The 30 best Hotels Other categories in Menorca region

About Menorca

Minorca, also called island of the wind, was declared a Biosphere Reserve by the UNESCO. In this paradise of nature everything flows with ease, letting you merge in the immense beauty of the island. There are hundreds of miles of coastline, forests and mountains that create a spectacular scenery. Menorca is a virgin island, full of light, life and turquoise tinted waters.

Moving around

Minorca is easily reachable either by plane or boat.
The Menorca airport (Mahón) is located about 4.5 km south-west of the island's capital, Mahon. To get to Mahon, there are several options: by car, take the ME-14 towards Mahon.
In front of the terminal there is a taxi stop with permanent taxi service that will transport passengers to the main towns of the island. Here are some prices: Mahon Airport-Plaza Esplanade, 9?; To Plaza Spain, 9.45?; To Hospital, 10.35?.
There is also a bus that communicates with the bus station in Mahon, and numerous lines to various parts of the city and towns of the island. Once on the island, the best option to move freely around and explore every corner and coves is to rent a car or a motorcycle. There are also regular bus lines with which you can travel between the main towns. For those who love sports, there are bike paths and dirt roads all over the island.

Out & About

From enjoying the night-life in the Cova d'en Xoroi, a cave converted into a disco with stunning views over the sea, from a cliff where you can dance with the best DJs, to spending a quiet night in Cala Corb to enjoying traditional maritime songs, Minorca offers everything you want.

Numerous dirt roads cross the island.You can discover them on foot or by bicycle, getting to know the heart of Minorca. For example, the Camí de Cavalls runs along the coast. Along the way, you can admire the many prehistoric monuments, artificial caves and the typical taules, huge blocks of stone arranged forming a T. The Sanctuary of the Toro is the highest point of the island and offers a spectacular panoramic view.

The Castle of Sant Felip, in Mahon, has a network of underground tunnels that can still be covered. It's one of the largest gothic symbols of the island. The Teatro Principal is one of the oldest in Spain. It's also worth to walk up the steep streets of the old town to admire the modernist buildings or viewpoints such as the one in Plaza Miranda.If you pass by Mahon, you must try their famous cheese,the Mahon-Menorca cheese, made of cow's milk. From 1985 he was awarded the designation of origin. The harbour of the city is a natural port, which has long been home to historical landings and that is also made of small islands that from time to time host leisure activities.

It's easy to perceive the Muslim presence in the streets of the old town of Ciutadella. On the other hand, the Cathedral was built on an ancient Moorish mosque.
The town of Mercadal is located in the geographical centre of the island.

Undoubtedly the main attraction of Minorca is its nature, its beaches. You'll find different kids of beaches, from long sandy ones to small inaccessible coves. In the south, the beaches have fine sand and turquoise water and they are surrounded by vast pine forests while the north is wilder. The wind in this part of the island shapes the rocks creating precious virgin coves. Some of the prettier or more popular beaches/coves are: Macarella, one of the most famous, and very close to it Macarelleta, mostly nudist; Cala Galdana, more touristy, with hotels and buildings around it; Cala Mitjana, large and easily accessible; Trebalúger, which must be reached on foot from Mitjana; Pregonda, a semi-virgin cove, one of the best known, or Escorxada, a cove with difficult access. Besides these, there are plenty of other coves, you just have to explore the island and find them.

What's going on in

In August, it takes place the Fiesta de la Luna Llena (Full Moon Party) where you will live unforgettable nights. The International Jazz Festival of Minorca is a must to meet the most important and international artists. On summer nights, sessions of outdoor cinema are held, releasing the latest movies. The traditional festivities of Sant Joan in Ciutadella are magical and they accumulate years of tradition. They are held on the 23rd and 24th of June. One of the highlights of the festivity is the jaleo in which the caixers go through the crowd on their horses making them jump to the rhythm of traditional music to demonstrate their skills. The festivities of Ciutadella are the first of the traditional celebrations of the island's towns, which end with the festivity of Sant Nicolau in Mercadal.

Shopping

In most populations, craft markets are held every week. Don't miss the markets organised in the coves of Fonts, Fornells and in the port of Ciutadella. Minorca has many typical products such as the avarcas (traditional hand made shoes), that you can have custom made, as well as other delicacies. In the centre of the main villages are concentrated the majority of shops.

What's cooking?

The lobster stew is a delicious dish and its recipe is one of the best kept secrets of the island. On the other hand, the famous mayonnaise has its origin in Minorca. If you come to the island, you cannot leave without tasting the most typical drink, the so-called pomada, which is a combination of lemonade with gin Xoriguer, produced on the island in a traditional way. The Mahon cheese is exquisite. In addition, the sobrasada is one of the main products of the gastronomy of Minorca.

Weather

With an average temperature of 17 degrees, the weather in Minorca is very pleasant in any season. Even in summer the sea regulates the temperature and the heat never gets to be suffocating.

So...

It seems incredible that such a small island concentrates so much in such a small space. Minorca is intensity, it's a magical island where you can experience nature at its purest form.