Eastern
Menorca is home to the island's capital, Mahon, the glorious Port of
Mahon, and one of Menorca's oldest towns, with its magnificent harbour
and pretty, winding streets
Es
Grau
A five-minute drive from the port at Mahon, Es Grau is a fabulous sandy beach forming a wide bay with very shallow water. Beach bar,
car park. Ideal for young children. Several other restaurants within easy
walk. Take a boat trip to the nearby Illa d'en Colom
Mesquida beach
Mesquida
Also a five-minute drive from Mahon Port, Mesquida is a beautiful cove
offering safe, shallow bathing and a wide, sandy beach. Separate
clothing-optional cove. There are no facilities at the beach but the
nearby village offers a small supermarket, bar and restaurant. Parking can
be tricky at peak times
Mesquida beach
Cala
Padera, Es Castell
A five-minute walk from Calas Fons. Small inlet beach of rocky bathing
platforms and sandy area. Safe and shallow but small and can get crowded
Cala Padera
Mahon
Menorca's
capital is the perfect antidote to an excess of beach life. Bustling,
commercial, stylish and beguiling, Mahon (Mao to the locals) has tourist
appeal in spades. There are pedestrianised streets lined by pretty
shops; stylish designer outlets; street cafes and restaurants; local
markets; historic buildings; charismatic churches... Mahon has the lot -
apart from a sensible traffic system or enough car parking spaces!
You're best advised to park on the outskirts and walk in, or make use of
the excellent public transport system: you can get a bus ride to Mahon
from anywhere on the island
Port
of Mahon
A
few dozen steps down the steep cliffside from Mahon city centre you'll
find the marina and port area, a two-mile strip of fascination which
includes at one end the working port area and at the other a
millionaire's yachting playground. There are literally dozens of bars
and restaurants, to suit every palate and pocket, and a lively nightlife
which includes the island's only casino. There are some fantastic
clothes and curio shops also, plus boarding points for the harbour-trip
'yellow boats'
Es
Castell is probably the island's favourite tourist destination, thanks
to its fantastic Calas Fons harbour, a horseshoe-shaped bay lined by
fishing boats, cafes and restaurants catering to every taste and budget.
Eat at one, move on to another for dessert and have a post-dinner
beverage in one of the many stylish bars. At night the harbour comes
alive, with street entertainment, market stalls and clothes and curio
shops. By day the town offers fascinating walks through its twisting,
narrow streets
Menorca
has a multitude of restaurants. Many offer standard tourist menus
and most offer a menu del dia (menu of the day) costing 3-10 euros -
excellent value for money. Many new restaurants open each season
offering much more than standard tourist fare. In July and August
advance bookings are advisable in very popular restaurants if you wish
to eat after 8pm.
Local
specialities are calderata de llagosta (lobster stew), paella, fresh
fish and shellfish. Do not miss the locally made mayonnaise, an
invention of Mahon (Mao).
Some
recommendations in the east
Bar Espana,
Calle Victori, Es Castell. Extremely popular with locals. Fantastic
menu del dia. Tel 971 363 299 Cap Roig, Cala Mesquida. Dream setting on top of the cliffs at
Cala Mesquida. Quite expensive but worth it for a special treat.
Bookings advisable. Tel 971 188 383 Casanova, authentic Italian pizzas and pasta, Moll de Ponent 15,
Mahon. Tel 971 354169 Marivent. Superb terrace restaurant over looking Mahon harbour.
Moll de Ponent 314. Tel 971 369801 Trebol. Fantastic fish and meats on the harbourside at Es
Castell. Tel 971 367 097 Dinkums. Popular harbourside restaurant at Es Castell. Tel 971
367017