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Menorca Travel Guide
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Islas
Group: Menorca or Minorca, whatever way you prefer to spell it,
and whatever way you wish to pronounce it, is the second largest of
Balearic Islands, and along with its sister islands of Majorca and Ibiza,
lies in the Mediterranean Sea off the south east coast of mainland Spain. Despite the onset of mass tourism in the 1960's, Menorca still remains relatively un-spoilt and quiet when compared to its neighbours. The most popular resorts do tend to be concentrated along the island's south coast and are almost all purpose-built in the last 30 years to meet the ever increasing demand for holiday accommodation. In contrast to the south of the island, the north coast is very rugged with picturesque horse shoe bays that are often featured on the front covers of the major tour operators Summer Sun brochures. Wikipedia: Minorca (Menorca both in Catalan and Spanish; from Latin Balearis Minor, later Minorica "minor island") is one of the Balearic Islands located in the Mediterranean Sea and belongs to Spain. It takes its name from being smaller than nearby island of Majorca. Minorca has a population of approximately 88,000. It is located around 39°47' to 40°00'N, 3°52' to 4°24'E. Its highest point, called Monte Toro, is 358 m/1174 ft above sea level. The island is known for it large collection of megalithic stone monuments: navetes, taules, and talaiots, which speak of a very early prehistoric human activity. Discover Menorca: The history of Menorca is marked by the presence of the British in the 18th century, which produced the colourful colonial architecture of the island's capital, Mahon. Menorca's other town and former capital, Ciutadella, also has some fine regency architecture, as well as a gothic cathedral. Mahon and Ciutadella are very attractive old ports and the main cultural centres, with lovely marinas, narrow streets and squares, and a wealth of excellent bars and restaurants. The southern coastline of the island is quite rugged, with rocky coves and inlets, interspersed by some outstanding sandy beaches and beautiful bays, around which small resorts have grown-up. The north is basically undeveloped, with only the lovely village of Fornells and its surrounding beaches interrupting the coastline.
Menorca Highlights Ulitmate
Guide:
For those interested in ancient ruins Menorca has a greater quantity
than probably any other Mediterranean island. It has been described
as a huge open-air museum. The taulas, massive T-shaped rock monoliths,
the talyots, prehistoric watchtowers on the top of hills, and the navetas,
prehistoric burial chambers, abound all over the island. The naveta
of Es Tudons is a short walk off the main trunk road just outside Ciudadela
and is one of the oldest buildings in Europe. Monte
Toro is Menorca's geographical and spiritual centre, and at 357
meters it is also its highest point. On a clear day it offers fantastic
views, particularly of Fornells and the far away outline of Mallorca.It
would be easy to assume that Monte Toro means Mount Bull, but the name
is actually derived from the Arabic Al-Thor, the highest. The summit
is home to a restored baroque church, built in 1595, and a monastery,
founded by Augustnian monks at the end of the seventeenth century. Necropolis Puig des Molins artificial caves were used to bury the dead. In the Puig des Molins, next to the Via Romana. Tuesday to Saturday, and 10.00 to 14.00 and 17.00 to 20.00. Sundays from 10:00 to 14:00. There are graves of the first period fenício (V to VII centuries BC.) . Some of the hypogea have qualified for the visit and has rebuilt the system of burial and housewares from home. Castell
de Sant Felip Es Moli de Dalt Es Moli de Dalt is a large fully restored windmill, which you cannot miss when driving into Sant Lluis (from Mahon). On display in this folk museum you can see a collection of old farming implements. The church in Sant Lluis is another building of interest, dedicated to Louis IX who the town was named after. Fiestas: The fiestas of Menorca that take place consecutively, during the summer, in all the towns of Menorca, are based on Sant Joan's very old fiestas (23 and 24 of June), of Ciutadella. These that are also the first ones in taking place, have marked the rule to the rest of the towns of the island that have adapted the fiesta to their particularities. The point in common of all the fiesta of Menorca is the horse that is also the center and main character. These beautiful animals, have in Menorca an own race, the menorcan horse.
Activities What's doing in Menorca: The Minorcans don't mind tourists - they are rather pleased that foreigners like their island. They don't court them, but they don't abuse them, either: There are no double price standards and no tourist traps. Tourist facilities, including the hotels, are modern, but electricity and telephones are still unknown in some parts of the island. One of the great
charms of Minorca is that there isn't much to do. An exception is at
fiesta time. Each town has its yearly festival when people drink and
make merry. The most popular event is the jaleo - men in medieval costumes
riding horses trained to rear up and thrash their front legs as if fighting.
Teen-agers dash underneath to slap the horse's belly. There are occasional
injuries but none of the carnage of the running of the bulls in Pamplona.
And always the fiesta ends with a huge fireworks display. Golf Son Parc is a championship quality course, ideal for beginners and experienced golfers alike. The course is both challenging and picturesque. It is located just a few hundred metres from the award winning Son Parc beach on the north coast of Menorca . Around the course are wooded hills and a protected wet zone with a rich variety of bird life. In the distance are views of Monte Toro, Menorca 's highest point. Menorca Walking: The delightful Balearic Island of Menorca could have been made for Walking Holidays. As a largely undiscovered island, it has retained a charm and beauty that many parts of mainland Spain have long since forgotten. On Menorca there
are literally hundreds of small hidden coves, many accessible only on
foot, with backdrops normally consisting of lush green hills or lightly
scented pine forests. Many of our guests describe the scenery as being
similar to Cornwall or Devon in the summer. Minorca Sailing offers a specialist sailing holiday in Menorca. Our sailing and windsurfing centre, based at Fornells Bay, is one of the best equipped in the Mediterranean. Sail all day with the latest boats and windsurf boards. Learn to sail or windsurf in small groups with expert RYA tuition, or improve your boat handling and racing skills in Laser and asymmetric dinghies. Whatever your level of sailing or windsurfing you'll benefit from our personal tuition and coaching.
Beaches Whats on when: Many of Menorca's beaches are child-friendly as the sand shelves gently into the sea and the water is clean. Kids play freely in the sheltered pine-fringed coves around Cala Galdana, where there is a playground. The 3km of San Bou is another safe bet, as is the circular bay at Arenal d'en Castell. Snorkelling courses for youngsters take place at Cala Santandria or put them on the waterchutes and go-karts of the Aqua Centre at Los Delfines. 7 Wonder Beaches for your Holidays in Menorca: Of of all the beaches in Spain, Menorca has some of the most stunning and untouched. Idyllic coves sheltered by cliffs with virgin pine forests meeting the clear warm waters and golden sands. Menorca has more beaches than all the other Balearic Island put together and makes an ideal villa holiday destination. Stretch out your towel on some of the most beautiful of them all using this little guide to Menorca’s top beaches.
Tours Minorca, the quietest of the Balearic Islands, is an ideal destination for a relaxing, away-from-it-all beach holiday. Lacking the myriad bars and clubs of neighboring Majorca, it’s a place that tends to close early. But there are compensations: Quiet, sandy beaches with clear, turquoise waters. Deserted coves surrounded by sheer, craggy cliffs. Wild green pastures and scented-pine woods. Atmospheric old towns untarnished by the tourist masses. Travel Mail: So, where to go? Some resorts, such as Binibeca in the south-east and close to Mahon, are mainly self-catering villas focused on their beaches; others, such as Arenal d'en Castell in the north-east, are a mixture of hotels, apartments and villas and, similar to Cala Galdana in the south, good for water sports. Generally, the north and north-east coasts are more interesting and beautiful, but can be subject to winds and currents, while the west and south are safe and calm, though often crowded. With little variety, simple cuisine, and minimal night life, some could find Menorca boring. But it does have the benefits of immaculately clean streets, inexpensive restaurants, free parking and those perfect beaches. Isango: Legend has it that the winds of Menorca have a hypotonic effect on the people and maybe that is the reason why those who came here as tourists mostly return to relive its charms time and again. The island is an ideal resort for all those who are looking for true relaxation and soaking up the mesmerizing beauty of nature.Enjoy a fun-filled family outing in Aqua Rock, the famous water park on the island of Menorca. Menorca Island Day Tour: Your day starts at the truly scenic areas of Arenal d'en Castell, with its beautiful semicircular shaped beach, and Addaia, with its picturesque port. On the North coast lies the sleepy fishing village of Fornells, famous throughout Spain for its local specialty - Caldereta de langosta, or Lobster Stew. A visit is also made to Monte Toro, the highest peak on the island from which the views can only be described as breathtaking. In clear weather, cast your eyes over the Mediterranean seas to the east coast of Mallorca and dream of seafarers and pirates of ancient times. Mahon Moods and The Caves of Xoroi : Discover the fascinating capital of the island and world famous port. Soak up the ambience of the local open air market before taking a boat trip around the magnificent and historic port of Mahon. Take a break at the charming fisherman's village of Binibeca. Also don't forget your visit to the most famous landmark of Menorca, the Caves of Xoroi, a cave on the edge of an impressive cliff, which has been converted into a bar.
Holiday Company Descriptions Nature Trek: Our accommodation for the week is a splendid eighteenth century Menorcan farmhouse, lovingly restored by our friendly hosts, Shaun and Jenny Murphy. Set in ten hectares of unspoilt countryside, with a large outdoor pool, this is a most relaxed setting. From this delightful base it will be easy to explore many of the most exciting areas of the island, using our minibus to access the best sites which we will then explore on foot. We will enjoy gentle walks along the coasts, through woodland and around the edges of wetlands where we will have plentiful opportunities to see a variety of birds and at least some of the island’s flowers. Another fascinating aspect of this island is the large number of prehistoric human sites — standing stones, towers, stone dwellings, caves and other relics. We will see a number of these during our excursions, as well as gaining a feel for Menorca’s more recent, but nonetheless long and very interesting history. It was, for example, held by the British as a naval base during much of the eighteenth century, and as a consequence, even today, gin is still produced on the island! Breakaway Adventures: This independent walking holiday combines a wonderfully varied walking itinerary that takes in many of these ancient sights, with plenty of stunning coastal scenery. With the freedom afforded you by a hire car, you really can take time to discover the island at your own pace. Your base for the week is the gorgeous Morvedra Nou Hotel near Ciutadella in the south west of Menorca. A beautifully converted finca, it is run by Victoria Bendito, whose grandparents owned the original farm. Rustic rooms – all with garden terraces - are in the converted stables, and the pool terrace has views over pretty fields all the way to the sea. In the evenings, you can even enjoy a locally distilled Mahon gin with your tonic – part of a very British legacy from the 18C, still much appreciated by locals and visitors today. Menorca Walking Holidays organise guided walking holidays throughout the year. We welcome couples, singles and small groups alike to enjoy a combination of stunning country and coastal walking. Magnificent food, fine Spanish wine and good company are also a major part of the Menorca Walking Holidays experience. There is something to offer all of our guests on this beautiful and unspoilt Mediterranean island. Menorca is a world recognised natural Biosphere and, apart from the crystal clear Med, offers its visitors a whole range of dramatic and varied scenery. Menorca Singles Walking is part of the Menorca Walking Holidays Group that organises walking holidays around the stunning island of Menorca. We like to think that we have the 'knack' of looking after single travellers and all of the pages on this website contain genuine comments from our guests about their walking holidays with us. We are not just about walking, of equal importance are good food, good company and a happy fun atmosphere between groups of likeminded people. Weather allowing, we also organise various optional activities, including a boat trip to take in the fabulous Mediterranean sunset. At Greenslades Villa Holidays we are dedicated to providing great value holidays combined with quality accommodation. Our knowledge of the islands and resorts is extensive enabling us to provide a personalised service and impartial advice to our increasing number of repeat clients. Our web site is updated regularly with new properties, news and holiday offers which become available from time to time. If you cannot find exactly what you are looking for we are just a phone call away to provide personalised assistance, information and reservations.
Holiday Accommodation Mar Blava Hotel: Renovated in 2001, this hostel is close to the beach and comprises a main building and an annexe featuring a total of 23 rooms. Guests will appreciate the hotel's cordial atmosphere with a cosy bar with a terrace and a reading room in the main building. Guests may also use the hotel safe. This friendly hostel affords a wonderful location in the southeast of Menorca. The glorious beach and numerous shops and entertainment venues are to be found in the immediate vicinity. Mah?n is around 5 km away and Menorca airport some 10 km from the hotel. Hotel
Sant Ignasi: Surrounded by a wonderful garden and wood with many
oak and palm trees. The main building, situated in a especially tranquil
area and comprising twenty rooms, was home to Menorcan aristocrats before
becoming a hotel in 1997. Now devoted exclusively to the hospitality
of our guests it features a bar, lounge, dining-room and kitchen. The
original floor of the building is over two hundred years old. On the
ground floor is a reception hall and rooms for twenty people all with
bathrooms en suite. Additionally, each room has its own individual private
garden. Insotel
Punta Prima Prestige: Directly on the sea front in a privileged
and tranquil position next to Insotel Club Punta Prima, also 5 stars,
and only 150 m from the beach, these newly built comfortable and spacious
Suites, deserve special mention thanks to their elegant style which
respects the local architecture and the wide variety of services which
are for the exclusive use of Prestige guests. The
Sol
Milanos Pingüinos hotel is located right alongside the longest
beach in Minorca and surrrounded by wetlands teeming with flora and
fauna. 5 km from Alayor, 20 km from the city of Mahón and 20
km from the airport.
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