Currency
The official currency in Minorca is the Euro.
Opening hours
Most shops and businesses open from 9 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. and then from 4.30 p.m. to 8 p.m.,
Monday to Saturday. Some shops close on Saturday afternoons.
Larger supermarkets open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. They also open on some Sundays and
bank holidays throughout the year.
Hospitals
All towns in Minorca provide medical services. The national health service has a hospital
in Maó (Verge del Toro) and various outpatient surgeries spread out through the
island.
There are also various private medical centres on the island. The Red Cross is present
in the main towns and on the most popular beaches.
Pharmacies
Normal opening hours are from 9.a.m. to 1 p.m. and then from 4.30 p.m. to 8 p.m. from
Monday to Friday. Saturday opening times are from 9 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. Outside of these
opening times, there are 24 hour opening time shifts established among the pharmacies.
Tips
It is usual to tip in bars, restaurants and to hotel staff. The amount varies between
five and ten percent of the total bill.
Electricity
The voltage is 220V.
Weights and measures
The metric system is used for weights, measures and distances.
Petrol
4 star petrol, unleaded petrol and diesel are available. Petrol stations
often sell newspapers, ice and refreshments.
Clothing
Some warm clothing is advisable for the winter, spring and autumn months. Although the
weather is generally mild, it can be variable. Summer is hot and so, light clothing is
advisable.
Pets
Visitors to Minorca with pets should make sure that their accommodation allows pets. Not
all accommodation welcomes pets. In general, pets are not allowed by law into bars and
restaurants.
Complaints
All tourist complexes have an official complaint book for clients. Tourists
can also find a complaints book in tourist information offices.
Consulates
The U.K., Germany, France and the Netherlands have consulates in Minorca.
(The Italian consulate is in Palma).
- U.K. Tel.: + 34 971 36 33 73
- Germany. Tel.: + 34 971 36 16 68
- France. Tel.: + 34 971 35 43 87
- The Netherlands. Tel.: +34 971 35 43 63
- Italy. Tel.: +34 971 72 42 14
Communications
Minorca is accessible by sea from Alcudia and Cala Ratjada in Majorca, via the port of
Ciutadella. Barcelona, Palma de Majorca and Valencia are accessible from the port of
Maó. Several cities in the Iberian peninsula as well as various European capitals
have air links with the Balearics. The airport is five kilometres from Maó.
The main interior road links Maó to Ciutadella and passes through Alaior, Es
Mercadal and Ferreries. Sant Lluis and Es Castell have road links to Maó and
Fornells in the North and Es Migjorn Gran in the south are linked to the main road. There
is a wide network of rural roads that lead to the coast and to the various prehistoric
monuments.
The are various private bus companies that cover routes on the island. Cars, motorbikes
or bicycles are also suitable means of transport, with roads recommended for use for one
or the other. There are cycle lanes on some minor roads.
Government and Language
Minorca belongs to the Autonomous Community of the Balearic Islands, whose statute of
autonomy recognizes an autonomous government with its seat in Palma de Majorca and an
island government, known as Consejo Insular (Island Council), for each of the islands.
The Balearic Islands parliament has legislative powers.
The statute recognizes both Castilian (Spanish) and the island's own version of
Catalan as official languages of the autonomous community. The island's own versions of
Catalan, are dialectic variations and are spoken with notable differences both between
the islands and between towns within the same islands.
