europe

Gulf of Orosei – Don’t Miss this Boat Tour in Sardinia

On our last full day in Sardinia, Italy we decided to take a small boat tour along the eastern coastline, specially the Gulf of Orosei. All of Sardinia was amazing, but this day-trip was icing on the cake. The coastline is amazing – towering cliffs and some of the prettiest beaches and water anywhere on the planet.

*This maps show the general regions we visited in Sardinia. The Gulf of Orosei is on the central east coast.*

We stayed two nights in the small town of Santa Maria Navarrese, a perfect spot from which to take the boat tour and a lovely place to visit in itself. Our visit was in late September and early October, after the summer crowds were gone but yet still warm enough for boating and swimming.

*A view of Santa Maria Navarrese’s own beach, right next to the small town.*

Below are a few of the images captured during our full-day boat trip. Our boat held about 10 people, which was perfect. We visited a few secluded sea caves and coves before visiting some of the more popular beach and swim stops.

One of the postcard images of Sardinia, Cala Goloritzè. You can take a pretty steep and long hike down to the beach, but we opted for the boat tour to get this view. The boats do not land on the beach (I believe they are forbidden to do so), but do allow time to swim in the area.

*We stopped by Cala Goloritzè again in the afternoon for a swim, on our way back to Santa Maria Navarrese. I cannot adequately describe the beauty of the turquoise water.*

*A view of Cala Marilou, one of my favorite stops along the Gulf of Orosei. What made it a favorite is that there are several beaches and coves to explore, such as shown below.*

*Another part of Cala Marilou, a small cove of stunning cliffs and beautiful water.*

*A view of Cala Luna, we stopped here over lunch time. There is a small bar and cafe behind the beach area.*

*A large cave on the beach at Cala Luna – a great place to get out of the sunshine if needed!*

*Above – another swim stop along the coastline of the Gulf of Orosei.*

*One of our last stops of the day, Cala Biriola.*

Best European Cities for Foodies: A Culinary Trip

When people travel, they regularly search to recognise a present-day region and its way of life, and there is no better way to do this than through its food. The unique dishes, neighbourhood ingredients, and traditions that make up a rustic’s cuisine provide a direct connection to its humans and history. Europe is actually a paradise for food lovers, where each food sounds like a search. From eateries owned by a comfortable family to world-famous Michelin star restaurants, serving timeless food, is both rich and unforgettable on the continent.

Best European Cities for Foodies

Top European Cities for Foodies dozen or so dinners to be savoured in the life of society, remind us a little bit closer to the real character of this country, in which we are fortunate enough to make an observation. If venturing overseas from your home nation on a food holiday to Portugal, search for cheap flights to Lisbon from the UK, a decadent appetiser on which to start a convivial atmosphere to your food holiday without shelling out pennies.

These are the holy grail food towns of Europe. And if you’re starving for family-owned, authentic tavernas or Michelin-starred restaurants, this is the book that’ll get you eyeball-to-eyeball with Europe’s best dining towns.

Rome (Italy)

Rome is a town with timeless beauty and extraordinary taste. When you can spend the day performing miracles in historical sites such as the Colosseum and Pantheon, the real essence of the city is found in the food.

In this historical capital, you can enjoy fried artichoke and oxtail stew, such as authentic, homemade pasta, classic Roman dishes, and of course, a gelato break at each turn. Like Campo Day Faori, the lively markets in Rome are perfect for an afternoon of exploration, which gives a glimpse of everyday life and fresh material from Rome that makes his dishes so incredible.

London (UK)

London is a single city compared to the mosaic of separate neighbourhoods, each with its own unique personality and culinary views. From the modern eatery in Shoreditch to the timeless pub to the historic centre, the city mixes the tradition of modern nature. Visitors can experience global-elegance food in a Michelin-starred eating place, rest with a pint in a comfortable pub or wander through attractive, cobbled streets on the lookout for a hidden gem. The PAK landscape in London is as dynamic as the city, in which new flavours and stories emerge each day.

Paris (France)

Enjoy a sunset walk on the Seine. And quench your thirst for a good meal at a pain au chocolat at a street cafe. Along with a breathtaking view of the Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower. You have a lot of time to explore delicious meals. The Louvre concerts are a must. Parisian life is characterised by laziness and a free spirit.

Lisbon (Portugal)

Museums in Lisbon relate the history and past of this Portuguese capital city.

Maritime Museum is where kids (and grownups!) who are fascinated by all things to do with the ocean head, but Casa-Museu Dr Anastácio Gonçalves has a collection of artworks. In order to view Lisbon’s pretty stone houses in their best, take a guided tour or do it yourself, e.g., stroll down to Padrao dos Descobrimentos, Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, and UNESCO World Heritage-listedTorre de Belém. Splashing into a cosmopolitan beach town on TAP Air Portugal is a doddle and a cinch from the start.

Donostia – San Sebastian (Spain)

San Sebastian-Donostia isn’t always something it is not in terms of meals and wine, extra competition, seaside, artwork, birthday celebration, rave type of affair perhaps.

Old Town has cobblestone-paved streets with restaurants and bars, pavement bars on each nook in the new metropolis. Seafood is a speciality of the house. Just do not consume between 6 and 7 p.m. Spanish time is too quick. Ate and drank past due into the night, grazed on tapas.

Prague (Czech Republic)

Fairy-tale architecture and Bohemian feeling. Sun-dried tourists who will be respectful of the culture will love Prague.

You stroll the courtyards of Prague Castle in daylight hours, and fill your belly with a glorious, filling dinner at a retro-glam restaurant that is completely Czech. Stroll five minutes to Old Town Square, and stroll past to gawk at Old Town Hall and the Astronomical Clock.

Conclusion

Europe is more than a destination and has an experience for your senses. It is a continent where each city whispers its history and culture through food. One minute you are lost in the aroma in a local market, the next time you taste excellent work in a world-class restaurant. This is the kind of journey that lives with you – taste, smell, moments around the table. So bring the curiosity and a healthy hunger. Get ready to taste through memories in making.

Note: Featured image courtesy of Pixabay.com.

Craigmillar Castle – Just a Stone’s Throw from Edinburgh

The 14th-century Craigmillar Castle is just south of the city of Edinburgh, Scotland and near the hill known as Arthur’s Seat. The good news is that the castle was not busy at all when we visited in late August – we pretty much had the whole place to ourselves even though it is so close to Edinburgh.

*View of the skyline of Edinburgh from Craigmillar Castle. Arthur’s Seat is the hill on the right.*

If you’re looking for things to do and see near Edinburgh, Scotland I recommend Craigmillar Castle. This castle was put “on the map” as one of the settings used in the TV series “Outlander”. More importantly, Mary, Queen of Scots stayed here in November 1566 while seeking some peace and security, only 8 months before her forced abdication in July 1567.

Below are some images of the castle. The castle is not large, it consists of an outer courtyard, inner courtyard, tower (or keep) and two sets of rooms on either side of the tower from the 16th and 17th centuries.

*Above left – west side of Craigmillar Castle (view of the 17th century Gilmour range). Above right – outer courtyard and main entrance to the inner Castle courtyard.*

*Above left – exterior of the 16th-century East range connecting to the tower. Right – stables in the Gilmour (17th-century) range.*

*Left – kitchen ovens. Right – Gallery room, part of the 16th century East range.*

*Left – the dungeon, which would have been very dark and damp. Right – passageways in the tower.*

So, if you want to escape the crowds in Edinburgh, visit Craigmillar Castle! We had a rental car which made the visit very easy, there is a small car park at the castle ticket office. Travel Tip: If you are going to visit several historical sites in Scotland, consider purchasing the Explorer Pass from Historic Environment Scotland. You pay one fee and then have free access to many historical sites (including Craigmillar Castle), the Pass is valid for 14 consecutive days.

Top Sights to Explore Around Oristano, Sardinia

Oristano is not likely to be on the main tourist route in Sardinia, Italy especially if time is limited. However, if you have the time, you should definitely check it out. There is a lot to do in this region of Sardinia. Here are the main sights we visited. In addition to the sights listed below, there are ancient Nuragic sites not far from here. For a map of Sardinia and to learn more about these sites, see my post here.

Is Aruttas Beach

This beach on the Sinis peninsula is about 22 km (13 miles) from Oristano and one of the region’s most famous. There is a large parking lot and a refreshment stand near the beach. The quartz sand on this beach is amazing, I wish I had taken a close-up of it – it looks like translucent rice. Just another perfect beach in Sardinia! As with all beaches in Sardinia, it is a crime to remove the sand – be sure to leave the sand where it belongs on the beach for others to enjoy!

Tharros Roman Archeological Site

Tharros was occupied for nearly 2,000 years, from the 8th century BC to about 1050 AD. It sits near the end of the Sinis Peninsula, and it’s a spectacular setting.

*A view of the ruins of Tharros and the late 15th-century San Giovanni Tower, which you can climb for a small additional fee.*

*Additional views of the ruins of Tharros.*

*This gorgeous beach is a stone’s throw from Tharros. Roman ruins, a 15th- century Spanish Tower and beautiful beach – what more could you ask for?!*

Fordongianus Roman Archeological Site

The water still runs warm from the natural springs at the 1st century AD Fordongianus Roman Baths. This site is about 25 km (14 miles) northeast of Oristano. We stopped by on our way into Oristano, but we arrived during siesta time so we had to settle for looking at the Baths through a wire fence, which actually offered some pretty good views. There is a fee to visit the Baths.

*Just outside Fordongianus is this pretty 12th & 13th century Romanesque church, dedicated to San Lussorio, who was martyred by the Emperor Diocletian in 304 AD.*

San Giovanni di Sinis Church

This interesting little church is right near the entrance to the Tharros archeological site. It is one of the two oldest churches in Sardinia, originally dating back to the 6th century – it still retains some of its Byzantine characteristics, such as the red roof. The present structure dates from the 9th and 11 centuries. The church sits in an ancient burial area. The church was free to enter and was definitely worth a stop.

*Views of the interior of San Giovanni di Sinis Church, with green algae covering some of the ancient stone walls.*

San Salvatore

San Salvatore, also close to Tharros, is a spaghetti-western filmset from the 1960’s. It has the feel of a old western U.S. ghost town. The town opens its dwellings’ doors during September each year to house pilgrims for the Festa di San Salvatore, a celebration focused on the village’s small church, which sits over the ruins of a Nuragic period (~1,500 BC) vault. It looked to us like there might be a few permanent residents here, we saw some homes that looked lived in.

Oristano Town

Oristano seemed to us to be a pretty quiet town, without fewer tourists compared to other locations in Sardinia, even though there is much for the tourist to see in the vicinity. We enjoyed walking the streets in the evening without any throngs of tourists. It is a perfect place to call “home” during your stay in this part of Sardinia.

*The 13th-century Torre di Mariano II was Oristano’s nothern gate, one of the few remains of the city’s medieval defenses.*

*Views of the Catedrale di Santa Maria Assunta. The 14th century bell tower still stands. The rest of the current structure is 18th century.*

*Left – Torre di Portixedda, part of Oristano’s original medieval walls. Right – street scene in central Oristano.*

Kilmacduagh Abbey: Ireland’s Iconic Leaning Tower

Kilmacduagh Abbey is about halfway between Galway and Ennis and just outside Burren National Park, in west-central Ireland. The area is full of natural and historic wonders. Kilmacduagh has one of the finest collections of monastic buildings in Ireland and is definitely worth a visit if your travel plans take you to The Burren or Galway area. The round tower’s lean is definitely noticeable, but it has somehow survived for 1,000 years. The Abbey was likely established in the 7th century by Saint Colman (Colman MacDuagh), son of Duagh. It was the center of a thriving community in the 12th century. A number of battles with the English were fought in the area and the Abbey was plundered, but survived in part, thank goodness. The Abbey became part of the order of St. Augustine in the 13th century.

This Abbey is free to visit. There are a few informational signs at the car park entrance.

*Views of the 11th century Cathedral and graveyard at Kilmacduagh (Saint Colman is buried in this graveyard).*

The famous leaning tower at Kilmacduagh is about 2 feet out of alignment. It is 112 ft tall and likely dates from the 10th century (some sources say 12th century). In the 1800’s some work was done to refurbish the tower, particularly the conical roof.

*The leaning tower at Kilmacduagh. Towers such as these were used for defensive purposes as well as serving as a belfry.*

The 14th century Glebe House, possibly the Abbott’s residence. Insider tip – I believe you can access the Glebe House (and perhaps O’Heynes Church below) with a key from the keeper’s house across the street. I learned this later, unfortunately!

*O’Heynes Church, a short walk from the other buildings at Kilmacduagh, was built in the 12th century.*

*Left – The little stone Church of St. John the Baptist is likely the oldest surviving structure at Kilmacduagh. Right – one other view of the Cathedral, Tower and graveyard.*

Bosa, Sardinia – A Great Day Trip from Alghero

About one hour south of Alghero by car (45 km or 28 miles) is the town of Bosa, home to Sardinia’s only navigable river (the Temo River). We visited Bosa as a day trip from Alghero and we made it part of an interesting loop drive – visiting Basilica della Santissima Trinità di Saccargia on the way (see below) and Nuraghe Santu Antine. It’s possible to visit all three sights in one day if you get going early from Alghero. (For a general map of the regions we visited in Sardinia, click here).

Bosa is an ancient town, it was established by the Phoenicians and continued to grow under the Romans. It’s easy to see why, Bosa is an ideal port location – close to the coast and at the mouth of the Temo River.

*View of Bosa and its 13th century castle as seen from our drive into town.*

Malaspina Castle

One of the main sights in Bosa is Malaspina Castle. You can drive up to the castle and park just below it. Even then, you have a steep walk up into the Castle. There is not much left of the Castle other than the walls (which you can walk), a few towers (which you can climb) and the 14th century Chiesa di Nostra Signora di Regnos Altos, which has some lovely frescoes.

*14th century frescoes of Saints in the Chiesa di Nostra Signora di Regnos Altos, within the walls of Malaspina Castle.*

*The old town of Bosa is a delight to wander, and as is possible in every Italian town, we enjoyed some great food!*

A postcard view of Bosa with the Malaspina Castle in the distance, the old town across the river, and Ponte Vecchio spanning the Temo River. We parked for free near this spot, just a short walk from the old town.

St. Peter’s Church

Just outside Bosa along the south shore of the Temo River is St. Peter’s Church, which dates from the second half of the 11th century. The Church can be visited, but was closed at the time of our visit. There is information posted about the Church near the entrance.

On the Drive to Bosa: Basilica della Santissima Trinità di Saccargia

The Church of the Holy Trinity Saccargia is about a 40-minute drive (50 km or 31 miles) from Alghero. It is well worth the “detour” to visit this fascinating 12th century Pisan-style basilica on the way to Bosa. The abbey was built on the site of a pre-existing monastery, of which there are some scant ruins.

*Views of the exterior of The Church of the Holy Trinity Saccargia, constructed of alternating layers of white limestone and dark volcanic rock.*

*Views of The Church of the Holy Trinity Saccargia’s nave. The frescoes are from the second half of the 12th century – amazingly well-preserved.*

Some interesting figures in the church – left – a face in the wall of the nave and right – cows carved into a pillar on the portico. Some believe the name of the Church comes from the Sardinian word for “cow with the spotted hide”, but this is not likely. The land surrounding the church is rural and probably has been perfect grazing pasture for centuries.

About 20 minutes south of The Church of the Holy Trinity Saccargia is the ancient archeological site of Nuraghe Santu Antine, also a very worthwhile stop before turning southwest on your drive towards Bosa. Since I covered our visits to Sardinia’s ancient Nuraghe in another post, I won’t comment further on it here.

After our visit to Bosa, we drove north along the west coast of Sardinia back to Alghero. It was a scenic, beautiful drive and the perfect end to another perfect day in Sardinia.

Caerlaverock Castle – Defending Scotland’s Border

Less than an hour’s drive northwest from Carlisle, England is the 13th century Caerlaverock Castle. Standing on the edge of Scotland, near the Solway Firth, this castle once guarded an important gateway into Scotland.

*A view of the triangular-shaped Caerlaverock Castle.*

The castle we see now is actually the “new castle” built about 50 years after the “old” castle, which has been partially excavated, south of the current castle.

In 1300 King Edward I besieged and captured the castle, the first of several sieges. As with many castles, Caerlaverock underwent numerous renovations, including a 17th century addition in the interior courtyard which is still visible today.

*Views of the 17th century castle room additions – making it much more comfortable for the many residents and servants. As many as 30 people shared a bedroom!*

If you’re in the Carlisle area, I recommend visiting Caerlaverock Castle. A rental car is the easiest way to visit. There is a small museum on the site as well as restrooms and a gift shop. If you plan on visiting multiple historical sites in Scotland, consider getting a Historic Environment Scotland membership or pass – we got the 14-day Explorer pass and it was a great value by paying for itself after visiting just a few sites (including Stirling Castle and Edinburgh Castle). All other visits using the pass were then free.

Costa Smeralda – One of Many Beautiful Regions of Sardinia

We started our Sardinia vacation by flying (from Frankfurt) into Olbia on the northeast coast of Sardinia. This was a great place to begin (and end) our Sardinian adventures. Olbia is ideally situated near the famous Costa Smeralda and the La Maddalena Archipelago, as well as other costal towns, archeological sites and beaches. (See here for an overview of regions we visited in Sardinia, we toured the island in a counter-clockwise route).

Olbia

While not a major tourist destination itself, Olbia has a lovely old town and is situated on a beautiful harbor. We spent our first night here, enjoying dinner in one of the many restaurants on the main pedestrian street and browsing the vendor booths lining the harbor promenade – a very festive atmosphere.

The next morning we drove north toward Porto Cervo, the heart of Costa Smeralda, stopping at beaches along the way. Our first day started out cool, windy and slightly rainy, but by the afternoon it was warm and sunny. The weather didn’t stop us from enjoying the sights along the coast and wasn’t a factor for the rest of our trip.

Costa Smeralda

Costa Smeralda got its name and started becoming fashionable in the early 1960’s, due to development efforts led by Prince Karim Aga Khan. It’s maintained that status ever since. Our stay here was brief, given the many areas of Sardinia we wanted to visit. Below are a few images of the beautiful coastline of this region.

*Spiaggia Principe, considered Sardinia’s most famous beach (although it’s only one of hundreds as beautiful), on Costa Esmarelda.*

*Porto Cervo, the center of Costa Smeralda, was pretty quiet in early October. We enjoyed walking around the harbor and the town, with many expensive shops.*

*The calm, clear waters of La Celvia Beach, south of Porto Cervo.*

*La Celvia beach (left and above), was just a short distance from our hotel in the Costa Smeralda resort area of Cala di Volpe (above right), and near a golf course as well as Capriccioli and Spiaggia* *Principe beaches. What more could you ask for!*

Although not directly part of Costa Smerelda, Spiaggia Cala Brandinchi, near San Teodoro, not far south of Olbia, is another great beach and park, with some lawn area just behind the beach for games or picnics. We were flying out of Sardinia shortly after our visit here and so we didn’t get to enjoy this beach for long!

*Real pink flamingoes near San Teodoro!*

As with any region of Sardinia, it would be easy to spend your whole vacation right in (or around) Costa Esmeralda. If you want to live here, be ready to open your checkbook. It’s one of the most expensive regions in Europe and given its allure, it’s easy to see why.

10 Surprising Things about Sardinia

As I have mentioned is previous posts, we LOVE the islands of the Mediterranean. They are some of my favorite destinations in world. After visiting Mallorca and Menorca (which belong to Spain), the next island on our list was Sardinia (part of Italy). We had been to Sardinia’s northern island neighbor, Corsica (part of France) years ago and from the beautiful southern coastal town of Bonafacio we could see Sardinia in the distance, only about 12 km (7.5 miles) away. We visited Sardinia in October, which is a great time to go – the water was still warm and the crowds were limited.

*This map of Sardinia shows the five main regions we visited in Sardinia.*

I will be sharing more posts on our Sardinian adventures soon, but first here are some things you may not know about about this beautiful island.

1. Sardinia is part of Italy

Although an autonomous region, Sardinia is definitely Italian. Some Americans have never heard of Sardinia and really have no idea that it’s part of Italy. The Sards have their own language but of course speak Italian, English, and other European languages quite fluently. It was easy for us to get by on English and a few Italian phrases. The food and gelato are wonderful, as in other regions of Italy.

2. Sardinia is big, and a relatively sparsely populated island

This is important to keep in mind when planning a trip – allow two or three weeks to see the whole island or if you have less time, perhaps concentrate your time in one region. Sardinia is the 2nd largest island in the Mediterranean (just slightly smaller than Sicily) but has just 1/3 of Sicily’s population. It is about 170 miles long and 90 miles wide. We covered a lot of ground in two weeks, but still did not see everything (see map above), including the southwest coast.

3. Sardinia boasts some of the most stunningly beautiful coastline (and water) in the world

*Cala Goloritze, Gulf of Orosei, accessible only by boat or a 3.5 km hike. The color of the water was the most incredible turquoise hue I’ve ever seen.*

Sardinia has an embarrassment of beaches – no matter where you are on the island, you’re close to some of the best beaches in the world. The Gulf of Orosei on the eastern side of the island has a breathtaking coast although it’s not easily accessible, except by boat or via some steep hiking trails.

4. There are hundreds of incredible beaches, many of which are undeveloped and uncrowded

*La Pelosa Beach, near Stintino, Sardinia. You must make a reservation for this beach if visiting during high season. It is worth the hassle (which is not a big deal nor expensive).*

Some beaches might have a refreshment stand, a few might be close to some resorts, but often there are no hotels or condos anywhere to be seen. Admittedly, there are (just a few) beaches that are so popular you must have reservations during the high season or can only be accessed with a guide, and there a few beaches that are not accessible at all – due to preservation efforts, speaking of which…

5. Sardinians take their beach sand seriously

From pink sand beaches to shiny quartz sand beaches to powdery white sand, the sand is beautiful everywhere. However, don’t even think about taking a sample home with you. You will be fined. You are also required to have mats underneath your beach towels so as to not inadvertently trap sand and take it home in your towels.

Spiaggia Rosa, on Budelli Island (near La Maddalena). You cannot set foot on this pink sand beach, they are protecting it for future generations. However you get a view of it from a boat tour, as in this photo.

*Example of the fine quartz sand and pebbles found in Sardinia.*

6. A car rental is essential

Unless you plan to go straight from the airport to a resort and straight back to the airport or plan on a tour by a group bus, a car is the only way to really see the island and reach some of the beaches and tourist sites. Some sights or hiking trails are remote. Since the island’s population is sparse, driving was not a problem – I did not feel rushed or on edge with crazy drivers pushing me to speed up or forcing me to get out of the way.

7. Sardinia offers something for everyone

Friendly, welcoming locals – check. Beautiful beaches – check. Warm, clear water – check and check. Charming medieval towns – check. Fascinating ancient historical sights – check. Remote mountains, rock climbing, forests and hiking trails – check, check, check and check. Diving – check. Excellent food – check. What more could a person want?

*A view of Alghero, on the northwest coast of Sardinia, a beautiful medieval town, one of our favorites on Sardinia.*

*Nurhage La Prisigona Historical Site (14th century BC), near Arzachena, Sardinia.*

8. Sardinia has its own island get-aways

As funny as it may sound, Sardinia can be considered a ‘mainland’ and just off its coast (such as the northeast coast) lie an archipelago of islands (the main island is La Maddalena – see map above) accessible by only ferry and smaller boat, some of which are part of a national park. These islands are home to some of the best beaches and best hikes anywhere in Sardinia.

*The island of Spargi, part of the La Maddalena Archipelago. We could have stayed here our whole trip!*

9. Sardinia is not just for the jet-setting crowd

In the 1960’s Coasta Esmeralda was popularized and has since become a jet-setting hotspot. This part of the northeast coast (near Olbia) certainly has some beautiful beaches and coastline. While you will find big yachts, high-end real estate, retail and eating establishments here, this is just one small enclave of the island. The rest of the island seems unfazed (and untouched) by the movie star and billionaire crowd.

*View of Porto Cervo, the center of Coasta Esmeralda.*

10. Go Now

Sardinia isn’t quite on the main tourist map yet, although posts like this don’t help! The majority of visitors are Italian (this is their backyard!), followed by French and Germans. On one of our boat tours, we were with some Swiss and Belgian tourists. We ran into a few tourists from the U.S., but not many. Very few tourists seem to explore the whole island, there are lots of “untouched” little mountain villages and quiet beaches to find solitude if that’s your thing.

*The cute little village of Gavoi in north central Sardinia.*

Word is getting out, so go now! Here’s one of my recommended websites for great information on Sardinia tourism. I read almost every post Claudia has written, very helpful. Of course, I will be publishing information on each region of Sardinia we visited over the course of the coming weeks.

Note: Featured image – Cala Marilou, Gulf of Orosei

Exploring Menorca’s Unique and Fun Coastal Towns

In addition to beautiful beaches, Menorca, Spain has some interesting and scenic towns to explore. During our short visit, we mixed in visits to the island’s towns, historic sites and beaches. The island is small and it only takes about 45 minutes by car to get from one end of the island to the other. Since the island is not large, any of these towns would be a good “home base” during your stay in Menorca. We decided to say in Cala Galdana, more of a resort area for our first time in Menorca which was also a good choice.

*Map showing the relative locations of the major towns in Mencorca.*

Ciutadella de Menorca

Ciutadella is located on the western end of Menorca and was a busier town than Mahón (discussed below), although that may have been due to the time of day we visited (early evening). Ciutadella is home to the main ferry route connecting Menorca to Mallorca. The town is ancient, dating back to the Carthaginians (~300 BC), and has a long (and at times sad) history, particularly in the 1500’s when the town came under siege by the Turks, who took the survivors and sold them into slavery in Constantinople (Istanbul).

*This windmill stands out as a primary landmark as you enter Ciutadella.*

*Street scenes in Ciutadella. There are some lovely pedestrian arcaded streets and shops and interesting architecture to be admired in Ciutadella.*

*We enjoyed a great tapas meal in Ciutadella!*

Mahón (or Maó)

Mahón is the largest town in Menorca and the island’s capital, located on the eastern edge of the island. It’s also the location of the island’s airport if you fly here. The town is quite pretty, with a lovely setting and harbor. There are some rumors that the word mayonnaise originated here! We found the town to be pretty quiet, with few tourists wandering about. Numerous boat tours are available from Mahón and perhaps most tourists were out for the day.

We had fun wandering the streets along the harbor and admiring the yachts at berth and enjoying some great gelato! Nearby are a number of prehistoric sites that may be visited.

Binibeca (or Binibeca Vell)

Binibeca is a white town on Menorca’s southeast shore that is relatively new but looks like an old fishing village! It reminded me a bit of the Greek islands. It certainly makes for a postcard view. The town was built in 1968, and is in a great location – close to Mahón and yet it feels somewhat remote. The area near Binibeca is a growing tourist spot, with many small hotels/resorts and homes popping up nearby in the years since the village was built. In addition, there are numerous beaches and coves within a short distance if you want to enjoy the warm clear water.

*View of Binebeca and its small harbor.*

*Views of Binibeca. It would be hard to find a more uniform-looking town anywhere in Europe!*

*A short walk from Binibeca will take you to some amazing coves and clear water – inviting you to stay and take a dip! We came back on another day and took advantage of these clear, warm waters.*

Fornells

Fornells is the only major town on Menorca’s north shore and would make a great home base for visiting Menorca, if you want to enjoy a quieter experience and slower pace. Unlike Binibeca, this is an authentic fishing village and it’s known for its great seafood restaurants.