A typical Mediterranean village, Fornells is one of those charming places that, in spite of the arrival of tourism, which undoubtedly benefits the village, has managed to retain its essence and conveys this to its visitors. A real journey through time and an absolute must during your visit to Menorca!
Fornells, a coastal village
The village of Fornells, with around just 1,000 inhabitants, lies on the north coast of Menorca and in ancient times was a very important place on the island, providing a safe haven for fishermen in its natural bay stretching more than 3 km.
It was also a strategic point of defence on the island against pirate raids. In fact, today you can still see the remains of castles (the Castle of San Antonio) and defensive towers around Fornells.
Read on and we’ll tell you about the best things to see and do in Fornells.
How to get to Fornells
How to get to Fornells by car
Fornells, as we said earlier, is on the north coast of Menorca. Getting there by car from Mahón is very easy as you just need to take the Me-7, the road that connects the two, a drive of around 20 minutes.
From Ciutadella, on the other hand, it’s a slightly longer drive and you need to take the Me-1 as far as Es Mercadal and from there continue along the Me-15 until you reach Fornells.
To get to Fornells from the airport, drive in the direction of Mahón and from there take the Me-7. It will take around half an hour to reach your destination.
How to get to Fornells by bus
If you don’t have your own vehicle, it’s still easy to get to Fornells using Menorca’s public transport network, although you will need to change buses.
From Mahón, take the no.1 bus as far as Es Mercadal and from there the no.45 to Fornells.
From Ciutadella, you can use the same bus routes, but this time in the opposite direction.
To get to Fornells by bus from the airport you first need to take the shuttle bus from the airport to Mahón bus station and from there bus nos. 1 and 45 again.
The best beaches around Fornells
In the vicinity of Fornells, you’ll find some beautiful beaches. Just outside the village (around 6.5 km) is Cala Tirant, a semi-urban beach ideal for taking a dip when visiting the village and the surrounding area.
If, on the other hand, you’re looking for an unspoiled beach, typical of the rugged landscape of the north of Menorca, not far from Fornells you’ll find Cala Cavalleria, with its red sand and the beautiful lighthouse watching over it.
A bit further away, but definitely worth a visit, is Cala Pregonda, the pearl of the north of Menorca.
Trips in Fornells
With its vast bay stretching more than 3 km, Fornells forms part of the Marine Reserve of Menorca, making it the ideal place for water sports.
Windsurfing, sailing and, of course, snorkelling are some of the activities to be enjoyed in Fornells.
You can also hire a boat in the village to explore the beautiful north coast of Menorca at your leisure or, if you’d rather not take the helm, you can book yourself a trip on a boat, catamaran or sailboat.
Traditional cuisine in Fornells
You can find some of Menorca’s traditional dishes in Fornells. There are some renowned restaurants here, offering you local delicacies to try.
Among the most notable are Es Cranc and Sa Llagosta, a restaurant that combines traditional flavours with a few innovative touches. Here you’ll find various dishes featuring lobster as the key ingredient.
Other things to do in and around Fornells
Fornells is not a very large village, but it certainly has lots to offer its visitors. Let’s take a look at what you can’t afford to miss in Fornells:
- Fornells Harbour: the most interesting part of the village is definitely its beautiful harbour, with its pretty promenade lined with shops, restaurants and bars.
- Castle of Sant Antoni: an ancient defensive castle which has been completely restored and is free to visit. We especially recommend the views from this enclave; they’re stunning!
- Fornells Tower: an ancient defensive tower built when Menorca was under British rule. It’s the highest tower on the island and an excellent vantage point for views of the north coast.
- Church of San Antonio Abad: this little church stands in the historical centre of Fornells and is free to visit.
- Ses Salines de Fornells: situated at the end of the bay of Fornells, Ses Salines is a seaside resort with its own beach and a wide range of accommodation and restaurants.
Finally, just a 20-minute drive or so from Fornells is the Cap de Cavalleria Lighthouse, one of the prettiest and most popular lighthouses on Menorca.
Fornells is a charming little coastal village in the north of Menorca, offering its visitors a peaceful and relaxing stay, but also, if you like, plenty of activities and attractions, not to mention its excellent cuisine!
