Puntos de Interés
Municipality
Addaia
Addaia is a peninsula located between Molí Bay and Addaia Bay and is one of the population centres of Es Mercadal on the north of the island.
It was originally a small residential area next to a natural harbour from which it takes its name. Over time, Addaia's Marina was constructed and the town grew, extending its boundaries to the whole area, becoming known in its entirety as Port d'Addaia.
It includes Molí Bau and Addaia Bay, with deep, calm waters, and the islets (Petita d'Addaia Islet, Gran d'Addaia Islet, Ses Àguiles Islet, Carbó Islets), rocky platforms, shallows (Seca d'Enmig) and the small residential area of Na Macaret.
It is a stunning natural site due to its crystal-clear waters. In fact, part of the north coast of Menorca has been declared a marine reserve by UNESCO. Nearby, at Punta de sa Torre, stands Addaia Tower, a defensive watchtower measuring eight metres high. It is octagonal and divided into three levels, the last of which houses the artillery platform, built by the British between 1798 and 1802.
The area is located in the area of influence between S'Albufera des Grau Nature Park and Menorca's North Marine Reserve. Here you can find the nature reserves of Porros Island (Addaia's islets), and s'Estany, close to numerous bays and unique places for scuba diving and fishing.
The town borders an SSI (Natural Site of Special Interest) dedicated to agriculture and livestock farming and the Addaia and Mongofra salt flats. Both are no longer in use, and make up one of Menorca's main wetlands. It is also a magnificent place for birdwatching and an area of great ethnological interest with plant communities such as salt flat plants, tamarisks and aquatic plant communities.
Last but not least, the local gastronomy must not be forgotten. The restaurants and bars in the area offer a wide variety of traditional Menorcan dishes. These include high-quality fish, cheeses, cured meats and wines. Visitors must try the lobster stew, fresh Menorcan muscles and traditional desserts such as amargos (almond cake) or carquinyolis (dry almond pastry).