Car Rental Mahón - Exploring Mahón

The largest city on the island of Menorca, Mahón is a great base from which to explore some of the best prehistoric sites in Europe. Before you head to the ancient sites, stop off at Golden Farm, the palatial mansion north of the capital, where Lord Nelson ostensibly had romantic assignations with his lover, Lady Emma Hamilton.

From Mahón, there is a great selection of prehistoric sites that should not be missed. Trepuco, off the Mahón-Villacarlos highway, has some fabulous monuments that were resurrected in the 1930s by a group from the University of Cambridge. Off the Mahón-Ciudadela highway is Talatí de Dalt, where you’ll find some deep underground caves.

The Torre d'en Gaumés, just 14kms from Mahón, off the route to Son Bou, boasts the remains of a giant settlement with ancient caves that were inhabited long ago. For the quintessential prehistoric exploration, head to the restored Naveta d'es Tudons, which is located five kilometres east of Ciudadela, south of the road to Mahón. Here the Naveta, a monument that may have been a burial chamber, is reputed to be one of the oldest monuments ever constructed in Europe. The remains of ancient bodies have been excavated here, along with a myriad of prehistoric artefacts.

The neighbouring town of Villacarlos has a fine selection of restaurants and some lazy bars and pubs. Visitors in search of a frenzied nightlife can take a ferry across to one of the other Balearic Islands, Majorca or Ibiza.