|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Villas in Menorca
Although nightlife is somewhat limited, there are many excellent restaurants on the island to suit all pockets. The waterfront restaurants are particularly good, where locally caught fish may be on the menu 'del dia'. A car is an ideal way to explore this relatively small island with its
rocky and rugged coastline. The capital, Mahon, is well worth a visit
with its good selection of shops, an interesting old quarter and historical
harbour, which was used by Nelson on many occasions as shelter for the
fleet. Boat excursions of the harbour area are well worth a trip which
includes a visit to the local gin factory!. Mahón and
Ciutadella have markets in the town centres, selling meat, fish, fruit and
vegetables. Mahón: Tuesdays & Saturdays Son Bou
Son Bou is an ideal centre from which to visit other interesting parts
of the island comprising of farming villages, market towns and many secluded
coves and beaches. The island's bustling capital, Mahon, with its four-mile
long harbour and high quality shops is also well worth a visit. Other beaches in the South and West to consider are: Son Saura (Ciutadella): Fine sand and clear waters. Popular anchorage spot for yachts. No facilities.Banyul & Bellavista: Fine sand, clear waters and pine tree cover. No facilities. Popular anchorage spot for yachts. Cala d´es Talaier: Small cove with a prehistoric watch tower called Sa Talaia d’Artrutx. Fine sand, clear waters. No facilities. Cala Turqueta: Turquoise waters, fine sand and pine tree cover. No facilities. Car park close by. All these beaches are reached via the Sant Joan de Missa rural road. During the summer these beaches are very popular and roads can become easily congested, so parking indication boards are used. Cala Macarella and Macarelleta: Accessed via the rural road of San Joan de Missa or via Cala Galdana. Macarella has a restaurant and regular cleaning. Macarelleta, is smaller and tends to be used by nudists. Both beaches have crystal waters and fine sand. Cala Galdana: A beautiful and popular horseshoe shaped bay. White sand, clean waters and pine trees. Attached to the summer resort of Cala Galdana it is served by a good range of restaurants, bars, shops and hotels. Pretty walks and some super viewing points. Cala Mitjana and Mitjaneta: Two photographic beaches within walking distance from Cala Galdana. White sand, turquoise waters and pine tree cover. No facilities. Trebaluger: Protected beach reached after a 35 minute walk from Cala Mitjana. Crystal clear waters, fine sand and pine tree cover. No facilities. Fustam and Escorxada: Next door to Trebaluger and similar in style. Santo Tomás: Resort beach, narrow and long with a pretty illuminated promenade. The sand is fine and the waters clean. Parking is available and good availability of refreshment and eating facilities. Binigaus: Attached to Santo Tomas, Popular beach and appreciated for its healthy rock clay. Ideal for those on the spot body wrap treatments and masks to be later washed off in the sea. Cala en Porter: Pretty sandy beach with all facilities, popular for its resident beach ducks. Interesting walks, good parking and busy tourist life. Binisafuller (Sant Lluís): Sandy cove with an easy access and surrounded by pretty white washed villas. Used by local fishermen. Es Caló Blanc and Caló Fondo: Close to Binisafuller, these are two coves offer swimming from the rocks. Binibeca (Sant Lluís): Golden sandy beach, clean waters and a famous beach bar. Son Parc
To service the good selection of privately owned villas with private pools and apartments in the resort several well-stocked super-markets are situated in the area where the purchase prices are similar to those which can be made at home. Other beaches to consider in the North: Cala Mesquida: North of Maó. Good bay with granular sand and deeper waters. Picturesque seaside village with an interesting 18th C. defence tower. Es Grau: Recognised as an ideal beach for children, a very pretty fisherman’s village provides the food and refreshments. The famous Albufera (Nature Park) lies behind the beach and there are some interesting walks to the left of the beach. From the pontoon of Es Grau take a boat taxi to the sandy island of the “Isla d´en Colom”. Playas Tortuga y Presili: Located by the Favaritx lighthouse. Walking shoes needed. Area of great natural beauty, with fine sand and deep waters. Popular anchorage spot for yachts. Arenal d´en Castell: A super horse shoe shaped bay similar to Cala Galdana, and like Cala Galdana there is a large tourist resort attached. Playa de Cavallería (Es Mercadal): A rural drive and a 15 minute walk to reach this beautiful beach. One of the popular unspoilt beaches of the north, a golden-red sand and deep waters. Playa de Binimel.la and Cala Pregonda (Es Mercadal): Binimel.la can be reached by car and in the summer there is a restaurant available. It is a wide beach with granular sand and deep waters. Walking along the bridal path “Camí de Cavalls” to the left for 20 minutes brings you to the beach of Pregonda. Cala Pregonda: A beautiful beach with red-golden fine sand and clear waters . No facilities but 2-3 exclusive chalets. Cala Pilar (North Ciutadella): A rural drive and a 30 minute walk over fine sand and through pine forest. A stunningly lovely beach with red-golden sand and deep clear waters. Little wild pigs can often be seen. La Vall d´Algaiarens: Car friendlier although controlled numbers. A protected beach and part of the islands natural park. Three beaches are located here Es Tancats abd Es Bot and Ses Fontanellers, all three are part of the natural park and have fine sand, dunes and pine tree shelter. Cala Morell: A small and narrow cove with historical and photographic qualities, perhaps Morell is more famous for its cliff formations and Troglodyte caves.Playas de Fornells The nearest village to the resort is Fornells, an unspoilt fishing village with a picturesque natural harbour. Fornells Bay is a large naturally protected inlet, perfect for watersports which includes sailing, windsurfing, water skiing and motor boat hire. Coastal excursions and fishing trips can also be arranged. In the village itself there is a good selection of fish restaurants, a small selection of shops including a chemist and bank.
|
The
quietest of the Balearic Islands, Menorca is an ideal holiday area for
families and those who seek peace and relaxation. Based on a farming
background and a designated UNESCO Biosphere Island
much of Menorca is lush and green with pine covered hills
although there are areas made up of ponds, lagoons, wetlands and marshes,
dune systems and in the coastal areas, islets, gullies and caves. Menorca boasts over 100 beaches for swimming and many other watersport
activities such as windsurfing, sailing and snorkelling.
Ciutadella, the former capital
of Menorca situated on the eastern tip of the island is also worth a visit.
It has a charming natural harbour bordered by excellent waterfront restaurants.
It's a city devoted to its traditions and jealously guards its historical
past from Roman, Arab, British and Spanish occupation. Close to the city
are quite large stores which sell excellent value shoes and other leather
goods.
On
the south coast of the Island of Menorca is the resort of Son Bou, just
twenty five minutes drive from the capital, Mahon. Son Bou, a resort in
itself, is split into two areas, San Jaime and Torre Soli Nou, both of
which have a large selection of villas with private pools and apartments
for holiday rental which includes a large selection of apartments within
the Son Bou Gardens and Girasol Gardens developments. The resort offers good facilities for families,
couples or small groups with plenty of restaurants, small bars and
supermarkets. A small water park and a giant maze is situated in front of
the Club San Jaime.
At the eastern end of the resort is the headland Cap
de Penyes, which is honeycombed with caves - a typical early village,
which would have been hollowed out of the hillside before concrete was
invented!. For those interested in wildlife, the beach as it progresses
further west, becomes wilder and quieter. Backed by marshland it is a
home to a thriving bird population. 
Son Bou's magnificent beach which stretches for about three kilometres
makes it the longest on the island. The sand slopes gently down into clear
blue waters, which on calm days offer excellent bathing and water sport
facilities. The usual sun beds and umbrellas are available to hire, as
well as pedaloes, water-skiing, jet skiing and windsurfing are awaiting
the more adventurous. 
Son
Parc is situated in the north of Menorca close to the fishing port of
Fornells and approximately thirty minutes by car from the airport. Apart
from the excellent sandy beach and beach bar there is an 18 hole golf
course, complete with a Club house Restaurant and
two outdoor tennis courts. The course is variable and traditional
set amongst pine trees and offers very pleasant Spring, Summer and Autumn
golfing. For those who like walking, the area is one of natural beauty,
particularly the coastline, In addition, the coves off the beaten track
remain unspoilt and well worth exploring. Do remember your camera and
binoculars they are a must!. In the nearby village of Fornells, which
is excellent area for windsurfing, sailing and boating enthusiasts, there
many well known seafood restaurants.
This
private development is situated on the North Coast of Menorca, just two
kilometres west of Fornells, an old fishing village famous for its fish
restaurants. Small groups of one, two and three bedroom apartments and
garden villas nestle into the side of Cala Tirant, a large horseshoe shaped
bay. At the foot of the bay is a fine sandy beach. Crystal clear and shallow
waters allow for safe swimming; perfect for children of all ages. Playa
de Fornells is a self contained resort with supermarkets, snack bars,
restaurants and shops.
Fornells
can be reached by means of a very pleasant cliff walk which takes about
25 minutes, although this is only to be recommended for the enthusiastic
walker. Travelling time by car from the resort to Fornells is about 6
minutes drive. Taxis are readily available.