Mahon (officially and in Menorca, Maó, although it is pronounced like mó, and the archaic spelling Mahó is also occasionally written) is a city located in the east of the island of Menorca (Balearic Islands, Spain). It has 29,125 inhabitants (INE 2009). It is the official capital of the island.
In the port of Mahón there are several islands: the Isla del Rey, which is where King Alfonso III of Aragón landed on his conquest expedition, has historically been very abandoned, but lately a group of Menorcans are actively working for its rehabilitation and the Isla del Lazareto is the regular venue for scientific events, congresses and courses.
Understand
Maó, like most of Menorca, has enjoyed a violent and bloody history with many countries wanting to claim the island and, in particular, the valuable port of Maó. The history of the city, in particular, begins in 1708, where during the War of the Spanish Succession, the British Royal Navy invaded the entire island, seeing a naval base established in the port so close to mainland Spain. This gave the port much of its military history, most of which can still be traversed on various boat trips today. The city was so strongly associated with the Navy that the entire area became known as 'Port Mahon'.
After a French invasion in 1756, at the Battle of Menorca, the port came under French occupation and control, shortly before being lost again by the British and finally having been thrown to and from the British and Spanish, being delivered to Spain by theirs to keep ever since.
The link to the popular Mayonnaise dressing also stems from these battles. As the dressing is originally French, its name was supposedly an opportunity to honor the 1756 French victory over the British, with the name "mahonnaise" in use at the time.
Like much of the island, the predominant industries in Mahón are relatively rural, with two of the largest manufacturers producing Menorcan gin and a brand of cheese known as 'Mahon Cheese', unique to the island. This is due to the island's excellent stock of dairy cows that produce milk mixed with salt from the nearby seas, producing excellent dairy products.
To get
The only access route to the island is through the port.
Boat
- 1 port Served by ferries to Palma de Mallorca and the mainland edit
By plane
- 2 Menorca airport (Mahón Airport, Menorca Airport MAHIATA), Carretera de Sant Climent, s / n, 07712 Maó, Illes Balears, Spain (A little outside the city. Drive on the ME-14, where you will reach the two-layer arrival / departure roads.), ☏ [971 15 70 00]. There are regular flights available to Menorca Airport (sometimes known as Mahón Airport) from mainland Spain and the islands of Ibiza and Mallorca through Iberia and its subsidiary Air Nostrum. There are also flights from Spain from Barcelona El Prat with Vueling (a subsidiary of IAG, owners of Iberia and British Airways). If you are traveling from the UK, several airlines offer regular services during the summer tourist season. Jet2, TUI Airways and EasyJet airlines all fly from various UK regional and major airports directly to Menorca. British Airways offers services from London Heathrow, Gatwick and City airports. (Updated June 2018 | edit)
To get to your resort, Menorca airport is served by buses to Maó (€ 2.65, 10 min) every half hour from around 06:00 to 22:00 and then every hour until midnight. The bus stops at the bus station, Estacio Marítima, and a couple of other points in between. Buses are available to various resorts and towns on the island from the bus station.
Taxis are available directly in front of the airport terminal and there are a variety of car rental options to get to your resort. There are also several services (which can be booked online) that allow direct bus transfers to resorts throughout the island.
Travel
Transport on the islands is diverse, there are regular bus lines, with a fairly diverse schedule during the day and some night buses, public transport is flexible. Menorca's bus system is extensive, reliable, and easy to use. Mahón's bus station is just outside the old town and can be easily reached on foot from the city. If you have luggage, you can also switch to the city center buses and drive a few stops closer to the hotel. Single trip between € 1.65 and € 2.50, to be paid to the driver. Trips to other places on the island cost up to € 6.50. There is a recreation and information center at the bus station, where all bus schedules are posted. The land buses to the beaches run much less frequently in low season (October-April), so it is advisable to write down the bus connection for the round trip in advance. The buses are modern and the next stop is shown on electronic boards.
By car
There are also taxi transfers, which in turn offer the possibility of guided tours of the islands at prices ranging from € 50 to € 180, and car rentals with various companies: EuroRent, Sixt,NiceCars,Cicar,What cars,Pepecar,Europcar,Beneluxcar,Auto Europe, Carsmenorca.es
Boat
- Boat Rental in Balearic Islands [1]. C / Lola Anglada nº 1, Tel: 34 936 759 108
Talk
In the Balearic Islands, Balearic is spoken, a local variety of Catalan alongside Spanish. Most of the people are bilingual except the oldest.
Watch
- Fortalesa de la Mola A fortress that guards the entrance to the port.
- 2 Museum of Menorca , Pla des Monestir, ☏ [35 09 55].
- 3 Church of Carme .A church
- 4 Castel Sant Felip , ☏ [971 36 21 00]. A castle ruin
- 5 Fort Marlborough , Cala Sant Esteva, ☏ [36 04 62]
Do
Beaches
- 1 Cala Binidalí (last update November 2019 | edit)
- 2 Cala Tortuga ( Arenal de Morella ) (last update Nov 2019 | edit)
- 3 Cala en Cavaller (last update November 2019 | edit)
- 4 Platja de sa Torreta ( Cala de sa Torreta ) (last update November 2019 | edit)
- 5 Platja des Grau (last update November 2019 | edit)
- 6 Cala Mesquida ( Arenal de sa Mesquida ) (last update November 2019 | edit)
To buy
To eat
Drink and go out
Sleep
- Hotel Mirador des Port (Hotel Catalonia Mirador des Port), Carrer de Dalt Vilanova, ☏ [971360 016]. With great views of the harbor from your room, this hotel also has its own pool and a gym with hot tubs. Also some brilliant food. (Updated June 2018 | edit)
- 2 Hostel-Residence La Isla , Carrer de Santa Catalina, ☏ [971 64 92]. This large hotel offers spacious rooms at a good price. While the decor is unimaginative, the rooms are clean and the staff is pleasant. (Updated June 2018 | edit)
- 3 Posada Orsi , Carrer de la Infanta (downtown Maó), ☏ [971364 751]. The rooms are bright and clean and the hotel staff is helpful.
