Travel Tips 24 >
Minorca
Minorca is the second largest of the Balearic Islands, located to the northeast of Mallorca.
Regions
- The island is split into eight administrative divisions - Maó, Es Castell, Sant Lluis, Alaior, Es Mercadal, Es Migjorn, Ferreries and Ciutadella.
- Maó or Mahon is the capital city notable for bars, restaurants and its port.
The main tourist area is along the south coast and includes the resorts of Santo Tomas, Son Bou, Cala en Porter, Binibeca, Punta Prima and S'Algar.
Cities
- Fornells - a small fishing village on the north coast that has some great fish restaurants and is located on the edge of a large picturesque bay.
- Maó or Mahon - The capital city with one of the deepest natural harbours in the world.
- Ciutadella or Ciudadela - Former capital city during the French occupation.
- Alaior -
Other destinations
Culture and History
The harbour at Maó, the island capital, is the second largest natural deep water port in the world - the only larger being Pearl Harbour. The whole island is a European Biological Reserve which means that big hotel building has been kept to a minimum in most of the resorts. It is a relatively quiet, family oriented island although there are some great clubs to visit if you know where to go, but be prepared to travel to them as most resorts don't have much more than a few late bars.
During the 18th Century, Minorca was a bone of contention among the British, French and Spanish powers. And with good reason, the Port of Maó, the finest natural harbour in the Mediterranean, and one of the best in the world, could protect, behind its fearsome forts, the largest fleets of the time in their entirety. The Utrecht Treaty, signed in 1713, gave place to the first British presence on Minorca, which lasted until 1755. Richard Kane, the first British Governor, is still fondly remembered for his effective support of agriculture on the island; he introduced the cultivation of the apple, promoted cattle breeding and built roads and reservoirs which are still in use today. There were two later periods of British presence on Minorca, from 1763 till 1781 and 1798 to 1808. The British left more than their earthworks and ramparts behind. Things as varied as the growth of Maó, which enthusiastically accepted the opportunities for trade and the abolition of the Inquisition, the sauce we traditionally use on a great many of our dishes, which we still call grevi, the traditional woodworking and boat building techniques and designs and our most popular drink, gin, which we'll talk about in the next section. The Golden Farm, a summer house near Maó, is one of the symbols of British presence on Minorca, perhaps as much as the bow and sash windows still to be found in the capital's old part quarter.
This is an ideal island for families with small children or those looking for a relatively more quiet getaway discovering the old villages or walking the coast.
Talk
The locals speak a form of Catalan called Menorquin. It is a dialect not easily understood by Spanish speakers (in fact it is so different from Spanish as to be considered a language in its own right). However they also speak Castilian Spanish. Additionally most speak English to a reasonable standard, especially in the tourist areas.
Travel to Menorca, visa requirements
Most western carriers fly directly to Maó, including regular scheduled services from easyjet and British Airways and many charter flights during the main Summer season.
There is a useful list of links to airlines servicing Menorca from the UK:
Regular ferries from both mainland Spain and Majorca are also available.
Get around
Taxis are the most popular form of transport if one does not want to rent a car - however there are many car rental companies to choose from - buses that aren't so regular and many of the local teenagers ride their mopeds! Useful information about Car Hire and Insurance. Driving in Minorca is little different to driving at home [except for the side of the road you drive on for British drivers]. The majority of road signs are standard throughout Europe. Motoring laws, parking restrictions and driving in general will be very similar to what you are used to. A bit of common sense will make for a enjoyable event-free holiday.
There are numerous agents and companies specialising in car hire in Minorca - both at the airport and in resorts - although it may be prudent to organise it from home before you arrive to avoid disappointment during peak periods.
List of car hire companies for before you arrive:
Below are a few tips and some important information that Poppycars think will insure trouble free motoring on Menorca
When driving a hire car you must always carry the hire document, your current driving licence and passport or photocopy of your passport.
If you extend the hire period make sure you get another agreement otherwise you will not have insurance cover. Minimum period of hire is usually 3 days.
Remember your driving licence, you will be refused a vehicle if you are not in possession of a current driving licence.
Remember also if you have a drink or two in the plane on your way to Menorca you may also be refused a vehicle.
Drivers must be at least 25 years of age and have held a full licence for at least 3 years.
Be careful where you leave the vehicle, when you sign for it you are then liable for any parking fines and towing charges should the vehicle be towed away by the local police. [See notes below]
Seat belts are COMPULSORY front and back. On the spot fines are imposed. Children up to the age of 12 must be seated in the rear of a vehicle. The number of seat belts in the car denotes the number of people the car is allowed to carry; you are not insured to carry more passengers than the allotted seat belts.
The insurance covers all accident damage but remember damage to wheels and tyres or the interior [cigarette burns etc.] are not. Also breakdown and accidents caused by drivers negligence.
When hiring a car always ask what you are not covered for; everyone has the right to know. You can also ask to see the insurance agreement relating to the hire company.
Don't drink and drive, or drive whilst under the influence of any drugs. The insurance company may [you can read will here] at there discretion cancel the cover if an accident is attributed to either.
In the event you have an accident
Should you breakdown, run out of petrol or have an accident, safety triangles must be placed 50 meters to the front and rear of the vehicle, also orange yellow safety jacket must be worn when out of the car. The triangles and safety jackets are usually to be found in the glove box, boot or rear of the vehicle.
In the event you have an accident Note down the other car licence plate no plus the drivers name/address if they are Spanish ask for their identity card no <D.N.I>. Check the other drivers insurance company name. If he refuses call the Guardia Civil. If there are injuries do not move the vehicle or injured - call the Guardia Civil and an ambulance Tel no being 061. Maó Guardia Civil, Ctra. San Luis s/n Tel. 971 36 1100. Also at Cuitadella: Pza. del Born s/n Tel. 971 38 1095. If there are no injuries and both parties agree then there is no need to call the police.
ALWAYS OBTAIN name /address of any witnesses. In the pocket or somewhere in the front of the vehicle there should be a standard Spanish accident form you fill it out both parties sign and you give a copy to the other driver. Inform your insurance company / agent WITHIN 2 hours of any accident. If the car is hired the car hire company are the agents. Poppycars phone number will be on the contract documents. If the car is NON SPANISH be safe and call the Guardia Civil.
There are two different police forces on Menorca here are some of the differences.
The Guardia Civil are the ones in green. They sit on roundabouts, main roads, side roads, crossroads, and anywhere else you don't expect to see them. They will breathalyse you if they suspect you've been drinking, fine you on the spot for not wearing seat belts, speeding, crossing white lines and really anything that is an offence in the UK will apply here. Be careful with these people they can be very difficult. They ALWAYS travel in pairs on traffic bikes or in Guardia civil vehicles.
They do not operate in the towns unless they are called to a disturbance or an accident. In the summer their numbers swell to cope with the many tourists who visit Menorca; most come from the very large mainland towns for 1, 2 or 3 month spells.
They are not to be messed with especially if you're caught drinking and driving. BE WARNED.
The National Police are the ones in blue. They control the towns, the parking tickets and the traffic flow. They are very much more relaxed; a policeman on point duty will often be seen smoking whilst controlling the traffic.
They also control the many building works that take place checking on noise levels, [in the summer] also building permissions, etc. You won't get a ticket from these people except Parking - they will though get involved in traffic offences and traffic accidents.
Parking your car safely
As is the case anywhere common sense is the key here. It's best not to park where you may cause an obstruction or danger to other road users, even though Menorcan drivers do just this. In fact it seems sometimes to be a prerequisite to obtaining a driving license here.
In towns parking bays are outlined by a blue box, a ticket must be obtained from a nearby machine put your money in the slot and get a ticket for 30mins, 1 or 2 hours and don't forget to display the ticket in your car window.
DO NOT PARK IN FRONT OF A GARAGE, OPENING or DRIVEWAY, most will have a round sign on or near VADO PERMANENTE_GUAL PEMANENT
If it's a house in the street it may also have every other kerbstone painted in RED / WHITE showing where not to park. Also a single yellow UNBROKEN line [same as U.K.].
Parking places are also allocated for disabled drivers, sometimes an English badge will be acceptable but NOT ALWAYS; it's a bit like "on the day". If in doubt and there is a policeman near ask first.
A vehicle illegally parked will be towed away, a yellow triangle sticker with the car registration number written on it should be stuck on the kerbstone where the car was parked telling you where it is.
The above car hire and driving information is provided courtesy of Menorca the Guide http://www.menorca-net.co.uk
If funds are a bit tighter, it would probably be better to take the bus, Most of the Western beach towns are seved by buses leaving from the main Plaza in Ciutadella, other buses leave from Ferreries, Alaior and the largest bus stop on the island is that one in Mao, it serves Sant Lluis and then all of the beach towns in the East. Son Bou is reached from Alaior. The main bus route which serves Mao, Alaior, Es Mercadal, Ferreries and Ciutadella runs along the centre of the island.
Most buses leave hourly and are very inexpensive, between 4 and 5 euros to travel between Ciutadella and Mao.
Menorca attractions and sightseeing
- Visit Monte Toro (the highest point on the island, near Es Mercadal) for a fantastic panoramic view of the island.
- The fishing village at Fornells.
- Cala Galdana for a very picturesque setting. Drive to the cliff tops for stunning views of the resort and the sea.
Prehistoric remains can be seen on all the Balearic Islands, but it is on Minorca that you will see them most, often glimpsing them from the road, perhaps in the middle of a field, surrounded by grazing animals as if their presence had been forgotten. They are the remains of the late-Bronze-Age Talaiot culture, Talaiot being great conical mounds of rock the purpose of which is the subject of debate, though it seems to be agreed that they whatever they were they were not watchtowers. The other structures you will see are navetas, cottage-sized structures shaped like upside-down boats, which may have been dwellings, but were probably tombs, and taulas, one enormous slab of rock on top of another in a t-shape, like something out of 2001 A Space Odyssey. The best sites are the "village" at Trepucò, within the city limits of Maó, on the way out to the airport, or the Naveta d'es Tudons near Ciutadella.
If your more into natural Beauty, try Barranc d en Algendar, the largest gorge on the island, it is fed by a stream that runs to Cala Galdana, it is green and has a wealth of wildlife it is cooler than the rest of the island and there are virtually no tourists as you cannot drive through it. It is accessed by a road just to the Ciutadella side of Ferreries. The road is the second on the left after the road to Cala Galdana, it turns up a slight hill to the left and then turns right parralel to the main road. Follow this road for a while until you get to a sign pointing to a footpath on the left, turn right here and follow the track through the fields, the privado sign only applies to the fields so stick to the track. Pass a large white house on the left and follow the path down the valley, you are in the gorge, you can turn back in the gorge or follow the path down the gorge, it eventually turns right, it gets over grown and narrow, keep following it and go straight at the t-junction ( left leads to a house with guard dogs and donkeys that let the whole valley know when your there). If you follow the path up the hill you reach a road, follow the roads and depending on which way you go you pass a Taliot and the limestone quarry. and end up in Ciutadella. There is no parking so either leave your car in Ferreries or get the bus to Ferreries or Ciutadella.
City tours
- The beaches are generally marvellous - with plenty of sandy space. A few resorts have smaller beaches that can get cramped (such as Cala Galdana and Cala'n Porter) but then again there is Son Bou with its over 2 miles of glorious sand.
- Teenagers will probably find most resorts too quiet in the evenings - but travel to the 'caves' on a Thursday night for example for a club night that will rival anything anywhere. This is Cova den Xoroi , situated in the Cala'n Porter resort on the south of the island.
Good restaurants and cheap meals
- The food and drink on the island is very good - meat, fish, fruit and vegetables are all grown locally and are of a very high standard.
- Menorquina ice cream, named after the island, is world renown although today it is actually made in Barcelona. There are some fantastically indulgent desserts, which can be found at most restaurants. Chocolate lovers will eat nothing else all holiday once they've tried a Trufito!
- Es Pla at Fornells where King Juan Carlos comes regularly to eat fish specialities.
- The Windmill restaurant - Moli d'es Raco in Es Mercadal, on the main Mao-Ciutadella road. Great food, and lovely location.
- S'Eixerit in Es Mercadal - local food at a reasonable price.
- S'Ancora in Fornells - located on the harbour, good fish and seafood restaurant, and probably the best fresh Paella available.
- Es Cranc in Fornells, probably the best general fish and seafood restaurant on the island, try the fish or shellfish soup 'Caldereta'
- La Ribera in Santo Tomas, located near the centre of the resort between the Santo Tomas and Lord Nelson hotels. Best restaurant in the resort.
- Ca n'Olga in Es Meracdal is also very well regarded.
- Ca na Pilar and S'Engolidor are the best restaurants in Es Migjorn Gran.
- Other top restaurants include Es Moli de Foc, Cobblers (which prior to being sold was possibly the best restaurant on the island) and Ses Salines.
Menorca nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs.
- Minorcan Gin
On Minorca there were a great many junipers, (there still are), and in the harbour lay the British fleet. The twain met and Ginet was the result, a spirit far removed from the Spanish and Mediterranean traditions and with notable difference from the English Gin.
It's a kind of cross between London Gin and the Mediterranean spirit, invented in Minorca. It was very successful and was drunk throughout the British Fleet and it surprised more than one distinguished visitor: "the best of the sprits found in Europe today" was historian Vargas Ponce's opinion on visiting Minorca in 1781.
The major difference between London Gin and Minorcan Ginet, is that ours is based on a spirit distilled from the grape, as is usual in the Mediterranean, and not on a cereal based spirit. The juniper now comes from the mainland, but the distilling continues to be done in old copper stills. The spirit rests in oak barrels cured in gin so that the end product does not take the colour of the wood.
Gin is found all over Minorca, drunk neat or in a mixes of our own invention: la pomada, a mixture of gin and lemonade and a great favourite during the fiestas and la pallofa, gin with a slice of lemon and dash of soda.
- Wine
We know Minorca produced a great deal of wine in the past, but nowadays there remain hardly any vines and only a few people make wine. Nevertheless, one man near Mercadal who still makes an excellent wine in Can CrispÃn at the farm of S'Estancia, named after the owner. You can try this Minorcan wine in Ca Na Agadet, in Mercadal, owned and run by the same family.
- Pomada is a typical drink (local gin and natural lemon).
- St. Miguel beer and Rioja wines can also be enjoyed at very competitive prices
Hotels, youth hostels, lodging
Villa Rentals
Not the cheapest option, but renting a villa gives you unrivalled freedom to come and go as you please and you get privacy and some superb facilities. For larger family groups and friends it can also work out to be suprisingly cost effective. Below are some agencies that offer villas for rent in Menorca:
- Menorca Villas An private selection of ours and our friends villas and apartments many with swimming pools, with the benefits of over 20 years knowledge of the island.
- Menorca Villa Retreats Around 20 private villas and apartments, ranging in size and budget. Most have private pools and secluded positions for a luxury holiday away from the crowds, but still with easy access to the beaches. Many are clustered in Mahon with harbour views, but there are also villas in Cala’n Porter and Binibeca.
- Travel Menorca An unrivalled selection of villas, many with private swimming pools, and apartments in all the most popular Menorca resorts as well as properties off the beaten track.
Get out
- The bars on the harbour front in Maó are good evening and late night entertainment during the summer season, as well as providing some beautiful views - although be aware that many are far more expensive than elsewhere on the island, mainly due to the exclusivity of the location and the numbers of wealthy yacht-owners and guests.
- Cuitadella has a line of bars and a club in the harbour, which are very popular at weekends.
- A great many repeat-travellers to Menorca find a favorite restaurant away from the busy tourist areas and while-away the evening over some great food and wine.
These are really most suitable for the visitor who enjoys an outdoor, active kind of holiday because Minorca has most to offer. The kind of thing you'll find below will allow you to get to know the special character of Minorca as you enjoy yourself. You'll find Minorca is an island full of surprises and with a strong identity, not just a recently invented tourist destination stuck on a beach next to the motorway.
Windsurf
Naturally, my first recommendation is that you learn windsurfing and sailing in Fornells. One of the best spots in the Med, but we'll not go into all that again, eh?
Diving
There are any number of coves for diving in Minorca, all with crystal clear water and many with exciting and beautiful sea beds, wrecks and caves. To learn, or to dive with experts on Minorca, try "Ulmo scubadiving", in Addaia. I always send my clients there. They're very professional, very nice people and give you plenty of personal attention. I prefer this school to other larger and less personal ones. Another very good, small, cheap dive centre in Son Bou Scuba, they have a minibus which takes you all over the island. Walking and Trekking
The Albufera de Es Grau. The Natural Park stretches to Favaritx where you can enjoy the view from that vantage point, the best on the East Coast. You get a good view of the North Coast from the top Of Monte Toro and, nearer the sea, from Arenal d'en Castell, close to Fornells, just to the East of Son Saura.
Unspoilt beaches, both on the North and South coasts are ideal destinations or lunch stops. In the North: Cavalleria, Binimel·la, Pregonda and Cala Pilar. In the South, Binigaus, Escorxada, Trebaluger, Mitjana y Macarella. If I had to choose, it would be Cala Pilar in the North and Macarella in the South.
Cultural
Don't miss any of the prehistoric sites of talaiots, taules and navetas. They're all worth a visit, and all characteristic of Minorca. My favourites are: Torre d'en Gaumés, which has everything, taula, talaiot, naveta dwelling, pillared hall, water collection system, underground burial chamber. The village of Son Catlar, although I'm a little uneasy about the current "reconstruction". Sa Torreta de Tramontana, Cova dels Coloms and the Caves at Cala Morell.
Cultural excursions
I like to combine visits to archaeological sites with my walks and I've done the following many times with mu friends and clients: Cova dels Coloms- Sant Agustà Vell- Torrent de Binigaus- Platja de Binigaus. Taula den Salord- Torre d'en Gaumés- Paleo-christian church at Son Bou- Beach at Son Bou. Son Catlar- Son Saura del Sur beach.
Concerts
In July and August there are Baroque and Renaissance Music Concerts in the church at Fornells.
Fiestas
The most famous in Minorca are the Ciutadella fiestas of Sant Joan, 23rd and 24th of June. The horses bred in Minorca are the stars of the fiestas and the whole town erupts into a frenzy of colour and movement. If I had to explain this fiesta in detail, with its ceremonies and their meanings, I'd need a whole new Website. So for the moment you'll have to make do with my recommendation and brief description. Sufficient to say that the rituals and ceremonies are enacted in the ancient streets of Ciutadella in the most striking and exciting manner. It is well worth witnessing these fiestas, if you can squeeze yourself into town, as, year after year, more people come to participate.
The role played by the local horses and horsemen is one of the unique elements of Minorca, (aswell as some crazy big headed gnomes that you usually end up chacing around the town getting buckets of water thrown at you). The locally bred horses are made to dance to the airs of Minorcan "jota" tunes, the most famous being the "Sant Joan" jota. This takes place in the town square and the whole populace competes to dance under the very hooves of the prancing horses. I can promise you, there is nothing like the Fiestas de Sant Joan. The atmosphere is extraordinary. Of course, all the villages on Minorca enjoy similar fiestas of the dancing horses, and each one enjoys its fiestas in its own special way. At Es Castell (27th July) they are purists, at Mercadal (third Sunday of July) and Alaior (11th-12th of Augist) the spectacle is of a more noble nature with trials of skill organised for the riders (in addition to the dancing). The Fornells fiestas are held on the last Sunday in July and are very special as they take place at the water's edge. They are by no means marine fiestas but, after the heat and excitement of the horsemanship and dancing, a goodly proportion of the revellers end up in the harbour to cool off, especially the younger ones.
Don't miss
The old quarter of Ciutadella. The old Arab Mediterranean citadel walled in by the harbour defences and winding, narrow streets of stone between noble palaces. The beautiful ancient harbour with good bars and restaurants. Things to eat
Of course, try the lobster in Fornells. As often as you can (afford) until you find the place you like best. Lobster at Fornells is the height of the cuisine on Minorca. You'll find excellent Minorcan cookery at Es Molà des Racó, in Mercadal, an unpretentious restaurant, but excellent. Very good food is to be had at Ca Na Aguedet, also in Mercadal, with its own Minorcan wine or in S'Engolidor, in Es Migjorn Gran. In Mercadal, Las Vegas is a bar-restaurant with a good range of tapas and good food. Still in Mercadal, Olga, a charming restaurant which serves food in the terrace and garden of an old village house. Olga has a select menu of original dishes, well cooked. This is perhaps the best of all.
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