10 Best Things to Do After Dinner in Menorca

The Pont d'en Gil is one of the most remarkable sections of the Menorcan coastline. It pokes out from the western side of the island, about 10 minutes' drive from the town of Ciutadella de Menorca. But it's also within easy walking distance of the popular resorts of Torre del Ram and Los Delfines, which means a sunset stroll this way after dinner isn't out of the question.

Either way, sunset really is the time you'll want to arrive. The view is simply spectacular when the light dips low and the sun glows red and pink across the Balearic Sea. There's a mirador lookout point that gazes directly at the iconic rock arch of Pont d'en Gil itself, and you can even see the outline of the Majorcan mountains in the distance when it's clear.

The Moll de Llevant is the place to begin a night in the island's capital of Mahon – also known as Mao. It's a buzzing strip that fizzes with life from morning until night, curving its way around the main port area on the eastern side of the island. It's easy to reach by foot from virtually anywhere in the town, while yachters can moor up right on the side in one of the dedicated harbors.

Come a summer's evening, this place is usually pumping with people. There are hearty Balearic cerveza beer stops like El Alquimista next to sleek mixology cocktail lounges like Sa Falua. And you get the poker tables and rotating blackjack wheels of the Casino Maritim.

The Moll de Ponent continues on from where the lively promenades of the Moll de Llevant, one of the main nightlife strips in Menorca, leave off. It's a wide, palm-sprouting boulevard that threads through the center of Mahon town and links the main ferry port with a whole string of tempting tapas lounges and bars.

After dark, the south side of the Moll de Ponent is typically a cacophony of clinking wine glasses and sizzling plates of Catalan and Menorcan foods. You'll also find fine places to watch the cruise ships coming and going at night, such as the Mirador Costa des General lookout, along with intriguing modern art galleries like ATICA.

The Puerto Antiguo de Ciutadella de Menorca is a place that nightlife seekers on the island of Menorca simply cannot ignore. This deep harbor that cuts into the main town on the western side of the island bursts into life when the sun dips. It's entirely walkable and there's dedicated parking one street to the north, just off Camí de sa Farola.

The main bar cluster is on the south side of Puerto Antiguo. There, look for the likes of ever-energetic Es Cau, a favorite with the spritz-drinking crowd. Or there's Dreams & Beverages, a courtyard cocktail lounge shaded by umbrellas. Throw in a handful of tasty tapas kitchen and you've gotten a fully made night on the town.

The Passeig des Moll promises to slow down the pace of an evening and get those romantic vibes flowing. It runs along the northern side of the Puerto Antiguo de Ciutadella de Menorca, the main port area in the town of Ciutadella. You can reach it on foot from the town center in about 5 minutes.

In the place of happening tapas kitchens and sidewalk bars, you'll find a cobbled promenade in the shadow of a 15th-century medieval fortification. Beyond that, boats of all shapes and sizes bob at the moorings in the harbor. After dark, there are some gorgeous photo ops to be had, courtesy of the brightly lit buildings that spill down to the water on the opposite side.

The Passeig es Pla de Sant Joan was once little more than an access road to the bumping quaysides of the Puerto Antiguo area of Ciutadella. However, recent regenerations have seen it accumulate a number of rooftop bars and terrace cafes that might be worth a look at after dinner. That's especially since they are within easy walking distance of the restaurants around the cathedral and the heart of the old town.

You've gotten the smoke-plumed Shisha Club, where you can indulge in Turkish pipes in a whole kaleidoscope of flavors. There's L'Herba, a boisterous lounge bar with neon lighting. And – for later on – there's the happening Discoteca Lateral, which doesn't really open until 11.30 pm and won't close until the sun's making an appearance again.

The Spa by Biologique Recherche is the place to go if you're keen for a bit of pampering once you've finished the day. It's located on the way into the tiny hamlet of Calas Covas, about 40 minutes by automobile from Ciutadella de Menorca and just over 20 minutes from Mahon.

The drive could well be worth it, though. Guests here can indulge in rejuvenating massages, facial treatments, and aromatherapy. There are also personalized yoga classes on the menu, plus detoxing hammam and sauna packages. You won't even have to leave if you don't want to – they offer a series of stunning boutique rooms onsite.

The Teatre Principal de Maó is the sort of thing you might expect to find in the heart of Milan or Florence. A vintage opera house constructed by the Italian Giovanni Palagi back in 1829, it sports a handsome Neoclassical shell and grand interiors from its place on the narrow Carrer d'en Deià in the midst of Mahon town.

The box office is one of the most eclectic in the whole of the Balearic chain since the venue has a prestigious past which means it draws in some big names in the world of classical music. There are also world-class ballet performances and orchestral productions in most seasons.

You couldn't count the number of jazz bars and late-night music venues in Menorca on a single hand. Seriously, there are oodles to get through. The bulk of them beckons in the 2 main towns – Mahon on the east coast and Ciutadella on the west coast.

Let's begin with Mahon. There, Es Claustre tends to take center stage with its open-air summer shows that take place on the main plaza. But there's also Akelarre, a Spanish tapas kitchen with a traditional band as the backing track. In Ciutadella, the old-school and intimate Jazzbah is the leader of the pack. It's gotten a noir interior and an intimate stage that's great for saxophone solos late into the night.

Cova d'en Xoroi is one of the most iconic bars in the whole of Spain, let alone just the Balearic Islands. The location is one of the reasons for the fame – just check how it clutches the sheer-cut cliffs at the south end of Cala en Porter's great bay. There's a 50-metre drop from the drinking terraces into glistening Mediterranean waters below, not to mention 180-degree views spreading out to the west.

Naturally, that means the sunsets are dazzling affairs at this legendary watering hole. But the action goes on well past dusk. Yes, crisp white wines and creative cocktails are served to a diet of chill-hop tunes well past midnight in the summer months. Cova d'en Xoroi often closes for the winter season.