Menorca Towns
and villages
Menorca's Cities, Towns and Villages
For Holiday stays or places to visit...
Towns - Good to Know Being small the Island only has two major cities Mahon (Maó), Ciutadella and a few small towns. Due to the fear of invasions/prirates towns grew up inland. Most beach resorts will have a bus route that passes through the nearest local town so they can be visited for a change of scene. Especially delightful are the evening summer artisan markets and Summer fiestas that every town hosts.
A good place for a Holiday stay too? Yes, because the island is compact being based in one of the towns or Cities rather than a beach side resort means you can have the best of both worlds - Authentic Menorca and a beach is never far away! Menorca's major Towns are easy to reach as they all lie along a single road ME-1 that runs east to west with regular bus route between Mahon and Ciutadella. Towns have smaller more personal and boutique hotels and the local unspoilt country side is very very close by.
Alaior
Has a charming old centre set on a hill for wandering early mornings or late evenings when the extreme heat of the summer sun has gone. A small city and 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 some delightful Cafes, Bars and Restaurants. A few several clothes and shoe boutiques offering original items not chain store repetition. Childrens playground on the pretty town square (next to ice cream cafes!). Alaior has a weekly market plus an evening market (weds june-sept ) with Artisan goods,jewellery , other handicrafts and small boutiques.
Menorca Tips
There is a late night bus to return from Alaior's evening market. Alaior is home to the Pons Quintana shoe factory shop. A brand relatively unknown in the UK because most of its high quality leather shoes are exported to France and Germany. The shop offers reduced prices on beautiful high quality shoes and leather goods.
Alaior tourist guide
Alaior All Hotels and Holiday accommodation
Ciutadella
A taste of former elegant times with fine old spanish palaces, moorish influences, a wonderful old centre and a charming little harbour. Ciutadella was the original capital of the island lying at the western edge of the island looking out to its bigger neighbour Mallorca. A superb contrast to the beach and holiday resort. Great atmosphere and shopping and a place to wander the pedestrianised old city and its many narrow streets with hidden shops and Cafe treats. Also competes with Mahon for the title of the best music bars and venues on the island. The scene for the spectacular Sant Joan festival in June, when stunning native black horses parade through the streets and the brave try to "touch the horses' heart" as it rears in front of them.
Ciutadella tourist guide
Ciutadella All Hotels and Holiday accommodation
Ciutadella - trips,visits
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Es Castell
Es Castell tourist guide
Es Castell All Hotels and Holiday accommodation
Is a delightful traditional town with a great location. Combining stunning views with a great mix of little shops, cafes, bars and restaurants to suit all tastes, price ranges and styles. In the two harbours many of the old fishermans caves have been adapted by various Bars and Restaurants giving them interesting interiors aswell as great people watching seating outside overlooking the water . A very popular eating place for lunchtime Menu del Dias and a great place to while away the summer evenings.
Es Grau
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 that water bottle you left behind...
Menorca Holiday Tips
Kayak hire from beach , paddle around left handside headland and enjoy the tiny hidden beaches there opposite the Illa Den Colom.
Es Grau tourist guide
Hotels and Holiday accommodationEs Mercadal
Es Mercadal is a small town in the centre of the island, with rustic whitewashed houses lining pretty narrow streets. Lying at the base to Monte Toro, Menorca's 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.
Menorca Tips
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.
Es Mercadal street markets
- Spring market: from April to June: every Thursday, in the central street "Carrer Nou" de Mercadal (from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.)
- Summer market: from July to October: every Thursday, craft night market in the streets of the center of Mercadal (from 7 to 10:30 p.m.)
- From July to October: every Saturday, agri-food night market in the streets of the center of Mercadal (from 7 to 10:30 p.m.)
Es Mercadal Tourist tourist guide
Es Mercadal All Hotels and Holiday accommodation
Ferreries
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 ( Barranc d'Algendar ) and history. A great start point for scenic walks,cycling and horse riding. Two Menorcan Horse shows just outside town.
Menorca Holiday Tips
Every Saturday 9-1 pm there is a small farmers and craft market in Placa Espanya ( main town square ) with fresh farm produce, fruit and handicrafts including ceramics and basket crafts. At the Poligno there is a Jaime Mascaro factory outlet offering high quality leathers goods at reduced prices which are sold mostly in French, Italian and German boutiques.
Ferreries tourist guide
Ferreries All Hotels and Holiday accommodation
Fornells
A watersports and restaurant favourite. 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. Lot's of boat excursions and activities are based here. Perfect for a quiet authentic Menorca stay. Mountain Bike Hire. Watersports include Jetski,Waterskiing,Windsurfing, Dinghy,Kayaks and Diving.
Fornells
Hotels and Holiday accommodation in Fornells
Fornells - trips,visits
Es Migjorn Gran
Es Migjorn Gran is authentic Menorca and the town with perhaps the least tourism influence. Surrounded by grand and beautiful country side, with many rural paths and single track roads ( Camis ) to explore. It is the starting point for drives or walks in to wonderful woods and valleys ( Binigaus ) and direct south of the town is perhaps one of the nicest virgin beaches on the island at Binigaus. It has three authentic restaurants ( Ca Na Pilar, S'Engolidor and Can Toni ) for a special evening meal.
Es Migjorn Gran
Es Mercadal All Hotels and Holiday accommodation
Mahon ( Mao or Maó )
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 it's 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.
Mahon (Mao) tourist guide
Mahon All Hotels and Holiday accommodation
Mahon - trips,visits
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San Climent ( Sant Climente )
Located on the main road (ME-12) from Mahon to Cala en Porter is well worth a visit if you are in the area. 3 good restaaurants offering Menu del Dias, Homemade and Fine Dining on the island. Traditional baker where you can experience excellent bread /pasteries made in traditional wood fired ovens.
San Climent tourist guide
All Hotels and Holiday accommodation
Menorca Tips
If you are an independent traveller and waiting to catch a flight then come here for for final drinks and meals in a more personal environment. Airport is just 5 mins drive away. Tabacs shop and cafes open at 6am too!
Home to award wining Graham Pearce micro-brewery
Sant Lluis
Is a mostly residential town with a good mix of little shops, cafes, bars and restaurants. Its most well known sights are Moli de Dalt the island's only functioning windmill (open am for visits) and "La Rueda" a popular Tapas Bar & Restauant. In pretty neighbouring S'Uestra and Torret there are some excellent high class restaurants. Mahons trotting and karting track are also near by. Local vinyard tours .
Home to Binifadet winery - great food and wines in lovely environment.
TIP Visit the large Euroski SYP Supermarket here at the Poligno ( commercial area) for a good food selection (english / german food items stocked) and keen prices. The Supermarket's (independent ) Cafeteria Bar offers a great Menu del Dia/take away hot food in air conditioned surroundings.
Sant Lluis tourist guide
All Hotels and Holiday accommodation
Villages
If you have a hire car / scooter here are some villages worth a visit.
Llucmacanes
An attractive residential village, several of the former farmhouses have been turned into homes and holiday rentals. A little supermarket. There are walks and cycling routes in the surrounding attractive countryside.
Torret ( Petit Torret) Village
A village straight out of the picture books, 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 Cala Torret.
Please be respectful of neighbourhood
Menorca's Road Network
All of Menorca's Cities and Towns can be reached by public bus. Bus routes and timetables are in each town's comprehensive visitor guide.
The central ME-1 is the main connecting route along the island for the Towns and Cities
Map to download