Being an island, the ports of Menorca were, are and will be a key piece for its full operation and development. Not only thousands of tourists decide to come to the island by boat and enjoy wonderful excursions through the Mediterranean, but many locals also have their own boats.
In addition, the Menorcan ports are very important for trade, both the import and export of products, as well as for the fishing activity, which is essential, since Menorca offers a very fresh and good quality sea cuisine. Read on to discover the 4 most important ports in Menorca!
Discover the beauty of the Mediterranean from the ports of Menorca
Port of Mahón
The port of Mahón is one of the largest natural harbors in the world, 6 kilometers wide and 12 kilometers long. Its geography, uniqueness and beauty never cease to dazzle locals and tourists alike.
In the 3rd century BC, Mahón was already a port before it was built, due to its geographical particularity it was always a refuge for ships, thus making it a base for commercial and military fleets. Currently, fishing boats, cruise ships and luxury yachts coexist in this port, providing a unique postcard to those who walk there.
Nowadays, the port coexists with fishing activities, loading and unloading of products for commercialization, nautical leisure through yachts or sports boats and a great tourist activity that takes place in and out of the water. On land, the bars, restaurants, terraces and cafes not only offer quality local cuisine, but also an unforgettable landscape.
Port of Fornells
Located in a traditional fishing village, the port of Fornells is the source of the fresh marine products that are obtained every day thanks to fishing, which have made Fornells a gastronomic town par excellence, with many specialized restaurants.
The port has a very narrow mouth, 5 kilometers deep and 3 kilometers long, which regulates the force with which the water from the open sea enters the port, ensuring that in this area the waters are calm and the wind moderate.
Thanks to these characteristics, the port of Fornells is a strategic and popular place for practicing water sports. It is the chosen place for those who practice sailing, kayaking, windsurfing and diving, since the purity of the water and the great diversity of marine life make it a spectacular experience.
Port of Ciutadella
Without a doubt, it is the most beautiful port in Menorca. It stands out for having been built in a very innovative way and based on maximum respect for the environment and landscapes of the area, with high environmental standards.
What may be most striking about the port of Ciutadella is the “rissaga” meteorological phenomenon that occurs occasionally and is characterized by a rise or fall in sea level, which can leave the port without water or flood the surroundings of it. The last one happened in 2006 and it was very destructive, the water level rose a lot and destroyed most of the boats that were there.
In its origins, the port only worked for commercial and fishing traffic, but in recent years the number of private boats for enjoyment, sports and tourism has increased considerably, since this port is the one most used for routes to Mallorca. and Barcelona.
Port de Sanitja
It could be said that the port of Sanitja is the first port of Menorca, since it was built so that boats can access the Roman city of Sanissera, which was also the first civilization on the island.
As you can see, with a “precarious” and rustic structure, it is one of the best places on the island for boats to take refuge from the Tramontana wind, since its location and geographical characteristics make the force of the sea and the wind calm down when you get to this area.
It is not one of the most visited places in Menorca, but it is worth checking out. Its simplicity makes it a totally magical place, which offers incomparable sunsets.