Holidays to Mahon

Top attractions

Mahon is a city steeped in history and culture, with plenty to offer besides its marvellous beaches. Sitting proudly overlooking the stunning natural bay, the old town of Mahon offers plenty of charms to explore, such as several different architectural styles including jugendstil, colonial and 18th-century Spanish architecture. Discover what lies hidden in the small and quaint alleyways and enjoy a pleasant stroll down Carrer Isabel II. The Museum of Menorca, also located in the old town is definitely worth a visit.

Es Castell is a delightful, small and traditional town not far out from Mahon. A great mix of shops, bars and cafes is surrounded by stunning scenery and gives visitors a good glimpse of the life of Menorca before the advent of mass tourism. Check out the village of Fornells if you're in the mood for water sports, and excellent restaurants.

The beautiful Calas Coves are a picturesque display of natural beauty, only a short drive out of town. Best visited in the morning or the evening when perfect lighting hits the grand limestone walls to let imaginations run free.

Beaches

The island of Menorca is worshipped by beach lovers, who come here in large numbers to get their fill of Balearic sunshine. Some of the loveliest beaches are located in and around Mahon, making it an excellent base for your beach getaway! Punta Prima beach is one of the more popular alternatives, having both soft white sand, as well as pebbles on the same stretch of beach. Located in the south-east of the island, this is one of Menorca's largest beaches and also offers water-sports facilities such as sailing, windsurfing and pedalo hire in addition to excellent refreshment, lunch and parking opportunities.

Es Grau beach, located in a national park north of Mahon, could not have a more different character with its sand dunes and pine trees. Remarkably, a freshwater lake can be found here making this beach truly unique and worth a visit

Binibeca beach is a small sandy beach located in a cove. With crystal clear and shallow water, this beach is perfectly suited for children. Located just south of Mahon, it is easily reached.

Eating out

Mahon has plenty of attractive dinner options, offering everything from up-market fine dining to rustic and traditional local taverns and restaurants. Can Vermut is a good place to share some tapas, a bottle of wine, and some local specialities which include Sobrasada sausage and Mahon cheese. The aubergine lasagne is also worth trying.

For a truly special dinner experience, try out Passio Mediterrania. Suitable for vegans and vegetarians, this Spanish fusion cuisine will satisfy all tastes with new and creative tapas dishes as well as its excellent location. Those not looking to splash the cash can head over to L'Oliva which serves delightful homemade Spanish cuisine, and exceptionally good paella!

Make sure you try Menorcan gin, distinctly different from Mediterranean spirits and English gin and born as a result of Menorca's vibrant history.

Nightlife

The nightlife scene on Menorca is subdued when compared to the nearby islands of Majorca and Ibiza. Nonetheless, plenty of opportunities for a good night out can be found here, especially in Mahon's harbour area. The most spectacular nightclub, Covas den Xoroi, is located a little out of town in Cala'n Porter and is set inside natural cave formations and often boasts guest DJs from different parts of Europe during peak season.

Smaller cocktail and dance bars can be found throughout the harbour area of Mahon. Akkelare is a popular and lively jazz bar with a stone interior which stays open until the early morning hours. Mirador is a popular music haunt for locals, which boasts an impressive cave-like interior. Sa Falua cocktail bar is the perfect place to get some colourful and exotic cocktails in a lovely setting.

Can Miguel 14 is a café and bar located right in the busy town centre, making it the perfect spot to unwind with a hot or cold drink and watch the world go by. As well as an extensive bar menu they also serve a selection of food options, including pizza and hearty burgers.

Family holidays

Mahon is a perfect destination for family holidays, due to its abundance of wonderful beaches, outdoor activities and family orientated hotels. Due to the large natural harbour, the waters off Mahon's coast are usually calm making them ideal for small children who are learning to swim. In addition to this, many water sports schools can be found at the beaches surrounding Mahon, and give lessons to children and adults of all ages and skill groups. Watch the kids learn how to surf, or try it out for yourself.

Sailing boats can be hired from many places in Mahon. Why not take the family out for a day trip, and explore Menorca's wonderful coastline from the sea? It's a great alternative for a day in the sun, allowing plenty of opportunities to swim, discovering places inaccessible by land, and seeing the sunset over the horizon before heading back. Pirates of Menorca is a family orientated cruise offering the chance to explore the island's past as a pirate haven -  taking you to coves and sea grottoes while the captain tells tails of pirate life in and around the island.

The old town of Mahon, as well as its main harbour area, are perfect for walks with their wonderful ambience, and many lovely bars and cafes.

Couples holidays

Mahon is an excellent destination for couple’s holidays due to its outstanding natural beauty, plenty of opportunity to enjoy a glass of wine, and excellent dining options for a romantic dinner. Check into one of the many high-end resort hotels such as the Valentin Son Bou, and treat yourself to something truly special. After all, holidays are all about unwinding and spending some quality time with your special someone, and what better way to do so than to be treated like royalty by the sapphire blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea?

One of Menorca's commonly overlooked characteristics is the locals' fascination with horses. Exploring this wonderful island on horseback is an excellent way to see the countryside and experience some local flora and fauna while enjoying the act of riding a horse! Besides, there's nothing more romantic than riding down the beach on horseback with your loved one. The Somni Dancing Horses show is a unique equestrian mix of magic and emotion, and a must see when visiting Menorca. Visual effects, music and dance blended into a spectacular show to impress any visitor and put on one of the best nights out on the whole island.

Action & Adventure

Those seeking adventure and excitement will find plenty to do in and around Mahon. Renting a catamaran is a thrilling way to explore Menorca's rugged coastline, and for those who haven't been on one before it offers an exciting opportunity to try something new.

The picturesque rugged and rocky landscape is also perfect for motorcycle tours. Mahon's surrounding area boasts some beautiful coastal roads letting you explore the island's terrain while feeling a cool breeze on your face.

Cool off in the cool Mediterranean waters by engaging in the many water sports activities offered along Mahon beaches. On windy days kite-surfing and wind-surfing are exceptionally popular, whilst most other activities such as water-skiing can also be found. Rubber 'Banana boats', pulled behind a motorboat, are another fun option available along Mahon's beaches.

Culture

Menorca is an island steeped in history spanning millennia, giving rise to a unique identity and a wealth of noteworthy cultural sites. Most notably, Menorca is known for its iron age remnants of the mysterious Talaiotic civilisation which are best explored with a local guide. The Culture of Stones walking tour will take you to various megaliths and other stone structures around Mahon, offering you insights and information which only a local tour guide can provide.

The island of Menorca and Mahon, in particular, have notably been influenced by English culture, during its century-long occupation by the British. One remarkable result of this is the local's love for gin, initially produced here to satisfy English troops. Take a Gin Distillery Tour through the Xoriguer Gin Distillery and find out exactly what makes this drink a favourite with gin connoisseurs all over the globe, whilst also learning about a particular aspect of Mahon's history.