Our pick of things to do on the island
My guess is you’ll never tire of just sitting in the villa and watching the boats and the antics on the water. Interupted by the occasional pop over the wall at the bottom of the villa’s step to the Port Bar for the odd refreshment. But for those who are looking to explore the beautiful island a little more, here are some suggestions for Beaches, Recommended Walks, Things to do and Restaurants. I hope you find them helpful. Also if you scroll down we've embedded a document Wildlife in Menorca that might interest the nature lovers amongst you.
Before you arrive, http://menorca-live.com is a great source of information. There are lots of books about Menorca in the villa. Maps too for walkers as well as drivers.
And in the villa is a leather bound Villa Manual that includes all information below and lots of leaflets of activities and places to visit.
Beaches
Las Palmeras is on the northern coast of Menorca. There’s a pretty good description of the beaches on Northern and Southern Coast, how to get there and the facilities they have at:
http://menorca.es/Publicacions/Publicacions.aspx?TIPO=PLN&PAGINA=1
The closest one to the villa is Na Macaret – a sweet, very family oriented beach just around the headland (about 5 mins in the car) with a couple of good restaurants.
I think Es Grau is pretty dreamy – it’s a left turn off the main road between Addaya and Mahon – quite close to Mahon.
Recommended Walks
If you’re after a short yet picturesque stroll . . . there’s a great little 20 mins or so walk from the villa to the headland and back through the villas of Addaya. Head for the Port Office directly opposite the villa. Head into the trees on its right and you’ll soon pick up a little windy coastal path. Really pretty. Not strenuous. But just long enough to justify that drink/ice cream/coffee at the port bar on your way back!
If you’re a keen walker you need to check out the Camí de Cavalls. There’s a detailed guide in the villa. The Cami stretches around the entire island (185kms in 20 stages) crossing beautiful beaches, climbing down lush ravines, ambling through woods and across wide open fields. The route is identified by distinctive red wooden signs and everywhere you go they are easy to see and follow. You can either plan several days of consecutive walking or take it in stages to make the most of this route full of delightful surprises. You can pick up a particularly spectacular stretch of the Cami right from the villa: Addaya to Cap de Favaritx:
Out of the front door and head back along the road. In about 1.4 mile go up the wide set of steps on your left. Turn left at the top of the steps and then take the first left turn a little way along the road. If you look over the wall at the top you get a great view of the port of Addaya. Stay on this road until you get to a tee junction – there you’ll see the very distinctive Red Cami signs – they will direct you left and eventually to a gate onto a farm track. Keep going for as long as you have energy – through fields, along the bottom of the Cala (bay) and across the old Salt Flats. You can either turn around when weary or keep going the 13.5 kms to Cap de Favaritx (pronounced Cabo Favrabish) and call for a taxi to collect you.
Restaurants and Eating
Menorca is full of great restaurants. Below I have listed them (roughly) in terms of their proximity to the villa.
But if you'd rather stay in the villa and don't want to cook - give Ellen Linford a call (+34 648 148 480, +44 7768 698 690). She can conjure up mouth watering dishes. She is widely travelled and has taken courses in many different countries around the world. So if you fancy a smart dinner, a party, a picnic or a casual lunch or supper - she'll be able to help.
In terms of the restaurants, I recommend you book.
Addaia Port
Just a hop, skip and jump over the wall at the bottom of the villa steps.
Port Bar (real name is La Cantina)
You can see the wave of the roof from the villa. Very informal. Fantastic place to sit and have a drink/coffee/meal and watch all the comings and goings of the boats coming into the Marina. Spanish food (perhaps not the best food on the island but it's location forgives everything!) Tell Juan the skinny, charming waiter you’re staying in the villa and he’ll look after you.
In the middle of Addaia
A 10 min walk up the hill – there are steps up to the centre of Addaya – nice to have the sobering walk home at the end of the evening!
Il Castillo
Under new management for 2018. Historically been a good, reliable, ‘pub-type’ environment. Show most major sporting events on large screen TV. Pretty good pizza’s too.
The Corner Bar - Tapas
Very good and generously sized tapas. Very friendly and helpful service. Shuts on a Tuesday,
Italian next to Il Castillo.
I gather a new Italian and pizza restaurant will be opening in Addaia in 2018. Will add more details when I hear.
Elsewhere in Menorca
And listed very roughly in terms of proximity to the villa:
Sa Baraca
On way to Fornells – before you get to Son Park. On left hand side. Nice cosy restaurant – good Menorquian food.
Acquario, Na Macaret
Just back from the beach a bit and next door to Bioshphere. Good food and very friendly. Popular with the locals. Haven’t been since recent change of ownership. 0034 971 35 98 58. Or 0034 636 23 24 97.
Ca Na Marga, Ses Salinas
Village on right on road to Fornells
c. 15 mins away. Head for Fornells - Ses Salinas is the small village on the right before you get to Fornells. The Ca Na Marga restaurant is on the main the road (you may well miss it first time). Open barbeque cooking – every steak imaginable. ‘Rare’ is very rare. Huge T Bones. Fun and lively. Good with families. Popular with locals – very busy later. Highly recommend. 0034 971 37 64 10. www.canamarga.com
Sa Roca Restaurante Puig de Sa Roca
Urb. Arenal d’en Castell
07740 Es Mercadal
Telephone: +34 971 188 642
We love this place. Andrea runs it and is always so welcoming. Beautiful, peaceful setting in countryside up the mountain. We go back every time we are here. Head out on the way to Fornells - but a long time before you get there look for Sa Roca turning on left hand side and follow the twisty road up the mountain. About 15-20 min drive. Use lots of home grown vegetables. The leg of lamb is HUGE!
Es Port, Fornell
On the front
Great Fruit de Mare platter of shell fish inc. lobster. Card in the villa book, 0034 971 37 64 03
Es Cranc, Fornells.
Apparently better than above – but we have not been there. Calle de las Escuelas, 31 07740 Mercadal, Fornells, Illes Balears 0034 971 37 64 42
Ca N’Olga, Es Mercadel.
About 15 mins drive. Really nice food, ambience, setting. Tucked away. As you drive into Es Mercadel from Addaya you will reach a roundabout in the town. Turn first right at the roundabout. When you come to a T junction then turn left. Follow this windy narrow road for c. ¾ mile through the backstreet houses and you will see a big arch and Ca N’Olga on your right. 00 34 971 37 54 59
Sol 32° Café Bistro
Haven’t been there yet – but noticed it last time we went to Can N’Olga. It’s practically next door and looks very interesting. Pla de ses Eres, 32. Es Mercadal. 0034 971 154 206.
Can Bernat des Grau
On main road between Mahon and Addaya. On right as you travel to Mahon – close to the (left hand) turn off to Es Grau. Established a very good reputation very quickly. Focus on fresh fish. Lovely countryside setting (altho’ doesn’t look great from the main road). 0034 650 974 685. 0034 971 351 759. Facebook.com/canbernatdesgrau
Cap Roig, Se Mesquida.
Great fish and amazing views from the top of the cliff) 0034 971 18 83 83. Head towards Mahon – turn left before you go into Mahon and follow signs to Se Mesquida. Restaurant on right. 0034 971 18 84 84 84
El Rais, Mahon.
Lugar Moll de Llevant 314 | Port de Mao, 07701 Mahon +34 971 36 23 45. Fabulous food and fabulous location on the marina front in Mahon. It’s up one floor so you need to look up to find it – and it’s further round the port road than you might think. Best park at the top of the cliff in the car parks up there. Take the lift down to the port – turn right out of the lift and walk c. 5 mins.
Tap's, Mahon.
Carrer Sinia des Muret 39, Mahon. 0034 971 091 104. A new find for us in 2016. AMAZING tapas. Went three times last visit! Menu in the House Folder. Unimpressive surroundings just off a roundabout on the Mahon ringroad – but simply awesome food and extremely reasonably priced. www.canavelino.com . . . from the website it looks like they have a sister restaurant nearby which we haven’t tried yet.
Mestre D’Aixa, Mahon
Moll de Llevant 209, Mahon. 00 34 971 96 68 01. On the harbor front just past the Fairline office. Close to Il Porto. A new entry for me this year and very much in my top 5 for the island. Run by Lucas from Madrid . . . absolutely delicious food. You can order by the mouthful or meal size. Really innovative cooking, great wines in a cool marine-themed setting.
Wepi, Mahon
Moll de Llevant 227, Mahon. 0034 971 35 48 18. Not far from Mestre D’Aixa above. Tempura prawns to die for.
Trebol, Es Castell/Cala Fonts.
00 34 971 367 097. A firm favourite . . . Great location over looking the harbour at Cala Fons Good fish restaurant. Great mixed seafood platter for 2.
Nikki’s Diner, Es Castell /Cala Fonts
00 34 971 368 932
Another favourite . . . Great location overlooking the harbor at Cala Fons . . . on the opposite side to Trebol mentioned above. Smaller and a bit more relaxed than Trebol. Nikki still very much in evidence. Reknown for fresh fish daily – altho’ steaks and homemade burgers are delicious too.
Biniarroca, Sant Lluis.
Cami Biniarroca 57, 07710 Sant Lluis (Menorca), Spain. Telephone: +34 971 150 174
Very smart. Prices to reflect.
Places to see and visit
Menorca Jeep Safari
I’ve now been on four jeep safari’s and LOVED every one. Check out the comments on Trip Advisor – I’m not the only fan. You pile into Jeeps and go off the beaten track and get right to the heart of the island. Just the right mix of sharing knowledge with making it fun for adults and children alike. The guides are passionate about the island and are extremely knowledgable. I won’t spoil the surprises but they have several up their sleeves. Tell them Simone told you to come. They'll collect you from the villa and will look after you well. http://en.jeepsafarimenorca.es
Horse Festivals
If your holiday co-incides with one of the islands famous horse festivals - you really should go. Although keep the children at a distance from the horses - the festivals can get pretty raucous. Check out https://www.descobreixmenorca.com/en/menorca-horse-fiestas/ for more details.
Mahon (also known as Mao).
Sit on the harbor front with a coffee and watch those amazing boats. Great fish market in the centre. . . . half the building sells fish (no fish for sale on Mondays) and the other half has a wonderful range of tapas bars to choose from. Also cool bar on the front Latitude 40° – locals and yachties favourite.
La Mola
The fortress outside Mahon. Amazing place. Huge! I went with the Jeep Safari guys - great experience – they also have special access to areas you can’t go to on your own.
Citutadella harbour
Situated on the west coast of the island, Ciutadella is a stylish place to visit that is well known for fish restaurants serving the local catch of the day. Menorca’s original Capital.
Fornells
(north of the Island). This small and pretty fishing village has become rather famous for it's seafood restaurants. Es Port is a nice place to eat on the front and Es Cranc in the little back streets.
Cala Fonts (near Mahon).
Beautiful fishing village to walk around, lovely in the evening to have dinner. About 5 minutes from Mahon. Follow signs for Es Castell
Cala ’n Porter (south of the Island).
For a drink in the day . About 10 minutes drive from Mahon.
Cova d’en Xoroi (aka ‘the caves’)
Nightclub here. Amazing place – dug into the cliff face. Does three things:
1) during the day I understand you can take a geological tour of the caves;
2) at sunset you can buy a ticket which includes a drink plus access to the club where you can sit on the terraces that overhang the sea, and watch the sun go down. Breathtaking. They play some music and have dancers there – but the spectacle is the caves and the sunset.
3) It then opens as a nightclub proper at c. 11pm. Attracts international DJ’s. www.covadenxoroi.com
Mount Toro (centre of the Island).
Head for Es Mercadal. At 354 metres above sea level Mount Toro is the only real mountain on Menorca. Great views of the whole island. And Majorca on a clear day.
Time on the water
In Addaia itself, next to the port office, is Katayak. They hire out Kayaks, Stand up Paddle Boards, Bikes, Scooters, Snorkelling, Charter Yachts and Catamaran trips. www.katayak.net
Rafa’s Boats offers 2.5 hour trips on small, fun open speed boats from Marina. You’ll see them with ‘Fun in the Sun’ written on the side. inforafasboats@gmail.com
There is another outfit based in Fornells www.pachiratours.com which looks good but we haven't used them. They do a variety of themed trips.
Also in Fornells there is www.aquataxi.net where they will take you/a group out for the day and you can visit some of the more remote, yet beautiful beaches on the north coast.
Boat Hire
If you wanted to hire a boat for the day/week – these guys should be able to help:
Nautica Puig (Jose or Pere Puig)
Tel: 0034 971 358106
Email: nauticapuig@gmail.com
Web: www.nauticapuig.com
Rafa's Boats (Rafa)
Tel: 0034 608 121210
Email: inforafasboats@gmail.com
Web: www.rafasboats.com
Scuba Diving
Operate out of Addaia