Binibeca Vell - Menorca's Charming Fishing Village

Binibeca Vell is one of the most interesting places in Menorca. This small fishing village could easily be mistaken for the streets of Santorini in Greece, with its whitewashed houses, and narrow, winding passageways.

My visit to Binibeca Vell was one of my favourite things I did on my trip to Menorca, and in this short guide I’ll go through everything you need to know about visiting, including its history, how to get there, and the best time to go.

A charming view of Binibeca Vell, a traditional Mediterranean fishing village in Menorca, Spain, featuring whitewashed houses with wooden balconies and dark shutters. In the foreground, small wooden fishing boats rest on a concrete dock, with a rustic stone wall separating the harbor from the village. The late afternoon sunlight casts warm tones on the architecture, enhancing the coastal charm.

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About Binibeca Vell

Binibeca Vell is a coastal village on the southern coast of Menorca. Although it may look like your quintessential fishing village, it was actually built as a replica in the 1970s by the Spanish architect Antonio Sintes Mercadal.

Menorca focuses a lot on sustainable development, and the project was designed to encourage tourism without the need for sky rises and large building projects that you see in other parts of Spain.

The village has come under some criticism from people who don’t like the fact that it’s not authentic, but traditional or not, it’s still incredibly beautiful!

A woman in a flowing white dress and sunglasses walks along a cobbled path in Binibeca Vell, a picturesque Mediterranean village in Menorca, Spain. The whitewashed buildings with curved architectural details, wooden shutters, and terracotta accents create a charming, sunlit atmosphere. A traditional lantern and lush greenery add to the quaint, coastal ambiance.

A narrow, sunlit alleyway in Binibeca Vell, Menorca, showing whitewashed walls and an arched staircase leading to a green door. A small sign reading "Privado" (Private) marks the entrance, and rustic wooden shutters complement the minimalist aesthetic. Shadows from the afternoon sun highlight the textured walls, adding depth to the scene. — Streets of Binibeca Vell

A picturesque stone pathway in Binibeca Vell, Menorca, flanked by whitewashed buildings with black wooden shutters. A traditional lantern and lush greenery frame the path, leading to a small wooden fence overlooking the landscape. The contrast between the smooth white walls and rugged stone pavement enhances the village's old-world charm. — Streets of Binibeca Vell

How to get to Binibeca Vell

Binibeca Vell is located on Menorca’s south coast, a 20-minute drive from Mahón, Menorca’s capital, and a 45-minute drive from Ciutadella.

By bus

From Mahón: During the summer months, you can take the number 93 bus from Mahón bus station to Binibèquer. Get off at the “Fishermen’s Village” bus stop. The journey takes around 20 minutes and costs €1.80.

From Ciutadella: First take the number 1 bus from Ciutadella to Mahón, which takes 1 hour. Then you’ll need to change to the number 93 bus mentioned above. The total cost for both journeys is around €7.50, and it’ll take 1.5 – 2 hours.

By taxi

Uber doesn’t operate in Menorca, so I’d recommend booking a taxi with a trusted local driver.

They can collect you from your hotel and take you straight to Binibeca Vell, so you don’t need to worry about bus transfers, especially if you’re visiting during the off peak months when buses don’t go to Binibeca Vell.

By car

My personal recommendation is to drive to Binibeca Vell. It’s just a short drive from Mahón, and there’s free parking right next to it (google maps link here).

A parking lot near Binibeca Vell, Menorca, with several modern cars parked along the roadside. In the background, whitewashed buildings and lush green trees lead towards a glimpse of the Mediterranean Sea. The bright blue sky and scattered clouds create a perfect coastal setting. — Parking at Binibeca Vell

Hiring a car for your trip to Menorca means you’ll have total flexibility to explore the island, especially harder to reach places like Binibeca Vell, where public transport isn’t very reliable.

I booked my hire car for my trip to Menorca through Discover Cars. They compare the costs of loads of different providers to help you find the cheapest option for your trip – I paid just £40 for 4 days!

A woman in a white maxi dress strolls through Binibeca Vell, Menorca, carrying a woven straw bag. She walks beneath vibrant bougainvillea flowers, which cascade from a white archway, adding a pop of color to the tranquil scene. Palm trees and Mediterranean plants line the cobbled path, creating a dreamy holiday atmosphere. — Streets of Binibeca Vell

A charming whitewashed house in Binibeca Vell, Menorca, featuring an arched entryway, an exterior staircase with terracotta steps, and a wooden balcony. The cobbled stone path is lined with rectangular planters filled with greenery, adding a touch of nature to the Mediterranean aesthetic. In the background, a stone bridge and more traditional-style buildings enhance the picturesque coastal village setting. — Binibeca Vell

Finding Binibeca Vell

When you arrive at Binibeca Vell, it’s not super obvious where the fishing village actually is.

If you park in the car park I mentioned above, you’ll need to head down towards the area of houses, bars and restaurants straight in front of you.

An outdoor café in Binibeca Vell, Menorca, with red chairs and wooden tables shaded by a large green umbrella. The whitewashed buildings feature arched doorways, wooden balconies, and chalkboard menus hanging on the walls. Sunlight filters through the trees, casting dappled shadows on the cobbled patio. — Look out for this area!

As you walk through this area, you’ll notice a supermarket (pictured below) on your left, and restaurants on your right. Stop here and look closely between the restaurants, and you’ll see archways leading to narrow streets.

Go through the archways and you’ll be in Binibeca Vell!

A small local supermarket in Binibeca Vell, Menorca, with a white-tiled roof and an open entrance. Outside, a stand displays colorful beach toys, postcards, and souvenirs, while a woman in a white shirt stands at the door. A relaxed coastal shopping spot, perfect for picking up essentials and mementos.

Best time to visit

Binibeca Vell is one of the most popular places in Menorca, so it does get very busy. Try to get there as early as possible to avoid the crowds, but just note that it will still be quite shady first thing in the morning.

I’d recommend aiming to arrive at Binibeca Vell around 10:00am, when the sun should be streaming through the streets, but it’ll still be quiet enough to enjoy it at your own pace.

During the busy summer months, you might want to arrive even earlier, I visited Menorca in October when it was very quiet.

A scenic view of Binibeca Vell, a whitewashed Mediterranean village in Menorca, Spain, with traditional houses featuring dark wooden shutters and balconies. A tall church tower with a cross rises above the rooftops, under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds. The charming architecture and peaceful atmosphere reflect the village's coastal charm.

A scenic marina in Binibeca Vell, Menorca, where small wooden boats are moored near a stone dock. The calm water reflects the bright blue sky, while the rocky coastline and whitewashed village buildings in the background complete the idyllic Mediterranean setting.

A peaceful cove in Binibeca Vell, Menorca, where two small boats float on the crystal-clear Mediterranean waters. One boat has a fisherman attending to his nets, while the rocky coastline and a cave entrance provide a rugged natural backdrop. The sunlight reflects off the water, enhancing the idyllic coastal atmosphere.

Things to do in Binibeca Vell

There’s not a long list of attractions in Binibeca Vell itself as it’s only a small village, and all of its charm is best discovered by strolling the streets and admiring the architecture.

Just be mindful that people do live here, so keep noise to a minimum and don’t loiter in front of doors.

But just a short walk from Binibeca Vell is Binibeca beach, which has a long golden shore and crystal clear water, which is well worth a visit if you’re in Menorca during the warmer months.

Looking for more interesting things to do in Menorca? Read my Menorca travel guide, which covers all of my favourite places to eat, sleep and explore on the island.

Final thoughts

The charming fishing village of Binibeca Vell is not to be missed on your trip to Menorca.

It’s one of the most picturesque places on the island, with its whitewashed houses and narrow streets. It does get very busy though, so aim to arrive as early as possible to enjoy it without the crowds!

Binibeca Vell – Menorca’s Charming Fishing Village