Legend tells that the winds of Menorca modify the personality of people. Maybe that is the reason why those who came here once as tourists mostly return ...
Menorca certainly has a very strong personality, and a very different one to the rest of the islands. Menorca, the "minor" island, as it was called by Romans, has an almost virginal interior (compared for instance to the "major" island, Mallorca) and shows interesting remains of its old history.
On the other hand, there are beaches and lonely bays around it at a length of 216 kilometers. An ideal resort for all those who are looking for true relaxation.
The beaches in the South of Menorca, migjorn, of white sand, are mostly surrounded by pine woods with rich vegetation. The northern coast, la tramuntana, is steeper, with rocks, of great beauty.
Let us start our tour at the capital, Mahón. The first station will be Villacarlos , a charming village of 4.500 inhabitants. The architecture is evidently of British influence. Here you find exceptional bays, as Cala Llonga and Cala de Sant Esteve, and, at 8 kilometres, the natural park Albufera des Grau with its lake. 150 different species of birds are registered here. Another sight is the small island Es Colom, located at just 200 meters from the beach.
In southern direction we arrive to Sant Lluis. This small village was founded by French, who where then reigning over Menorca for a short period of time, during 18th century. Here you will find splendid beaches as well: Cala Alcaufar, with its high quality urbanisation, Cala d'es Rafalet , and Punta Prima, of fine white sand.
Torret, with its simple white houses, represents the typical architecture of this island. Close to San Clemente there is Calas Covas with its original "hippies"-colony: people are living in caves, transistor radios being their only contact with the rest of the world.
Alaior is a small industrial town with important shoe production. Its historical centre with narrow lanes, white-washed walls and manorial houses of 17th and 18th century certainly is worth a visit. In the surroundings there are highly interesting prehistorical remains: the taula and talayot of Torralba, and the settlement of Torre d'en Gaumés. Of somewhat more recent date is the Paleo-Christian Basilica de Son Bou .
Mercadal, located at the foot of the island's highest mountain, Monte Toro (357 m), from which you may enjoy an exceptional panorama, has an interesting Ionic-Byzanthinian church with wonderful wall-paintings. In its surroundings you may visit again some prehistorical findings, and of course great beaches: Triant, Pregonda, Son Saura, Na Macaret and Puerto de Adaya.
At a few kilometres towards East there is the colourful and lively village Ferreries.
Following the road some 10 kilometres in northern direction, we arrive to the splendid beach of Arenal d'en Castell, the romantic fishing port Fornells, and the cave Cueva Na Pulida with its stalagmites and stalactites.
Of great interest to tourists is Santo Tomás, with paradisiacal beaches such as Santa Galdana.
Ciutadella is located at the island's eastern extreme. Again, there are wonderful bays around: Cala en Blanes, Cala en Forcat , Cala en Brut, Cala Santandria and Cala Blanca
Ciutadella de Menorca: the former capital
The 15.000 inhabitants of Ciutadella de Menorca are proud that their town was the island's capital from the Moorish epoch until 18th century. Aristocratic constructions as well as several palaces make evident its glorious past. The entire town was declared National Monument by the Spanish state.
Popular customs are highly interesting as well. Best known is the Festival of San Juan, when el Jaleo takes place: a medieval equestrian performance with colourful old dresses.
Unlike Mahón Ciutadella is a typical Mediterranean town with colourful narrow lanes. Among the major attractions are:
The Port
This picturesque natural port is specially impressing arriving to it by boat.
La Contramurada
A wide boulevard, located where formerly the town-walls were.
Plaza de Born
The heart of town. An obelisk in the nearby park reminds of the Turkish attack in 1558.
National Museum
(Plaza de Born. Open 11.30 - 13.30. Sundays closed.). With an interesting collection of archaeological findings as well as objects of medieval and Moorish epochs.
Cathedral
Built in 14th century over a Moorish mosque. Later on it was modified several times, in particular during 19th century. Most evident today are Gothic and Neoclassic styles.
Seis Voltes
Beautiful alleys with arcades and white-washed walls.
Ciutadella's Mansions
Several beautiful small palaces, among them Casa Saura, Palacio del Barón de Lluriach and Palacio Martorell, all of 17th and 18th century.
Churches
Most remarkable are Iglesia del Roser, of 18th century, and Iglesia de San Francisco, built from 16th to 19th century.
Naveta des Tudoms
This prehistorical tomb is one of the island's most important monuments
Night life in Menorca
Mahón
Mahón, the capital, is probably the liveliest place on the island. In the area called Anden Poniente, close to the port, you will find a concentration of bars and taverns.
The area Muelle de Levante offers many nice summer terraces, also you may eat very good "tapas" here.
Ciutadella
The most lively area is around the Puerto, the port, where you will find locals for every preference: restaurants, cafeterias, bars, locals with live music and discotheques.
Villacarlos
Villacarlos has nice summer terraces and restaurants as well, especially around Cala Fonts.
In other tourist areas there are many bars and discotheques as well, in particular in Alayor and Punta Prima. The perhaps most spectacular discotheque is Sa Cova d'en Xoroi in Cala'n Porter: it is located in a natural cave and offers splendid views over the sea.
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