Exploring Menorca by car

We hired a car and explored the island at more leisure.  Mary Thompson, one of the Guernsey girls,  joined us and we had a very pleasant day where Andrew drove us around the island from one end to the other.  The island is approximately 100km wide from east to west and about 35 km from north to south by direct route.

Fornells fishing village.

We stopped at a lovely spot on the Fornells waterfront for a coffee.  We could have gone in for a dip, the water was practically by our feet, but it was a little too early in the day for a swim.  Metal ladders took you to the water although there was a very tiny tiny beach as well.

We then drove to a headland a little west of Fornells to overlook a lovely beach that was recommended.  It was quite a steep climb down so we did not go there although by then we were more ready for a dip.  We decided we wanted easier and faster access to the water as we had limited time.  A dip had to fit into a busy driving itinerary.

The view from Cap de Cavalleria which is a 3km-long headland with a lighthouse on it.  The lighthouse is perched on the island's most spectacular cliffs, providing a view right across to the sea.  The cape is the most northerly point in Menorca.

The lighthouse.

Our  patience was richly rewarded when on the south coast, we reached one of the loveliest spots on the island, at Cala Galdana.  Here we had easy beach access and we were very lucky to get a parking spot.

We had a wonderful dip in the lovely warm water at this lovely beach.

A paddle boat, the like of which I have never seen, with a slide.

A panoramic view of the sheltered beach.  It was a very lovely spot to visit.  Probably packed with tourists in the summer months but in October it was just right.

We then drove on to the western side of the island, to Ciutadella, the previous capital of Menorca.  It is full of gracious old buildings dating back hundreds of years.  I think the above building is the City Hall.

Government office buildings.

An atmospheric cafe at the town square.

Beautiful colonnades.

An interesting gargoyle on one of the churches.

An eye painted on a street light.

The old fortress.

Our last port of call was to see the Torralba d'en Salort which is one of the largest prehistoric villages on the island. This megalithic village was inhabited between the year 1000 BC and the arrival of the Romans although remains indicate that it was also occupied during the Middle Ages.

This photo of the port of Mahon was taken the next day when we caught the local bus to go to market day.  Not up to the standard of the lovely Norwegian harbour scenes but pretty nevertheless.

Three of us from bridge went to the Sunday flea market in Mahon.  The market was more trash than treasure but each of us bought a little something we were happy with.