Mahon (Mao) is the capital city of the second largest Spanish Balearic Island Menorca.

The island of Menorica has many beaches and family friendly resorts where the island has escaped most of the negative effects of package holidays.

Mahon is a beautiful historic walled city with a busy port. Some of the best bars and restaurants on Menorica are situated in Mahon. Mahon also benefits from a good nightlife.

Cheap flights and cheap package holidays to Mahon are available from major UK and European airports.

Region - Menorca, Balearic Islands.
Country - Spain.
Capital City - Madrid, Balearics: Palma de Majorca, Menorca: Mahon (Mao).
Language - Spanish, English widely spoken.
Religion - Roman Catholic.
Visas - Valid UK passport.
Currency - Euro, about €1.45 = £1.
Credit Cards - Widely Accepted in Mahon.
Time Difference - GMT +1 hour.
Flight Time UK - About 2 hours 15 mins.
Mahon Airport - MAH (Mahon).
Distance from Mahon Airport - 3 miles.
Taxi Fare from Mahon Airport - About €10 (£7).

Driving in Spain - In Mahon, Menorca they drive on the right. EU compliant three-part pink document or international driving licence required.
Electricity in Spain - In Mahon it is 220v 50Hz, adapter required.
Spain International Dialing Code - 00 34.
Mahon Public Phones - Mahon International booths accept coins and phonecards, as well as credit cards .
Mahon Mobile Phones - Mahon has all major networks.

Spain Emergency Numbers - Mahon emergency number is 112 (police, fire and ambulance).
Mahon Health Risks - None.
Mahon Safety & Security - None.

Shop Opening Times in Mahon - In Mahon Banks open 09.00-13.00 Sat (except summer). Mahon Shops open 09.00-13.00 and 16.00-19.00. Mahon Department stores and commercial centres 10.00-21.00. Mahon Office hours are 09.00-13.00 and 16.00-19.00. .

Public Holidays in Mahon - In Mahon public holidays for 2007 are Jan 1, 6, March 25, May 1, Aug 15, Oct 12, Nov 1, Dec 6, 8, 25.

Mahon Accommodation - Mahon accommodation is registered and inspected by regional authorities. Mahon hotels are classified from one to five-star. Mahon Hostels/pensions are classified one to three-star. Other accommodation in Mahon includes apartment-hotels, hotel-residencies and villas.

Eating Out in Mahon - When it comes to eating out in Mahon, Menorca, you're most definitely in for a treat. A moreish mix of Spanish and Catalonian cuisine, it's cooked to simple perfection and crammed full of flavour. In the more family-orientated resorts like Mahon, you can seek out your favourite dishes from around the world, but you'll probably be hooked on the fabulous island food from your first bite. Of course, succulent seafood and fresh fish find their way onto almost every menu in Mahon, but you'll also come across other local specialities such as 'tumbet', layers of peppers, potato and tomatoes baked in an earthenware pot, or the unusual 'huevos a al sollerica', fried eggs sitting on sliced sausage with a pea sauce. For a real taste of tradition, it's well worth gracing one of Fornells waterfront eateries to try the famous 'caldereta de llagosta', a stew-like dish made from spiny lobster. .

Food in Spain - In Menorca each region has its specialities, although a stew in various guises is to be found everywhere, together with a general use of olive oil, garlic, Mediterranean vegetables, fish on the coasts, game and sausage. Many restaurants in Mahon serve international cuisine and fast food is available in Mahon and the other major resorts.

Tipping in Mahon - In Mahon Service and tax are usually included in hotel bills, but tip chambermaids, porters and waiters. Mahon Restaurants often include service, so a gratuity is discretionary, normally 10%-15%. Taxi drivers in Mahon expect 10%-15%.

Mahon Standard of Living - In Mahon a Bottle of beer (330ml) - €1 (70p), mineral water (1L) - €0.90 (62p) and three course meal with drinks - €12 (£8.25).

What to do in Mahon - Mahon, Menorca offers unbeatable opportunities to combine sport with the enjoyment of nature. Lovers of the sea have a wide range of activities open to them, from swimming in any of the coves on the island to specific activities such as windsurfing, sailing, water-skiing , fishing, lateen sailing or scuba diving. Whilst stying in Mahon there are also boat trips around the island and trips to the main points of interest on the coast. Other marinas are located in harbours around the island, such as Maó, Addaia, Fornells, Ciutadella or Cala'n Bosch as well as in other smaller locations. Horse-riding in Mahon is available in any of the numerous racecourses and riding centres on the island, especially in Maó, Ferreries and Ciutadella. Pony-trekking across rural tracks and roads is an interesting way of enjoying riding whilst observing nature. Horse-lovers can also enjoy harness races at the Maó and Ciutadella racecourses. Cycling in Mahon is possible on a large number of rural minor roads. There are guided tours, programmed excursions or freestyle routes. There are also specific hiking and trekking routes that allow one to enjoy nature and the island's landscape or bird-watching and observing natural habitats. Manhon and Menorca in general has Sports centres, public swimming pools, tennis courts and other facilities that offer a wide range of sporting activities in all the municipalities of the island and in the majority of the urbanizations. Radio controlled model aircraft is another interesting option. Light aircraft rental, if one is in possession of the appropriate licence, is available or flight trips to enjoy the island from the sky. The latter is available for groups of up to six people. All the above are available at the Aeroclub, located between Maó and Sant Lluís. The coast of Menorca, as well as the interior, offers possibilities for potholing, thanks to the large number of caves that exist in the cliffs and in the gullies. For golf enthusiasts, Menorca has one nine hole golf course in the urbanization of Son Parc on the northern coast. .

Where to Visit in Mahon - Xoriguer Distillery is Situated at the harbour front of the Moll de Ponent. The Xoriguer Distillery has been part of Menorca’s alcohol industry since the 18th century. Take a tour of the facility and get to see the giant copper stills in which batches of spirit are destined to become Menorca gin are created as well as a variety of other alcoholic beverages that you wii have whilst in Menorca. Visitors of drinking age can sample some of the distillery’s favourite products before being offered the chance to purchase them at the on-site shop. Cales Coves Take the public bus seven miles from Mahon to the Cale Coves and you’ll find the island’s ancient caves, which were once used as burial chambers for early settlers. There are no guided tours or services available at the caves, but visitors armed with a good flashlight are free to do a little exploring of their own. Es Freginal Park is located in the heart of Mahon, the island’s capital. Es Freginal Park is one of Menorca’s best places to relax and enjoy nature. The park in Mahon offers plenty of wide-open green spaces as well as lawns and well-tended flower displays. A stage in the park is regularly the setting for musical performances in Mahon, especially when the summer jazz festival arrives. Los Delfines Aquapark is located just outside of Ciutadella, Los Delfines Aquapark is a 12,500 square metre facility offering a variety of water-based attractions aimed at the whole family. Among the park’s most popular features are the Giant Toboggan, Adventure River, Hydrotubes and the Black Hole. .

Local Festivals in Mahon - Whilst in Mahon, Menorca on holiday you can see the spectacular local festivities, where the horse becomes the prtotagonist, and these are held in honour of each town's patron saint: Sant Joan Fiestas at Ciutadella: 23rd - 24th June Sant Martí Fiestas at Es Mercadal: 16th - 17th July Sant Antoni Fiestas at Fornells: 23rd-24th July Sant Jaume Fiestas at Es Castell: 24th-25th July Sant Cristòfol Fiestas at Es Migjorn Gran: 30th-31st July Sant Gaietà Fiestas at Llucmeçanes (Maó): 20th-21st August Sant Llorenç Fiestas at Alaior: 13th-14th August Sant Lluis Fiestas at Sant Lluis: 27th-28th August Verge de Gràcia Fiestas at Maó: 7th-8th September During the summer season, one can attend the following festivities, concerts and events held around Menorca: jazz lovers have an appointment at the "International Minorca Jazz Festival" held between the end of March and the beginning of June, on different stages of Maó and Ciutadella. We can enjoy "Els matins a l'orgue" (morning organ concerts at the Santa Maria church in Maó) from the beginning of June until the end of October. If we wish to discover Menorcan traditional folk dancing, there is a chance, between the end of May and beginnings of September, to attend the "Ballades a Sa Plaça" at the Claustro del Carme in Maó. There is a sea festival held on 28th June "Sant Pere" in the port of Maó. Joventuts Musicals de Maó organizes the "International Music Festival" between the beginning of July and the end of August at the Teatro Principal in Maó. The "Festival de Musica d'estiu" is held between the beginning of July and the end of August at the Claustro del Seminario in Ciutadella. The fiesta Nuestra Señora del Carmen is celebrated on the 16th July, where we can take part in the sailing processions at the ports of Maó, Ciutadella and fornells. During the month of August (one day a week) we can enjoy the "Noches de Música Clásica" at the church in Fornells. .

Mahon Climate - Mahon, Menorca has Mediterranean weather with hot dry summers and mild winters. July and August are very hot and sunny in Mahon, Menorca. October to December in Mahon are the wettest months.

Mahon Position - Lat: 39 52N, Long: 004 14E, Elevation: 82m.

Tourist Information on Mahon
For further tourist information on Mahon go to www.islas.co.uk, www.islas.co.uk/menorca.htm

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