Renting a Car in Menorca: A First-Timer’s Guide to Stress-Free Island Exploring
If you’re heading to Menorca and thinking about renting a car, we have put together our decades long car hire experiences - including avoiding the potentially the Gotchas. Avoiding a nasty surprise in the first few hours of you Holiday to Menorca is the BEST way to start. This peaceful Balearic gem is best explored on four wheels — especially if you want to escape to its dreamy turquoise beaches, hidden coves and tiny whitewashed villages.
But renting a car abroad can feel a little intimidating, particularly if it’s your first time driving outside your home country. Don’t worry — here’s a friendly, real-traveller guide based on what actually matters when you pick up a car in Menorca.
Why Renting a Car in Menorca Is Worth It
Menorca may be small, but its treasures are scattered along winding rural roads and rough tracks leading to paradise beaches like Cala Mitjana, Cala Pregonda and Cala Pilar. Public buses reach only a handful of places. With a car, you’re free to chase sunsets ( even total eclipses ), pull over for photo stops, or take spontaneous detours to explore old lighthouses and hilltop viewpoints.
Driving Abroad for the First Time? Here’s What to Expect
If you’ve never rented a car abroad before, Menorca is actually an ideal practice ground. Locals drive calmly, traffic is light outside the main towns, and roads are generally well-maintained.
A few tips for first-time foreign drivers
Once you start exploring, you’ll realise that Menorca rewards slow, easy driving. And that’s perfect for anyone still finding their confidence behind the wheel.
Parking in Menorca: Relax, It’s Not Mallorca
Good news: parking in Menorca is often free, generally inexpensive if you follow our 'know how'- Parking.
If you’re exploring during July–August, arrive at beaches early — by late morning, many official car parks fill up.
Rough Track Roads to Beaches: What You Need to Know
Good to know
Some of Menorca’s best beaches are down unpaved rural tracks. They’re drivable, but slow:
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Expect dusty paths, small stones and occasional potholes.
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Standard cars are fine as long as you take it gently. SUVs and off roaders come at a premium price!
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Insurance often doesn’t cover damage from off-road use — so drive with care.
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If you’re uncomfortable with tight spaces or uneven surfaces, choose beaches with paved access.
Go slow, enjoy the scenery, and don’t feel pressured by any impatient drivers behind you. Locals are used to leisurely tourists.
Its also why Rental Car insurance policies don't cover damage to underside of carInsurance: 3rd-Party Coverage, Excess and What You Really Need
Here’s where car hire can go from simple to confusing. In Spain ( Menorca ) , third-party liability insurance is always included by law so it's in the price! — but this only covers damage you cause to other people or property. It does not protect the rental car itself.
Comprehensive insurance: once is enough!
For rental cars abroad, we recommend fully comprehensive insurance with no excess.
You may already be insured through your credit card or membership of an automobile club. Find out in advance so that you are not unnecessarily insured twice.
Savy frequent Hire Car renters AVOID purchasing fully comprehensive insurance with no excess directly from the car rental broker - its usually well overprixed! Car rental companies don't earn anything from the insurance through a third-party provider and try to force their own fully comprehensive policy on you. Refuse if you already have insurance!
This is why rental companies offer:
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CDW (Collision Damage Waiver)
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Theft protection
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Optional zero-excess or full-coverage packages
Even when CDW is included, rentals often carry a high excess (the amount YOU must pay if the car is damaged). This can be €500–€1,500.
✔ Tip: Use Your Own 3rd-Party Excess Insurance Policy ERI
Many travellers buy a independent excess insurance policy online before travelling. These policies cover the excess portion if anything happens — often saving money compared to rental-company rates. Just note:
Good to know buying some insurance to reduce your excess is called CDW when purchased from the car hire company and Excess Reimbursement Insurance (ERI) when you buy from a 3rd party - keyword is Reimbursement!
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If there’s damage, the Car rental company may still charge your card first, and you claim it back from your independent insurer - Claim may not be covered / take a while before monies transfered.t
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Always photograph the car at pick-up and drop-off to avoid disputes.
Finding a Trustworthy Car Rental Company on Menorca
Big isn't allways best
It's only recently that big brand spanish Rental companies( Goldcar,Record Go,Centauro and OK Mobility) have been operating on Menorca. Before that a few of the global brands (Hertz,Avis/Budget). But much of the Rentals cars were supplied by many small ( often Ex Pat ) local Hire Car companies and they built up solid, decades long trust worthy businesses. Menorca is very small and bad behaviour travels fast!! - especially amongst the regular and passionate Menorca holiday visitors.
Above you will have read about all Insurances ( and gotchas )...The good news is many of the local smaller hire companies on Menorca's prices INCLUDED COMPREHENSIVE WITH NO EXCESS as standard - plus other benefits too like NO DEPOSIT reservations , Pay on Arrival , Pick Up & Drop off a few yards from the Airport Terminal - No offsite shuttle.
Rental Car Comparison Sites Pros and Cons
Car rental comparison sites can appear to be money and time savers. Word of caution - booking based on attractive 'Headline prices' you may risk ending up with unexpected costs, pressure to buy expensive extras or complications if the provider is unreliable. Menorca is a different case as many of the good local companies are simply NEVER listed More Pros and Cons
Finally check out Menorca facebook groups for reassurance.
Damage Claims: How to Protect Yourself
Most companies are fair, but to avoid any arguments:
Good to Know about Car Hire on Menorca
Get into good habits when dealing with car rentals
Smaller rental companies may buy their vehicles and because they are not locked into a strict lease contract where the return condition of the car can be critical they are less stringent on small scratches, small dents.
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Film a slow walk-around video when collecting the car.
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Check wheels, mirrors, bumpers, and the windscreen. MOST IMPORTANTLY the front rear underside as curbs on Menorca can be very high
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When returning it, hand it over to staff if you can rather than leaving it unattended.
Five minutes of photos can save stress later.
Deposits, Debit Cards and Credit Cards: What’s the Deal?
This is one area that catches travellers out.
Credit card preferred
Most Menorca Car Rental companies require a credit card in the main driver’s name. They use it to block a security deposit (often €300–€1,000) until you return the car. Note this has an impact of your available to spend until the block is released. Poor customer service may mean the release is held for 2 weeks.
Debit cards? Sometimes…
If the Rental company requires a security deposit this can be a significant sum that is taken immediately unlike a Credit Card then is no Block/Reserved sum facility - something you might need in an emergency!
Some companies accept debit cards, but may:
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Require you to buy their full insurance package in case of Damages,
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Or they may limit the types of cars you can rent.
If you only have a debit card, check the rental company’s policy before booking to avoid last-minute surprises.
Choosing Manual vs Automatic
Manual cars are the default in Spain, and they’re cheaper. However:
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Automatics are limited in number,
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They can be much more expensive,
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They sell out early, especially in July and August.
If you’re not comfortable driving manual, book your automatic as early as possible — months in advance if travelling in summer.
Final Thoughts: Stress-Free Exploring Awaits
Renting a car in Menorca gives you freedom few islands can match. Once you’ve sorted the essentials — insurance, deposits, car type, and parking — the rest is pure Mediterranean bliss: turquoise waters, pine-covered coves, cliffside sunsets and scenic countryside roads.
Take it slow, enjoy every detour and remember that Menorca is an island best enjoyed by discovery with a light itinerary :-)
What to check when collecting a Hire Car
Don't skip a photo/video of vehicle for existing damage/condition ( make sure it's reported if missing from known defects) - Extended list
Save for Later
Related Guides ...
The European Consumer Center (ECC) advice on 'tricks' used by some car rental companies
The European Consumer Center (ECC) - Car Rental companies to take extra care with