Maó

Maó (Spanish: Mahón) is the capital city of Menorca. Known interchangeably as Maó (the original Catalan) and Mahon (the English), the city became the island's capital following the British Occupation of the island in 1708. The city is known for having one of the largest natural harbours in Europe (and the second largest in the world, with Pearl Harbor being the largest). It is also known for being one of the origins — and potentially the birthplace — of mayonnaise.

Understand
Maó, like most of Menorca, has enjoyed a violent and bloody history with many countries wanting to lay claim to the island and in particular the valuable port at Maó. The city's history in particular begins in 1708, where during the War of Spanish Succession the British Royal Navy invaded the entire island, seeing a naval base established in the port at such a close proximity to mainland Spain. This gave the port much of its military history, most of which can still be toured on a number of boat trips today. The city was so strongly associated with the Navy that the entire area became known as 'Port Mahon'.

Following a French invasion in 1756, in the Battle of Menorca, the Port came under French occupation and control, shortly before being lost to the British again and eventually, having been thrown to and from the British and Spanish, being handed to Spain for theirs to keep ever since.

The link to the popular dressing mayonnaise originates from these battles too. As the dressing is originally french, its name was supposedly a chance to honour the 1756 French victory over the British, with the name "mahonnaise" being used around that time.

Like much of the island, the industries prevalent in Maó 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 which produce milk laced with salt from the nearby seas, producing excellent dairy products.

By plane


To get to your resort, Menorca's airport is served by buses to Maó (€2.65, 10 min) every half hour from around 06:00 to 22:00 and then hourly to midnight. The bus stops at the bus station, the Estacio Maritima and a couple of other intermediate points. Buses are then available to various resorts and towns across the island from the bus station.

Taxis are available directly in front of the airport terminal and there is a range of car hire options to get to your resort. There are also various services (bookable online) that allow direct coach transfers to resorts across the island.

Get around
The bus system in Menorca is extensive, reliable and easy to use. The Mahon bus station is on the edge of the old town and can be easily reached on foot from the town. If you have luggage with you, you can also change to the city centre buses and drive a few stops closer to the hotel. Single journey 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 centre at the bus station, where all bus timetables are posted. The overland buses to the beaches run much less frequently in the low season (Oct-Apr), so it is advisable to make a note of the bus connection for the outward and return journey in advance. The buses are modern, and the next stop is shown on electronic boards.

See

 * (Fortalesa Isabel II La Mola) c/La Mola s/n. . Open daily. €7 — A magnificent Spanish fortress set over Maó harbour, a fine example of mid-19th-century Spanish military architecture.
 * — A castle ruin.
 * Cala Sant Esteva,
 * — One of the most important prehistoric sites on the island.

Do

 * (Platja de Punta Prima) Carrer Bellavista, 11-13, 07713 Punta Prima (head down the Carrer Mestral de Punta Prima then turn right onto the beachfront, then right again into the large car park). Daily 24 hr – A relatively small beach with some great facilities in Punta Prima, another decent beach close to the Capital. Part of a busy family resort, there are lots of bars and cafes on the seafront and a large car park just next to the beach. There's lots of sunbed hire and pedalo hire available here too. Access can also be by local bus from Maó.
 * (Platja Es Grau). Carrer Pas des Tamarell, 11, 07701 Es Grau (car park on the ME-5 road directly links to a bridge to access the long beach). Daily 24 hr. Free. A great, long beach with shallow water ideal for families that is regarded by many as the closest decent beach to the capital, Mahon. Very close to the nearby nature reserve that has some great walks. Connected to Maó by local bus.

Drink

 * info@sasinia.org@undefined Sa Sinia Art Hub, Cl St Josep 49. – Pleasant spot of a drink and some music. Local DJs spin anything from 1980s classics to hip hop.
 * Carrer de Sa Cova nº 2 07730, Cala en Porter, Alaior. . Nightclub open 11:00 - late. Open for daytime drinks 11:30 - close. Constructed out of a cave dug into the cliff stone and peering over it. The atmosphere within the cave is unique and must be seen to be believed. One of the few nightclubs in Menorca, it is open until the early hours of the morning. Watching the sun set over the sea from the terrace is simply breathtaking.

Sleep

 * (Son Granot Hotel Rural & Restaurant) Carretera de Sant Felip, 41, 07720 Es Castell. (follow the ME-6 past Es Castell and you'll soon see the rural hotel on your right). — Offers traditional Menorcan cuisine and Spanish and French wines.
 * Avenida Decima (S'Algar). . Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. Hotel-resort with 228 rooms available, 3 swimming pools, a lobby bar, and 2 restaurants. Nice beach bar open till 02:00 everyday.