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Photo tour of Alaior
Use the Photo Tour to see high quality photographs of all the information described below.
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Alaior : Alayor is located in the centre of the island. Approximately 25 mins., from the Airport.
Use the Interactive Maps to take a detailed visual tour, with ariel views complete with additional photos and useful holiday information.
This is a great town for wandering early or late evenings when the heat of sun is not around and the light brings out the colours. The "third" capital of the island and a cultural centre. The old town is very pretty and makes a great change to the beach, with a good mix of little shops, Cafes, Bars and Restaurants. And some great hand made ice cream parlours! Childrens playground on the pretty town square (next to ice cream cafes!). The town founded in 1304 is built around the old hill of Ihalor hence the origin of its name (Alayor,Alaior) and provides great views over the surrounding countryside.
The narrow streets in the old town are usually immaculately clean and a big contrast to the annoying litter so common in the UK!
Ladies, Alaior is home to the Pons Quintana shoe factory shop. An name relatively unknown in the UK because most of its high quality leather shoes are exported to France and Germany. At the factory shop you will get heavily reduced prices on beautiful shoes. Can also be found on the Internet in the UK but much more expensive.
If you want a great fresh hot or cold filled baquette go to Bar at the corner of Miguel de Cervantes and Carrer des Ramal.
Along Carrer X Bar Gensis server good portion Tapas from friendly staff.
Son Bou & Cala en Porter guests - Visit the Large Supermarkets here at the Poligno ( commercial area ) for a much better food and price selection.
Alaior has a charming medieval historical centre on an ancient hill dominated by its beautiful Church of Santa Eulalia. The old town is a maze of narrow streets. If you get lost just go up hill and you'll reach Santa Eulalia. There are pretty relaxing squares ( Placa Nova, Placa Ramal ). Placa Ramal is in the centre with inviting Cafes and home made ice cream shops. The main shopping area extends from here 'down and up the hill' (Carrer des Ramal). As you wander around don't be suprised to see a rider on a magnificent horse winding through the streets. Alaior is a traditional menorcan town grown around dairy farming and shoe making. There are assortment of working farms still producing the local Mahon cheese which you can visit and will be invited to taste their products.
Travelling stall holders with shoes, leather good and assorted "tourist" goods, every Thursday Carrer Reverendo Huguest ( old town) 09:00 to 14:00 From June to September.
Crafts stalls with jewelry and other trinkets, every Wednesday evening from 19:00 - 23:00 . From July 1st to first wednesday in September.
The locals area is criss crossed with "Camis" ( original rustic bridleways ) ideal for cycling in scenic countryside. These countryside single track roads offer several treking excursions or bike rides, such as the route that leads from the Ermita de San Llorenc to Binixems.
Bus, Taxi and Hire Car Detailed getting about infos.
Mahon will mostly be written on timetables, signposts as Maó it's correct local name. Also posted in the local papers eg Ultima Hora Menorca, Menorca towards the back pages are most of the islands bus timetables. You will nearly always find a copy of this in a spanish cafe bar ( any day in season will do ) - make notes, please don't take paper as its there for all to read. If you are staying longer than a week take a trip on this good network and see some of the other resorts/towns first hand.
There are regular bus services to all parts of the island. The bus stop is located at Carrer Joan Baptiste de la Salle.
Main routes are
A beautiful picturesque spot, favoured by visiting yachts and dreamers. Best visited early mornings and evenings, where the light brings out the scenery. An exciting place for youngsters, dreamy of pirates as the local burial caves up in the limestone walls and rambling cove walks let their imaginations run free. Believed to be an ancient burial ground and was in fact the very first recognised port of Menorca as used by the Romans when they occupied the island. Can be reached on foot from Cala en Porter or park and walk at Son Vitamina (approx. 30 mins). Road down is NOT suitable for hire cars unless you want to pay for suspension damage! On the Cami di Cavalls route.
Toralba D'en Salford ( more details soon )
Open Air history: Torre d'en Gaumes is a pre-historic settlement just outside of Son Bou signposted on the road from Alaior (carrer de son bou). Access is controlled to preserve this extensive site. This is known to be the largest pre-historic town in the Balearic Islands. The village is surrounded by attractive countryside and features many interesting ancient ruins including, a defensive wall guarding three talaiots (stone watch towers), a temple made of stone and pillared naves. It survived from the pre-talayotic period to Roman times.
Open Tues. to Sat. 0915-2045 hrs., Sun. 0915-1500 hrs., Mon. 0900-1500 hrs. Entrance 3 euros, free on Sun.
A play and relaxation centre in the Son Bou Gardens area and open to all. Attractions include a large difficult wooden maze with water sprinklers during the day and "monsters" to chase you in the evenings (too scarey for the little ones!) , water chutes, various pools including baby/toddler pool. Use of the pools is for anyone who makes use of the bar & restuarant. The two water chutes are on a pay as you go basis. Large bar & two restaurant factilities, inside games room (suitable for older children) and Internet access. Features live acts (music tribute acts/Chinese acrobats-a drink is entrance fee) and other events starting at 21:30 most evenings.
There are grassed gardens area with loungers for parents to sun bath and relax.
Pools are open 10:00-19:00,Waterslides 11:00-19:00,Restaurants 10:00-01:00 www.clubsanjaime.net
Club Sant Jaime often runs events for children in the evenings-see locally for details.
Next door is a small commercial center with Supermarket, chemist,Tabac and souvenir shop.
Is a traditional island town occupying a beautiful location and providing a dramatic moment for all drivers as the main island road ME-1 meanders through a very picturesque and narrow gap in the hills. Ferreries is surrounded by beautiful hills and countryside and spectacular valleys and history. A great start point for scenic walks,cycling and horse riding.
Every Saturday 9-1pm there is an attractive farmers and craft market in Placa Espanya ( main town square ) with fresh farm produce, fruit and handicrafts including ceramics. At the Poligno there is a Jaime Mascaro factory outlet offering high quality leathers goods at reduced prices. Jaime is sold mostly in French, Italien and German boutiques.
Son Bou is a holiday resort of mixed private/commercial holiday homes and a handful of hotels(4) built behind a nature reserve along the island's longest beach. The resort is more correctly called Sant Jaime(Jaume) but Son Bou, Sant Jaime and Torre Soli Nou blend into each other, though Torre Soli nou extends further inland if you are looking for a quiet location. Most of the resort sits on a hillside which offers spectacular views. Offers a full set of factilities for a beachside tourist resort.
Es Mercadal is a small town in the centre of the island, with rustic whitewashed houses lining pretty narrow streets. It lies at the base to Monte Toro, Menorcas' highest 'mountain' (357 m). On top there are viewing areas and a small pleasant cafeteria with small outside terrace. From up here there are excellent views of the whole island - upto the bay at Fornells ,the northern coast and the rolling hills of the island's centre.
Es Mercadal is also a Gastronomy and Restaurant oasis, with a range from simple to fine dining but the quality in every price range is very good. "Centre Artesanal de Menorca" is located here too and is the crafts center of Menorca showcasing traditional and comtemporary crafts.
Located in huge spectacular natural caves some 25m above the sea at the entrance to Cala en Porter bay. Take a look at our video below for a feel of this magical place.
Cova d´en Xoroi
A double bonus. Undoubtedly the most dramatic nightspot on the island. Set high, literally in the rocks, above the sea it's an atmospheric Cafe-bar areas with fantastic sea views by day. From 19:00 the music is soothing ambient sounds to watch the sunsets by and after 23:00-dawn a disco with one of the most original locations and atmospheres with famous guest DJs. There is a entrance charge during the day which includes a voucher for a drink-It's well worth it.
Opening times: 11:30 'til dawn. Daily May to October and weekends outside of these months.
Just 200 meters from Xoroi is a great Spanish Restaurant La Palette ( Leg of lamb recommended)
Son Parc offers the islands only ( 2011) 18 hole golf course with putting green and (floodlit) driving range. There are also tennis courts available for hire (raquets and balls can be hired at golf shop ) and a comfortable club house bar with restaurant overlooking the course . The clubhouse terrace (open to non players) offers snacks, drinks and evening meals. Tee times can be booked in advance as can the tennis courts.
Produce very feminine luxury women's footwear right here on the island. A name that might be unfamiliar in UK as a lot of the production is sold in fashionable shops in France and Germany. Renowed for their handmade woven leather designs (each take 2 days to make) . Pons Quintana have shops in Mahon (S'Arravaleta 21) and Ciutadella (Sabaters 5 - Poligno) www.ponsquintana.com
Alaior is home to the Pons Quintana shoe factory shop. At the factory shop you will get heavily reduced prices on beautiful shoes and boots and see the full range at the boutique there.
With locations and Information for :
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