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Cheap holidays in Menorca

Why not search our database of Cheap holidays in Menorca now by visiting the holidayco.co.uk homepage and using the search facility.

Despite its popularity as a holiday destination, the Balearic island of Menorca is still one of the most unspoilt, loveliest islands in the Mediterranean. The local population supports the control of resort development and the forests and countryside of its hilly rural interior are still mostly untouched. This is the result of a thriving local industry that is less dependent on tourism for its survival than the other Balearic islands.

Menorca is a mere nine miles wide and about 32 miles long, and has stretches of varied beaches, from silver-sanded curving bays to rocky inlets. As well as resorts and beaches the island also has plenty of interest for history and culture enthusiasts, with a range of attractions to visit, including a world famous pipe organ and some mysterious prehistoric archaeological sites.

Things to do in Menorca

Sightseeing in Menorca

Mahon, the capital of Menorca, is an unavoidable port of call for visitors to the island. The town is peaceful and traditional, and boats classic Georgian houses and tall apartment complexes. Mahon also offers some attractions for visitors who would like to see more of Menorca than the beaches. The mansion house overlooks the bay and was once lived in by Lord Nelson. Also on the sightseeing list is the Xoriguer Gin Distillery where famous Menorcan gin is made, still using a traditional process and the famous pipe organ in the church Esglesia de Santa Maria la Major.

The small port town of Ciutadella, is west of Mahon and is connected to it by the primary island road. Ciutadella is very different to Mahon, with a definite Spanish and Moorish influence in its Gothic and Baroque grand mansions and palaces. The town boasts superb restaurants, fascinating shops and arcades as well as a quieter ambience - ideal for leisurely exploring.

The Naveta dels Tudons is the best-known sight on the island. One of numerous navetas on Menorca, it is located outside Ciutadella and is over two stories high, shaped like the upturned bow of a ship. Navetas were funereal structures, but they remain surrounded by legends and mstery. Another important site is the Torre d'en Gaumes, the biggest prehistoric village in the Balearics, which is on the south side of Menorca between the village of Alaior and the Son Bou beach.

Menorca Beaches

Although Menorca has fewer beaches than the nearby islands of Mallorca and Ibiza, and these tend to be quieter and less crowded. There are still plenty of beaches in Menorca for sunworshippers, and many have excellent beach facilities, fine, golden sand and clear, blue waters.. Fornells, a picturesque fishing village on the north coast, is on a spectacular bay ideal for windsurfing and water sports. Close by is the beach Cala Tirant. Cala Galdana is one of the most popular beaches, set in a horseshoe bay, while Santo Tomas with its stretch of golden sand is a small resort favored by families and honeymoon couples. Son Bou is one of the longest sandy beaches on the island, backing on to open countryside and unspoilt by development, although there are a few shops, bars, restaurants and a discotheque nearby. Binebeca and Binisafua on the southwest coast were Minorca's first resort centers, now mostly residential areas filled with private villas fronting numerous sandy bays.

Shopping in Menorca

Both Mahon and Ciutadella have open air markets in the town centers, that sell fish, meat, fruit and vegetables.  Ferreries holds a special open-air market on Saturday mornings.  Open-air markets selling clothes and crafts visit all towns and villages in the mornings from Monday to Saturday.

Activities in Menorca

As with most of the popular Mediterranean resorts, water sports are the main activity on Menorca, including parasailing, pedaloes, snorkelling, waterskiing, sailing, scuba diving and windsurfing. Other sports available on the island include cricket, tennis, bowling, squash, horse-riding and golf. To really appreciate Menorca's unspoilt coves, often inaccessible from land, many visitors choose to explore the island by yacht.  Several companies charter yachts, both with and without a skipper, and offer lessons for beginners.  The popular Los Delfines Aqua Park, near Ciutadella, is also worth a visit.

Culture in Menorca

Menorca has a spectacular range of museums and complexes, including some outstanding collections of interesting artefacts and works of art. Exhibitions in Menorca's museums range from large to small, local to international and many are located in beautiful buildings, right in the heart of the island. Many museums also display some beautiful collections of art that include paintings by local Menorcan artists, both traditional and more modern in style. There are also a number of beautiful churches, cathedrals and religious buildings to be found on this historic island.

Food in Menorca

The food in Menorca is traditional and uncomplicated, with the most famous dish being lobster stew, which is popular in the restaurants in Fornells.  Other Menorcan specialties are oven stuffed aubergines and partridge and cabbage.  Menorca also has a great range of sausages, which include 'sobrasada' (which consists of meat and bacon) and 'camot' or 'cuixa' (black sausages flavored with fennel).  Sweet and savory pastries are also common on the island.

Menorca has a great array of restaurants from Spanish tapas bars and cafes to gourmet restaurants.   Most restaurants serve international cuisine with a choice of a few local specialties that include as roast shoulder or leg of lamb, lobster stew, stuffed peppers, fresh local fish, and paella.  There are also a selection of Italian pizzerias, a small number of Chinese restaurants and an excellent Indian restaurant on the island. Not to be missed is the local specialty drink, Gin Xoriguer, which is distilled at Mahon harbor.

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