MAHON
Area: Minorca
Country: Spain


Location:
Midway along E side of island, 3 miles NW of Es Castell, 2 miles NE of airport.

Telephone code from UK:
34

Website:
http://www.menorca.net

Position:
On S side of 3-mile-long deep-water inlet, one of largest natural harbours in world, boasting three small uninhabited islands: Illa del Rei, Illa Plana and Lazareto. City is set on mainly flat land above 75-foot-high cliff; surrounded by flat agricultural land with small farms and dry-stone walls.

Description:
Mahon became the capital of Minorca under the British, who occupied the island for 100 years from 1708. Traces of the occupation remain in the architecture of the older buildings, many of which have bays and sash windows. The streets of the town ramble along in some disorder, but the old central area is fairly compact and it is easy to walk (in competition with traffic) between the little squares of Espanya, Bastio and Reial, stealing unexpected glimpses of the port below through gaps between the old buildings and at the end of cul-de-sac lanes. A larger square, Pla?a de S'Esplanada, lies a few hundred yards away through the shopping area and plays host to a market on Tuesday and Saturday. (There is a square of the same name in Es Castell, which is shown on the map and used as a central point for location purposes in the property reports). A winding road and flights of steps lead down to the port, where all kinds of boats are moored along a waterfront that stretches for miles. A gin "distillery" is also here (really a tourist showcase as manufacturing now takes place elsewhere) as well as numerous cafes and restaurants. Es Castell (formerly Villacarlos) is virtually a suburb of the town, offering a handful of modest hotels and shops but no beach.

Suitability:
Town base for shoppers and sightseers with public-transport links to many of the outlying beaches and places of interest. A practical alternative for those who prefer the town to the beach.

Accommodation:
Several small hotels and a couple of quality choices; most visitors opt for the nearby resorts or the suburb of Es Castell.

Shopping:
Mainly small shops, but a lot of them. All the basics are available as well as many of the island's specialities.

Beach:
Nearest are at Punta Prima (7 miles) and Es Grau (6 miles).

Entertainments:
Daytime: neoclassical town hall; San Roque town gate; churches of Santa Maria, Sant Francesc and Carme; opera house (Teatre Principal); Xoriguer gin factory; horse racing at the hippodrome. Nightlife: bars and a couple of discos.

Eating:
Wide choice with plenty of variety, including traditional and local cuisine, concentrated in town centre and port.

Public-transport:
Six buses a day to Ciudadela; similar service to local beaches and resorts. As with all public transport in Minorca, it is reliable from June to September only; last bus is usually in the early evening.

Local-excursions:
Half day: town tour; boat trips along the bay. Full day: tour of prehistoric monuments; white-render towns inland _ Es Mercadal, Alaior, Ferreries; fishing village/windsurfing centre of Fornells; sightseeing/shopping trip to Ciudadela; hilltop sanctuary of El Toro; walking and bird-watching trips; golf at Son Parc; trips to isolated coves and beaches by hire car or bike.