| 
In addition to the splendid sea, Menorca offers the opportunity to visit beautiful towns, including Mahon, Ciutadella, and Es Fornell. Beautiful towns of which it is impossible not to take at least a walk during your vacation in Menorca
Maò, or Mahon, is the capital of Menorca; the legend claims that it was founded by the Carthaginian general Magon, brother of Hannibal, from which also derives his name. Whether it is true or not, it is certain that the Carthaginian one was only one of the peoples who conquered the island.
MAHON
With one of the the largest natural ports in the world, along 5km and wide 30km, and second only to Pearl Harbor (Hawaii), the Capital boasts several attractions gathered especially in the historic center. The port is the lively center of the town. In summer, residents and tourists stroll along the quay among shops, restaurants and bars. A taste of the Gin produced on the island is a must.
In the historic center, you can visit the beauty Church of Santa Maria, built in the XIII century and remodeled in the XVIII century; outside the church, the largest on the island, there is a small bell tower, and inside it is possible to admire a large organ of the nineteenth century, with an exceptional sound quality.
TheCchurch of Carmen, located in the square of the same name, in neoclassical style built in the XVIII century, has a beautiful Baroque cloister inside; from this part of the city one arrives at once Carrer Nou, a pedestrian street crowded with tourists to the assault of craft shops that sell local products, such as cheese, Gin, costume jewelry and shoes.
If then the curiosity pushes you to know the places frequented by the islanders, you will have to move in the squares Colón, Bastió, Sant Francesc, Reial, Miranda and Conquesta, surrounded by large noble and bourgeois palaces.
VACATION IN MENORCA: MUSEUM
To get to know the history of Menorca, and the culture of its people, one must reach the church of Sant Francesc, in Avenida Doctor Guardia. It is an old Franciscan monastery, which now houses the Museum of Menorca.
The finds are distributed on three floors, structured as a path through the history of the island.
On the first floor there are four rooms: the pretalayotic culture, the Talayotic culture until the Roman conquest, the Roman era and the Byzantine era. On the second floor there are 7 rooms: history of the convent, Islamic era, the eighteenth century, the painters and the port of Maó, the cartography concerning the island, and twentieth centuries and painting of the twentieth century. The ground floor is reserved for temporary exhibitions.
In winter, the museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday, including holidays, from 10:00 to 14:00. Only on Tuesday and Thursday, the closure is postponed to 18:00. In summer, it is open from Tuesday to Saturday, from 10:00 to 14:00 and from 18:00 to 20:00; Sunday, from 10:00 to 14:00. Always closed on Mondays.
The ticket price, at full rate, is 4.00€. Reduced, for over 65 and groups of more than 15 people, 3.00€. Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 15 to 18: 00, you enter FREE. Whether you are passionate about art or not, our advice is not to miss a visit to the place during your vacation in Menorca.
CIUTADELLA
The Ciutadella is located on the opposite side of the island, compared to the Capital Mahon; it could be interesting, during your vacation in Menorca, to spend an afternoon in this beautiful area. You can admire its monuments, and perhaps stop for dinner to see it all lit up. This is also one of the liveliest places on the island’s nightlife.
To admire and appreciate the beauty of the Ciutadella, it is appropriate to reach the top of the Mirador; from here, you can admire the Arabic and Medieval architectural influences, with the harbor at the foot of the ancient walls; the major monuments are in the center, and can be easily reached on foot.
Es Born, the most important place to walk, is located in the center of the historic district, and ends in the square of the same name; here, all the most important festivals and social events are held. The square is dominated by an obelisk that recalls the period of numerous attempts to invade the Ciutadella.
This is a part of the island rich in history, and can be seen from its splendid buildings, among which stands out Town Hall, located in the Arab part of the city; built in the nineteenth century. Not far away, continuing to walk, you can admire one of the most important buildings in Menorca, Palace de Vivo, with its beautiful neoclassical facade.
Do not miss during your vacation in Menorca, the religious monuments of the Ciutadella, including, the convent of Santa Clara and the Cloister of the Soccorso church, part of the old Augustinian Monastery. And, again, the five bastions that once protected the Ciutadella; among these, stands out the Bastió de Sa Font, in the city center, home of the Municipal Museum.
In this wonderful and rich historical center, the splendid stands out Cathedral. Built in the 14th century by King Alfonso III, in Gothic-Catalan style, it has a nave with six chapels, including the beautiful Chapel of Souls, Of 1700.
The lively port of Ciutadella that rises at the foot of the ancient walls that once surrounded the city, today is full of restaurants and bars open 24 hours a day; here you can eat and drink everything from the famous “caldereta de langosta” to high-alcohol Spanish coffees. This area is perfect for spending an evening of fun!
Moored by the long quayside alternate between expensive and small yachts llaüts, typical local boats similar to our boats.
The port of Ciutadella it’s a perfect place for a tasty dinner; most of the restaurants have beautiful terraces from which to see the quayside and river of people strolling at any time of day or night. Club Nautico, is a historical place of maritime gastronomy of the Ciutadella. Can Manolo, it is an excellent restaurant where, the protagonists, are the best crustaceans and fish of the coast.
ES FORNELLS
Fornells is a small, quiet, fishing village, with low white houses, famous for the caldereta de langosta (lobster soup).
Very picturesque, this village manages to transmit tranquility, even in high season, with the swarm of tourists that invade the island. The most important road is Calle Major,which crosses the entire historic center along the sea; not far away is the Piazza della Church, where is the church of San Antonio.
The 16 July at Es Fornell is celebrated by celebrating the Virgin of Carmen, protector of fishermen; really very characteristic is to see the procession of boats that follows that with the image of the Madonna.
During your holiday in Menorca, it’s worth taking a short trip on the Monte Toro to visit the sanctuary. This is the highest peak on the island, a perfect vantage point for an overview of all of Menorca.
Monte Toro is located in the middle of the road between Mahon and Ciutadella; on the top there is a sanctuary dating from the seventeenth century, today inhabited by a Franciscan community. After enjoying the visit to the Monastery, going down to the foot of the Mount, you can visit Es Mercadal, or a small and picturesque village, famous for its restaurants where you can taste the excellent cuisine: between land and sea dishes, there is something for all tastes.
S’ALBUFERA
Recall that Menorca is very famous for its Biosphere, UNESCO has declared it a World Biosphere Reserve, and, for this reason, there are some exceptional natural parks on the island. Unmissable places during your holiday in Menorca. Particularly suitable for nature lovers and hikers.
We recommend, above all, the Natural Park of s’Albufera des Grau, in which it is possible to admire many species of plants and trees, islets and numerous prehistoric remains. To visit the beautiful park, you can opt for three different routes; two, leave near the information center, and another, from the city of Es Grau. The first two routes last about an hour and allow you to admire many species of birds. The third route, instead, passes through dense vegetation and is indicated in the periods of maximum heat. The Reserve is located approximately 10 kilometers from Mahon, easily accessible by crossing the Me-5.
LLOC DE MENORCA
During your vacation in Menorca with children, be sure to take some time to visit the zoo, a few kilometers north of the capital. You will have the chance to see, up close, many free animals and, above all, species that you could hardly see elsewhere. The Lloc de Minorca zoo, in June and September, is open every day from 10:00 to 19:00. July and August, from 10:00 to 20:00. The adult ticket costs 13.00€; reduced, for over 65 and children from 3 to 12 years, 8.50€. Info and updates on the official website llocdemenorca.com