Holiday rentals in Mahón
Mahón is the capital of menorca and has approximately 28,000 inhabitants. In spite of not having stately neighbourhoods or great buildings, the city is distinguished by its cultural character and difficult-to-forget personality. At the expense of Ciutadella, Mahón —or Port Mahon for the English— became the capital of the island during British rule.
Holiday rentals in Mahón
The visit to Mahón must be divided into two very differentiated parts: the port and city. A remarkable hill separates these two areas.
Mahón is a small city with numerous attractions and a certain colonial air. Streets in the centre form a small labyrinth, making it easy and recommendable to get lost. The commercial activity of the city is centralised in the streets of s’Arravaleta, Carrer Nou, Plaza Colón, Cuesta de Hannover and Carrer de ses Moreres. Among its most noteworthy buildings, there is the neoclassical Templo del Carme, with a beautiful claustre that houses a market of all types of KM0 products. Another remarkable element of the city is the Boinders, small glazed balconies that overlook the streets from the most impressive facades. One of the most spectacular ones is that of the Moncada house.
Let us not also forget the visit to the church of Santa María, whose interior houses a monumental organ with great historical value and excellent sound. One of the oldest doorways of the city wall called Pont de Sant Roc is preserved in the Bastión square. With an English clock from the 18th century, the city hall presents itself as another of the remarkable buildings in the town.
Located in the Costa Deià, the theatre is another remarkable venue to see, boasting to be the first opera theatre constructed in Spain.
Given that it is the capital, Mahon presents itself as a city rich in cultural activities. We recommend visiting the Museum of Menorca located in the convent of San Francisco.
History says that Mahón was founded in 205 BC by Magón, the brother of Hannibal the Carthaginian general. Throughout many centuries, the city faced different invasions–Romans, Vandals, Muslims and Aragoneses. It was also ransacked many times; in 1535, Red Beard the pirate razed the city and enslaved a great portion of the inhabitants. However, it was not until the 18th century, when English rule was in place, that the city began to undergo important developments. For this reason, Mahón still maintains an air of English colonial times.
Featured areas in Mahón
The Port of Mahón
The port of Mahón is one of the biggest and most spectacular natural ports in the world. Its magnificent location in the centre of the western Mediterranean has given rise to conquests and reconquests by main European nations throughout centuries. Its calm waters and extremely beautiful landscape accompanies the majesty of the buildings housed by the port.
At the foot of the city of Mahón, there is the Baixamar neighbourhood. Port services, small shipyards, distilleries of Menorca’s famous gin, as well as the wide number of bars and restaurants make the place to be the main centre for night time fun.
One of our recommendations is to visit the Fortaleza de la Mola. Constructed in the 19th century during the reign of Isabel the II of Spain to defend the island from English and French invasion attempts, the fortress has walled areas, spectacular viewpoints and underground galleries.
Cala Llonga
The estate of Cala Llonga is found on the other side of the Port of Mahón. A residential estate constructed during the latter half of the 20th century, this exclusive area offers numerous first-rate villas, supermarket, bar and extended-stay hotel.
Sa Mesquida
This classic summer spot for Minorcans is found in the North of the Mahón municipality. It preserves the entire character of the coastal communities, which have not deteriorated from the most touristic areas.This family-oriented estate of small, whitewashed homes have a sandbank of almost half a kilometre and transparent turquoise-coloured waters.
La Albufera des Grau
The small town of Es Grau can be found in the North of Mahón. Far from the touristic crowds and big hotels, this family-oriented town is characterised by its small, fishermen’s homes located only a few metres away from the sea. Es Grau offers restaurants, bars and a small supermarket. Given that the water is shallow, the beach is another preferred located for those who travel with children.
However, if there is something that stands out in this small urban community, it is the Albufera. On 7 October 1993, on behalf of the UNESCO, Menorca earned being declared a Biosphere Reserve for its exceptional environmental conditions, cultural heritage value and most of all, harmonious socioeconomic development in the location. The core of this biosphere reserve is the Natural Park of the Albufera des Grau, being the most important humid area in Menorca as well as one of the most interesting areas in the Balearic Islands.
Llucmaçanes
Within the municipality of Mahón, at hardly 2 KM away from the centre of Mahón, there is the small rural village where typical Minorcan hamlets are a sight to see. This small town community has its own church. It also has its own festivities with the traditional jaleo of horses, which is celebrated in honour of Sant Gaietà either the last week of July or the first week of August. There are small rural hotels and restaurants in the area.
Sant Climent y Binixica
Al sur del municipio de Mahón está San Climent, un pequeño pueblo con pocos centenares de habitantes, tiene bancos, estanco, panaderías, supermercado, restaurantes, farmacia, tiendas de productos de la isla, peluquerías…un sinfín de comercios que asombran al visitante viendo lo pequeño que es esta pequeña pedanía de Mahón. Como el resto de pueblos aquí también se celebra un animado jaleo de caballos el tercer fin de semana de Agosto.
A dos kilómetros del centro del pueblo está la urbanización residencial de Binixica, donde sus villas con piscina son uno de los reclamos de los visitantes. La urbanización no es de costa, sino que es de interior, pero su cercanía a Mahón y a las playas del sur la convierten en un lugar cómodo para explorar Menorca.
Es Canutells
Es Canutells is an estate in the South of Mahón, which can be accessed by passing through Sant Climent. This small cove has become a popular spot for tourists and residents of the zone. The beach still preserves its charm of yesteryear. Looking at the sea, to the left, you can find a boatyard and excavated caves used by fishermen. There is a supermarket, extended-stay hotel and restaurant in the zone.
Binidalí
In the vicinity of the Cala de Binidalí, there can be found an estate carrying the same name. This small estate has exclusive villas surrounding the small cove. Given its charm and white, fine-grain sand, this is one of the most visited coves by Mahoneses.
Useful information
Distance
Mahón is found in the far western Menorca and has a passenger port. The airport is located approximately 5 km away from the city. The second most important city of the island, Ciutadella, is located 45 km away.
Public Transport
The Mahón bus station has buses that travel to all parts of Menorca.