Mahon (Menorca), a Cosmopolitan and Historic City
Mahón is the capital of Menorca and, as a good capital, it deserves a visit. No matter the time of year you visit: this cosmopolitan city offers countless things to see.
Mahón, located on the eastern side of the island, has 29,000 inhabitants. Its name in Catalan is Maó. The city has Menorca Airport (4.5 kilometers from Mahón) and a 6-kilometer-long natural harbor that has prompted numerous conquests throughout history.
Initially named Magón, in honor of the Carthaginian general who founded it, it was later called Portus Magonis when it was dominated by the Romans. Many have conquered Mahón over the past 21 centuries: Arabs, Phoenicians, Greeks, Turks, Aragonese, English, Spanish, and French.
Undoubtedly, it has been one of the most desired cities in the Mediterranean, full of diverse and cosmopolitan culture.
You can easily reach Mahón by car, motorbike, bus, or taxi from other points on the island.
The main road (Me-1) connects Ciutadella and Mahón, with a distance of about 42 kilometers. It takes only about 40 minutes by car. By taking this road, you can also reach Mahón from other towns like Ferreries, Es Mercadal, Es Migjorn, and Alaior.
To get to Mahón from Es Castell, you need to take the Me-2 and in a matter of minutes, you will be in the capital. It takes the same amount of time to get there from Sant Lluís or from some of the southern coves of Menorca such as Binibeca, Binisafua, Punta Prima, etc. For this, you need to take the Me-8.
Mahón has a bus station with connections to all the municipalities of Menorca and the nearest urbanizations like Cala’n Porter, Es Canutells, Sa Mesquida, Son Bou, Cala Galdana, Santo Tomás, Binibeca, Binisafua, Punta Prima, Alcaufar, and s’Algar. Be sure to check the routes and schedules of the buses that go to Mahón, as they vary throughout the year.
If you arrive on the island by plane, you can take bus line 10 to Mahón (duration of about 10 minutes).
A visit to the port of Mahón, the second-largest natural harbor in the world, is a must. Stroll along the long promenade, stop to eat at one of its restaurants, or take a tour on one of the tourist boats.
Besides visiting the port, you should also explore the historic city center where the Mahón Town Hall, the Church of Santa María, the Teatro Principal, and the Museum of Menorca, among many other sites, are located.
Mahón is a comfortable and pleasant city to visit with children. Walking through the center, with its pedestrian streets, is very enjoyable. It has many playgrounds, among which Es Freginal park stands out, located in the heart of the city and surrounded by trees and nature.
If you venture outside the city, just a few minutes by car from Mahón, there are some places to visit that children will love, such as the Albufera de Es Grau or the Fortress of La Mola.
The nightlife in a capital city never disappoints. In Mahón, the nightlife is centered around the port area, where you will find some nightclubs and numerous bars.
However, in the historic center of the city, you can also enjoy a drink and some delicious tapas. Recently, many people gather at midday and in the evening at the Fish Market or near the Claustro del Carme to enjoy the city’s nightlife.
On the north shore of Mahón’s harbor is La Mola or Fortress of Isabel II, one of the largest European fortifications of the 19th century, offering guided tours. To get there, you will pass through the prestigious urbanization of Cala Llonga, which has a small cove.
In the middle of Mahón’s harbor is the Lazareto Island, an 18th-century fortification and former hospital built to protect against plagues and diseases.
Around Mahón, you can visit places of great interest such as the Natural Park of s’Albufera de Es Grau, the Favàritx lighthouse (one of the most suggestive lighthouses in Menorca), and some of the beaches closest to the capital such as Sa Mesquida, Es Murtar, Es Grau, and Cala Tortuga, located on the north coast of the island.
If you are a food enthusiast, you’re in luck. You will find many places to eat in Mahón. The gastronomic offer is very diverse.
The bars and restaurants in Mahón are mainly located in two areas of the city: the center and the port.
The center of Mahón has bars and restaurants with pleasant terraces, where you can enjoy delicious tapas, pizzas, and combo plates. There is also a gastronomic space, the fish market, which has been transformed into a leisure hub with stalls offering tapas, pinchos, and wines, and where gastronomic events and concerts are held.
In the port of Mahón, you will find the largest variety of gastronomic offerings, with a wide range of cuisines. You can have anything from a pizza to a good lobster stew.
Staying in the center of Mahón can be a good option to enjoy the city’s cultural life and be close to everything at the same time.
If you’re considering staying at a hotel in Menorca, many boutique hotels have opened in Mahón’s historic city center. You can also find numerous hotels and hostels in the central area, where most of the city’s accommodations are concentrated.
Another option is to rent an apartment. For this, you will find more options in the urbanizations near Mahón, such as Cala Llonga, Es Grau, Sa Mesquida, etc.
