Menorca on a bite

Unlike the destinations that are nothing but a destination, Menorca is an important place in the Mediterranean where the history, nature and cuisine live together in total harmony. A world-wide reference to the local flavors is a visit to Menorca to find this authentic flavor, not just a success, but an experience for the five senses.

Find out here to see what to see and what to do in Menorca.

With duration of three days, our gastronomic route begins - as it could not be otherwise - in the capital of Menorca. It was conquered by various peoples and civilizations. Mahón is a place full of taste that has donated, beyond its borders, many other places of the Minorcan geography identity, economic life and meaning.

After the first contact with the island and a (why not?) breakfast during a visit overlooking the impressive port of Mahón, we start this route of taste with a visit to the Mercado del Claustro del Carmen. The market was built at the behest of the nuns of the Carmelite order in 1884. In addition to the charming local character of the market, we can also find it from the traditional Licor de Rosas de Menorca to the best Minorcan cheeses without forgetting the best wines (such as the Malvasía wine).

The strategic location of the Carmen Monastery is perfect to enjoy the cultural offers of Mahón between breakfast and lunch. A visit certainly worth is Carmen Square, the Town Hall, the Santa María church and - of course - the beautiful Pont de Sa Roc bridge. A stroll through the city centre, which we can complete with a gastronomic experience in one of the restaurants in Mahón´s downtown. The menu? One of the typical fish dishes.

Keine Route sollte auf Mahón ohne einen Besuch der Brennerei von Gin Xoriguer enden. Sie befindet sich im Hafen der Stadt und ist dem Publikum von Montag bis Samstag geöffnet. Mit einer meisterhaften und traditionellen Mischung, in denen die Wacholderbeeren dem lokalen Wein viel zu sagen haben, wurde Gin Xoriguer bereits im 18. Jahrhundert, unter der britischen Besatzung,. Hergestellt und vertrieben.

No route should end on Mahón without a visit to the Gin Xoriguer distillery. It is located in the city's port and is open to the public from Monday to Saturday. With a masterful and traditional mixture, in which the juniper berries have much to say to the local wine, Gin Xoriguer was already manufactured and marketed in the 18th century, under the British occupation.

Its colour is 100% original and its characteristic citrus aroma makes a sample and the enjoyment a must every visit. And what is the perfect conclusion for an evening in Menorca? A dinner on a terrace in the port and the day end with a well-chilled glass of Gin Xoriguer.

Where to eat.

Although our geography has many different varieties of cheese, Mahón's cheese represents the difference in quality and taste. And this, though the cheese industry of the island is much smaller than the other industries in Spain. With a unique taste that perfectly blends with the best wines of the island of Menorca, on this second day the cheese is our guide through the Minorcan geography. Our destination today? Es Mercadal.

With a broad smile after a wonderful first day and after a breakfast with coffee and fresh carquinyols on Carmen square, we leave the south of the island to penetrate the interior of the island and make a first stop in Alaior.

Less than ten kilometers from the capital, Alaior is also famous for its rider's games, one of the temples of Minorcan cheese. Of the 27 types of cheese with the designation of origin of Menorca, no less than 6 are located in Alaior. Three of them are among the most popular: Coinga, La Payesa and Torralba.

In addition to learning the dairies and making the most important product on the island, the visit is also ideal for buying the tastiest varieties at a reasonable price: fresh, semi-cured and cured, the most authentic variation. Although some of the cheese factories usually organize guided tours, in some of them pre-registration is required.

After this local gastronomic experience - tasting included - we follow our route north to Es Mercadal (about 17 Km from Mahón). Es Mercadal is regarded as one of the most authentic villages of Menorca and is a territory of cheese and a temple of wines, a place that looks out over the Mediterranean and the beauty of the island, the mountains crowned by the popular Monte Toro.

A visit to Es Mercadal should include the learning of its history, its Jaleos (horseback festivals, typical of most of the island's villages), its tradition and its vineyards and cellars. The highlight of this beautiful village is its whitewashed cottages and the many traditional windmills.

Although many cheese brands and types are produced in this village, we will concentrate our visit on the S'Arangi cheese factory. With its five variants (aged, creamy, fresh, cured and slightly cured), this brand is known for its character and the traditional manufacturing method. All this, together with the excellent taste of the cheese makes the visit and the tasting highly recommended.

But as we already said, Es Mercadal is also a wine region. This village, in the heart of the island, is proud to be the first to be known as the Denominación de Origen de la Terra Illa de Menorca, and is one of the most important wine-growing areas in Menorca. The wine with this designation of origin is produced in the so-called Bodegas Menorquinas.

The culinary experts claim that few dishes taste as good as the Majorcan caldereta de langosta (lobster stew). With a 100% traditional recipe and a unique ingredient in the world, the caldereta is more than just a dish; it is taste, lifestyle and authenticity. Where can we best enjoy its essence? Fornells, in the north of Menorca, is the epitome of authentic, beautiful and quiet villages in the north of Menorca. With its own identity - derived from its proximity to the sea, its tranquillity and respect for the traditions, Formells is one of these places to let all the goodness of the Balearic Island come into its own ... its philosophy, its character.

Having travelled the little more than seven kilometers from Es Mercadal to Fornells, we will find a place where walking or hiking is a whole experience. Although visitors usually start with the Paseo Marítimo, the beach promenade, and the berths, we recommend invading the streets to explore the local crafts and the character of the village. 

In addition to the thousand and one models of the coloured avarcas menorquinas (the traditional shoes of hemp), we will find the streets (many of them covered with the golden-yellowish Albero sand), clothes and shirts made of the natural materials of the island to the traditional souvenirs of the Sant Joan, the great festive day of the village.