Things To Do in Arenal den Castell

Arenal d’en Castell isn’t big on retail therapy. There’s just a small supermarket and a clutch of shops selling newspapers, souvenirs and the like. If you want more of a spending spree, your best bet is Mahon. At the waterfront here you’ll find chichi little places selling ceramics, as well as leather bags and shoes.

Pull up a chair at one of the bayfront restaurants and you can enjoy sea views with your supper. Thanks to the Mediterranean waters, you can expect plenty of fish – grilled sardines, tuna, cuttlefish and prawns all make it onto the menus. The locals like their seafood scattered through rice in paella, and washed down with a glass or two of sangria.

As nightlife goes, Arena d’en Castell likes to keep things lively but not too loud. Live shows and tribute bands often show up in the bars, and on Wednesdays and Sundays you can catch the ever-changing entertainment in the square at the Coves Noves commercial centre. And of course there’s always the option of chilled-out cocktails by the sea.

Arenal d’en Castell comes with a few souvenir and gift places, but if you want a memento with a really authentic Menorcan stamp, head for Es Mercadal, 20 minutes’ drive away. Here, housed in a 100-year-old military barracks, is an artisan craft centre selling jewellery, ceramics, leather goods and handmade paper.

Venecia’s chef, Pere, used to work at a pizzeria in Italy, so it’s no surprise that pizza is high on the menu at this waterfront restaurant. Along with the classics, you can tuck into their signature pizza topped with tomato, rocket, Iberian ham and local cured cheese. Also tantalising the taste buds are fresh fish dishes, risotto, tapas and roasted lamb in beer. Owner Max also runs a late-night bar upstairs.

G&Ts are the speciality at this contemporary bar. There’s a seriously long list of brands here, including a lime-and-rosemary infused Spanish gin, and a French number with white grape and rose petals. Alcalde also do great cocktails – the pineapple mojito has many fans. If you're staying on to eat at the bayfront restaurant, they do a great steak and suckling pig, as well.

For a knockout view, take an hour or so’s walk up to the top of the 354-metre-high Monte Toro. As well as being Menorca’s highest point, this is also a spiritual centre – a little church contains a carved wooden image of the Virgin del Toro, considered to be the island’s patron saint. There’s also the remains of an old monastery here. You can start your walk – or drive – from Es Mercadal.

Pedalo rides and kayaking can be done on the beach, but if you fancy exploring underwater the dive centre over at the Coves Noves mall will sort you out with lessons and kit. There’s a dive near the resort called the Swiss Cheese. It’s a hollow reef which, as you might have guessed, is full of holes. Down here you’ll spot octopus, rays and reef fish.

The calm water at Arenal d’en Castell’s beach is great for kayaking and pedalo rides. It’s also perfect for spotting marine life, particularly at the Swiss Cheese, a famous dive site nearby. Swim through the honeycombed cavern and you’re likely to see octopus, reef fish and barracudas. There’s a dive centre at the Coves Noves centre, a few minutes from the beach.

Over in the town of Fornells, about 20 minutes away, the locals celebrate their saint on the last Sunday of July. They’re happy for you to join in, so enjoy the concerts, charity auctions and night-time markets. They’ll also let you watch the horses doing their choreographed moves, and treat you to some coca bamba, a traditional Menorcan cake.

El Pirata is a real family affair. Owner Tony makes the best sangrias in town, while his wife heads things up in the kitchen. The place draws a mixed crowd of tourists and locals, who come for the tapas and net-fresh seafood. Try the fish of the day or one of the super-sized T-bone steaks – the waiters will give you a look at them before they’re cooked.

Tradition meets party atmosphere at this fiesta to celebrate the patron saint of Fornells, a town about 20 minutes away. Masses are held in the parish church, where small candles and rosewater are handed out, and there are parades of horses and riders through the streets. You’ll also see a procession of carnival figures and music bands, not to mention the locals letting their hair down with open-air dancing. And there’s a pretty spectacular fireworks finale, too.

Outside of the hotels, you’ve got a dozen or so restaurants serving up tourist-friendly food. But for something more authentic, you can stroll down to Na Macaret in half an hour. This little fishing village has a couple of restaurants that serve up dishes like grouper stew and escupinyas – clams baked with breadcrumbs, parsley and garlic. You might also get amargos, or almond pastries.

Measuring up at 354 metres tall, Mount Toro is the island’s highest peak. Climbing it isn’t too demanding – just an hour or so’s hike up green hills and winding paths. And at the top, there’s a 17th-century sanctuary carved out of rock, now home to a group of Franciscan nuns. On a clear day, you can see most of the island from here.

In Arenal d’en Castell, much of the night-time entertainment is hotel-based, though everything’s open to non-residents. Besides that, you’ve got a clutch of cocktail and theme bars dotted around the resort, plus a couple of beach bars doing tribute acts. To keep things laidback, the music’s switched off at midnight.