Fornells is a beautiful fishing village, a coastal town located in the north of Menorca that belongs to the municipality of Es Mercadal.
It is one of the most charming places on the island, a must-visit. The village exudes the pure Mediterranean essence with its whitewashed streets, traditional houses, a beautiful promenade filled with restaurants, and a fishing and sports harbor.
The bay of Fornells is part of Menorca’s marine reserve. You can engage in countless sports activities in Fornells, which will allow you to explore the entire bay and reach some of Menorca’s most beautiful, pristine, and natural beaches.
Fornells developed in the vicinity of the Castle of San Antonio. The decision to build the castle was made in 1558 following the corsair Barbarossa’s raid on Mahón and the pirate attack on Ciudadella, as a strategic point for defending the natural harbor of Fornells and the northern coast.
The presence of the castle led to the formation of a settlement, which originated what is now the historic center of the village. The first inhabitants of Fornells were involved in the construction of the castle. Over the years, Fornells became home to fishing families.
Defense and fishing define the origins of this village, which to this day still houses military structures and defensive watchtowers.
Fornells is located in the north of Menorca. You can easily reach this charming village by private vehicle or public transport.
To get to Fornells from Mahón by car, it will take only 20 minutes, and you will need to take the Me-7, which directly connects the two towns.
It will take a bit longer to go from Ciutadella to Fornells. The distance is 33 km (over half an hour). Leaving from Ciutadella, you will need to take the main road of the island, the Me-1, until you reach Es Mercadal and then continue on the Me-15 towards Fornells.
If you arrive on the island by plane, the airport is near Mahón. If you have a private vehicle, it will take about 35 minutes from the airport to reach Fornells. To do this, first, you need to get to Mahón via the Me-12 and then continue on the Me-7 that connects Mahón with Fornells.
If you do not have a private vehicle, you can reach Fornells by bus from the airport, but you will need to take several buses and make stops in several towns. First, you will need to take Line 10 that connects Mahón with the airport. In Mahón, you will need to take Line 1 and get off at Es Mercadal to take Line 45, which directly connects Es Mercadal and Fornells.
You can also get to Fornells by bus from Ciutadella, stopping at Es Mercadal. You will need to take Line 1 from Ciutadella, get off at Es Mercadal, and take Line 45 (Es Mercadal – Fornells).
With its maritime charm, Fornells captivates everyone. This quaint and traditional Menorcan village boasts a beautiful natural harbor perfect for a leisurely stroll, a historic center with small souvenir shops and artisanal products, and several defensive structures that can be visited. Here are the top places to see in Fornells:
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The bay of Fornells, 5 kilometers deep and 2 kilometers wide, is the perfect place for water activities. In its calm waters, you can practice windsurfing, sailing, kayaking, diving, snorkeling, etc. Reaching the pristine beaches located on the other side of the bay, only accessible by sea, is a perfect plan for kayak lovers.
In Fornells, several companies offer the opportunity to practice water sports and rent boats, kayaks, and jet skis. You’ll also find the Fornells Diving Center, specializing in diving in Menorca’s Marine Reserve, and the Club Náutic Fornells, which offers sailing and windsurfing courses and classes.
Another great plan is to explore the bay of Fornells by boat. You can book a boat, catamaran, or sailing excursion. Several companies in Fornells offer this service. The excursion can culminate with a sunset in one of Menorca’s most magical places.
Just before reaching Fornells, you will find the urbanization of Playas de Fornells. This well-maintained area features traditional Mediterranean-style houses and spectacular sea views. In this urbanization, there is a water park, ideal for the whole family, the Carema Splash Park. And just 300 meters from Playas de Fornells is Tirant beach.
Two of the most impressive lighthouses in Menorca are very close to Fornells. The Favaritx Lighthouse is only half an hour’s drive from Fornells, while it takes just 20 minutes to reach the Cavalleria Lighthouse from Fornells.
There are also many other coves near Fornells, such as Cavalleria, Pregonda, and Binimel·là. These are pristine coves and among the most beautiful on the island’s northern coast.
If you visit Fornells, we also recommend stopping by its neighboring town, Es Mercadal, and climbing Monte Toro, the best viewpoint on the island, located just 8 kilometers from Fornells.
Fornells is a true gastronomic gem. It is the prime place to enjoy the best fresh fish and seafood, as well as the finest lobster stews. In fact, here you will find the best restaurants in Menorca that serve this traditional dish.
Most of the restaurants are located along the promenade with great sea views. They specialize in seafood, but you will also find a few pizzerias and, above all, restaurants offering Mediterranean cuisine.
In the main square of the village, Plaza de s’Algaret, there are some well-known family restaurants serving traditional food.
If you decide to eat in Fornells, a good option could be to stop in Ses Salines, where some of the most renowned restaurants in the area are located, specializing in both grilled meats and fresh fish.
If you want to stay in the center of Fornells, the best option is to stay in a hostel. There are several family-friendly and tranquil hostels in the village. Another option, if you don’t want to leave the municipality, is to rent an apartment, traditional house, or villa with a tourist license.
If you are looking to stay in one of the hotels in Menorca or an aparthotel, the closest option to Fornells can be found in the neighboring urbanization, Playas de Fornells, where there is a much larger tourist offer.
If you prefer to rent an apartment in Menorca, you will find many options in both Fornells and Playas de Fornells. Especially in Playas de Fornells, there are many apartment complexes located by the sea with community pools, as well as rental villas, some of which offer views of the northern coast.
