vibe though is very much holiday-centric and tourist-focussed, catering particularly to families seeking a safe place to swim, good-value accommodation (as well as luxury villas), and various facilities on hand. There’s a big Jet2 resort and popular waterpark a 10-minute walk away as well (this either a push or pull factor, depending on what you’re looking for).

We actually picked it for our first few days of the summer month we spent in Menorca: we just needed somewhere affordable, conveniently located, close to an easily accessible beach, where we could rent a scooter and head out on our own, and come back to a few decent restaurants in the evening. It isn’t necessarily where we would choose again, but we’d actually describe it as one of the best ‘tourist zone’ towns you’ll find on the island.

In this guide we’ve shared everything you need to plan your day trip or stay in Punta Prima, including all the best things to do, our recommendations for where to stay, where to eat, transport connections, and general advice to make the most of your time here.

punta prima essentials

Ideal / Perfect for families
Beach / Pleasant white sand beach with lifeguard
Type / Small resort town with shops and facilities in centre and a quiet, holiday vibe
Access / Close to Mahón & airport - rent a car, use the good bus network or book a hotel transfer.
Stay / Insotel Punta Prima is the best hotel in town, but Bimbolla Apartments are a decent budget option. Prefer a villa? This rustic house by the sea is right on the beach.

Things to Do in Punta Prima

Hang out at Punta Prima Beach

Okay, you’re on holiday - advising you to go to the beach is perhaps a tad redundant but considering that’s where you’ll likely spend most of your time, but we have to mention it!

Despite having an abundance of white sandy beaches in Menorca, it’s important to be aware that you will not find them everywhere on the island; the vast majority lie exclusively on the south coast but are often quite difficult to access (for example Cala Macaralleta and Cala Mitjana).

Punta Prima one of the exceptions, being the most accessible, developed, white sand beach in this area of Menorca - a big reason for its popularity as a holiday base.

Unlike those more famous remote and rustic ones which require a decent walk along a dusty trail to reach and have zero facilities on them (part of the attraction), Punta Prima playa is very much a tourist-friendly beach. It’s clean (Blue Flag), the water’s perfect for swimming, there’s a lifeguard, shops and cafes behind it, and you can choose to rent a sun bed or lay your towel down.

Perfect for an easy, hassle-free beach day in Menorca.

Expect to pay €17-19 for two sun lounger beds and an umbrella (all day, until 7 pm), but lower prices can be negotiated after 3 pm. Follow the beach round to find a more secluded stretch in and around rocks.

Good To Know // For families, we should note that you can walk to the popular Splash Sur Waterpark (maps) from Punta Prima, but there’s also a free shuttle bus.

Read Later // The 19 Best Beaches in Menorca

Visit Binibeca

Located around 5 kilometres from Punta Prima, Binbeca is a world away in terms of architecture and aesthetics; a picture perfect fisherman’s village based upon paintings by Francesc Poch Romeu. Completed in the 1970s, this collection of 165 unique properties with their uniform white-washed facades and wooden balconies are a magical - albeit touristic - place to explore.

You should require no more than a couple of hours to walk amongst the nooks and crannies of this labyrinthine village, but if you would like to extend your time consider staying for lunch at one of several restaurants or spending the afternoon at Cala Binibeca, a popular but pretty beach nearby.

We’ve seen several mentions online of a ‘mini train’ that runs between Punta Prima and Binibeca (€7 per person, round trip) during high season but this wasn’t in operation (thankfully) when we visited this summer. This is the sort of thing that we are glad doesn’t really exist very much in Menorca - should it start up again though, let us know in the comments.

For further information on Binibeca, including things not to miss, be sure to check out our guide to Binibeca.

Take a Day Trip to Mahón

Whether you’ve got your own transport or hop on the bus, taking a day trip to Mahón - the capital of Menorca - is an essential activity for anyone basing themselves in Punta Prima.

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.

Buses run very regularly between Punta Prima and Mahon (Line 92, 25 minutes, €1.75 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.

We spent a few days in the city and have put together a complete guide on our favourite things to do in Mahon, so be sure to take a look before visiting.

Travel Tip // If you’re looking to do this the other way round, and visit Punta Prima from Mahon, this popular day trip includes a 1 hour boat cruise around the capital’s harbour then time in Binibeca and Punta Prima.

Hire a Scooter and Explore Nearby Beaches

Whilst the bus network in Menorca is fairly good, the lack of a circular route around the island (by vehicle at least) means that visiting multiple beaches and calas by public transport can be super challenging and something we’d actually caution against.

A much better alternative (for those without a car), is to rent 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.

To rent in Punta Prima, you have two options: the Menorca-wide Autovalls or a small company by the name of Mister Bike Rental.

Autovalls | This is one of the biggest Menorca car hire companies; it’s also who we rented our car with. The difficulty with renting a scooter from them is lack of availability, with most of their stock being based at the airport. If you are able to book your scooter rental in advance (a few weeks, ideally), you can secure a day rate from as little as €25, with prices dropping to around €18 per day if taken for multiple days.

Alternatively, if you’re going to need a car for your holiday, then the best place is to look + book via Rentalcars.com, which has the best selection of local and international companies on the islands, and just pick it up at the airport.

Mister Bike Rental | A small company that specialises in bicycle tours and bicycle rental, they also have a few scooters to rent out. Unfortunately, as they operate in a bit of a sellers’ market: their prices are really quite inflated, charging €49 per day for the cheapest model. If you require the insurance (we absolutely recommend buying it), that’ll be an extra €19 per day. They do offer discounts for multi-day rentals, but still work out much more expensive than Valls.

Annoyingly, this is quite common with the small rental companies across the island, with some of the most expensive scooter rental rates we’ve seen anywhere in the world. If you plan in advance, you can find more options online which can deliver to you in town, but the reality is that you might only decide to do this as a spontaneous activity, so have to simply pay whatever the rate is in town.

Good To Know // Renting a bicycle and following a few set trails around Punta Prima is also a popular activity, but we didn't have the time to do it (and also felt it was overpriced relative to the experience).

Plan // 7 Things To Know Before Hiring A Car in Menorca

Walk Part of the Camí di Cavalls

If you’re the sort that can only lie still in the sun for so long, feel the need to do a little exercise to make up for all the meals out, or just fancy spending some time at some of Menorca’s secret beaches, 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 Cami is a historical 185km trail that is thought to have existed since the 14th century. In the past, it connected locals, villages and allowed trade 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.

From Punta Prima you can access Sections 18 + 19 of the route:

Option One | Head east towards Cala San Esteve. This route is 7.3 kilometres, taking around two and a half hours. Should you go there and back, you’ll need to double both distance and time. Alternatively, you could choose to hike pretty little Cala Alcuafar and only, which would make it a 6 kilometre round trip. The trail begins here, near the pharmacy.

Option Two | Head west along Section 18 to Binissafuller (one of our favourite calas on the island). This route is 8.1 kilometres each way, so allow at least five hours to make it there and back. The trail begins here. Do note that this particular section of the trail is much more residential, rather than wild or rural so if you’re looking for an nature-based experience, we’d consider an alternative.

Good To Know // If you’re a runner, then you can also follow these routes as well as coastal roads from Punta Prima for a decent route. Just set off early in the morning or after 4 pm in summer months.

Plan // 7 Things To Know Before Walking The Camí de Cavalls

Where to Stay in Punta Prima

Hotels

Insotel Punta Prima Prestige Suites & Spa | The beach town’s premier 5* offering, just 350 yards from beach. Top notch facilities, the rooms are large, modern and to a high standard (they also have a small kitchenette). Three on-site restaurants and extensive sports activities offered. Find out more here.

Note that the same company also offers a family-friendly hotel, which is also 5-star.

Occidental Hotel | An excellent hotel suitable for families with five large outdoor pools and a water park. Rooms are modern, clean and well-appointed (if a tad on the cheap side). Excellent location in Punta Prima. Find out more here.

Self-Catering

Bimbolla Apartments | This is a cheap and cheerful self-catering complex that, when between longer term rentals in Menorca, we returned to twice. The small apartments are very basic and lacking love but have all necessary amenities, decent sized terraces/balconies and a pretty nice pool area as well as breakfast included. If you’re on a budget, we’d definitely recommend taking a look. Find out more here.

Apartamentos Punta Prima Beach | Another excellent value option, especially if you prefer smaller resorts. The apartments are large and bright and tastefully furnished. If you can stretch to it, we’d recommend opting for one of the sea view apartments for views out over the water! Find out more here.

Villas & Private Apartments

As we discussed in our article ‘23 Things to Know Before You Visit Menorca’, touristic rentals of residential properties are severely restricted across the island, meaning that Airbnb does not exist in quite the same way; you will not find countless small one-bedroom apartments on the site, as these are all being lived in by locals.

Therefore, the below properties tend to cater for larger groups, and hit a higher price point. Additionally, please note that any prices quoted in description may be higher in months of July and August.

Rustic House by the Sea | One of the few places that feels more like a stylish home rather than a holiday villa, this three bedroom may also cater for couples that want a bit of extra space. No pool but charming outdoor area. From £84 a night. Find out more here.

Stunning Modern Villa | If you’re looking for a beautifully designed, high-spec villa with a pool that caters for large groups (up to 10 people), you should absolutely take a look at this one - breathtaking! From £420 a night. Find out more here.

Dream House | Alternatively, this magnificent modern four bedroom property with views over the ocean (located five mins from Punta Prima and therefore offering slightly more privacy) is also an excellent option - especially if you want to stay for less than a week, with no nightly minimum. It deserves its rave reviews. From £463 a night. Find out more here.

Voramar Waterfront | Whilst the decor inside may be a little old fashioned, the location of this three bedroom property is more than made up for with its location - right on the water’s edge! From £183 a night. Find out more here.

Caseta de sa Palmera | We spotted the outside of this pretty little villa in the centre of Punta Prima, and are delighted that it looks as cute inside as it does out! With a nautical theme throughout, the real highlight is the outside area which allows you to take just a couple of steps from the sun lounger into the sea. Magical! From £168 a night. Find out more here.

Villa Molly | Well priced for a large four bed, two story house (from £250 a night), this light, bright and spacious modern property has plenty of space and a large private pool. This property is currently unavailable.

Plan // If you’re still not sure where to base yourself on the island , then you should take a look at this post: Where To Stay in Menorca.

Recommendations for Punta Prima Restaurants

Largely located on the main commercial street, just behind the beach, you can turn up and see what takes your fancy, but note that reservations aren’t a bad idea in high summer season.

Chiringuito Aire | We had a fantastic meal in this modern, seafront restaurant. One of the fancier options in Punta Prima, they offer traditional Menrocan seafood specialities as well as more contemporary plates - their ceviche was excellent, as well as the zucchini carpaccio. A number of good vegetarian options too. Reservations essential. Find it here on the map.

La Oveja Negra | Located opposite the beach, this popular restaurant is fairly traditional with a wide-ranging menu specialising in seafood. Plenty of Spanish people when we ate there, which we took as a good sign! Find it here on the map.

Although we didn’t personally try them, two other restaurants with good reviews also include Casa Fermin and Restaurante sa Tramuntana. There’s also the slightly hidden away La Golosa for pizza and ice-cream (maps)

How to Get to Punta Prima

All flights into arrive into Menorca airport, the only airport on the island, located 14 km from Punta Prima. In order to reach your accommodation, you have have three options:

// Rental Car

If your priority is relaxing on a lounger next to the pool or a towel at the beach rather than exploring too far beyond your hotel, then we appreciate that renting a car may not make much sense. For us however, having our own vehicle to explore the island was essential, and makes getting to and from the airport a little simpler - with a journey time from the car pick up point to Punta Prima just twenty 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 about car hire in Menorca, so if it’s something you are considering doing, we highly recommend giving this guide 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 over-paying nor the meter.

The standard fee to Punta Prima is €22.71, plus €0.60 per piece of luggage.

Journey time is around 20 minutes.

// Bus

Accessing Punta Prima by bus does require a transfer, but is very straight forward.

First you’ll need to hop on one of the regular buses from the airport to Mahon bus station (Line 10). These leave every 30 minutes from the single bus stop located outside arrivals. Tickets cost €2.75 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 92 (Punta Prima via Sant Luis). These depart every 30 minutes in the summer months and hourly in low season. Again, tickets are bought directly from the driver. The journey takes 25 minutes and costs €1.75 per person. See schedules here.

To travel from Punta Prima to Mahón, you can find the bus stop here, opposite the large car park.

// Shuttle Bus From the Airport

If you’d prefer to get from the airport to your hotel without the need for negotiating the public bus network or hiring a car, this regular shuttle bus is a great option. You book your tickets in advance, here.

Plan // To find out more about how the bus network operates, read 23 Things To Know Before You Visit Menorca.

Punta Prima Travel Tips

// Groceries

There are two small supermarkets (both on the pedestrianised road opposite the beach) in Punta Prima which have most things beach snackers and self-caterers will require. However do note that you will pay significantly more for groceries here than you would in one of the larger supermarkets outside Mahón.

If you’re based here for a week and plan on doing on doing a lot of cooking, we’d recommend heading to either Mahón or Sant Luis to do a big shop at the beginning of your holiday. Of course, this may only be possible if you have access to a rental car, or are happy using a taxi.

// ATMs

The good news is that there is an ATM in Punta Prima. The bad news? It’s one of Euronet’s. If you haven’t seen one of our rants about this company previously, suffice as to say we recommend avoiding at all costs due to the hideously unfair exchange rates they use to calculate the money you withdraw. If you need cash in an emergency, you can find the ATM here.

// Car Rental Agency

As we mentioned above when speaking about scooter rental, AutoValls (one of Menorca’s biggest car hire companies) has an office in Punta Prima from which you are able to pick up a rental car should you choose.

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.

Alternatively, you can take the bus into the airport and get a cheaper deal. 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.

Before booking anything though, we recommend reading 7 Things To Know Before You Hire A Car In Menorca.

// Nightlife

If you’re content with a glass of wine on your balcony, a restaurant meal or a quiet drink in your hotel bar, nightlife probably won’t be too much of a concern. For younger couples or groups on holiday, it’s important to note that there really is no nightlife or indeed bars to visit in Punta Prima (there is one bar Carrer Mestral, but it’s not anything to get excited about).