Mahon Holidays

Menorca’s capital, Mahon, sits proudly on the east coast of the Balearic Island. It’s been doing the job since 1721, so it comes with lots of elegant 18th-century mansions among the churches and Gothic cathedral. That’s just the sights, though. Mahon loves its shopping, and it’s really into its nightlife, too, so you’ll be spoilt for choice in terms of restaurants, bars and clubs. And there are some fantastic beaches nearby, as well.

Mahon packs in just about everything except beaches. That’s okay, though, as there are lots of them close by. Drive north for about 10 minutes and you’re at Mesquida, an unspoilt cove with nothing but sand and sea. And five minutes on from that, there’s dune-backed Es Grau, which comes with sunloungers, beach bars and watersports. Southbound, meanwhile, you’ve got Blue Flag Punta Prima.

Mahon used to be ruled by the Brits, and you’ll get a real sense of its colonial past along Carrer Isabel ll, with its balconied townhouses complete with sash windows. There’s more 18th-century history at the Xoriguer gin distillery down by the harbour. It’s altogether more Gothic at the cathedral, though, where the organ recitals come courtesy of 3,000 pipes.

It's easy to squeeze in a visit to the island's former capital, Ciutadella. Take the main route across the island and, on the 45-minute drive there, you can stop off at Alaoir – famous for its shoes and cheese – and Es Mercadal, which is the gateway to Monte Toro, Menorca’s highest peak. Once in Ciutadella, you’ll see that it also comes with stately mansions and a Gothic cathedral, not to mention plenty of shops and marina-side restaurants.