Menorca Getting there & around

Getting there & away

You can catch TMSA (971 36 04 75) buses from the bus station just off the southwest end of Plaça de s’Esplanada. Six go to Ciutadella (€4.15, one hour) via Alaior (€1.30), Es Mercadal (€2.10) and Ferreries (€2.75). The company also operates regular services to the south-coast beaches, including Platja de Punta Prima (€1.20). A handful of bus services run to Santa Galdana (€3.40, one hour). Two to five Autos Fornells (www.autosfornells.com) services run each day to/from Fornells (€2.55, one hour).

The Interior – Maó To Ciutadella

Menorca’s main road, from Maó to Ciutadella, divides the island into north and south. It passes through the towns of Alaior, Es Mercadal and Ferreries, and along the way smaller roads branch off towards the beaches and resorts of the north and south coasts.

Many of the island’s most significant archaeological relics are signposted off the main road.

Alaior is home to the local cheese and shoe industries. The main manufacturer of cheese here is Coinga (971 37 12 27; www.coinga.com; Carrer des Mercadal 8; 9am-2pm Mon-Fri).

Es Mercadal is one of the oldest villages on the island (a market has been held here since at least 1300) and is at the turn-off north for Fornells. You also turn here to get to Monte El Toro (all of a towering 357m), Menorca’s highest point. A twisting road leads to the summit, which is shared by a 16th-century church and Augustine monastery, a cluster of satellite dishes and radio towers, and a statue of Christ (built to honour the dead of the civil war). On a clear day you can see Mallorca. In town are several good places to eat, including Es Molí des Racó (971 37 53 92; Carrer Major 53), for traditional island cooking in an 18th-century flour mill, and Jeni (971 37 50 59; www.hostaljeni.com; Carrer de la Mirada del Toro 81) for more elaborate dishes (and the only place in town with rooms).

Ferreries is Menorca’s highest town. Each Saturday morning the Mercat de Ferreries takes place, with stallholders selling fresh produce, along with traditional Menorcan crafts and artworks. This is also a centre of cheese, shoes and leather goods production. The turn-off to the resort of Santa Galdana is just west of here.