Take the ferry to Mahon and visit the capital of Menorca, on the east coast of the Balearic island, with its balconied mansions which reflect its colonial past!
Mahon is the charming capital of Menorca on the east coast of the Balearic Islands. It is an excellent place to visit and is the first stop for many visitors before heading to the seaside resorts of Minorca. The town has a long history! During Spain's civil war in the 20th century, during the battles for the occupation of the island, Italian and Spanish nationalist bombers bombed the city of Mahon destroying many important historical monuments but a number of structures remained intact making it possible for tourists to enjoy the wonders of this incredible city even today. From all these sieges this city has blossomed from the constant cultural influences and this is evident while wandering its alleys.
Mahon is a tourist capital for Menorca and remains one of the richest port cities in the whole of Spain. The town is known for its Georgian-style mansions that betray its past when it was under British occupation, as well as for its attractive harbor area and its promenade with its many restaurants. The town offers visitors the opportunity to explore a destination that combines the modern with the old by walking through its picturesque steep streets. It has landmarks with old monasteries and Gothic churches such as the cathedral, where organ recitals are performed with the help of 3,000 pipes, but also a lively nightlife with restaurants, bars and clubs and plenty of opportunities for shopping in the city's boutiques. As far as gastronomy lovers are concerned, Mahon has an international flavor, but what it is famous for are its tapas and other delicious delicacies such as patatas bravas, Iberico ham and chipirones, or fried calamari. Along the harbor waterfront there are many tascas, or tapas bars!
But holidays mean sea and we couldn't forget to mention the fantastic sandy beaches that are within walking distance of Mahon, such as Mesquida, the Blue Flag Punta Prima and the Es Grau dune! Also, Mahon and the Balearic Islands in general are chosen for their pleasant Mediterranean climate with the weather starting to warm up in May and temperatures reaching their peak in July and August, with the mercury reaching over 30°C.
Don't delay and start planning your escape to Mahon in Menorca of the Balearic Islands by booking your tickets in advance and enjoy unique experiences!
Mahon ferry routes
From Mahon there are ferry routes which connect the island of Menorca with the mainland of Spain.There is also a direct route between Mahon and the island of Mallorca.
The ferry routes from/to Mahon are:
- Mahon - Barcelona : 17 sailings on a weekly basis with journey duration from 7 hours to 7 hours and 45 minutes , depending on the ferry operator
- Mahon - Valencia: 2 sailings on a weekly basis with journey duration from 14 to 15 hours, depending on the ferry operator
- Mahon - Alcudia: 9 sailings on a weekly basis with a journey duration of 3 hours and 15 minutes
- Mahon - Palma: 1 weekly sailing , with a duration of 5.5 hours
Port of Mahon
It is considered one of the most important, modern and impressive natural harbors in the world and is not to be missed during your visit to the island. Today, the port is a stopover for numerous cruises and ships arriving from all over the world. Thanks to its strategic location, right in the center of the Mediterranean, it has always been the focus of conquests and reconquests throughout history, from the Phoenicians in the 3rd century BC, but also by the Greeks, Carthaginians, Byzantines and Muslims among others and later by the English and French.
The port of Mahón has a beautiful promenade where countless terraces, shops, cafes and restaurants unfold, attracting every evening hundreds of tourists and people from Mahón who come here to walk its streets and enjoy this beautiful place.
The harbor is so large that it has 2 islands inside it: Lazareto Mahon and Isla del Rey and the best way to learn and explore the port is to take a sightseeing tour on a boat (the yellow catamarans) to get to know the history and culture of the city.
Transportation in Mahon
For your transportation in Mahon you can choose among bus, taxi, water taxi or renting a scooter and a car for greater comfort and flexibility.
Bus
There are frequent bus services from Mahon to various parts of Menorca and some beaches on the east and south coast of the island. It is a cheap and reliable solution. For more information on bus timetables and how to get around, please visit Menorca Bus.
Taxi
Mahon also has taxi services. Fares are based on distance and taxi stands are called paradas de taxi. If you wish to call one, please, take a look in Mahon RadioTaxi.
Water taxis
There is also a water taxi service between Mahón and Es Castell. Further details in Mahon Water Taxis.
Vacations in Mahon
For those who are thinking of visiting the Balearic Islands and especially Menorca, they should definitely organize a few days of vacation in Mahon! The capital of the island of Menorca has some beautifully preserved mansions, remarkable monuments, a museum, an open-air bazaar, lovely little alleys and a maze of streets where the visitor will discover some fantastic spots overlooking the largest natural harbor in the Mediterranean. On the waterfront there are several nice bars and restaurants and boutiques for great shopping!
In Mahon special mention should be made of the ancient monuments of great historical value such as the Navetas at 7 km which are large upturned rocks that look like they are planted in the earth, and were probably some kind of tombs. The ancient settlement is called Rafal Rubi. In addition, there are Talayots which are also some large stones with strange shapes that we find in every settlement on the island. Perhaps from the top of these formations they were observing the sea. Near Mahon(3 km) there is the ancient settlement of Talayots called Talati de Dalt.
For gastronomy enthusiasts, Mahon offers plenty of fresh fish and seafood, culminating in the typical Menorca dish Caldereta de Llagosta which is something like lobster stew and the best and most traditional tapas bars (tapas is also a very popular dish in Menorca) and restaurants can be found.
Apart from the wonderful town of Mahon and the gastronomic pleasures it offers, what adds value to this place is the possibility of finding, within a very short distance, wonderful sandy beaches with crystal clear waters that are among the best beaches in the Mediterranean.
So for lovers of nature and beautiful landscapes, a visit to Mahon, the emblematic town of Menorca, is worth a visit for peace and relaxation in a paradise on earth!
Highlights in Mahon
In Mahon, there are several highlights worth seeing during your stay in the city.
Here is a list of some of them.
- Port of Mahon: it is very special and is considered the largest natural port in the Mediterranean and the second deepest in the world,
- La Mola Fortaleza: it is one of the largest European fortifications of the 19th century and is located at the entrance to the port. Today it has become a symbol of the island's cultural heritage. It is an emblematic monument of the city from where you can enjoy incredible views of the sea
- Museum of Menorca: located in an old 17th century monastery this famous museum exhibits a wealth of archaeological, historical and ethnological artifacts that record the history of the island with many artifacts on display from the Talaian period on the island
- Stroll the streets to the Town Hall: walk through the streets of Mahon and go to Plaça de la Constitució, where you will find the Town Hall, also known as Sa Sala, the Town Hall clock was brought from England by the then British governor Richard Kane. The area around the plaça de la constitució is bustling with life and is great to take a stroll
- The Bastion of Sant Roc: it is the only remnant of the medieval wall that remains and once surrounded the city.The gate of San Roc was built around the year 1359 with the intention of providing a gateway to connect the city with the rest of the population.
- Church of Santa Maria: is located in the heart of Mahon, with a bell tower, which defines the skyline of the city. Inside the church there is a gem, a very beautiful, large ornate organ made between 1807 and 1810 by the Swiss luthier Juan Kyburz
- Visit Ciutadella: take a day trip to Ciutadella , a lively town with pristine beaches, charming streets and endless leisure options, including restaurants and activities
- Near Mahon special visits: besides the attractions within the city, very close to Mahon you can visit El fuerte de Marlborough in Es Castell, and the Talaian remains of Talatí de Dalt. If you like nature and enjoy natural landscapes and want to make an excursion, then you should not miss the S'Albufera des Grau Natural Park, Cabo de Favàritx and Colom Island, which are part of the reserve of Menorca's biosphere
Beaches in Mahon
Although there are no beaches in Mahon, there are spectacular coves and sandy beaches in the surroundings, which are less than 15 minutes away by car, and are not to be missed. What they have in common is the crystal clear turquoise waters of the Mediterranean!
Below is a selection of beaches around Mahon that explains why Minorca is loved by beach lovers!
- Platja de Punta Prima: is a long beach located at the southeastern tip of Menorca. The beach is characterized by fine, white sand, crystal clear, shallow waters, a sandy bottom and seaweed (in some areas)
- Cala Macarella (Macarella Beach): is a beautiful beach located within a protected area of Natural de Especial Interes. Its beauty is due to the white sand and turquoise waters combined with the dark green pine trees leading up to it and the light grey of the limestone cliffs that rise up to 30 meters high
- Cala Galdana (Galdana Beach): is undoubtedly considered the best beach in Menorca with shallow turquoise waters, white cashmere sand and steep limestone cliffs that form the ultimate backdrop. In addition, the beach is ideal for water sports. There are also bars on the beach where you can enjoy your coffee or a small snack.
- Cala Sa Mesquida (Sa Mesquida Beach): is a beautiful and huge beach located very close to Mahón (7 km), not particularly crowded except during the peak months of July and August.A part of it is exclusively for nudists
- Son Parc Beach: lovely long beach in a dune landscape, with a small seasonal beach bar-restaurant at the western end of the beach along with parking and public toilets. There are lifeguards and water sports available including windsurfing, water skiing, jet skiing and water bike hire, ideal for families
- Arenal de Son Saura Beach: it is a very beautiful, shallow bay with white sand and turquoise waters that makes it ideal for swimming and safe for children. A heavenly beach, similar to the ones you see in Caribbean brochures. It's crowded but well worth a visit. There are many services such as lifeguards, sports activities on the beach and a restaurant with an excellent view of the bay to enjoy your drinks and food
- The beach of Binibequer: is a trendy beach with fantastic crystalline sea on the south of the capital, and one of the most complete and paradisiacal beaches on the island. A multitude of services ,such as kayak, is available
- Es Grau Beach: is an ideal family beach with shallow waters, not far from Mahon. It has good restaurants if you want to stay for lunch
- Cala Tortuga beach: is undoubtedly one of the best beaches near Mahon at a distance of 15 km; it is located in the surroundings of the Favaritx lighthouse and is one of the best coves of Mahon.The beach is lovely and unspoilt, but not organized so you should make sure you bring water and something to eat
- Es Caló Blanc: is only 13 km from Mahon and is an excellent choice especially when the north wind blows, as its rocks and cliffs protect it.This cove has become very famous in recent years for its crystal clear turquoise waters and rivals in beauty wonderful beaches such as the Caribbean or Bali
- Cala Rafalet beach: is a tiny cove in the settlement of s'Algar. A beautiful oak tree surrounds this beach and gives you shade in the summer. The road from town takes just 12 minutes and is beautiful. We would suggest you bring snorkeling goggles as there are plenty of fish and underwater caves
Hotels in Mahon
There is a wide range of hotels in Mahon that can satisfy every visitor. There are luxury hotels, mid-range and low-cost hotels, but there is also the possibility of agrotourism!
As an indication, we recommend some hotels that have been positively evaluated by visitors:
- Casa Ládico - Boutique Hotel
- Jardí de Ses Bruixes Boutique Hotel
- Cristine Bedfor Hotel
- ARTIEM Capri - Mahon
- Sindic Hotel
- Can Alberti 1740 Boutique Hotel
- Hotel Hevresac Singular & Small
- Hotel Casa Miranda
- Agroturismo Son Vives Menorca
- Hotel Hevresac
- Hotel Port Mahon
