Mahón the capital

Mahón, of 20.000 inhabitants, is the island's capital. It's architecture shows evident British influence , remain of a time when Menorca was part of the British Empire. Still you can see by the way the ruins of the old English Marine Hospital. When visiting Mahón you shouldn't miss the following places:

The Port

It is said to be the best port in the world, behind Pearl Harbour ... close to here, in Finca de San Antonio, Admiral Nelson and Lady Hamilton lived their famous romance.

Aquarium

( at the port, open Mon-Fri 9.30 - 13.00 and 16.00 - 19.00, Sat 9.00 - 14.00, Sun 11.00 - 13.00) An interesting exposition of fauna and flora of the Mediterranean area.

Ateneo Científico y Literario

(Conde de Cienfuentes, 25. Open 9.00 - 14.00 and 15.00 - 22.00) An important collection of fossiles, historical maps and ceramic articles.

Church of Santa María

(Plaza de España), with a monumental Baroque organ.

Church and Convent of San Francisco

Specially remarkable is the neo-romantical portal.

Military Museum

(San Felipe) Most interesting is the room dedicated to Charles III.

Prehistorical Remains

In Trepucó, in the South of Mahón, in Torelló and Talatí de Dalt there highly interesting and quite well conserved rests of prehistorical cultures.

Ciudadela the former capital

The 15.000 inhabitants of Ciutadella de Menorca are proud that their town was the island's capital from the Moorish epoch until 18th century. Aristocratical constructions as well as several palaces make evident its glorious past. The entire town was declared National Monument by the Spanish state.

Popular customs are highly interesting as well. Best known is the festival of San Juan, when el Jaleo takes place: a medieval equestrian performance with colorful old dresses.

Unlike Mahón Ciudadela is a typical Mediterranean town with colorful narrow lanes. Among the major attractions are:

The Port

This picturesque natural port is specially impressing arriving to it by boat.

La Contramurada

A wide boulevard, located where formerly the town-walls were.

Plaza de Born

The heart of town. An obelisk in the nearby park reminds of the Turkish attack in 1558.

National Museum

(Plaza de Born. Open 11.30 - 13.30. Sundays closed.). With an interesting collection of archaeological findings as well as objects of medieval and Moorish epochs.

Cathedral

Built in 14th century over a Moorish Mezquita. Lateron it was modified several times, in particular during 19th century. Most evident today are Gothic and Neoclassic styles.

Seis Voltes

Beautiful alleys with arcades and white-washed walls.

Casas Palacio

Several beautiful small palaces, among them Casa Saura, Palacio del Barón de Lluriach and Palacio Martorell, all of 17th and 18th century.

Churches

Most remarkable are Iglesia del Roser, of 18th century, and Iglesia de San Francisco, constructed from 16th to 19th century.

Naveta des Tudoms

This prehistorical tomb is one of the island's most important monuments.