Menorca

Minorca was declared a natural biosphere by U.N.E.S.C.O. in 1993, a distinction awarded to the islanders for their strong passion in preserving the islands natural facets, culture, fauna, wildlife and promoting a controlled and sustainable industrial and urban development.

Travelling around the island, makes you appreciate that Minorca is truly a magnificent island, a jewel in the Mediterranean. It is not a large island, about the same size as the Isle of Wright, yet within its boundaries it has an immense variety of scenery and a vast catalogue of unique species (plants and endemic animals). The friendly locals have maintained the islands natural patrimony and fought against any attempts to change the landscape. Rural development or buildings are rigorously controlled and the materials used have to harmonise with the surrounds; supporting a landscape without artificial colourings or preservatives.

The Albufera Natural Park in Es Grau is perhaps the queen of all parks and here you can observe migrating birds, fish and reptiles. However, the island has five natural parks, a vast marine reserve and nineteen A.N.E.I. (Natural Areas with Species of Interest) registered areas.

Everything flows naturally and with an easy rhythm in Minorca; the complicity of life eases a stress free holiday – Your biggest choice of the day is perhaps your decision over which beach to visit. The island has over 120 beaches; all with their own speciality.-There are beaches for all tastes, from the long soft sandy ones to the hidden smugglers coves or the wild rocky beaches. The southern coast is lined with white fine sands surrounded by pine tree woods with crystal turquoise coloured waters. The north is wilder and sharper due to its erosion provoked by the Tramontana wind, these wind sculptured cliffs give way to idyllic beaches and virgin coves with deep waters. The presence of the posidonia, an endemic Mediterranean seaweed, along the coastline is the best sign to indicate the good health of the beaches, although slightly scorned by the beach user who is not aware of it usefulness.

Green Menorca

The islands sea beds offer a rich environment for a large variety of sea life and mineral composition, offering a great spectre of colour for the diver. The islands protected Marine Reserve is located in the north. Sailing around the island you will view more than ten unique underwater caves with their own marine life.

But, Minorca is not only beaches. The grand variety of landscape and about 300 days of sunshine a year, allows one to discover the delights of walking. Strolling through the islands gorges can open up a new world; these gorges commence from the centre of the island and cut their way through to the south, towards Cala Galdana or Santo Tomas. They are majestic ravines with up to 220 species of fauna which co-habit with the remains of past used sand stone quarries and prehistoric constructions. For the professional group the island has over fifty inland caves still to explore.

Travelling around the island or even by studying your detailed island map, its possible to view the abundance of ponds, salt marshes and lagoons in Minorca - The most important humid area is the Albufera Natural Park at Es Grau, although the areas at Addaia, Son Saura and Son Bou can be appreciated.

The island will never let you down as no area during any season is free from beauty, for even when driving along the rural lanes you can enjoy spotting thistles, orchidaceous and chrysanthemums, patches of wild asparagus, berries, lounging black and white coloured Frisian cattle, glossy coated black stallions, grazing sheep and a world of bird life. This rural feast is a heaven for artists, photographers and bird and fauna watchers.

Monuments

Minorca retains and preserves all the magic left by its ancestors, making the island one of Europe’s most important historical studies and a unique open air museum.

The historical patrimony of Minorca is inexhaustible with over a thousand prehistoric monuments, artificial caves, remains of the roman era and signs of the Muslim period as well as structures of Paleo-Christian churches.

The island's talayotic settlements are the most important in Europe. Observing the splendour and size of these stones it’s easy to travel back along the mysterious paths of time and question how did these men build these “T” shaped monuments, called “taulas” - The tallest “taula” on the island can be found at Trepucó in Mao it measures 4.20 metres.

Other iconic structures visible on the island are the “navetas”, the Naveta des Tudons being the islands finest and are one of the oldest monuments in Europe. A naveta is a burial chamber, somewhat resembling an upside down boat.

Other constructions sure to captivate are the “talaiots”, great mounds of stones that emerge from hills and plains.

The “prehistoric settlements” were authentic cities designed for living and worshipping. Amongst the grounds of these settlements you can admire taules, navetas and talaiots, sepulchral caves or wells, perhaps the best example on the island is the “Torre den Gaumes” settlement, close to Alaior. 

Culture

The vast and colourful cultural legacy of the island is etched into the character of the locals today and they follow this detail to tradition and authenticity passionately; for example, the “Sant Joan festivities” held annually in the town of Ciudadela, and follows every meticulous detail, expression and meaning of the fiesta since it began. This fiesta is the second largest festival in Spain and centres around the black coated Minorcan horse and rider. Every town has a patron saint and every town throughout the summer honours and celebrates their particular saint; all the festivals are celebrated on the same lines as that of Ciutadella.

 The islands cultural legacy can also be observed in any one of its many museums, such as Natural Museum in Ferreries or the Ecological museum at Cap de Cavallería, In Mao you can choose between the Hernández Sanz -Hernández Mora Museum located within the Cloister of Carmen or the Minorca Museum which is located in an old Franciscan convent. 

On the west coast you have the Municipal Museum of Ciutadella, located in the historical building of El Bastió de sa Font and this exhibition shows pieces from the islands first settlers. Still in Ciutadella we have the Diocese Museum, with an exhibition of paintings from the 17th century to present day contemporary art and archaeological objects together with gold and silver work and liturgical art.

It is not surprising to the onlooker that with such a diverse topography and rich culture that the island has always attracted the artistic and philosophical mind. We have painters, sculptors, musicians as well as philosophers and writers. Even in business the island has forged forward mainly due to the insularity of the island and the skill of the local businessman.

Local festivities

The local festivities are celebrated during the summer touching every town. These local events are the best evidence of the islanders rigor to maintaining its ancient protocol, the starting point of these festivities are held in Ciutadella between the 23rd and 24th of June.

The Minorcan horse is the star of the show. But, not only can we enjoy the splendour and beauty of this noble breed; it is also possible to view breaking-in shows and organized races at the island's race course (hipodromo).

Another element of the local fiestas are the traditional music and dances, yet and throughout the islands cultural calendar you have many occasions to witness it, such as, Saint Antonys Day (17th January) a local holiday to celebrate and honour Minorca's Patron Saint; or the Festival of Carmen (July) when all shipping and cruising vessels take to the seas to bless the sea.

Rather romantic touches to the islands folklore are the “glossadors”, these men and women are lovers of poetry and they also have the gift of irony and wit. They choose a theme and then sing a poem based on improvising and humour – it is extremely difficult and only the true masters entertain.

Part of the islands heritage is her skilled craftsmen. Each trader is encouraged to practice their craft with the aim of passing the skill to others, craftsmen such as master woodworkers, wicker workers, jewellery designers, potters, ironmongers, cheese makers or boat makers. There are many studios and artisan markets open to the public, perhaps the best being the Art, Craft and Artisan centre in Es Mercadal.

Activities

It`s not surprising that with so much water at hand that Minorca is a haven for water sports, sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, diving etc are easily arranged. An additional advantage is that the island is affected by many local winds and therefore great for sailed sports. As you can imagine the island has many reputable nautical clubs and teaching schools-

If you practise scuba-diving then try a dive here with a professional school or group, we have such clean and transparent waters offering a full Mediterranean marine life - you will not be disappointed.

Canoeing is becoming very popular, and regular excursions can be arranged with the specialist guides. It is a superb way of experiencing the adventure of the sea whilst  discovering caves, passing under the most astonishing natural bridges and enjoying the coastline.

For the amateur golfer, we can offer a small but very difficult 36 hole golf course. With over 300 days of sunshine a year you can be guaranteed a good game in an exquisite environment. Competitions are held throughout the year and any handicapped player can join.

On the island you can enjoy, rugby, cricket, basketball, paddle (a cross between tennis and squash) tennis, gym, motor bike trails, antique car rides, horse riding and races..... in fact any sport imaginable.

The island can boast a list of prestigious sportsmen and ladies, playing in national teams...and the island participates in the Island Games (The Olympics of small islands, including the Isla of Man, Jersey, Malta etc).

Gastronomy

The island’s diet follows the healthy Mediterranean way, fresh fish, shellfish, fruit, dairy products and vegetables. One of the islands most famous sea food dish is the Caldereta de Langosta (lobster stew) and can be eaten in all the best restaurants.

The past occupations of the island have also made their mark on the islanders. During the French occupation the French chefs picked up a local sauce made with eggs and olive oil, they stole this recipe and went on to use the sauce in their own kitchens- this famous sauce was called “salsa de mahon” today you will know it as mayonnaise.

The British occupations from the 18thC left the “gin”. This very special drink is distilled entirely from juniper berries which gave, and still gives the gin its remarkable aroma. Sharing the custom of drinking gin for breakfast or as a fiesta drink is an experience not to be missed. The distillery, situated in the port of Mao, is open to the public.

Minorca is a dairy producing island and therefore it is not surprising to note that these products dominate the markets, cheeses, cold meat sausages and milk. These products have a special taste due to the strong gusts of Tramontana wind, that soak the fields with sea salt, making it a delicacy for the grazing cattle and hence the milk and the islands dairy products has that special taste.  

Whilst you are on the island feel welcome to visit some of the working farms that are open to the public. The traditional cold meat sausages are also manufactured in a homemade setting.

The most recognised sausage is the spicy “sobrassada”, but there are black puddings, chopped hams and a full host of cold meats and sausages to try whilst here.