Summer Fiestas

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Location

Menorca
Spain
39° 52' 48.108" N, 4° 17' 26.196" E
ES
General info: 

If you happen to be in Menorca when one of the traditional Summer Fiestas is taking place, don´t miss the great athmosphere of this slightly crazy fiesta.

The Fiastas take place during the summer in different villages on different dates. Each village has their own flavor to the fiesta but generally the pattern is the same. First the local traditional riders ride along the city streets to show the horses. The parade culminates when the horses arrive to an arena two horses at a time. The arena is filled with young brave that are trying to touch the horses heart while the riders show off their horsemanship skills on the famous Menorcan horses.

This hectic action looks pretty dangerous especially considering the blood alcohol level of the crowd from drinking the local favorite, pomada. One could also imagine the horses are a bit stressed as the music is loud too.

This link shows the dates and places of the fiestas:
http://www.mymenorca.info/menorca-summer-fiestas/

Getting there: 

The fiestas are completely free.

Interesting places nearby

The beach of the Prince is one of the most beautiful beaches of the whole Costa Smeralda. The name comes from the prince Aga Khan who loved this beach and decided to buy 10km of this shoreline to himself.

Spiaggia della Pelosa is a dreamy crescent of flour-fine white sand and sparkling emerald water in every shade of turquoise and hue of electric blue. The shallow waters in the bay are guarded by an ancient stone watchtower.

Baia Chia with its silky sand, up to 30 meter-high white dunes and crystalline, turquoise-hued water is reminiscent of an idyllic Caribbean beach.

One of the most renowned opera houses in the world. It first opened in 1778 and re-opened in 2004 after extensive renovation.

Cala en Porter was one of Menorcas first beach resorts and its popularity has lasted until this day. This beach where also the town got its name is spacious one with tall cliffs on both sides creating a dramatic backdrop.

Cala en Bosc is a spacious beach a walking distance from the town center. The beach will be crowded but despite the everyday crowds, it is kept pretty clean.