I recall sitting in a tiny café in Barcelona gazing out at the sea and wondering “where do I go next? Mallorca or Menorca?” The ferries depart from the same harbor but the places could not be more different. And to be honest, I was so conflicted that I nearly booked both. If you find yourself in that same position at the moment, staring at ferry possibilities and rubbing your head, perhaps this will assist. So lets discuss Ferry from Barcelona to Mallorca vs Menorca in detail.
Since I took the trip, both islands and have got some observations.
The Ferry Ride Itself
A ferry trip always comes as part of the vacation. You are not dashing like an airport check-in, you are not packed in a low-cost flight, you are just drifting over the Mediterranean. The Mallorca ferry takes longer too. About 6 to 8 hours, and sometimes longer if it is not one of the fast ones. Many people travel overnight, sleep a bit, and wake up in Palma.
The Menorca ferry is a little shorter. About 5 to 6 hours, and I even noticed some high-speed ones reducing it even more. Less departures though, so you have less freedom. The boat was less noisy when I traveled, less families, more couples, and even some singles traveling just to get away from Barcelona’s hustle.
I once dozed off lying out on one of the outdoor benches on the journey to Mallorca. Awoke with the dawn on the horizon and the cries of gulls. That in itself was worth paying for the ticket.
Mallorca: The Big Brother of the Balearics
Mallorca is the biggest of the islands and you notice it as soon as you get there. Palma feels like a real city. Bustling high streets, great cathedral, bars open till early morning. It is not some peaceful fisherman’s island, it is alive.
If you like having a mix of things to do, Mallorca really has it all. On one side you get the Tramuntana mountains rising up, then drive a bit and you are standing on these long sandy beaches that just stretch forever. And then tucked away you find little towns like Deia or Soller that look like they belong on postcards. I remember one night sitting in Magaluf with a cheap beer in my hand neon lights everywhere and the next morning I was wandering through an olive grove where it felt like time had stopped. That switch that contrast is what makes Mallorca kind of unforgettable.
But it has crowds. Certain beaches fill up in summer, and Palma becomes more of a tourist city than an island town. That didn’t spoil it for me, but you need to plan ahead a bit if you want those peaceful, secret little coves.
Menorca: The Sleepy Beauty
Menorca seems like the opposite. Smaller, quieter and somehow gentler. I left the ferry at Ciutadella and felt the pace slow immediately. No hurry, no noise, just locals talking slowly, the aroma of seafood wafting from tiny eateries and this warm hush you dont normally find in busy places.
Menorca beaches are just incredible. Cala Macarella, Cala Turqueta, Cala Mitjana… names that I still recall because they really did look like swimming pools dug out of the ground. The sand is whiter, the sea clearer, and several of these coves are only accessible by walking a bit. Which equals less crowds, particularly in the mornings.
It is not nightlife here. You do not visit Menorca for clubs or for twenty bars lined up after dark. You visit here to unplug. I spent hours just lying under pine trees, listening to the waves, and it felt just the right remedy after the crowded streets of Barcelona.
So, Which One Do You Choose?
This is the million-dollar question: ferry from Barcelona to Mallorca or Menorca?
Choose Mallorca if you desire an island with a little of everything. Citybreaks, mountain treks, nightlife, child-friendly beaches, secluded coves, driving holidays. It is large enough that you never tire.
Choose Menorca if you desire tranquility. If you wish to spend your days dashing from turquoise bay to turquoise bay, taking long slow meals, and contemplating the fact that time doesn’t exist.
Personally, following the confusion of Barcelona, Menorca was just the ticket for me. But if I were going with my friends, then Mallorca would have been the champion.
A Little Story
I had this amusing experience on the ferry ride back from Menorca. I had purchased a sandwich at the café on board, and this fellow sitting beside me burst out laughing because the bread was so hard it could have been used as a building brick. We ended up talking for two hours about travel, cuisine, and how often the worst of the trip becomes the stories you tell years later. That’s the magic of ferries. You’re sharing space, you’re slowing down, and you end up getting to know strangers. Something flights never provide.
Final Thoughts
To take a ferry from Barcelona to Mallorca or Menorca is not so much about the places as the journey. It is about the ride, the slow sailing, the sea air, and that moment when the city recedes behind and an island comes into view ahead. Mallorca is big, bold and full of choices. Menorca is soft, peaceful like a secret you dont want the world to find out.
If you can, do both. If you can not consider your mood. Do you crave action and variety? Mallorca. Do you crave peace and nature? Menorca.
Either way the ferry will transport you somewhere unforgettable.
FAQs
How long is the Barcelona to Mallorca ferry?
Approximately 6 to 8 hours overnight or early morning departures.
How long is the journey from Barcelona to Menorca?
5 to 6 hours, sometimes shorter with the quicker boats.
Which is more expensive?
Mallorca tends to have cheaper hotel and eating options because it is larger. Menorca feels more expensive but compensates with tranquility.
Which has nicer beaches?
Menorca takes the prize for unspoiled natural beaches. Mallorca has more variety but also more tourists.
Can I go to both?
Yes, there are boats that go between Mallorca and Menorca, so if you have time, do both of them. They really complement each other well.
