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Photo tour of Es Castell
Use the Photo Tour to see high quality photographs of all the information described below.
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For Families
For Couples
For Divers and watersport ethusiasts
For Sailors
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Close to Menorca's southern sandy beaches and cosmopolitan capital Mahon (Mao) Es Castell is an excellent place for people who want a great base to explore the island and enjoy probably one of best locations for summer evenings out on the island. Approximately 3 km east of the capital Mahon and 10 km from the Airport.
Use the Interactive Maps to take a detailed visual tour, with ariel views complete with additional photos and useful holiday information.
ATTENTION DIVERS - Es Castell is also a great base for divers as it is just an easy 10 mn drive to S'Algar with it's popular and respected diving center - S'Algar Diving and the nearby underwater caves systems on the south east coast at Cap D'en Font.
Es Castell, previously named Villa Carlos, is full of history and charm. One of the best locations on the island for summer evenings and lunch time meals in the town's side streets or down in the delightful harbour. The town's fishing harbour - Cales Fonts has become a little haven of restaurants and bars (no loud music ) favoured by locals and tourists alike. A truely genuine atmosphere not found in beach tourist locations and which attracts people from these resorts from all over the island. Founded in Georgian times as a military town this influence can be seen in the town's architecture and layout. Es Castell is now the fashionable place for locals to live and this all adds up to make this a great place to visit or stay.
Es Castell has every concievable thing you need within walking distance in the town and the excellent large Euroski supermarket at Sant Luis is just a 10mn drive away.
The two fishing harbours Cales Corb and Cales Fonts define the character of the town providing delightful water side promenades for daytime or evening strolls. With great Bars and Restaurants along the waterside and in the town's little side streets. Good selection of shops, mini supermarkets, banks (inc ATMs), Bars and Restaurants within a few minutes walk. And of course cosmopolitan Mahon is also close by ( 25 minute walk-for us anyway ).
Carrer Gran , the main shopping road has a number of Bar-Restuarants serving good value set menus day and evening and will be lower priced than those on the water front.
This is a great town for wandering early or late evenings when the (free ) Live music and events at various stages around the town. Towards the end of the last evening there is a excellent musical fireworks display over the harbour. Nighttime buses operate for those visiting.
Held in honour of St James ( Sant Jaume ) annually on the 24th-25th July.
The town square has a fun fair with rides and stalls for children of various ages. The 'Jaleo' ( Rearing horses ) takes place in front of the town hall on the first fiesta evening around between 20-21:00 and then in amore subdues atmosphere on the 25th around lunchtime. Local papers will detail the list of events and approx. times
Es Castell is a good base to explore all the south east of the island has to offer. There is the island's most regular bus service ( half hourly including Sundays ) into Mahon from where you can reach any other destination by bus.
Take a stroll evenings along the pretty lit harbour promenades. Start at the Hotel Hamilton and follow round to Cales Fonts.
If you are staying at Es Castell an evening dip at Cala Padera is a must.
If you are mobile, this little village ( 2km from west Mahon ) is a stop off point along attractive, stone walled country lanes to and from the coast. A residential village, many of the former farmhouses have been turned into homes and holiday homes. A little supermarket, plus two tiny atmospheric (open evenings only) restaurants. Es Nit in 300 year old farmhouse (international) and Sa Vinya (Menorcan) . A third larger restaurant, Halliseys has recently opened up here relocating fom the Son Parc Golf Club. All offer a very different experience to any beach resort restaurants for something more special. There are walks into the nearby attractive countryside.
A village straight out of the picture books. Torret oozes traditional menorcan architecture, with lots of bougainvillea draped over the old white washed houses. Best to leave the car at the entrance roads and just wander respectfully or as part of a cycle tour. Home to highly regarded restaurants for food lovers (Sa Pedrera des Pujol, Sa Parereta d'en Doro, Pan y Vino ). From behind the unmissable watchtower you can wander down to the coast at Torret de Baix.
S'Algar is one of the main centres on Menorca for scuba diving and snorkelling and the local diving company offers some of the most spectacular cave diving experiences in the Mediterranean. Plus there is all sorts of other watersports on offer. It is also the location of a popular bowling club-visitors welcome.
In summer between 4 and 5 pm you can sit and watch the myriad of boats passing by the harbour mouth on their way back into their berths in Mahon harbour.
There is a regular bus No. 2 to Mahon ( Mao on front of bus ) bus station ( where you can change for any other destinations on the island ) single 1.60 Euro ( 2010 )
Es Castell to Mahon:
Daily: 7:30, 8:00, 8:30, 9:00 and half hourly 9:30 to 11:00; then from 12:00 to 14:30 and 15:00, 15, 30 then 16:00 to 21:00 Except Sundays and Fiestas.
Mahon to Es Castell:
Daily: 7:20, 7:45 , 8:15 , 8:45, then half hourly from 9:15 to 10:45 and 11:45 to 14:15, 15:15 and 15:15 20:45:
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.
This is a good time connection to Punta Prima and Cala en Porter so you can enjoy the excellent beaches there.
Airport to Es Castell
Taxis should be around 15-17 Euro depending on drop off point in Es Castell.
The airport bus to Mahon (every half hour 25 past and five to the hour) is about 1.50 Euro and takes less than fifteen minutes. As long as it's not late you should just 'connect' with the Es Castell bus, also half-hourly - quarter past and quarter to the hour - fare is 1.60 Euro Es Castell bus goes from the first bay. With best connections it's just over half an hour from airport to Es Castell.
Es Castell has a lot to offer and with Mahon ( can be walked on foot 35 minutes or regular Bus or Taxi 7 Euro one way) is a great location for evenings. Away from the harbour in the side streets there are music bars and clubs for the younger at heart.
Being a local town you will experience a little bit of Menorcan life in the town square. Having taken Siestas the children will be out and about 'till late. The Cafes in the town hall square will be a meeting point and much people watching will be done!
During the evenings the clothes and trinket shops "hidden" in the cave walls during the day open up and other interesting jewellry and crafts stalls will line the stair case up from the harbour at Cales Fonts.
Mahon has a great mediterranean charm around the centre and harbour. Busy pavement Cafes and Bars, superb fruit and fish markets and all enclosed in a maze of narrow streets with architecture and many reminders of its Georgian past. In addition to the traditional the town offers a myriad of stylish shops and bars. Along the whole length of the harbour quayside (Moll de Llevant) there is an electic collection of Cafes, Bars and Restaurants for all pockets and styles. A spectacular setting above the huge natural harbour with ships and boats of every shape and sizes.
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)
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.
Fornells a watersports and seafood restaurant eldorado. The village with it's speciality seafood restaurants is located at the entrance to a huge enclosed natural bay whose protected waters make it perfect for all manner of sail based 'messing about'. More like a large salt water lake the wind conditions here are great for beginners of anything that floats on water. Very pleasant for lunch time and evening drinks and meals alongside the harbour quay.
Island history: Fort Malborough is an unusual 7 sided defence fort located in Cala de Sant Esteve on the south east edge of the island. An early 18th century fort built by the British and named after Sir John Churchhill - Duke of Malborough. The fort has survived many attacks and is now open as a museum and features visual media guides to the islands and europe's history during these times. Guided tours of 1 hour duration in various languages - plus audio guides.
Open Tues. to Sat. 0930-2015 hrs., Sun. and Mon. 0930-1430 hrs. Entrance 3 euros, Sun. free.
Lots of tunnels for the children to delight in.
Open Air history: Trepuco is a pre-historic settlement between Mahon and Sant Lluis ( also via pretty country roads from Es Castell ). Has the island's tallest Taula ( circa 4m high!)
Cami de Gracia, Trepuco, Between Mahon and Sant Lluis. Open Tues. to Sat. 1000-1315 hrs. and 1800-2000 hrs., Sun. 0930-1500 hrs., Mon. no information service. Entrance 1.80 euros, Sun. free.
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