Alaior

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title: "Alaior" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["municipalities-in-menorca", "populated-places-in-menorca"] topic_path: "general/municipalities-in-menorca" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alaior" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::data[format=table title="Infobox settlement"]

Field	Value
name	Alaior
translit_lang1_type	Spanish
translit_lang1_info	Alaior
settlement_type	Municipality
image_skyline	200px
image_caption	Alaior from air
image_size	350px
image_flag	Bandera_de_Alayor_(Islas_Baleares).svg
image_shield	Escut d'Alaior.svg
image_map	Localització_d'Alaior_respecte_de_Menorca.svg
map_caption	Map of Alaior in Menorca
pushpin_map	Spain Menorca#Spain Balearic Islands#Spain
pushpin_map_caption	Location in Menorca
coordinates
subdivision_type	Country
subdivision_name	Spain
subdivision_type1	Autonomous Community
subdivision_name1	Balearic Islands
subdivision_type2	Province
subdivision_name2	Balearic Islands
subdivision_type3	Island
subdivision_name3	Menorca
leader_party	PP
leader_title	Mayor
leader_name
area_total_km2	110
elevation_footnotes	(AMSL)
elevation_m	130
population_as_of	2024
population_total	10,158
population_density_km2	auto
timezone1	CET
utc_offset1	+1
timezone1_DST	CEST (GMT +2)
utc_offset1_DST	+2
postal_code_type	Postal code
postal_code	07730
area_code	+34 (Spain) + 971 (Baleares)
website	Town Hall
::

Alaior (, , ; previously in Spanish, Alayor) is a municipality located in the eastern part of the island of Menorca, in the Balearic Islands, Spain. The municipality seat is situated 12 kilometres from the island's capital, Mahón. Established following the Catalan-Aragonese conquest, Alaior is well known for its cheesemaking and shoe manufacturing. As of 2024, the municipality had a population of 10,158 and encompasses several localities, including the coastal resorts of Cala En Porter and Son Bou.

Geography and location

Alaior is located in the eastern part of Menorca, with the municipality seat approximately 12 kilometres from the island's capital, Mahón and about an 18 minute drive from the Menorca Airport. The landscape is rural, marked by windmills, wells, and a network of walking and cycling paths, including routes such as the one from the Ermita de San Llorenç to Binixems. Elevated areas like the Munt de l'Angel Park offer views of the surrounding countryside.

History

Human settlement in Alaior dates back to between 2200 and 1000 BC, as evidenced by prehistoric burial sites such as the Ses Roques Llises tomb. Following the Roman conquest of the Iberian Peninsula, Menorca's economic focus shifted to its coastal towns, but after the Catalan-Aragonese conquest in 1287 by King Alfonso III of Aragon, inland settlements like Alaior began to take shape. The town was officially established in 1304, when King James II of Majorca purchased the Islamic estate of Ihalor, around which the community developed, centered on the newly founded church of Saint Eulàlia.

By the 17th century, Alaior had gained greater administrative independence, marked by the right to collect its own taxes. In 1644, during a Barbary pirate attack, the town’s mayor, Miquel Barçola Cardona, was killed and his standard later became the municipal banner. The 19th century, industrialisation started, particularly in shoe manufacturing. From the 1950s onward, Alaior experienced economic growth driven by livestock farming, cheese production, agriculture, metalworking, and tourism.

Demographics

According to an evaluation by the Spanish National Statistics Institute, Alaior had a population of 10,158 in 2024, reflecting a steady growth from the 9,686 residents recorded in the 2021 official Spanish census. This represents a population average annual increase of approximately 1.6% over the three-year period. The municipality covers an area of 109.9 km², resulting in a population density of around 92.46 inhabitants per square kilometre.

The population structure of Alaior is fairly balanced in terms of gender, with men accounting for 5,098 individuals (50.2%) and women slightly fewer at 5,060 (49.8%). The age distribution shows a predominantly working-age population, with 63.8% of residents between 18 and 64 years old. Children under 18 make up 17% of the population, while seniors aged 65 and over represent 19.2%.

Alaior is largely composed of Spanish nationals, who make up 84.5% of the population. However, it is also home to a diverse array of international residents. Individuals from Europe represent the largest foreign group with 4.4% from the European Union and 4.9% from other parts of Europe, followed by residents from the Americas (3.2%) and Africa (2.9%). There are also 19 individuals who are citizens of Asia or Oceania (0.4%). In terms of country of birth, 79.9% of Alaior's population was born in Spain. Among foreign-born residents, the largest groups are from the Americas (6.8%), followed by the European Union (4%), other parts of Europe (4.8%), and Africa (4.1%), as well as 35 individuals born in Asia or Oceania.

The localities of Alaior include the Municipality Seat of Alaior with a population of 7,004 estimated in 2023. The next largest locality with 1,140 residents is Cala En Porter, with other localities in the municipality including San Jaime Mediterráneo, L'Argentina, Son Vitamina, Torressolí Nou, Calescoves, and Son Bou.

Tourism

In Alaior there are several notable beaches, including Cala En Porter and Son Bou. Cala En Porter, situated at the head of an inlet with gently sloping sand, is accessible by local bus and is considered suitable for families. Son Bou, the longest beach on the island, is known for its wide expanse of sand and clear waters. In addition to its coastal attractions, Alaior features a range of bars and cafes that contribute to a vibrant local nightlife.

Culture

Alaior is known for its skilled jewellery makers and traditional shoe manufacturing, with many products available in local shops. It also well known for its dairy industry, especially for Menorcan Cheese, with local cheese factories open to visitors, allowing insight into the cheesemaking process. Homemade sausages, ice cream, and pastries further enrich the culinary offerings for visitors.

Administration and local government

The municipal government of Alaior is led by of the local political group Partido Popular (PP). Following eight years in which his partly led the government, in the 2019 Spanish local elections he was elected mayor after gaining an absolute majority, increasing the party's relative power.{{cite web|url=https://www.menorca.info/menorca/elecciones-municipales-autonomicas-2019/2019/05/27/1596396/resultados-elecciones-alaior.html|title=Alaior: el PP retiene la alcaldía; Junts per Lô no cuaja|trans-title=Alaior: The People's Party retains the mayor's office; Junts per Lô fails to materialize. |lang=es|website=Menorca.info|first=Mercè|last=Pons|date=27 May 2019}} Four years later, in the 2023 Spanish local elections, he revalidated the absolute majority and was re-elected.{{cite web|url=https://www.menorca.info/menorca/elecciones-28m/2023/06/17/1957627/investidura-alaior.html|title=José Luis Benejam promete «no escatimar esfuerzos» en su gestión municipal en Alaior|trans-title=José Luis Benejam promises to "spare no effort" in his municipal administration in Alaior. |lang=es|website=Menorca.info|first=Mercè|last=Pons|date=17 June 2023}}

References

"From Maó to Alaior".
"Alaior travel information and video".
"The city of Alaior".
(30 December 2024). "Alaior in Illes Balears (Illes Balears)".
(26 January 2024). "Localities in Alaior Municipality in Balearic Islands Province".
"Alaior Menorca".

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