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Click here for accommodation in Fornells
The smart
and exclusive resort of Playas de Fornells along with its nearest
neighbour the traditional fishing village of Fornells, some 3 - 4
kilometres away to the east, are both part of the municipal district of Es
Mercadal on the rugged northern coast of Menorca, approximately 30km, or
20 miles north west of the capital Mahon and the international Aeropuerto
de Menorca.
Being one of the newest resort developments on the island Playas de
Fornells has so far remained relatively "undiscovered" by many of the
major tour operators and as a result many of the visitors here will be
independent travellers who would not therefore have the option of a resort
transfer to their chosen accommodation. For those visitors who chose to
collect a pre-booked hire car from one of the numerous agencies that
operate from the airport facility and drive into the resort, the journey
is fairly straightforward with the most direct route into Playas de
Fornells taking you east along the ME-1 to the town of Es Mercadal before
then heading north along the ME-15 for the final few miles into the town.
See Map All things considered an experienced
driver should be able to make the journey in around 40 - 45 minutes,
although as in the UK if you get stuck behind a lorry this journey time
may increase substantially.
For those visitors who
choose not to drive, there are always a large number of taxis available
for hire outside of the arrivals hall. Although in theory at least, these
taxis all operate on a fixed price basis, the total cost of the journey is
known to vary slightly, however as a very rough guide the transfer to
Playas de Fornells should cost around 50euro for a taxi carrying 4 people
plus luggage. It's also worthwhile mentioning that as a rule, taxis do not
normally carry child seats, so very small children will have to sit on
their parent's knees for the journey. If this is a cause for concern, we
strongly recommend that you make arrangements for a pre-booked taxi to be
waiting for you, and clearly specify at the time of booking that a child
seat is needed for the journey. Pre-booked taxis are often a little more
expensive, although as with all things in life, you only get what you pay
for.
Once you are in the resort, and have settled in to your accommodation,
the trip back to Mahon for either shopping or sightseeing, is then
possible by public transport, but only if you plan your journey times with
care. During the summer months a very limited bus service runs from Playas
de Fornells, and on a number of occasions we've been asked for a
timetable. See Transport link top right.
Although branded and actively marketed by the Menorcan Tourist Board as
Playas de Fornells, the actual resort development is situated along a
hillside on the western side of a small peninsula that overlooks the bay
of Cala Tirant, and much to the annoyance of the Tourist Board is often
referred to locally as Tirant Playa. As we mentioned earlier the original
port and fishing village of Fornells, where you may have mistakenly
believed that you were staying, is actually some 4 or 5 kilometres north
east of Playas de Fornells on the eastern side of the peninsula, which as
you may have already guessed overlooks the magnificent Bay of Fornells.
If you have the opportunity to look at an aerial photograph of the north
coast of Menorca, you will quickly see that the Bay of Fornells is almost
bottle shaped, giving the bay the appearance of almost being a large lake,
albeit a lake that measures almost 5 kilometres long and 2 kilometres
wide. This unique protection from the Tramuntana winds creates an ideal
location for both windsurfing and sailing, as well as a safe and secure
mooring for the small numbers of fishing boats and increasingly larger
number of leisure craft. In recent years, following the patronage of King
Juan Carlos of Spain, Fornells has become the smart place to be seen and
to eat, and a short visit here is often now included as part of the major
tour operators "see Menorca in a day" type island tours.
Returning if we may for a few moments to Playas de Fornells, visitors on
self catering breaks do have a choice of a small number of Spar type
supermarkets selling the everyday holiday essentials, which in recognition
of the high numbers of British visitors, often stock a wide selection of
UK recognised branded goods, albeit at slightly higher prices than you
would normally expect to pay back at home in the UK. However, for a far
wider selection of both designer labels and locally made craft goods it
will be necessary to make the journey either east to Mahon or
alternatively west to the former capital of the island Ciutadella.
Now something that is never mentioned in the holiday brochures. At the
start and end of the summer months Menorca, especially the north coast,
does get very windy. If any further proof of this was needed, look at the
way the trees around the resort all bend to the south. This may also
explain why Menorca is effectively closed to tourists during the winter
months.
The rugged northern coast of Menorca also is widely recognised by
yachtsmen as being where the sea is at its roughest, and by local
fishermen as where the richest fish stocks around the island are to be
found. To ensure these fish stocks survive for future generations, in June
1999 the Municipal Government of the Balearic Islands established La
Reserva Marina del Norte de Menorca, (Marine Reserve of the North Coast of
Menorca) and thus afforded special environmental protection to the area.
Do you like fish, especially lobster? Yes!
well, Fornells is most certainly for you. Try
out one of the many seafood restaurants along the waterfront at Fornells.
This small and idyllic fishing village has become rather famous for it's
seafood restaurants. Apparently King Carlos sails into Fornells bay
occasionally to partake! One of the famous dishes is Caldereta de Ilagosta,
meaning spiny lobster stew, delicious! There's a choice of fresh fish in
most of the restaurants located on Fornells waterfront, as well as the
usual paella and caldereta. Fornells really is one of the most attractive
villages on Menorca so take time to wander around, taking in the white
painted buildings.
Further afield up the coast towards Cap Cavalleria it gets quite isolated
and wild. Good news for adventurous walkers. There's an eco-museum up here
as well situated in the Roman village of Sanitja. It's beautiful scenery
around here and beaches have a red brown sand are completely unspoilt.
Move across the northern top of the island and you'll discover some more
completely untouched beaches. Check out the ruined Moorish fortress of
Castell de Sant Agueda near Cala en Pilar (which does have a little
beach). Move on to two very attractive little beach bays, Cala d'Algairens
and Cala Morell. Cala Morell is also known for it's fascinating
prehistoric necropolis consisting of 15 caves which have been dug out in
the rock.
Click here for accommodation in Fornells |
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