Menorca at a glance

Menorca is just 35 miles long and miles wide with few mostly laid back beach resorts and around 120 beaches, coves, bays, and harbours around the rocky coastline. There are several excellent prehistoric sites and places of historic interest, including grand Menorcan country farmhouses.

Second largest and the most scenic of the Balearic Islands, Menorca still conserves its quite unspoilt natural beauty and charm. Quiet country roads wander through a patchwork of small stone-walled fields, passing imposing prehistoric monuments, to a spectacular coastline with delightful beaches (more beaches than both the islands of Mallorca and Ibiza added together)  and hideaway coves. Extensive tracts of countryside and coastline provide a habitat for many rare species of birds, animals, amphibians including frogs, and abundant butterflies, now protected for all times under Menorca's status as an international UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

History

The island was named Minorca by the Romans, meaning the "Little One", compared to Majorca, the "Large One." The first evidence of occupation on Menorca dates from around 2100 BC and the earliest structures are believed to be, the navetos, (looking like an upturned boat) and are approximately 3500 years old. Between 3000 & 3500 years ago fortified tower were built by bronze age people, and more than 200 of their strange towers stand to this day, This time in history is known as the Talayotic period. Great influenced that shaped Menorca was brought by many civilizations including the Carthaginians, Romans, Greeks, Moors, Spanish, English and the French. Cuidadella now the religious capital of Menorca, was originally the island's capital but the British occupation in the 18th century moved it to Mahon, which was named after General Magon (Hannibal's brother) a Carthaginian invader, and has one of the world's largest natural harbours.

Lord Nelson and Lady Hamilton are reputed to have stayed in the town of Es Castell. The town's history is strongly reflected in its layout and architecture with its typically British grand Georgian houses.

Today

The island is very easily explored by organised excursion or far better by car, and we highly recommend a car,  especially as outside Mahon and Ciutadella there is very little traffic. And with the aide of a good map you can find all the hideaways the Menorcan's go to to escape the crowds.

Inland small country lanes pass through countryside that is a patchwork of stonewalled fields full of grazing cattle, along side whitewashed farmhouses, small churches perched on hills and prehistoric monuments abound. 

There is plenty to see and explore, like the water-front cave bars at Es Castell where you can relax and enjoy a meal or a drink, and the harbour at Fornells where you can sample locally caught fish and lobster, in some of the best (and most expensive) seafood restaurants on the island.

The capital Mahon, with its local character and Georgian architecture is a good day or evening out, The town is a maze of narrow streets and built around one of the world's largest natural harbours. It's twice weekly market is not to be missed.

Ciutadella at the opposite end of the island offers a contrast. It still retains much of the Moorish influence and has an attractive port surrounded by narrow, arcaded streets. Both towns have a good selection of shops, restaurants and cafes. When shopping look for the locally made leather goods and jewellery.

The island's resorts and beaches are sure to appeal to anyone that enjoys swimming, snorkelling, water-skiing, windsurfing and boating. Most are on the south coast. Sub aqua is available at quite a few resorts on the island as is tennis, horse riding, and many other sports. A 9 hole golf course is situated on the north coast at Son Parc.

Menorca offers fantastic diving sights and S'Algar along with Binibeca and other resorts offer courses from "try a dive" to course over 5 - 6 days. S'Algar diving is a British sub aqua club approved and affiliated centre right on the sea front. The centre is regarded as one of the top Mediterranean diving centres having adjoining pool facilities an offers courses for both the complete novice to the experience diver wishing to improve his skills with a BSAC sports diver course. 

A visit to Monte Toro, the highest point on the island is worth a half day. Here you can admire the views and look around the ancient monastery at the summit.

Nightlife on the island normally evolves around leisurely eating and drinking. However, there are lively nightspots for those that can't sleep.

A holiday on Menorca can therefore be very quiet compared to Majorca or Ibiza, there are no large resorts full of shops and late night bars, in fact most but not all bars close around midnight.There are nightclubs to be found but not on your doorstep.

The country farmhouse restaurants are well worth a visit for a taste of Menorcan or an International dish. You should also try the local cheese, which we consider to be the best in Spain. Perhaps the most interesting product of Menorca is gin, which is still made to an an old English recipe.