Tourist guide: what to do and see in Minorca
That turquoise sea in which you've always wanted to swim
Pure Mediterranean. That's what you'll find on Spain's easternmost island, where you'll always be the first to see the sunrise. It's a place where the mix of sea, mountain, fauna and flora create a special environment indeed. Named Minorca for being smaller (more "minor," if you will) than Majorca, the main island in the Balearic archipelago, here you will have some of the best ocean dips of your life, surrounded by spectacular landscapes. You can also enjoy hiking, discover the history of its towns, or just simply watch time go by.
- Sights
- Shopping
- Leisure
- Dining
- Open air
- Museum
- Sights
- Shopping
- Leisure
- Dining
- Open air
- Museum
Cavalleria Lighthouse
Way up north, spectacular sunsets and piles of rocks
Make a wish!
Midway along the north coast, at Minorca's northern tip on Cape Cavalleria, the whitewashed Faro de Cavalleria is open to visitors, and also makes a perfect spot to drink in the island's sweet sunsets over the offshore islet Illa des Porros, especially from a cave in the cliff beneath the lighthouse. You'll also notice mounds of rocks hereabouts, piled up seemingly arbitrarily. That's because legend has it that if you make a pile of stones whilst facing out to sea, then make a wish to return to Minorca, that wish will come true.
Caves of D'En Xoroi Cove
These southeast-coast grottoes are a sight to behold - and to party in
Legendary holes
Xoroi, goes the tale, was a man who emerged from the sea in an unexplainable way, and that the caves in the cliff walls here were where he dwelled. And furthermore that a woman from one of the surrounding villages once disappeared under mysterious circumstances. And finally that these two started a family together in these refuges of stone, but when discovered, Xoroi and his son threw themselves back into the sea, to be lost again amid the waves. A romantic yarn, for sure, but in any case, the reality is magical enough, and the dramatic rock cavities of this southeastern cove have become popular destinations - many of them even converted into bars by day and discos after dark. In fact, some of the island's hottest parties are held here.
Cales Piques Beach
On the northwest coast, a solitary bit of beachy heaven
Away from it all
As we've noted elsewhere, the choice of marvelous coves and beaches on Minorca is tremendous, and the right ones for you depends on your own tastes, but there are several you particularly need to know about. If you're into laid-back solitude, head up to Cala en Blanes on the northwest coast. Up here, Platja de Cales Piques is a somewhat isolated beach lapped by azure waters amid rocky cliffs - the perfect spot for disconnecting and luxuriating in some languid swimming and sunbathing. It's usually pretty sparsely populated, but there is a chiringuito (beach bar) to buy drinks and light bites.
Macarella & Macarelleta Coves
Pretty beaches tucked away behind a forest - one perfect for that 'all-over' tan
The two sisters
Some opine that Cala Macarella is Minorca's prettiest cove beach - and that's really saying something. Tucked away behind deep forests on the southeast coast (and slightly tricky to get to), it's also an endpoint for various trails and activities relating to hiking. Right nearby is its sister, Cala Macarelleta, possibly the island's top nude beach, as well as a scuba diving/snorkelling/free diving paradise thanks to the rocky bottom just offshore as well as its calm waters, protected from storms and strong currents. Both truly delightful spots to soak up sun and sea all day long.
Turqueta Cove
A southeast-coast beauty with turquoise waters backed up by lovely pine forest
Pining for perfection
On the southwest coast, Minorca's best known beach cove is surrounded not by crass development but hectares of lovely pine trees, giving it an especially pristine feel. Turqueta means "turquoise", and that aptly describes the calm, shallow, limpid waters that bathe its white sands, bookended by rocky cliffs. They're perfect for water sports such as snorkelling and diving, that don't require more active surf. One downside of its forested environs: the sunlight dwindles a bit earlier in the afternoon compared to other island beaches. A quibble though - just get here on the earlier side, and soak up the splendour.
Minorca's Castaway Coves
Pristine swaths of beaches between cliffs are Minorca's main contribution to beachy paradise. But which to choose?
Far from the madding crowd
When it comes to sun/sand/surf, on Minorca it's mostly about the little coves - especially along the south coast - where you can enjoy a slice of barefoot paradise for a bit, far from the madding crowd. Finding the "perfect" one is well nigh impossible, given that there are dozens that are so vastly appealing, but it's fun to try, and here are a couple of suggestions to get you started. Cala Trebalúger on the east coast is a little bit of heaven at the end of a stream reaching the sea between a pair of steep cliffs; admittedly it's not the easiest to get to, but that of course is what gives it that lovely castaway feel! Or check out the south coast's Mitjana and Mitjaneta, a pair of pristine coves right near an old marés stone quarry along the road to Cala Galdana.
Binibequer/Binibeca
A study in white with one of Minorca's prettiest beaches, just south of Maó
A beaut of a beach town
On the southeast coast barely eight kilometres (five miles) down from Maó, this traditional, centuries-old fishing village is a study in white - primarily its buildings and its relatively petite beach, one of the island's prettiest. The contrast with the surrounding greenery and the azure waters gives it a classic Mediterranean charm that's catnip to holidaymakers, especially during the summer holiday season. During that time especially, the beach has an especially great vibe - plus a funky chiringuito (beach bar), a little old fishermen's shack with a red roof. You'll want to get out here early, though, to snag one of the chaise-longues!
S'Albufera des Grau Natural Park
Birding and hiking in a dramatic natural setting
It's a natural
Located along the road from Maó to Fornells, Minorca's most important nature reserve should be high on the list of priorities for hikers, birders, and nature-lovers in general. It's not huge (just over five hectares/12 acres), but still, the best way to approach it is via three established trails. The two which are better for birdwatching start at the Rodriguez Femenias Reception Centre - which, by the way, provides a good amount of information about the entire reserve. The third starts in the town of Es Grau and winds through the forests along the beach. But all three end up at the Favaritx Lighthouse, where you'll be amazed by the black slate of the cliffs and landscape, giving it an almost lunar aspect.
S'Hostal Quarries
Ancient, source of much construction stone, now a performance venue
They're the pits - but in a good way
Located near Ciutadella, these enormous quarries of white marés stone (of which many island buildings were traditionally built) are another of the vestiges of Minorca's prehistoric civilisation, and later became key to industrialisation on the island; they were mined regularly up until 1994. The height of the walls is impressive, and in the pit you can still see the machinery used to extract the marés. It's divided into two sections, the old and the modern; in the latter, concerts are sometimes held, especially in summertime (a very impressive experience, highly recommended). Right nearby you can also visit the botanical garden and the Laberint dels Vergers park.
El Toro Hill
Great views, a famous Madonna, and a bite to eat
Minorca's highest
Near the centre of the island, Minorca's highest point (342 metres/1,122 feet) not surprisingly offers the best, most sweeping views out over the whole business. Also up here is the 17th-century Santuari de la Verge del Toro, a lovely church and convent now occupied by Franciscan nuns - though part of it is still accessible to visitors - including a famous carved wooden Madonna. You'll also find a bar and restaurant to rest and refuel while you contemplate the majestic views all around you.
Side Trip to Majorca
Stunning beaches and natural scenery as well, but also compelling cities and towns - above all the extraordinary capital Palma de Mallorca
The big one
The largest and most important of the Balearic Islands (and site of their capital, Palma de Mallorca), Majorca is also the most diverse in its offerings, from its lovely natural landscape - perfectly balanced between land and sea - to the history and culture of its cities and towns. Particularly the capital, with its gigantic cathedral by the sea; the old Jewish quarter, an example of the multicultural hybridisation that has been the result of the march of many cultures through these islands, both peacefully and militarily; and the El Jonquet fishermen's quarter, still a bastion of tradition even though it's located right alongside two of the island's liveliest districts, Santa Catalina and the Passèig Marítim (waterfront boulevard).
Side Trip to Formentera
A wee island paradise that's an easy day trip from Minorca
Even more laid back than Minorca!
Minorca is already pretty magical, but many fans of neighbouring Formentera, the smallest of the Balearic Islands, call it truly paradisiacal. Formentera's even more diminutive size makes it easy to explore on a day trip its mix of white coves; dramatic cliffs; natural rock pools; tiny, picturesque towns; and intriguing spots like La Mola Lighthouse, which inspired the likes of Jules Verne and whose keeper during World War II reportedly saved the life of a downed aviator.
Side Trip to Ibiza
World famous for its beaches and clubs, Ibiza also has another appealing side
Visiting a party isle
With regular, quick boat service between islands, a day trip to one of Minorca's neighbouring Balearic Islands is a snap. Ibiza is a particularly good candidate, its world fame and more than 700,000 annual visitors from all over the world earned by its party-hearty summer season of buzzing beaches and sizzling nightlife, all to a throbbing club soundtrack of electronica, trance, and house. But another great thing about this island is that there's much more to it than that. Small, picturesque towns like Sant Antoni, Santa Eulalia, and Santa Gertrudis, their whitewashed façades accented with Mediterranean plants and flowers, offer a laid-back window into authentic local culture. Another highlight is Can Marçà Cave, more than 100,000 years old.
Hiking Minorca
Its compactness/flatness offer perfect walking conditions; here are a couple of lovely routes
Take a hike!
Minorca's modest size and mostly flat terrain make it uncommonly easy to explore on foot, and so hiking has become quite popular among many visitors. Trails there are many, but here are a couple of top suggestions. A route of less than five kilometres (three miles) runs from Maó's harbour to Cala de Sant Esteve, winding up at one of the island sights you really shouldn't miss anyway, La Mola Fortress. Another, a bit longer at just over eight km (five mi.), the route between Punta Nati and Cala Morell is also a bit more challenging but scenically rewarding, taking you past dramatic sea cliffs. Be sure to pack your comfy walking shoes!
Biking Minorca
Hiring a bike and exploring the island on two wheels is easy peasy - and oh, so rewarding
Small and flat - perfect for two-wheeling
Minorca's petite size; low-volume traffic; and very easy, nearly flat terrain make it one of the best places imaginable to explore by bike, both in the countryside and its cities and towns. And you'll find many bicycle-hire concerns, from the airport to various points in Maó and Ciutadella, with rates varying but usually in the neighbourhood of 10 euros a day. Such is the ease of getting around that you could take a map and choose a destination almost at random, but here's one idea for a great beach-oriented excursion: take the PM V-7212 road from Ciutadella to Cala Blanca, and about five kilometres (three miles) out, you can make a stop to luxuriate in one of the island's loveliest strands.
Hiring a Boat
As an island defined by the Mediterranean, taking to the water is a beautiful way to experience it most fully
Experiencing Minorca from the sea
Minorca's appeal to holidaymakers rests mainly on being surrounded by the glorious Mediterranean Sea, and apart from enjoying its lovely beaches, if you have the budget for it, we'd highly recommend getting out onto the water itself by hiring a boat (either captained or on your own). It's a tremendous experience from the sea to explore the coast and its castaway coves; contemplate spectacular sunsets; and be able to snorkel and dive in otherwise difficult to reach spots of astonishing virgin beauty. There are many boat hire outfits based in Maó, Ciutadella, and various towns along the coasts. Costs vary depending on location, extent of service, and time of year, but 300 euros per day is typical (you can of course shop around at each marina). To the boats!
Horse Races
Less known is how large horses loom in Minorca's history, and how popular racing is today
And they're off!
One of Minorca's lesser known traditions is its horse racing, one of the island's most popular sporting activities, and a legacy of the importance of equine culture in the history of the island as an object of conquest over the centuries. Two race courses - one in Maó and a slightly smaller one in Ciutadella - were built over the course of the 20th century, and they give each other a run for their money in terms of best quality racing. Perhaps the island's most important are the harness races on Saturdays around 6 pm at Ciutadella's Hipodrom Torre de Ram. In fact, it's a tradition for newbies here to place a symbolic bet on the winning horse.
Minorca Nightlife
This ain't Ibiza, for sure, but nonetheless there is an appealingly low-key scene, especially in Maó and Ciutadella
Definitely on the quiet side, but…
If you want rockin' nightlife, head to Ibiza or Majorca; Minorca's appeal is more of a quiet type. Nonetheless, there is definitely an appealingly laid-back after-dark scene to be enjoyed, particularly in the cities of Maó and Ciutadella on the weekends, and most especially during the warmer-weather tourist season. In Ciutadella, for example, head to the end of the port area, where you'll find quite a few waterfront cafés which are really quite lovely in the evening; the best known is called Jazzbah. Another special mention is due to Cova d'en Xoroi, one of the island's most popular discos, house in a cave in a nearby cliff (a highlight of the week here: Thursday's foam parties!).
City of Maó
The historic/cultural side of Minorca, to balance out the sun 'n' surf
Minorca's capital
Also known by its Spanish name Mahón, Minorca's capital and largest city has roots in classical antiquity, its name originating from a Carthaginian general in 205 BC. Maó sits on one of the world's loveliest natural harbours, and at its entrance you'll find the Fortaleza de la Mola (aka Fortaleza de Isabel II), an enormous fortress erected in 1852 which perfectly illustrates a key aspect of this island's history: due to its strategic location on Mediterranean trade and military routes, Minorca has for centuries been an object of desire of foreign powers and brigands alike. Thus this is just one of many fortifications built for defensive purposes; another is the Sant Roc Bastion, ruins of which can be seen at the foot of the defensive wall that surrounded the city. You can learn more about the history and context of all of this at the Museu de Menorca, situated in yet another atmospheric fort.
City of Ciutadella
Must-see history, culture - and one mighty interesting ocean phenomenon
Minorca's second city
As a visitor to Minorca, the island's second largest city should absolutely be on your list to spend some quality time. Highlights include its cathedral in Plaça del Borne (one of Minorca's key spots, where an obelisk commemorates a crucial 1558 victory over the Turks and honours the bravery of the Minorcan people). A few metres away is the Plaça de s'Esplanada, where the city festivals are celebrated. And you must definitely not miss the enormous Castle of Sant Nicolau, built in the 18th century to repel would-be invaders. The city is also known for a curious natural phenomenon known as the rissaga, in which the sea rises and falls suddenly - quite a sight to see!
Jaime Mascaró Footwear
Famous especially for its 'avarca' sandals, a brand with international legs is worth seeking out on its home turf
Minorca's brand ambassador
The distinctly Minorcan sandals called avarcas are quite the local phenomenon, and you can find stylish, modern examples sold all over the island - above all in the main cities Ciutadella and Maó (especially, in the latter, along Carrer Arravaleta). One of the best known examples is the Jaime Mascaró brand, which has achieved so much success it has expanded to various cities in Spain and three other European countries including the U.K. Here on home turf Minorca, there are boutiques in Maó, at the airport, and out on the Maó-to-Ciutadella road on the outskirts of the town of Ferreries. Mascaró's "Pretty Ballerina" avarcas are perennial favourites, but they also sell boots, pumps, sneakers, and other footwear, along with accessories.
Minorca Cheese
Minorca's very special cheese - unique in the world - is something you'll definitely want to try, and buy
Who moved my cheese?
Buttery, delicious Mahón-Menorca cowsmilk cheese is one of Spain's most distinctive cheeses, with a denomination of origin. There are a number of sub-varieties, depending on specifics of the manufacturing process, type of cows, and region of the island. One of the best places to find many of those varieties is the Mercat de Maó in Sa Plaça - along with many of the other distinctive foods Minorca is known for. They make great gifts for the folks back home, as well as tasty reminders of your visit after you leave. Enjoy!
Minorcan Sandals
Avarcas have become a Minorcan ambassador to the world
Foot fetish
Though it does tend to overlap with the weaving tradition mentioned elsewhere, shoemaking on Minorca merits special mention. In centuries past, the distinctive sandals known as avarcas were considered the lowly footwear of farm and ranch hands - a simple construction of rubber sole, open toe, and a little leather strap over the ankle. Yet these days they're luxury items that are the symbol of summer; seen on catwalks and fancy feet all over the world; and one of this island's most exported products and moneymakers. Minorca of course remains avarca central, and they're available in a nearly bewildering choice of colours and styles.
Fabric Products
Another venerable tradition of products from sandals to curtains made from palm, straw, hemp, and other such materials
From the plant kingdom
Products plucked from the plant kingdom abound on Minorca, with materials including palm, straw, reeds, bulrushes, wicker, asphodel, hemp, esparto grass, and agave. From these come baskets, bags, hampers, rubbish bins, blinds, string chairs, curtains, hats, espadrilles, and perhaps the best known of all, sandals. It's a craft that has been handed down from generation to generation, back into time immemorial. Of course, the pool of craftsmen skilled in this particular genre has been dwindling with the passage of time, but there are still some left - and an outstanding one is Francesc Pons Coll, with a workshop on Maó's Carrer Sant Manuel, who is happy to introduce newbies to this venerable tradition.
Stonework
Objects masterfully crafted from the same island stone from which buildings were originally constructed
Still in the Stone Age
When it comes to the stonework maestros of Minorca, lines are often blurred between sculpture and architecture. Their way of shaping and decorating stone makes it almost impossible to tell the difference between what decorates a building and what holds it up. Especially since much of it is done in marés, the calceous local stone of which many island buildings were traditionally constructed. One outstanding example in downtown Ciutadella is Víctor Marugán, whose workshop of Carrer Sor Águeda is another rock-solid choice for gifts/souvenirs.
Ceramics
A tradition dating back to prehistory, kept alive by masterful craftsmen
Sweetening the pot
The formulas and techniques of potterymaking and ceramics on Minorca have been passed down through the generations essentially from prehistoric times. And today there still exist master craftsmen in small workshops which keep this wonderful tradition alive. Two of the best known are Remigi Lora Buzón, whose shop is located on Carrer Camí des Pou Nou, and Joana Muñoz Bautista, on Carrer Camí de N'Guixó. Both are happy to give you a tour, but you'll need to make an appointment. The pieces you'll find here are not only unique but also masterpieces from the hands of the most prestigious masters of ceramics alive. During your visit, they'll share a few of their tricks of the trade, but many more remain - understandably - trade secrets.
Woodworking
Minorcan woodwork is quite different from the rest of Spain. Find out why.
Woody, not tinny
Minorca's particular history - due in part to its mix of cultures and historical isolation - has led its artisanal traditions, such as woodworking, to evolve in different ways. An example is the traditional imagery derived from island customs, beliefs, and history - combining Talayotic (prehistoric), Christian, and African culture into a distinct and unique hybrid. The tradition of wood carving goes back many centuries, and has along the way borne testimony to a culture which, every time it was invaded by another civilisation, was crushed and condemned to disappear. The Feria de Artesanía de Menorca, held every year from May through August, is a great place to both explore the island's history through its woodwork and pick up some lovely gifts/souvenirs.
Maó Crafts Market
Jewelry, metalwork, and unique local crafts which make great souvenirs/gifts
A Wednesday tradition
Each Wednesday morning, the Plaça del Carme is filled with stands offering a variety of Minorcan handicrafts - many of them with deep, sometimes mystical roots in the island's history. There is as well an abundance of jewellery and work in gold, silver, and other precious metals, which also have a long tradition and high reputation. It's not actually terribly large - there are in fact other, larger ones on Minorca - but the charming setting and the fact that it's under the radar makes this market a find that sets it apart from others of its type. A great place for original mementos and gifts.
Fashion Boutiques
There are in fact some interesting options on an island that's not remotely a shopping powerhouse
Following fashion in Maó
Hardly a fashion or shopping powerhouse, Minorca nonetheless has its share of interesting boutiques, particularly in Ciutadella and Maó. In the latter, Carrer s'Arravaleta is home to a mix of international brands and local designers and products. On Plaça del Príncep, El Dique is known for its discounts on women's brand-name fashion. You might also be interested in the sandals market, where you may not find the most handcrafted options, but it does offer a wide variety of this singular Minorcan footwear.
Edible Souvenirs
Distinctive local food specialities that will delight the folks back home (or let your Minorca holiday live on)
Sweet and savoury
No one will claim that Minorca is a top shopping destination, but like any high-quality destination, it does offer a few items that make wonderful mementos of your visit, particularly in the edible realm. On the sweet side, the top of the list are the pastries called ensaïmadas, sold in practically all bakeries and pastry shops in most of the island's cities and towns. On the savoury side, the mild but tasty Mahó-Menorca cheese shares billing with the very distinctive sobrassada. Top tipples include Xoriguer Gin (a top local cocktail being pomada, made from gin and lemonade) and eaux de vie Licores Biniarbolla.
Faro de Artrutx Restaurant
Minorcan specialities, dramatic setting, mindblowing sunsets
Copacetic clifftop cuisine
One of the most impressive things this restaurant has going for it is one of Minorca's most dramatic settings, the Artrutx Lighthouse from which it takes its name. Ensconced on a cliff over the sea with some spectacular views (and quite possibly the island's best sunsets), this is also a culinary gem, with carefully prepared Minorcan dishes, especially seafood. Try to come before dinner to lift a glass as the sun sets - it will be one of the incandescent memories of your entire trip. One caveat: be sure to reserve ahead, particularly in summer, when this is an especially popular place for all the reasons above.
Malvasía Wine
A rich, sweet wine that's a Minorca trademark
The 'wine of kings'
The peculiarly Mediterranean grape and sweet wine Malvasia (which back in the day was also referred to in English as Malmsey) originated, it's thought, in Greece. But it has also been cultivated and made on Minorca for centuries, and it was thanks to this island's importance as a trade entrepôt, and the passage through here of European occupiers such as the English and the French, that Malvasia became the rage throughout the rest of the continent, coming to be known as the "wine of kings" and touted by the likes of William Shakespeare. Production is centred around the towns of Alaior and Sant Lluis, and wine enthusiasts are welcome to come around for tours and tastings.
Almond Products
Locals love almonds, put them to many uses, and eagerly await January, when their blossoms blanket landscapes in white
Nuts about almonds
Locals on Minorca as well as Majorca and Ibiza look forward to January and February in part because vast swaths of the islands bloom into blankets of snowy white, due to the blossoms of their many almond tree plantations. Almonds (ametlles in Catalan, almendras in Spanish) have been an important part of Minorca's life and culture at least since the 19th century - not just in cuisine (jams, pudding, dried nuts, and various dishes) but also artisanally in a range of products, especially those relating to beauty, hygiene, and skin care. You might say Minorcans are nuts about almonds.
Herbes and Palo Liqueur
Malaria? Digestion? How about a tot just for the taste of it?
From medicine to tipple
The fact that Minorca long remained largely isolated from the Iberian Peninsula, as well as repeated invasions over the centuries by different civilisations and cultures, has endowed the island with a distinctive culture particularly evident in its cuisine - and its tipples are in turn an excellent example of this. The liqueurs Herbes and Palo, for example, are rooted in naturally-sourced medicinal tinctures intended to treat and prevent maladies as far back as the 16th century. Palo was used to combat malaria (the name comes from paludismo, which in turn is derived from the plasmodium, the parasite carried by transmitting mosquitos). Today it's one of the island's most popular tipples, most often taken as an apéritif. Herbes, in contrast, has been touted as a digestive aid, and so is most commonly taken after meals. Cheers!
Minorcan Honey
A sweet tradition stretching back centuries, and still present in various local dishes
Honey, honey, how you thrill me
The sweet, golden, gooey goodness that comes to us from bees has a long provenance on this island - documented as gifts to the royal court, for example, in the 15th century, but likely long established even then. Back in the day, Minorcan honey was a luxury product, coveted by monarchs and aristocrats, and not surprisingly has over the centuries found its way into a good number of local dishes, such as honey eggplant, sobrassada sausage in honey, and cuscussó (bread with honey, toasted almond, and cinammon, served for pudding). You'll find these served all over the island, but perhaps the best and widest variety can be found in downtown Maó, along with jars of honey that make lovely gifts or souvenirs.
Sobrassada Sausage
One of Spain's most distinctive sausages, it's a pork-paprika party
An icon of Minorcan meat
As with most aspects of Balearic cuisine, this very savoury and distinctive sausage - one of the islands' most typical foods - is the result of a mix of civilisations and traditions over time, and has roots in Sicily. The very distinctive and unique flavour of sobrassada (which in Spanish as opposed to Catalan is spelled sobrasada) comes from its mix of pork and bacon spiced with paprika. The best is indicated as produced from Minorca's black pigs. Especially popular as an apéritif in the bars of downtown Ciutadella, it's served in various forms, in sandwiches and by itself with different preparations - a newer one that's been popular of late is fried sobrassada with Minorcan honey.
Two restaurants, two dishes and the same ingredients
Try the lobster at Café Balear. Now that of Es Cranc. Which one do you prefer?
Menorcan specialties
Lobster is one of the specialties of the Menorcan island. The different ways of preparing it are almost endless and each house has its own recipe. The offer is so wide that we make a couple of suggestions that will undoubtedly help you choose the place to try this dish. The first of them is called Café Balear and it is one of the Balearic institutions as far as seafood is concerned. Not only lobster, here you can try all kinds of fish that are brought in daily on their own boat. Just arrived from the Menorcan waters, our second proposal is called Es Cranc and it is a restaurant with a unique atmosphere. In addition to one of the best fish and seafood menus you can find, the attention of the whole family (currently three generations work together in the place) is inimitable and unforgettable. Now you have to choose between the two and bon appetit!
Ensaimada Pastries
A traditional sweet that's sugar-dusted heaven, and sold in shops all over Minorca
A sweet-tooth special
No one knows exactly how they originated (probably during Moorish times), but ensaïmadas are the Balearic Islands' classic traditional pastry. A swirly bit of business made from flour, eggs, sugar, and pig lard (called saïm, which gives the pastry its name), then dusted with powdered sugar, it comes with various fillings, including whipped cream, chocolate, and others. They make great gifts and/or tasty mementos, and one of the top places to buy them is Cas Sucrer on Maó's Plaça de la Constitució and Carrer Nou (it also sells various other sweets typical of Minorca).
Mayonnaise!
Invented in Maó, it's still made by hand here in the city
Don't hold the mayo
Did you know that this eggy condiment actually originated in Minorca? It takes its name (maionesa in Catalan), in fact, from the capital Maó (aka Mahón), but the circumstances of its exact origins remain murky. Most accounts place it with the arrival in 1756 of the army of France after it wrested the island from the English, acidentally created by the chef for a celebratory banquet held during the visit of the Duke of Richelieu. These days it can of course be found everywhere on the island, but we recommend you seek it out in various of the establishments in the capital which still make it by hand.
Xoriguer Gin
Gin is popular in Balearic Islands thanks to long-ago English military occupation, and this is a top brand
Ginning up some gin
During the 18th century, Minorca came under English rule, and the many soldiers and sailors now seeking diversion in its cities and towns missed their traditional tipple, gin. And so the local Pons family, which operated many of the island's windmills, saw an opportunity to distill home-grown gin from locally grown juniper berries, naming it after one of their mills (which by the way can still be seen). This brand became a favourite among both servicemen and civilians, and eventually one of the island's most popular gins.
Hernández Mora Collection
Displayed in downtown Maó's El Carme Church, art, maps, and books of extraordinary historical value
An extraordinary cultural trove in a church
Some of the art in downtown Maó's El Carme Church is the collection of one of the 18th century's most prominent aristocrats, Joan Hernández Mora, whose bequest includes painting, engravings, books, and a map collection which is unique in the world — all of which would have been lost to the countless fires, attacks and vicissitudes that the island has suffered over the centuries, were it not for this family's remarkable efforts at conservation.
Cap de Cavalleria Eco Museum/Roman Sanisera
A nature centre with a staggeringly fascinating difference
Modern nature, ancient Romans
Located in the north of the island between Cavalleria Cape and the port town of Sanitja, Eco Museo del Cap de Cavalleria was inaugurated in 1997 to safeguard, study, and educate the public about the local environment as well as the culture of the ancient Romans active here from the first century BC to the 6th century AD. This eco-museum's centre of operations is in the Roman city of Sanisera's 1st-century military settlement as well as its citadel, and this fact alone more than justifies a visit here. Apart from ancient Roman life and times, the nature-oriented exhibits go into a wealth of detail about the flora, fauna, and geology of the area, as well as its historical and societal aspects. You can then hike along your choice of seven nearby trails through said nature.
Minorca Military Museum
A stone fort with an unusually large military museum on an island where military history has been key
Fall in!
Opened on 6 January 1982, the 200th anniversary of Minorca's conquest by the troops of King Charles III, the building itself is a stone fort constructed by the English during their previous occupation of the island. The Museu Militar has 20 rooms housing all types of military paraphernalia - particularly one collector's huge trove of bronze weapons of the 16th through 18th centuries - a legacy of constant attacks and invasions not just by England but also France, as well as high-seas pirates. Military matters have had outsize importance on an island that was for centuries such an object of contention among armed powers great and small.
Diocesan Museum of Minorca
A 17th-century home for a collection which traces much of the history of Minorca
Magnificent monastery, awesome art
The St. Augustine Monastery, one of the most important buildings erected in Ciutadella in the 17th century, is now home to the Museu Diocesà de Menorca. The monastery alone merits a visit, as it's one of the island's loveliest spots - in particular its cloister. But it also displays a wealth of splendid and historically important paintings, sculptures, engravings, and various objects from the prehistoric period through the 19th century - a remarkable window into Minorca's history and culture, especially from a religious perspective. The room devoted to the 18th century is one of the most impressive, and another is devoted to one of the most significant painters born on the island, Pere Daura (though better known to the world as Pierre; 1896-1976).
Municipal Museum of Ciutadella del Bastió de Sa Font
This museum is sheltered under the great wall of the island, one of the best witnesses of Balearic history.
Journey to the past
During the medieval period, the island of Menorca was the victim of continuous sieges and invasions by a good number of civilizations. From the European powers to the vessels of pirate communities. Its geographical location made it one of the commercial gateways to the Mediterranean and, therefore, the target of countless invaders. For this reason, a large part of the island defended itself by creating a great wall. In one of its surveillance points, this building was built around the year 1667, on one of the cliffs of the bay. This building is, in itself, a good narrator of the history of the island. This is demonstrated by the museum that is housed inside. A museum that shows an important period for the island that goes from the Middle Ages itself to its Muslim period. The prehistoric archaeological findings carried out in the area are also very important.
Museum of Cheese
Minorca's famous for its special cheese, and this museum celebrates it
Cheesy in a good way
Cheese is one of the specialities for which Minorca is particularly well known, and while the origin of the white cowsmilk cheese known as formatge maó (Mahón) is lost in the mists of time, but documented back to the 5th century; in 1985 it was awarded denomination of origin status. Today Mahón is one of the Balearic islands' most prestigious culinary stars, and so family-owned cheesemaker Hort de Sant Patrici decided to open the Museu del Fortmatge in an old farm warehouse. Exhibits explain in detail both the cheesemaking process and its history in Minorca and to some extent elsewhere in the world, using tools, photos, and artwork dating back centuries. Perhaps best of all, you can cap off your visit with a cheese tasting as well as browsing some product to enjoy later in your hotel room or bring home as gifts or for your own delectation. Delicious!
Minorca Musum
A timeline of more than 3,000 years is laid out in artifacts and multimedia
A 17th-century monastery now displays Minorca's history
Minorca's most important museum, the Museu de Menorca is housed in a 17th-century Baroque building on the Avenida de Guàrdia that was a Franciscan monastery until 1835. After various incarnations, it finally became a museum in the 20th century, and is divided into various floors covering different periods of the island's history. Exhibitions are a mix of artifacts and audiovisual.
Sa Farinera de s´Arangi Mill
A onetime flour mill, now a museum of a key era of Minorcan history
Industrial Revolution relic
A onetime mill for grinding flour, converted to electricity during the Industrial Revolution, today Sa Farinera de s´Arangi is no longer a working mill, but is rather maintained as a museum offering a window into a critical period of Minorca history, when industrialisation came (albeit somewhat later than in the rest of Europe) to the island. There's also a restaurant and a shop selling interesting Minorcan mementos.
Trepucó Neolithic Site
One of Minorca's largest Bronze Age settlements
Prehistory just outside Maó
Located along the road just a couple of kilometres (a tad over a mile) outside Máo, Trepucó is one of Minorca's largest Bronze Age settlements, abandoned after being walloped during the Second Punic War (218-201 BC, then another one involving Hannibal). But many of the structures of its public and private buildings survive, as does a necropolis and Trepucó's taula (a vertical pillar topped with a massive horizontal stone and usually surrounded by a u-shaped wall) and a pair of talaiots (megaliths). A must for archaeology and history buffs.
Talatí de Dalt Neolithic Site
A top example of an Iron Age settlement, with megaliths, dwellings, walls, and more
One of the island's top prehistoric settlements
More than most any other destination in the world, Minorca is a treasure trove of prehistoric sites - in part thanks to the fact that for millennia it was such an isolated island. They are testament to the ancient vintage of human presence here, and of activities, customs, and history which would otherwise disappear into the mists of time. Talatí de Dalt is one of the best examples of this. Just four kilometres (2½ miles) from capital Maó, at its entrance you'll find a pair of natural caves, the talaiot (megalith) which gives the site its name; a sanctuary including a taula (massive vertical stone topped by another massive horizontal stone); and various still standing columns. Inside you'll find dwellings as well as the remains of an ancient walls around the settlement, to help protect against attacks.
Cala Morell Necropolis
Minorca's most ancient prehistoric site is a truly spectacular experience
Dying to get in
Essentially prehistoric cemeteries, the cities of the dead known as necropolises date back on this island even before the Neolithic period here termed "talayotic" - which itself already stretched back to more than 1,000 BC. Near Calascovás, the Cala Morell Necropolis is Minorca's oldest as well as the most spectacular. It consists of 14 open cavities in the coastal cliffs, interconnected and punctuated by various windows and skylights - allowing the remains interred within to remain connected to the sky and sea (most Balearic necropolises are oriented toward the water), and imbuing the site with a particularly striking quality. Visitors can enter the tombs, and at no cost.
Torralba d'en Salord Neolithic Site
A sacred site, and Minorca's most popular prehistoric monument
Another 3,000-year-old jawdropper
Together with nearby Torre d'en Galmés, Minorca's second largest Iron Age town (500 inhabitants) is the Balearic Islands' most important prehistoric site, dating back to around 1000 BC. Interestingly, Torralba d'en Salord continued to be occupied during the Roman occupation and, indeed, into the Middle Ages. The settlement is also home to Minorca's most popular Neolithic structure, a taula (a vertical pillar topped with a massive horizontal stone and usually surrounded by a u-shaped wall) some five metres (16 feet) high. In the process of excavation and reconstruction, remnants were found of celebrations and ceremonies, leading archaeologists to believe this was also a site of sacred significance. Located between Alaior and Cala en Porter.
Torre d'en Galmés Neolithic Site
A fascinating look at daily life of 3,000 years ago
Another Bronze Age relic
This site containing the first remnants of civilisation on Minorca - a village believed to date back to 1300 BC - is located between Alaior and Son Bou. One of the most powerful towns of its day, Torre d´en Galmés was capable of housing 900 residents, and is in a remarkable state of preservation given its great age - partly, perhaps, due to its protected position, with a small hill to one side and the island's south coast to the other. Its most notable constructions are the trio of talaiots (megaliths) which have become the site's symbol, but you'll also find remnants of houses, storehouses, and workplaces - all in remarkable condition. A truly amazing window into day-to-day island life of more than 3,000 years ago.
Naveta d'Es Tudons Neolithic Site
A fascinating relic of the Balearic Islands' Bronze-Age civilisation
Europe's most ancient building
Discovered in the mid-19th century but not excavated/restored by archaeologists until 1959, the Naveta d'Es Tudons (naveta meaning boat, a reference to its shape, similar to an overturned small boat) was found to be a funerary site containing human remains, and dating back to these islands' so-called Talaiotic culture of the Bronze Age, as far back as 2000 BC. It's more than 13 metres (43 feet) high, and was built without any type of mortar. Unfortunately, visitors are no longer allowed inside the structure, but they can go right up for a close look at an extraordinary site thought to be Spains's oldest manmade structure.
Favàritx Lighthouse
In the dramatic dark hills of Minorca's north, there's a legend about this structure
The lighthouse side of the moon
Called Tramontana, Minorca's northern zone is a wild, desertlike region with a nearly lunar feel at times, thanks to hills and mountains of dark slate stone. Crowning these hills is the Favàritx Lighthouse, to which the road leading up is surrounded by a fauna- and flora-rich environment created by a natural lake. Furthermore, there's a legend associated with the lighthouse - it's said that if you visit on moonlit nights and step in the puddles that form around it, you'll get energy and fertility from the moon and the sea.
Fort Marlborough
Built under British rule in the early 18th century
Another British relic
Since the Middle Ages, Minorca's geographic Mediterranean location has made it a strategic prize sought after by countries including not just Spain but also Britain, France, and others. And in fact up till 1802 it changed hands several times before becoming definitively Spanish. Fort Marlborough was built by the British near Sant Esteve Beach in the town of Es Castell to guard the island's east coast against attacks by their enemies. Named for General Churchill, aka the Duke of Marlborough, one of the most illustrious figures in modern British history, it's one of the island's most impressive military structures, effectively camouflaged by its sandy environment.
La Mola and San Felipe Fortress
Built by the Spanish in the mid-19th century to ward off the Brits
Impressive engineering
La Mola Fortress was built by the Spanish crown between 1848 and 1875 to guard against a possible re-invasion by Great Britain, which remained interested in Minorca - after having ruled it for much of the 18th century - for its trade routes and as a hedge against France. One of the most advanced military fortifications of its day, the impressive complex has sections devoted to both land and sea defence. The former is of course the more interesting of the two, with various combat-ready fronts, while the sea section is built on massive cliffs. Another testament to how sought-after this island has been to various powers throughout history.
Fornells Tower
Spectacular views from a defensive tower built during British rule
A local Tower of London
Minorca has been ruled by various and sundry powers over the centuries, including ancient Greeks and Romans, then the Vandals and Moors, before the kingdoms of Aragon and then Spain took over. But this tower is a relic of the 18th century when for much of that century and into 1802 Minorca was lorded over by the British. This strategic tower over the north coast port of Fornells, one of the island's most important, dates from that final year to defend against invasion by sea. From atop the tower you can see two other nearby towers built for visual contact to the same end. This trio of towers provides some of the island's most spectacular views.
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