Perched upon a sheer cliff face, Mahon’s mix of cobbled streets, stern churches and stately homes caught the attentions of Britons long ago: they were the ones that declared it Menorca’s capital, snatching that title from Ciutadella in 1722. Its vibrant streets are home to colourful cafés, open-air concerts and boutique stores, while the locals themselves are a culturally savvy bunch, as numerous galleries, exhibitions and a love of the opera testify. As the sun sets, head down to Mahon’s impressive port – the second largest natural harbour in the world – to stroll along the waterfront to admire flashy speedboats and elegant sailing ships tugging gently at their moorings.
bestmarket: Claustre del Carme For fresh, seasonal groceries, this indoor market is a treat for the senses. Much of the fruit and veg piled precariously at stalls is grown on the island and it’s the perfect spot to try smelly local cheese or spicy sausages before you buy. Look out for Menorcan honey and jam too, and camomile picked locally. Where >Plaça del Carme
bestplace to put your best foot forward!: Shoe shopping Home to a handful of top names in Spain’s shoe industry, there’s no shortage of swanky shoes on the island, and you can pick up designer labels made on Menorca at reasonable prices. For something a little more casual, try the comfy sandals – albarcas – made with recycled tyres for soles and strips of leather sold at Can Mercadal. Where >Jaime Mascaró, Ses Moreres, 19. Mahon / Pons Quintana, S’Arravaleta 21, Mahon / Can Mercadal, Portal de Mar 6, Mahon. Website > www.jaimemascaro.com; www.ponsquintana.com
bestbit of history: Saint Philip’s Castle Dull monuments and dry exhibits? No thanks. Above ground, there’s little to see at the ruins of Saint Philip’s Castle, but down below is a different story. Opt for the night visit, where by the flicker of lanterns, you’ll explore a fraction of the 8km of tunnels, galleries and caves painstakingly dug out by hand by the Spanish, French and English. Actors, cannon fire, musket shots and chemically recreated smells certainly bring history alive. Where >Castillo de San Felipe; more information from the Military Museum, Plaça de l’Esplanada 19, Es Castell Website > www.museomilitarmenorca.com
bestbeach: Sa Mesquida A discreet fishing village, there’s not a single hotel or apartment at Sa Mesquida, meaning tourist developments haven’t stolen this beach’s charm. A visit to the 200-year-old defence tower (built by the British) and a scramble up the rocky viewpoint at the end of the beach should keep the restless entertained. Where >Sa Mesquida, about 6km north-east of the centre of Mahon Website > www.ajmao.org
bestday trip: Ciutadella Keep a day spare to explore Mahon’s rival at the western end of the island. Oozing with old town charm, get lost among Ciutadella’s narrow stone streets, admire how terraced houses lean towards each other at impossible angles, and browse in family run boutiques. Then feed hungry fish scraps of bread down in the port. Where >Ciutadella, approx 45km/50 mins from Mahon Website > www.ajciutadella.org
bestplace for a drink: Cristanal y Gradinata Worth venturing off Mahon’s busy streets for, Cristanal y Gradinata is a charming café, ideal for reading the paper over coffee or supping on early evening beers. Irresistible bite-size rolls filled with goodies like tortilla, wafer-thin Serrano ham or island cheese line the counter, and gentle jazz tunes play over the speakers. Where >Isabel II 1, Mahon
Compiled by Georgina Bromwich
besttrivia
Snippets of Menorca’s dialect of Catalan sound familiar to British ears: xoc (chalk), mèrvils (marbles) and most famously, gin, are reminders of the nearly 100 years of English rule on the island.
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