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Photo tour of Mahon
Use the Photo Tour to see high quality photographs of all the information described below.
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is located on the east coast. Approximately 15 mins., from the Airport. The correct local name is Maó ( pronounced "Maouw" )
Use the Interactive Maps to take a detailed visual tour, with ariel views complete with additional photos and useful holiday information.
Mahon's centre has a lovely atmosphere 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 clothes 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 there are many hidden gems away from the main pedestrian shopping areas.
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.
If its very hot the museum is an oasis of calm and air condtioning
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.
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.
This is a little 'hidden oasis' in the middle of the city centre. A picturesque park, originally a growing area for fruits and vegetables ( you will still see the clever original 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 Cafes and Bars just next to the two entrances so you can grap a coffee to go too!
Ladies can take a children free shopping hour if dads bring the children here!
Every Friday from June to September at Plaza del Carme in Mahon. In the evenings with musical entertainment.
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.
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.
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.
DON'T 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 pedestrian 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.
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 )
Mahon has a wide range of cafes, bars, clubs and restaurants to suite all tastes. The most clubs and music bars all in one place at the harbour opposite the ferry terminal. Down the big steps and take a left 500 meters ( Moll de Ponent and Costa d'es General ). The Casino at the Club Maritimo is open every day into the early hours and offers a full range of gaming tables, slot machines a bar and restaurant facilities.
Tip Want to visit a Club or Music bar? Dont forget you are on Menorcan time, nothing starts to happen until after 10 pm as people will have eaten 'late'. Go much later and then it will have people.
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 Castell - is a delightful harbour town with a great mix of little shops, cafes, bars, Restaurants and clubs to suit all tastes, price ranges and styles. Not just the extensive harbour areas but also in the many side streets. In the main Cala Fons harbour the old fishermans caves have been adapted by various Bars and Restaurants. Es Castell is a very popular eating place for lunchtime Menu del Dias and a great place to while away the summer evenings.
S'Albufera Parc Natural - is a wonderful place for an early morning or evening walk (avoiding the summer heat) . Footpaths lead, through pleasant lakelandscapes and woodlands to the sand dunes behind the beautiful beach at Es Grau. Walk on further to the fishing village of Es Grau to enjoy beachside sunsets at the waterside Cafe Bars.
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 )
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.
Is a very large 19th century fort that dominates the horizon on the entrance to Mahon harbour. The fortress of Isabel II or 'la Mola' , built between 1850 and 1875 is one of the best examples of military architecture. Built to protect the strategic harbour from the English and French, the fortress was never attacked, therefore it is in relatively good state of preservation. For a long time remained a military barracks of the spanish army, but now no longer used.
Opening times: From June to September, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. May and October, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. From November to April, Tuesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. closed Mondays. The approximate duration of the visit is 2 hours. Admission: 7 €but children under 11 FREE. Guided tours are available for individuals and groups. Individual audio-guides are available in different languages.
Check www.fortalesalamola.com and www.menorcamonumental.org for latest opening times and prices.
Useful Telephone Numbers
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