About Menorca

History

Menorca is the second largest of the Balearic islands. This beautiful island has a rich cultural and ecological history and in 1993 the island was declared a Biosphere Reserve by Unesco. Menorca is the quietest island of the Balearics, confident of its own charms. Life is unhurried and relaxed. The landscape consists of rolling farmland, extending to beautiful cliffs and golden, sandy beaches, some of which can only be accessed by foot and are very secluded.

The capital Mao (Mahon) is at the eastern end of the island. Ferries from the Spanish mainland and Palma de Mallorca arrive regularly at the Port of Mahon, one of Menorca's four natural harbours. The main road runs through the middle of the island leading to Ciutadella (Menorca's second largest town), with secondary roads leading off to the North and South to various resorts and beaches. Menorca itself is only 53km wide, so hiring a car and exploring the island is a must!

Temperatures in Menorca usually rise to around 30 degrees in July and August and fall to 14 degrees in January. Menorca has an average of 315 days of sunshine a year. Flight times from the UK are approximately 2.5 hours.

Mao (Mahon) & Ciutadella

Renamed as the capital of Menorca in the early 1700's by the British, Mahon still retains a "colonial feel", which is evident in the Georgian architecture not seen anywhere else in Spain. The harbour features a mix of restaurants and bars, most offering waterfront dining overlooking the rows of moored boats.

Mahon
Mahon (left), Ciutadella (right)

Ciutadella, at the western end of the island, was the capital of Menorca before the British occupation. Known as 'Vella i Bella' ('the old and the new'), it is distinctly Spanish with a historic old quarter and a picturesque port.