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Click here for accommodation in Son Bou
The resort areas of
Son Bou / San Jamie / Torre soli Nou can be found
approximately half way
along Menorca's south coast around 30 minutes drive from Mahon airport.
Taking the southern turn off on the main Mao
<--> Ciutadella road as it bypasses the
market town of Alaior, the road makes it's way through the rolling
Menorcan country side, passing the turn off to Torre d'en Gaumes and onto
the coast and Son Bou.
Son Bou has the
longest and some say the finest beach in Menorca - over 2km of fine golden
sand, making this area ideal for families, sun worshippers and water sport
enthusiasts. The sand shelves very gently into the sea making it safe for
smaller children to paddle in and older ones to swim.
However like all
beaches Son bou can suffer from quite
strong currents
running down the beach, so care should be taken and an eye kept on the red
and green flag system.
Along the beach
can be found several beach bars and a good variety of water sports along
with sun beds and umbrellas. Be warned if you blush easily the further you
walk along the beach the less people have on, Son Bou is very well known
for the naturist's who use it.
At the eastern end
are the two Sol hotels built right on the beach, behind these is the main
commercial centre with a generous choice of eateries catering for all
tastes and budgets, plus a couple of good bars, shops, bars including a
show / night club type bar with live entertainment most of the season.
The area boasts
plenty of shops ranging from the usual tourist buckets & spades to
designer outlets. You will also find supermarket, chemist, medical centre,
car hire and money exchange etc.
Behind the beach,
and running the full length on the hill above is a large development of
privately owned 'villas, between these and the beach is the area known as
San Jaime.
San Jaime was built
with family holidays in mind, everything necessary for a family holiday
are on hand, including supermarkets, shops, restaurant, chemists,
medical centre and the well known Club San Jaime with it's small water
chutes.
Torre Soli Nou. is a residential area
situated at the western end and atop the hill side overlooking Son Bou
beach. It can be quite a trek to the beach and commercial areas but
transport is usually provided by the larger holiday complexes.
Son
Bou's position half way along the south coast makes it ideal for
exploring the island. It's only a 30 minute drive to both Mao [Mahon]
and Ciutadella the former capital. Alaior a small bustling market town
with plenty to offer the dedicated shopper is easily reached by bus.
Buses also run to other towns and resorts in both directions and into
Mao and Ciutadella.
Down
a side road, off the Alaior to Son Bou road is the prehistoric village
of Torre d'en Gaumes. This is one of the largest talayotic settlements
on Menorca and was in use for well over 1000 years, it is well worth a
visit as are most of the prehistoric sites on the island. A small fee is
charged on entry to some, this helps to pay for the up keep and
preservation of all Menorca's history.
Son Bou is also
home to one of only three Christian Basilicas on Menorca [the others
being, one on the Isla Del Rei in Mahon Harbour and the other just past
the airport on the road to Sant Climent].
This
is situated at the eastern end of the beach at the side of the two Sol
hotels. The remains of the entrance porch, three naves separated by
columns and the baptismal font can still be seen.
Click here for accommodation in Son Bou
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