Mahon Menorca

Make sure you are on deck for the approach to Mahon (spelled Mao locally), as the white houses clinging to its rocky coastline make a beautiful sight and with the old town rising above the harbor.

Mahon harbor is a natural 6 kilometer long bay with berthing for vessels up to eight meters depth. It is a unique port situated in an extraordinary landscape. There are berths for 3 cruise ships right in the heart of the city. The cruise terminal of Mahon has an area of more than 5000m2 for passengers offering parking for cars and buses, public telephones, cafeteria and taxis. Walking into the center of town is a short, but hilly affair. 107 steps!

If you can't face the walk back up the steps hop on the circular bus or even the Little Train - they both pass along the harbor road. The little train: Times are 11:00 - 15:00 the 18:00 - 23:00, 5 Euro, Hop on/off every hour. Also, there are 2 lifts with a panoramic view that take you back up. One is hidden behind the Mercat Des Calustre (indoor market) and then you can reach the other by following the Claustre del Carme, pass the terrace cafes.

Printable map to take along.

The Port of Mahon is a veritable pearl in the Mediterranean.

The harborside is lined with restaurants and it is nice to stroll around in the city with its fine Georgian houses which are a legacy of British rule.

The parish church of Santa Maria, built during the eighteenth century, the church of the Conception, built in the same century by the island's Greek colony, and the medieval hermitage dedicated to Sant Antoni are examples of Mahon's religious architecture.

If you have the chance to visit one of the two big traditional feasts on Menorca, DO IT! There's the Festes de Sant Joan in Ciutadella (June 23rd to 24th) and the Festes de Gracia in Mahon (September 7th to 9th). On both events you can watch the famous Menorcian stallions and their riders.

Renting a car to visit the island is a good option.

Fornells is a small fishing village on the western side of an enormous bay. Almost landlocked, the bay gives the appearance of a large lake, and is ideal for windsurfing and sailing, both of which are on offer, with tuition from a small school on the edge of the village. Fornells has also in recent time become the smart place to eat, following patronage by King Juan Carlos, and there are plenty of bars and restaurants to choose from. However in the main the village remains more or less undeveloped, and the absence of a beach assure its future as fishing village.

Leather is a good buy here. Visit the Minorca Gin factory Xoriguer across from the pier. They no longer produce harbor side – but you can taste as many as you like, no charge.

The euro

Spanish is the official language in the entire national territory. However, other languages coexist with Spanish in certain regions of Spain. These are: Catalan in Catalonia, Galician in Galicia, Euskera/Basque in the Basque Country, Valencian in the Valencia Region and a particular variety of Catalan spoken on the Balearic Islands.

Emergency number: Dial 112 free of charge (valid throughout Spain). Service is given in Spanish, and also in English, French and German in some tourist areas.

The most common business for shops and businesses hours are Monday through Saturday, from 9.30 h to 13.30 h, and from 16.30 to 20.00 h.

Big shopping centers and department stores open from 10.00 h to 21.00 or 22.00 h uninterruptedly. These big stores open sometimes on Sunday.

In coastal cities, in high season, shops are usually open passed 22.00 h.

Pharmacies open from 9.30 to 13.30 h, and from 16.30 to 20.00 h. In all major cities you can find pharmacies that open 24 hours. Pharmacies follow a rolling late-hour schedule, which is published in the newspapers, and is posted at all pharmacies.

Museums are in general closed on Mondays.

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