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Minorca has a steep coast that offers the visitor a number of small, beautiful coves, as well as long sandy beaches. There is also a portion of the Minorcan coast that was declared a Nature Reserve, due to its environmental importance.

Mahón stretches along the shore of one of the best and largest natural ports in the Mediterranean Sea. The capital of Minorca still preserves a number of churches, ancestral buildings and palaces, lining streets of deep Mediterranean flavour.

But Mahón is also the silent witness to the presence of many diverse cultures that populated it throughout history. In the outskirts, archaeological sites like Trepucó can be visited, where one of the best collections of prehistoric art in the island is preserved.
Another thing that makes the capital attractive is, in addition to the neighbouring coves, its location next to the S’Albufera des Grau, I’lla d’en Colomi i el Cap de Favàritx Nature Reserve, one of the most important ecosystems in the Balearic Islands.

Legend has it that Mahón was founded by Carthaginian general Magón, brother of Hannibal. However, one thing is certain: both the present site of the city and the rest of the island of Minorca have been settled, throughout history, for many different civilisations. There were human settlements in the Island as far back as 2000 BC, leaving an important archaeological patrimony, which include the Talaiots (tower-shaped megaliths) and the Navetas (funeral constructions in the shape of an upside-down vessel). Under the Roman Empire, from 123 BC, the city became very important strategically, so that in 73-74 BC Emperor Vespasian declared the colony of Mago (present Mahón) a municipality. With the arrival of the Arabs, the city would become a remarkable Mediterranean commercial port, until the Christian king Alfonso III conquered the island in 1287. Centuries later, in the 1700s, the city would regain its lost splendour, becoming the administrative capital of the island during British rule.

The city

Along the streets that make up the historic quarter of Mahón, a good number of bourgeois houses can be observed, as well as historic buildings, specially around the squares of Colón, Sant Francesc, Conquesta and Miranda.

One of them, the central Plaza de España, gathers important monuments. The Gothic church of Santa María, for example, built in the 13th century and remodelled in the 18th century. In the exterior of the temple, the largest in the whole island, there is a slender belltower. Inside, you can admire a great nineteen-century organ, or enormous acoustic quality.

Next to the church is the City Hall, a building also known as Sa Sala. The Renaissance façade is dominated by a great clock, brought by the first British governor, Richard Kane. Among the rooms in this building, the conference room stands out, which keeps a good number of portraits of famous city figures.

The church of Carmen, located in the square by the same name, is another emblematic building in Mahón. This Neoclassic temple, erected in the 18th century, houses a beautiful Baroque cloister in its interior.

The city also has some great places where one can take a pleasant walk. Carrer Nou, a pedestrian street, is marked by numerous selling local crafts. Further down, along the shore of the port, which stretches for more than five kilometres, you will find plenty of restaurants, bars and terraces. In the surrounding area of the port, you can visit the distilleries of Majorcan gin (a drink flavoured with juniper cones) that follow the traditional English method of production.

The Museums of Mahón

The church of Sant Francesc, old Franciscan convent of Jesús (17th and 18th centuries), presently houses the Museo de Minorca. You can learn more about the history and customs of Minorcan people through its different exhibition rooms.

Of great importance to the cultural life of Mahón is the Ateneo Científico, Literario y Artístico (Scientific, Literary and Artistic Centre), which houses interesting collections of cartography, fossils and ceramics.

In the southern part of the bay, visit the Army Museum, which occupies the old gunpowder store of the castle of San Felipe. The exhibition mainly focuses on the history of the fortresses of San Felipe and La Mola.

Gastronomy and the outskirts

On the outskirts of Mahón, there are some of the most important prehistoric archaeological sites on the island. A few kilometres south of the capital you can visit Trepucó, a primitive village that preserves one of the best taulas (a "T" shaped megalith) in the Balearic Isles. Other options include a trip to Torelló, where you will find the Paleochristian basilica of Es Fornàs de Torelló, or to the settlement of Talatí de Dalt, with a taula and a few Talaiots.

The Minorcan coast has a number of significant tourist compounds. In the coast of Sant Lluís, south of Mahón, is Binibèquer Vell. Its construction follows the canons of traditional island architecture and it has beautiful beaches like Binidalí y Binisafúa.

Along the southern shoreline are the seaside towns of En Porter Cove and Galdana Cove.

Inland, the town of Alaior is very much worth a visit. In its historic quarter, the churches of Santa Eulàlia and San Diego, both from the 17th century, are quite significant. But the town is also known for its prehistoric monuments, like the megalithic tomb of Roques Llises and the Tower den Gaumes.

The eastern coast of Minorca holds the principal damp area in the island, where you will find the Nature Reserves of S’Albufera des Grau, I’lla d’en Colomi and Cap de Favàritx. The park centre has a shallow lagoon, which is a perfect marine-bird observatory.

The unusual natural environment of Minorca, in addition to its cultural life and sustainable socio-economic development, allowed the 1993 declaration of the island as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO.

The most internationally famous sauce of all of Minorcan cuisine is, well, mayonnaise, made with egg, garlic and olive oil. Some of the most typical island dishes get their ingredients from the sea, like for example the lobster casserole and the cuttlefish baked casserole. For dessert, have a delicious cheese with the label Designation of Origin - Mahón.



Addaya Addaya is a romantic fishing village which boasts a beautiful marina, with a few restaurants and bars. The area is renowned for its beauty, beaches, scuba-diving, bird watching and walking. Arenal d'en Castell, the main resort is only 5 minutes away by car. There you will find the attractive sandy beach and other tourist attractions.


Alayor Alayor (Alaior) is the third largest town on the island. it is a very charming town with narrow winding streets and white washed houses which conjure up images of Medieval times. Alaior houses a tempting range of stores selling jewellery, pottery, wood, gifts and - of course - shoes. This is an important industry in the town, and you will find some great bargains, especially in the factory shops on the outskirts. This is also a good place to look for locally produced Mahon cheese. And don’t miss the town’s colourful markets - craft on Saturdays and local produce on Thursdays.


Arenal d'en Castell Arenal d'en Castell lies on the North coast of Minorca, approx 16 miles and 30 minutes transfer time from the island's airport at Mahon. The warm shallow waters make this resort very popular with families with young children. But as with all beaches, do watch out for the safety flags, green means safe, yellow warns you to be careful and red you mustn’t swim at all. The beach is without doubt a major attraction to this resort with fine, clean sand and a good variety of water sports and other facilities available to suit all tastes. It must be remembered that the path to and from the beach is very steep and may not suit families with young children or the less able. Arenal d'en Castell is a good mainstream beach resort which is especially popular with families. As with most resorts in Menorca, evening entertainment is mainly hotel based, the resort does have a small number of lively bars. Warning. At the start and end of the summer months Menorca, especially the North coast, does get very windy.


Binibeca (or Binibequer) is situated on the South East coast of Menorca and is just a short transfer from the airport (approximately 15 mins). Binibeca is characterised by private white washed villas and sun drenched patios, perfect for those looking for a quiet villa holiday with their own pool. The golden sandy beach is gently shelving, ideal for families with children. Sun loungers and pedaloes are available for hire and there is a beach bar for snacks and drinks. Cala Torret, which is situated beside Binibeca, has a number of restaurants and bars offering relaxed dining, most overlooking over the sea. A road train runs between Binibeca Vell - to the west, Binibeca, Cala Torret and Punta Prima - to the east, return journeys are at a cost of approximately 7 euros per person and is useful for those not wishing to hire a car whilst on holiday. For those that do you will find that parking isn't a problem,


Binisafua Binisafua is a small coastal village on the south east coast of Menorca. It has a small beach but there are many other facilities available in Binibeca, which is only a 5 minute car drive away.

Binixica Binixica is a small private estate set in the countryside on the south side of Menorca less than 5 minutes drive from the beach at Cala’n Porter and 3 minutes drive from the shops, restaurants and facilities of the small local town of Sant Climent.

Cala Blanca Cala Blanca lies on the west coast of Minorca, approx 12 miles and 45 minutes transfer time. Cala Blanca is best suited for those looking for a simple no-frills self catering holiday. The two small beaches are very clean, with fine gently shelving sand, protected by rocky sides, but they can become very busy in high season. Both also offer a fair variety of water sports for hire. The resort does have a good pedestrianised shopping area in the centre of the town, with a good range of souvenir shops and supermarkets. Evening entertainment is mainly hotel based, however, the resort does have a few music bars and even a disco at Santandria.


Cala Galdana The resort of Cala Galdana lies on the south coast of Minorca, approx 10 miles and 20 minutes transfer time. Without a doubt Cala Galdana is considered to be the most beautiful and picturesque on the island, and frequently features on the cover of tour operators brochures. The warm shallow waters make Cala Galdana very popular with families, and the beach is without doubt a major attraction to the resort with fine, clean sand and a good variety of water sports and other facilities available. It must be remembered that the path to and from the beach is very steep and may not suit families with young children or the less able, so chose your accommodation wisely. The resort does have a small number of lively bars, along with the usual spread of tourist shops and supermarkets. A good all-round family resort.


Cala Llonga The resort of Cala Llonga lies to the north side of Mahon harbour. One of the most exclusive areas in Menorca, some of the most impressive homes can be found here. With its rugged coastline and waterfront location, Cala Llonga is ideal for sailing enthusiasts. With its views of the Port of Mahon, Cala Llonga offers a peaceful and relaxing holiday with panoramic views. With the Capital Mahon only being a few minutes drive away, Cala Llonga is the ideal base with all the facilities of Mahon on offer.


Cala'n Bosch The resort of Cala'n Bosch lies on the south west coast of Minorca, approx 19 miles and 45 minutes transfer time. Cala'n Bosch is best suited for a get a way from it family holiday or older couples not looking for too many activities. The resort is still fairly new, and stretches over several square miles into Son Xoriguer. The focal point of the resort is it's man made marina, which is usually full of small to mid size yachts and leisure craft. Cala'n Bosch has two fair sized sandy beaches, although the rest of the coastline in the area is very rocky. Both beaches offer a good selection of water sports for hire. There's the usual range of souvenir shops and supermarkets and Cala'n Bosch would suit those who are seeking a more relaxing holiday.


Cala'n Forcat Cala'n Forcat lies on the extreme west coast of Minorca, approx 30 miles and 1 hour transfer time. This area of Menorca is without doubt the most liveliest on the island, of which the Los Delfines complex forms the heart, as a result the area does tends to attract families with young children and younger couples. Cala'n Forcat is made up of three resort centres of Cala'n Forcat, Cala'n Blanes and Los Delfines are merged to form the one resort 2 miles to the west of Ciudadela. It would appear that the area was planned whilst the local planners were away on holiday as nothing seems to link together very well. The coastline is very rugged and Cala'n Blanes has the best beach in the area but it can soon become very crowded. The Los Delfines area has the better shopping.


Cala'n Porter The resort of Cala'n Porter is one of the largest and oldest resorts on the island situated on the south coast of Menorca, and being only 9 miles from the airport at Mahon, transfer time is usually about 30 minutes. This is a busy resort with a good beach and a devoted following of British fans. Not to everyone's taste, Cala'n Porter is not "traditional" Menorca, but appeals to a great many people with its many "English" restaurants and pubs. Warning: The town and most of its amenities, sit proudly on the high cliffs overlooking the beach area. The most direct route between to two is via a steep set of nearly 200 steps - ok going down but it can be a trek going back up. A mini train does run between the two points, however, at a cost of 4 Euros per person, this may prove to be a costly option for a two week family holiday. Once there, the beach is very large and being protected on three sides by the cliffs does become a real suntrap during the heat of the day.


Es Canutells Es Canutells is around a 15 minutes drive from the airport and situated on the south east coast of Menorca. It is a small, residential area with a small selection of shops and restaurants and Sant Climent is the nearest town around a 5-10 minutes drive away by car. Although being fairly quiet, there are many amenities only a short drive away.


Es Castell Originally built under the Fort of San Felip, it is a town steeped in history and is the most easterly village in Spain. It was originally named Georgetown (after George III) by the British during their second occupation and built in square block military style and it still retains a colonial feel. Renamed Villacarlos when the island reverted to Spanish rule, locals call it Es Castell (the Castle) because of the proximity to the previously demolished Fort of San Felip. The village is flanked by two harbours - Calas Fonts and Cala Corb, where you can enjoy waterfront dining from one of the many restaurants and bars situated there. Es Castell is a bustling village with plenty to offer - historical interest, restaurants, bars, supermarkets and some nightlife.


Es Grau is a small fishing village with picturesque little white houses, fishing boats in the harbour and a horseshoe shaped bay and its shallow waters are perfect for children. Boat trips are available from here to Illa d'en Colom - island of pigeons, and is the largest offshore island on Menorca and features a couple of beaches and some Roman ruins. Es Grau has a few restaurants and bars that can get quite busy during the summer months - mainly due to the locals from Mahon!


Mahon Mahon (Spelt Mao locally) is the capital of Menorca. Mayonnaise (Mahon-aise) was created here during the French occupation. Mahon is the second largest natural harbour after Pearl Harbour and was an important strategic harbour for the various navies that occupied it. Along the harbour side are lots of restaurants and cafe bars. There are plenty of shops in Mahon and there is an open air market on Tuesdays. Almost everything closes about 2pm for the siesta. There is a nice walk from the harbour, although it is quite steep. It winds up from where the cruise ships dock, through the main street to the open air market at the end.


Punta Prima The resort of Punta Prima lies on the extreme south east tip of Minorca, approx 6 miles and 20 minutes transfer time from the island's airport at Mahon. Punta Prima has one of the largest, finest beaches of fine white sand. The beach is gently shelving, set against a backdrop of sand dunes and countryside. Warning: With strong currents here, swimming can be dangerous at times, so you should watch for the red and green flags. Having said this, Punta Prima appeals to beach lovers and watersports enthusiasts. There are a variety of bars and restaurants, a selection of shops plus a small nightclub. A mini train runs from Punta Prima to Binibeca until late in the evening and costs 7 Euro per head for the round trip, with no reductions for children. In addition, there are good bus links to the capital, Mahon.


S'Algar S'Algar lies on the south east coast of Minorca, approx 9 miles and 20 minutes transfer time. A small purpose built resort better known for its sports facilities rather than for its small man made beach. A very clean small tourist village for those who want to relax.


Sant Lluis Sant Lluis is a quiet village with a range of facilities - supermarkets, restaurants and bars, chemists, banks and transport connections to Mahon. It is also famous for its blue and white windmill - Moli de Dalt, which can be seen as you enter Sant Lluis from Mahon. This famous landmark has now been converted into a museum. Sant Lluis provides an excellent, well equipped base for exploring Menorca.


Santo Tomas Santo Tomas on the south coast of Minorca, approx 19 miles and 45 minutes transfer time. Santo Tomas is a purpose built resort and has a single main street with 2 small commercial centres on either side, selling the usual array of tourist and beach goods. Santo Tomas has a lovely block paved promenade, which runs the full length of the resort. The path passes a number of playgrounds for the children to play in, and the pool areas of many of the other hotels. Evening entertainment is mainly hotel based but there are several pubs and eateries to cater for your needs.


Sol del Este is a quiet residential area with a small gently shelving beach. The resort has a few restaurants, cafes and a couple of supermarkets. Situated east of Es Castell, it is a 10 minute walk to Cala Fons, with its cobbled streets and waterfront dining. The Capital Mahon is a mere 5 minutes away by car, with its many restaurants, bars, shops and nightlife. To both the north and south of Sol Del Este, there are a wide selection of beautiful beaches to choose from. An excellent base with lots of facilities only a short drive away.


Son Bou Son Bou on the south coast of Minorca, approx 12 miles and 40 minutes transfer time from the island's airport at Mahon. The first time you set your eyes on the blue sea and gorgeous beach it will take you breath away. It is lovely. Son Bou has a longest beach on the island with almost 2 miles of fine white sand backed in the most part by a protected area of sand dunes and freshwater marshes. The resort has a few basic tourist shops along with the usual pubs and eateries. There is a small disco as part of the Son Jaime complex. A couple of WARNINGS. The only access to the beach is near to the two big Sol Hotels at the far end of the resort, so if your accommodation is at the other end be prepared for a long walk each day. Also despite its size, the beach does get very busy at weekends. Although not officially allowed in Menorca, the western end of Son Bou beach, going towards San Tomas, is recognised as a nudist beach. Alayor is the nearest real town to Son Bou, at 5 miles inland. The local fiesta takes place here during the first two weeks in August and a small local market is held every Thursday morning.


Son Parc is situated on the north coast of Menorca and is popular with families looking for a relaxing beach holiday and with golfers. The beach, which is fairly large, is perfect for children as it shelves gently into shallow waters. Son Parc is popular too for those who enjoy watersports. Pedaloes, small motor boats, jet skis and windsurfing are all on offer. Son Parc boasts Menorca's only 9 hole golf course (currently 14 holes but hopefully to be extended to the full 18 holes within the near future), complete with floodlit driving range. The resort also has a good variety of restaurants, shops and a couple of supermarkets. All in all, Son Parc is a self-contained resort, with a wide range of facilities on offer.


Trebaluger The tiny village of Trebaluger is only 3 miles from the capital Mahon. Trebaluger has little to offer apart from its ideal location and one all-purpose shop, making it an ideal retreat for those wanting peace and seclusion. The picturesque, sandy beaches at Binibeca and Punta Prima are a short drive away, as is Es Castell, with its pretty harbour of Cala Fonts, with its waterside bars and restaurants.