Museums in Mahon

The museums in Mahon espouse the historical legacy and natural environment of the area and are well worth visiting during your stay in the city.

The Museum of Menorca is housed within a superb example of historical architecture, a strikingly beautiful building which was originally the cloister of a Franciscan convent. Set on the cliffs overlooking Mahon Port, the structure itself is as worthy of attention as the fascinating exhibits it contains.

The Museu de Menorca contains a wealth of ancient artefacts that cumulatively offer visitors an interesting and insightful overview of the island’s cultural, environmental, artistic and ethnological past. The interior displays boast relics and artworks from as far back as prehistoric times, including utilities from the Talayotic, Roman, Arabic and Byzantine periods, as well as ethnic remnants and artistic creations. The museum is open Tuesdays to Saturdays, 10:00 to 14:00 and 19:00 to 20:00, and on Sundays from 10:00 to 14:00. It is closed on Mondays.

The Natural History Museum of Mahon (Ateneu) is located at Carrer de Cifuentes and is packed with an assortment of maritime goodies and all things related to the ocean, including an antiquated cartography collection consisting of old maps that will thrill and delight any history buff, marine fossils, shells, replications of sea birds and the like.

While not strictly a museum as such, the 200-year-old Xoriguer Gin Distillery is used as a showcase to demonstrate the gin production process to visitors. Menorca’s distinctive gin is no longer produced in bulk on the premises, but the original manufacturing headquarters and distillery are still located on the waterfront only a short walk from the ferry port and the establishment offers free admission and gin sampling.