Things To Do in Punta Prima

With its seafront setting, Casa Manolo comes with an unhurried vibe that’s perfect for lazy lunches in the shade. Start off with some sizzling garlic prawns then follow through with fish kebabs, washed down with a glass of chilled beer. And if you’re here for dinner, try the paella or caldereta de langosta – it’s a traditional lobster stew.

With just supermarkets and a couple of souvenir shops, Punta Prima isn’t a retail heavyweight. But as Mahon is so near, most people bus over there to browse the narrow streets for one-off boutiques and the famous abarcas, or leather sandals. Head for the main shopping strip, Calle del Angel, but be sure to check out smaller side streets too, like Carrer del Carmen and Carrer del Cami des Castell.

You don’t need fancy white tablecloths when you get a welcome this warm. This friendly beachside spot serves up house specialities like monkfish in a prawn and Champagne sauce. And you’ll get Brit favourites like burgers and chips, too. They don’t stint on portions here, so arrive with an appetite.

Over in Mahon, the horses are the stars of the show at this annual festival. They get to hog the limelight with some show-offy bits, while riders demonstrate their horsey skills to the crowd. The main event is the jaleo – as the horses rear up, spectators try to touch their heart for luck. The local pomada – gin and bitter lemon – seems to help.

If you like whitewashed fishing villages, you’ll love the one at Binibeca. It may not be the real deal – it was built as a replica in the Sixties – but it’s a great place for dipping into shops and bars along the cobbled streets. There’s also a beach with a rustic restaurant set right out on the rocks. The road train from Punta Prima gets you there in about 20 minutes.

The restaurants here do double duty as bars, so once you’ve decided on your waterfront dinner place there’s really not much effort required. Settle in for the night with a bottle of wine or try the Xoriguer gin – it’s produced at the 18th-century distillery in Mahon. If you fancy going on, some places put on karaoke, quiz nights or live music, too.

The best place to eat in Punta Prima is on the seafront. Pull up a chair at one of the restaurants along here and you get a ringside view, not just of the turquoise waters, but of the black-and-white-striped lighthouse at Illa de l’Aire, too. Food-wise, you can tuck into typical tourist fare, though traditional dishes like lobster and paella shouldn’t be missed.