Minorca, Balearic island » Entertainment » Attractions

Minorca offers many attractions such as beautiful sandy coves, archaeological sites, excellent water sports facilities, and unspoiled, remarkable sceneries.

Mahon (Mao)

Mahon popularly known as Mao, is the capital of Minorca. It is located on the east coast, which still remains with an impression of the British occupation, from the 18th century. It has an old colonial flavor in its architecture with Georgian townhouses along with Spanish apartments. This city has one of the best natural harbors in the Mediterranean Sea. Attractions to watch out for are the Mansion House and Golden Farm, the Xoriguer Gin Distillery, and the church Esglesia de Santa Maria la Major. Here you can also find some of the best restaurants and cafes in Minorca.

Fornells

This pretty fishing village on a large bay can be reached from Mahon by the coastal road or via Mercadal. Fornells is famous for being a paradise for seafood lovers because of the fantastic seafood restaurants located in the village. The surrounding area also has plenty of attractive holiday spots.

Ciutadella

Ciutadella is located to the west of Mahon and can be easily reached by the main road. It is the second biggest town on the island of Minorca. Ciutadella has a noticeable Moorish and Spanish influence in its Gothic and Baroque styled, majestic mansions and palaces. The city is famous for its excellent restaurants and interesting shopping malls that offer a relaxed ambiance.

Naveta dels Tudons

Naveta dels Tudons is considered as the cathedral of prehistoric monuments that was constructed around 1,500 B.C. It is one of the famous navetas on the island located just outside Ciutadella and is surrounded by many mysterious legends. This monument has a horseshoe-shaped layout and the outside indicates the shape of upside-down boat. It is 13.6 m long with a maximum width of 6.40 m and height of 4.5 m.

Torre de’en Gaumes

This is known to be the largest prehistoric town of the Balearic Islands. Located between the village of Alaior and the Son Bou beach in the south of Minorca, the village features many interesting ancient ruins. Attractions include a defensive wall guarding three talaiots (stone towers), a temple made of stone, and pillared naves. The site also consists of a dolmen burial chamber.

Ciutadella cathedral

King Alfonso III of Aragon who was the conqueror of the Island built this cathedral in 1287. Catalan Gothic architecture, which developed in the 13th century, has been utilized during the construction of this cathedral. It also has a beautiful and ornamental Chapel - de les Animes of the 18th century nearby.

Beaches

Cala Blanes

This is located at the eastern end of Cala Forcat. It has very rugged, deep rocky inlets with a little beach area. It is one of the best short beaches in the area, though it can get a little crowded. This place attracts many tourists.

Son Bou

This is Minorca’s attractive, long, sandy beach with a blue sea and a gorgeous ocean view. Son Bou is a 2 miles long beach of fine white sand and it never looks crowded because of its length. It is well connected with Mahon by bus. It also offers exciting nightlife.

Punta Prima

This beach is situated in the southeast region of Minorca and is within close proximity to the airport. The white sandy beach can be beautiful to the eye, but the bay is prone to strong currents, and therefore you must keep a lookout for the flag which indicates when it is safe to swim. Punta Prima provides a good variety of restaurants and beach bars.

Binibeca

This beach also lies in the southeast region of Minorca, which attracts many snorkelers to explore the mini coves along the coast. Binibeca beach is quite rocky and therefore is not quite suitable for those that want to relax and sunbathe. It is also located near the fishing cove of Cala Torret.

Arenal d'en Castell

This is one of the major attractions of the island which has fine, clean golden sand and a good variety of water sports and other facilities available to suit all tastes. This place is very popular for its nightlife entertainment and for its special seafood delicacies.

Cala Blanca

This is the newest resort of Minorca island. It was built in the early 1990s to handle the increasing demands of tourists on the island. It is situated to the south of Ciutadella with sandy beaches. The area offers numerous water sports which include scuba diving and other water-based activities. It has a wide range of accommodation, several restaurants, bars, and shops to satisfy your shopping needs. This area definitely attracts many tourists, especially during the summer months.

Cala Galdana

This is one of the most attractive bays on the island. It is a popular tourist center on the South Coast. The magnificent coves of Macarella and Turqueta have located nearby the beach. Those coves are surrounded by pines and are well sheltered by the high cliffs.

Attractions Nearby Minorca

Local tourist agents in Minorca provide a variety of excursions, cruises and safaris in and around Minorca. A popular spot is the world-wide renowned party island of Ibiza!

THE ISLAND OF IBIZA

Ibiza is one of the smaller Balearic Islands but that has not hindered its popularity. Located in the south of the Balearic Islands, it is about 45 km long and 25 km wide.

During the summer the island is bombarded by tourists from all over the world who come to soak up its Mediterranean climate and buzzing nightlife.

The population of Ibiza is just below 114,000 (2006), and being such a small Island it has undergone major development in the past in order to accommodate the masses of visitors every year.

The beaches of Ibiza are particularly attractive, with golden sandy beaches and transparent blue waters surrounding the city centre. Ibiza city circulates the hill which stands by the entrance of the port; this is called Dalt Vila which is the oldest and most symbolic part of the city. Dalt Vila is definitely worth visiting as the area boasts many historical monuments, including the Ibiza Castle and Cathedral.

The nightlife in Ibiza usually begins around midnight when the clubs open by the port, in the Botafoch marina. Before that, many prefer to begin their evening in the stylish bars and cafes. Sant Antoni to the west of the island is also well known for its exclusive nightlife. The greatest parties are organised throughout the peak season, May – September and, are hosted by some of the best DJs from around the world.

The island of Ibiza is promoted extremely as purely a nightlife island and many forget that it is filled with many hidden treasures, offering a lot more than just a great party!