Menorca Spain
Guide to Menorca, second largest of the Spanish Balearic Islands.
The Balearic Islands - Menorca
Menorca - The second largest of the Balearic Islands, Menorca (Minorca) is generally much quieter than its bigger neighbour Mallorca, boasting a large number of wonderful beaches and some family friendly resorts.
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Menorca is only about a fifth of the area of Mallorca and has about one tenth of the population, and as a holiday location it is much more low-key, however Menorca has a super climate and hides some secrets which are well worth discovering.
The capital of Menorca is Maó (Mahon) and it has long been recognised as one of the finest natural harbours on the Mediterranean and this is what attracted the British to take the port and in fact the whole island in 1708. The British left their mark on Menorca, particularly in Maó, during their almost 100 year stay.
Menorca has some wonderful variations in landscape with farmlands, pine-laden ravines, steep rocky coastal areas and small sheltered coves. Menorca has more beaches than Mallorca and Ibiza combined, though many are inaccessible, so it is a great place for a beach holiday, especially if you prefer to be away from the crowds. Some of the best known beaches on Menorca include Son Bou, Cala Binibeca, Cala Galdana, Punta Prima and Els Canutello.
The two largest towns on Menorca are Maó and Ciutadella, they are also the oldest and have some fine examples of historic buildings. Ciutadella was the former capital of Menorca and is situated in the north-west of the island, Ciutadella also has a fine natural harbour.
Visitors to Menorca (Minorca) are generally those looking for a bit of peace and tranquillity, preferring to steer clear of the rowdy pubs and clubs of Ibiza and Mallorca. Menorca has plenty of interesting places to visit and lots of sites of historical and architectural interest. The island is particularly rich in megalithic structures, mostly dating from 2000 to 1000 BC, during an era known as the Talayotic Period, there are some fine structures to be seen.
Menorca is especially renowned for its seafood dishes and one of the best loved is its Caldereta de Llagosta (Lobster Stew) a delicious dish mostly associated with the northern areas of the island, and made with fresh locally caught lobsters.
Apart from the capital Maó and Ciutadella there are numerous other interesting towns and villages to visit, for example Farnells, a picturesque fishing village on the north of the island, San Lluís, a charming little inland town close to Maó, and Es Castell, formerly known as Georgetown and established by the British in 1771.
Menorca enjoys a wonderful climate, with the weather being mostly sunny and dry between the months of May and October, winters can be a little cooler and wetter, though fine day time weather can be expected right through the year.
Menorca can be reached by air or by ferry, flights are available from most European airports, ferries can be caught from mainland Spain (Barcelona) or from Palma on Mallorca.
Menorca Golf: Menorca Golf Son Parc - Spanish Golf Courses
Menorca Hotels: Hotel Santo Tomas - Gavilanes Cala Galdana - Valentin Star Cala n Bosch
Other Links: Weather in Menorca
More Menorca Places: Addaya - Arenal D'En Castell - Binibeca - Cala Blanca - Cala n Blanes - Cala n Bosch - Cala n Forcat - Cala n Porter - Cala Santandria - Coves Noves - Los Delfines - Punta Prima - S'Algar - Santo Tomas - Son Bou - Son Parc
Related: Mallorca - Ibiza - Minorca - Formentera - Builders
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