Visit
Monte Toro (the highest point on the island, near Es Mercadal)
for a fantastic panoramic view of the island.
The fishing village at Fornells.
Cala Galdana for a very picturesque setting. Drive to the
cliff tops for stunning views of the resort and the sea.
Prehistoric remains can be seen on all the
Balearic Islands, but it is on Minorca that you will see them
most, often glimpsing them from the road, perhaps in the middle
of a field, surrounded by grazing animals as if their presence
had been forgotten. They are the remains of the late-Bronze-Age
Talaiot culture, Talaiot being great conical mounds of rock
the purpose of which is the subject of debate, though it seems
to be agreed that they whatever they were they were not watchtowers.
The other structures you will see are navetas,
cottage-sized structures shaped like upside-down boats, which
may have been dwellings, but were probably tombs, and taulas,
one enormous slab of rock on top of another in a t-shape,
like something out of 2001 A Space Odyssey. The best sites
are the "village" at Trepucò, within the
city limits of Maó, on the way out to the airport,
or the Naveta d'es Tudons near Ciutadella.
The beaches are generally marvellous - with
plenty of sandy space. A few resorts have smaller beaches
that can get cramped (such as Cala Galdana and Cala'n Porter)
but then again there is Son Bou with its over 2 miles of glorious
sand.
Teenagers will probably find most resorts
too quiet in the evenings - but travel to the 'caves' on a
Thursday night for example for a club night that will rival
anything anywhere. This is Cova den Xoroi , situated in the
Cala'n Porter resort on the south of the island.
The food and drink on the island is
very good - meat, fish, fruit and vegetables are all grown
locally and are of a very high standard.
Menorquina ice cream, named after the
island, is world renown although today it is actually made
in Barcelona. There are some fantastically indulgent desserts,
which can be found at most restaurants. Chocolate lovers will
eat nothing else all holiday once they've tried a Trufito!
Es Pla at Fornells where King Juan
Carlos comes regularly to eat fish specialities.
The Windmill restaurant - Moli d'es
Raco in Es Mercadal, on the main Mao-Ciutadella road. Great
food, and lovely location.
S'Eixerit in Es Mercadal - local food
at a reasonable price.
S'Ancora in Fornells - located on the
harbour, good fish and seafood restaurant, and probably the
best fresh Paella available.
Es Cranc in Fornells, probably the
best general fish and seafood restaurant on the island, try
the fish or shellfish soup 'Caldereta'
La Ribera in Santo Tomas, located near
the centre of the resort between the Santo Tomas and Lord
Nelson hotels. Best restaurant in the resort.
Ca n'Olga in Es Meracdal is also very
well regarded.
Ca na Pilar and S'Engolidor are the
best restaurants in Es Migjorn Gran.
Other top restaurants include Es Moli
de Foc, Cobblers (which prior to being sold was possibly the
best restaurant on the island) and Ses Salines.
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