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Photo tour of Fornells
Use the Photo Tour to see high quality photographs of all the information described below.
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is located on the North East coast of the island. Approximately 30 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.
Not to be confused with Playa den Fornells, this is a quieter authentic Menorca location set around a pretty palm tree lined harbour with views out across the bay to a far shore untouched by any buildings. Fornells is a fishermans village that has become the main place for sail based water sports and specialist fish restaurants for the island. Centred around around the fishing harbour, it remains mostly residential. The village 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. Also a good base for the north of the island for nature lovers.
There is simple, small scale accommodation at Fornells in apartments and hostals. Two small hostals in the village. La Palma www.hostallapalma.com is a small hostel in the harbour area with cafeteria and restaurant. Hostal S'Algaret and Can Digus Apartments in the old village with views to the bay. In addition there are some private villas and apartments in Ses Salines just few minutes south of Fornells village.
No real beach in Fornells - hire kayak to reach remote bays ( S'Aranalet bay) opposite village for a treat. Nearest sandy beach , Cala Tirant, is over the headland at Playa den Fornells ( a purpose built holiday resort ) often confused with Fornells. Also another natural beautiful beach is Arenal Son Saura at Son Parc. Along this coast west of Fornells are a collection of great northern coast virgin beaches including Cavalleria, Bini mel la and Pregonda.
This is also a coarse sand beach at Ses Salines though this is used by a lot of watersports for launching dinghies and windsurfers. However spots can be found at northern end of this area.
At the village centre point (hidden 'till you round the corner of the tourist office) there is also a small strip of coarse sand suitable for small children to play and bathe-but sand depends on any previous storms.
In the village there are two mini supermarkets, Bank, chemist and many good Bars and Restaurants. For better shopping visit near by Es Mercadal.
The surrounding countryside, bay and village and fishing harbour are the main reasons to visit or stay in Fornells. There is a long palm tree lined bayside promenade to wander. Finish up with a drink/meal in one of the many the village harbourside bars or just behind in the old village streets. Castell Sant Antoni - Now restored with explainations can be visited at the northern part of the Promennade and gives an insight into Fornells' strategic past.
There is a lot of very attractive , protected and unspoilt country side around Fornells ( superb on sunny spring days ) with a huge abundance of wildlife.
Based in the Marine Reserve this are offers a lot of sea life. The north coast of Menorca here is one of the last unspoilt zones of the Mediterranean. Local centre Dive Centre Fornells www.divingfornells.com
There are lots of companies based along the western bay offering equipment hire and tuition. Some services are only available June to September in line with visitor numbers
Kit surfing is increasingly popular on Menorca. Kite surfing is possible in Cala Tirant bay at nearby Playa den Fornells
Kayaks are popular- as Fornells is part of the marine reserve there are lots of fish to see in the shallow waters. as well as remote beaches opposite the village to visit. Explore the sea caves further out at the bay entrance ( experienced kayakers only ). Kayaks can go where most craft cannot so a great affordable way to see the coast. Hire and various excursions at Katayak Fornells
Windsurfing tuition and hire at windfornells , menorcasailing
Waterski-ing tuition and hire at windfornells
Dinghy Sailing All sizes of boats with various tuition or hire servces at minorca sailing,
Off road bicycles can be hired from Katayak Fornells. There are well signed routes taken in small lanes ( Camis, cycle tracks long main roads as well as rough tracks ( Cami de Cavalls ) Maps are available on arrival on the airport tourist office.
Golf and tennis is available in nearby Son Parc.
Companies offer half day and sunset excursions on Catamarans with snorkelling and beach stops : catamarancharter
In the village and harbourside there are lots of restaurants, many specialising in seafood. Some are pretty expensive, so best to take a look and make your decisions on sight as they are all within a short distance of each other. While much is written about the island's lobster stew and Fornells being the best place to enjoy it, it is extremely expensive for what it is.
Olgas , S'abarraca , Es Port and Es Cranc
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 is a daily bus service into Mahon and Playa den Fornells (Cala Tirant / Platages den Fornells/). Also along to the beaches of Arenal d'en Castell and Son Parc.
no. 00 : Arenal d'en Castell - Fornells : daily
08.30,09.30*,10.05,11.40,12.50*,13.00,14.30*,15:30,16:15,18:55,19:00*,22:00
no. 00 : Fornells - Arenal d'en Castell : daily
08.40*,09.25,11.10,11.30*,12.30,14.40,15:30,16:00*,18:25,21:25
no. 00 : Fornells - Mahon : daily
08.20,08.40*,09.10,11.20,11.30*,12.30,14.35,15.30,15:45,16:00*,17:25,20:15
no. 00 : Mahon - Fornells : daily
08.00,9.00*,10.00,11.15,12.20*,12.30,13.30,14.30,14.00*,15.00,15.45,16.35,18.30*,19.10,21.30
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.
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.
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.
This is a great town for wandering early mornings or late evenings when the heat of sun is not around. 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 to browse, Cafes, Bars and Restaurants. And, some great home made ice cream parlours! Childrens playground on the pretty town square (next to ice cream cafes!). Alaior has a weekly market plus an evening artisans market with jewellry and other handicrafts and clothing.
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 high quality shoes.
Arenal den Castell, Son Parc, Son Bou, & Cala en Porter selfcaterers - Visit the larger supermarkets here at the Poligno ( commercial area ) for a much better food and price selection.
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.
Es Grau is a typical Menorcan fishing village, unspoilt and inside one of the islands most famous nature reserves (S 'Albufera Parc Natural). Set in a horsehore bay with a beautiful natural safe beach and several small virgin beaches close by. A small place but there are still three bars, one waterside restaurant, and corner shop supermarket. Clean clear warm waters make the area ideal for snorkelling with good local facilities for wind surfing, sea kayaking and other water sports. From Es Grau you can ask local fisherman to ferry you to the nearby island 'Illa Den Colom' where you can lie undisturbed on the virgin beach dreaming of the water bottle you left behind...
Kayak hire from beach , paddle around left handside headland and enjoy the tiny hidden beaches there opposite the Illa Den Colom ( Kayaks for 3 Pers 12 Euro an hour )
With locations and Information for :
Hostal S'Algaret
A small family run friendly Hostal absolutely at the centre of Fornells village. With pool and menorcan restaurant, a lovely little post to enjoy the island from. More details and BOOK ONLINE
We have partnered with booking.com as a online hotel and apartment booking system. They offer smaller and more exclusive hotels not just the 'usual' hotels available through tour operators. Complete wth past guest reviews, photos, Google location maps to help you make the best choices for you.
