Location - Mahon Interactive Maps

is located on the east coast. Approximatley 15 mins., from the Airport. Mao is the more correct name for Mahon (Catalan) and you will often see roadsigns with each. Use the Interactive Maps below to see where everything is. The correct local name is Maó ( pronounced "Maouw" )

Overview

Mahon has a lovely atmosphere at its centre with pavement cafes, located in a maze of narrow streets with attractive architecture and many reminders of its Georgian past. In addition to pleasant surroundings Mahon offers a myriad of stylish shops and bars. Along the length of the harbour there is a wide array of Cafes, Bars and Restaurants offering all types of ambience or cuisine including traditional Menorcan cuisine. Second only to Pearl Harbour as one of the world's largest natural harbours, the harbour defines this town both physically and historically. The strategic naval nature and location of the harbour has meant Mahon has had more than it's fair share of foreign occupiers. Architecturely one of its occupiers, the english, have left their marks in building syles ( Georgian, sash windows) perhaps most noticeably the beautiful and elaborate open and closed balconies( 'boinders'). Mahon has an older centre centred around the port with many backstreets it would be a shame to miss as they are many hidden gems away from the main pedestrian shopping areas.

See and Do

Architecture

There is a very pleasant walk down Carrer Isabel II. Starting at the end furthest away from the town centre is Museu de Menorca ( Placa des Monastir) set in elegant surroundings. Along this road are countless beautiful buildings (18th century wealthy town houses) and the best display of balconies and the renowned bow windows, sometimes called boinders which were introduced during the British colonial period. Along the way there are narrow streets off to the left with views out to the harbour. As you get towards the town centre there is a great cafe, just before you enter the square of the town hall and Mahons cathedral.

Museu de Menorca holds a selection of artefacts across the range of occupiers including Roman, Moorish, and Catalan Menorca relics.

Menorca Holiday Tips

If its very hot the museum is an oasis of calm and air condtioning

Mao Festival

The menorcans love their festivals and especially the chance to show off their stunning native horses. The most eagerly awaited moments are the cargols, when riders circle specific points along the route and especially the "jaleos", where riders bring their horse onto their rear legs - "Jaleo"- The young brave hope for good luck by touching the horses heart as the horse dances above them. Much Pomada ( Gin and lemonade ) is drunk during the festival, but is very good natured. Note: The riders care too much about their horses for this to be stressing for the horses.

Fiestas de la Mare de Deu de Garcia, held annually from 7 to 9th September annually.

Menorca Holiday Tips

Parc D'es Freginal is a suprisingly large and attractive park right in the middle of town which many tourists perhaps will not even have seen and makes a great place to take a few quieter moments under shading trees and for dads to take the children to the small play area while mums have sometime to themsleves in the shopping area.

Parc Es Freginal

This is a little 'hidden oasis' in the middle of the city centre. A picturesque park, originally a growing area for fruits and vegetable ( you will still see the clever stone watering system ) and one time occupation of the infamous pirate Barbarossa. If offers tranquilty, shade and two childrens play areas which picnic areas. There are caffes and Bars just next thw tow entracsnes so you can grap a coffee too!

Menorca Tips

Ladies can take a children free shopping hour if dads bring the children here!

Picnic Areas

Play areas

The original stone watering system

Every Friday from June to September at Plaza del Carme in Mahon. In the evenings with musical entertainment.

Boat Trips in Harbour

It might sound "old hat" but the combined tour and glass bottom boat trips from the harbour are a bit more special on Menorca as the waters are really crystal clear, healthy and with lots and lots of fish to see. Choose from several operators at the main port area ( Moll de Llevant). Offering trips of varying length including historical commentary you will be taken around the extensive harbour with its several islands and their interesting history. Some trips will include a sea based view of the pretty town of Es Castell's harbour, Cales fons.

The harbour is a working harbour which means there's always something to see. From the big cruise ships that visit and perform their spectacular docking "ballets", the "big as houses" motor yachts moored in front of the casino, to the little fishing boats whose catch you might be eating that evening. The moll de Levant is the roadside beside the harbour and has a wide range of bars,cafes, clubs, shops and restaurants.

Menorca Holiday Tips

Do walk the ENTIRE length of the Moll de Levant as stretches are broken up with a few storage houses and 'abandoned looking' buildings under ownership dispute.

Shopping

Mahon has a wide variety of simple through to stylish boutique shops. Plus there are lots of cafes for those little stops. Dont forget that Siesta applies here so from 13:00 to 17:00 very little will be open. Evenings are the prefered time, taking in some Tapas as well.

Menorca Holiday Tips

DONT FORGET the side streets( Carrer del Carme) where you will find hidden gems. Also don't forget the factory shoe shops out of town. Gentlemen if the ladies are heads down with shopping business and its not your thing then you can relax at the Bar American which is at the cross roads (Placa Reial) of the main pesdetrian shopping streets.

Tip: Down the side streets there are wonderful little food shops.There is a very good and attractive indoor market ( Sa Placa) set in grand surroundings of a cloister with clothing, souvenirs, butchers, delicatessen and fish market very close together.

Sa Placa

Menorca Holiday Tips

Ars Cafe ( Plaza del Principe 12) is a very inviting Cafe Bar & Restaurant. Often missed by the visitor it is on the beautiful Plaza del Principe.

Streetlevel is an attractive chic city cafe area serving breakfast, lunch and dinner ( Menu del Dia available ) while down stairs is an atmospheric arched stone ceilings vault with bar and stage for live music ( Fridays and Saturdays )