10 Things to Do in Ciutadella, Menorca

At some point in history, Ciutadella was the capital of Menorca, so there are still many characteristics of that time in the streets and buildings of this city. Its aspect that details the true Mediterranean feeling is a jewel that you can't miss to visit and go through in your list of things to do in Menorca.

The old port of Ciutadella is the place from where you will embark when you book an excursion to the southern coves of Menorca.

During 7 hours you will sail the crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean and enjoy some unique and still virgin places of the island of Menorca. Of course, you will visit some coves, such as Cala es Talaier, Cala Turqueta or Faro de Artruix, and you will have the opportunity to snorkel.

This excursion also includes lunch on board the boat and stops for you to dive in the clear and turquoise waters of the island. Sounds good, doesn't it?

The port of Ciutadella is a modern port that is divided into three sections: marina, commercial, passenger and fishing. Its extension and division of ship arrivals make it the most important port of the island. Taking this into account, it is not surprising that the atmosphere is vibrant and crowded.

Walking around the port or having some refreshing drinks, as well as tasting the tapas in the different restaurants of the area, are plans without waste if you visit this area. With the passing of time, the port has gone from being only a fishing port to become an important embarkation and disembarkation point.

From this port you can visit Mallorca and Barcelona by boat, as well as take a trip to the coves in the south. So much so that the port is considered a good connection point between different tourist places. If you want to do this tour, I recommend that you arrive a little earlier to the port so that you can get to know the area with more comfort and time.

This tourist attraction, in operation since 1974, has several decades offering its visitors a wide range of entertainment in the Minorcan city of Ciutadella. If you want to spend a fun time doing different activities with your family, you can not miss the Menorca Castle:

• You will be able to taste a wide gastronomic offer.
• You will have the opportunity to admire or buy multiple porcelain figures.
• You will be able to test your skills as a pilot in a kart track.
• You will discover a large playground and a swimming pool for the amusement of the whole family, especially the youngest members of the family.

And to remember your visit to the Castle of Menorca, it also has a gift store inside. Here you can buy from postcards of your visit to the island, to statuettes of the most interesting places. T-shirts and other items are also available in the store, so you will have no excuse to bring gifts to your relatives.

As a way to avoid the large number of shipwrecks on that side of the island, the construction of the Punta Nati Lighthouse was ordered. It was finally inaugurated in 1912. Since then the lighthouse has become a major tourist attraction on the island, making it a must-see, which you can't afford to miss.

The sunsets at Punta Nati lighthouse are some of the best you will get on the island. The height at which this lighthouse is located and how clear the sky can be seen during the summer season, will help you to see a truly beautiful sunset. It is the closest lighthouse to Ciutadella, so it won't take you long to get there.

You can access the lighthouse in several ways, by bus, private car, walking or cycling. Whichever means of transport you choose, it will give you an enjoyable ride and it will only take you a few minutes to reach your destination. In case you go by car, there is a free parking lot located a few meters from the lighthouse. You can park your vehicle there and then follow the path on foot until you reach the lighthouse. Punta de Nati is also a good place to visit at night, since from there you can enjoy a starry sky like almost nowhere else on the island.

Traveller Tip

Wear a sweater even if it is summer because the wind blows hard in this part of the island.

At some point in history, this cathedral was a mosque, which is why certain elements of Muslim architecture still remain today. The architectural design of this cathedral comes from the Gothic period installed in Europe in the 14th century.

One of the things that will impress you most about this great architectural work is its interior. The incredible height of 22 meters of this temple will leave you fascinated, especially when you discover the detail of the internal decoration. The complex gives you the opportunity to access a museum where many of the jewels of this cathedral are kept and exhibited, from the vestments of the liturgy, to paintings, pieces and different objects of cultural interest.

This is a special place because it is a beautiful rock formation that resembles a natural bridge that emerges over the sea. This natural bridge can be crossed by small and medium-sized boats without difficulty. To access it you can get there walking, by car or by sea.

The bridge is really close to the city of Ciutadella, so it is considered a must-see destination if you go to that city of Menorca. In case you arrive by car, there is a parking lot very close to the bridge and it will take you just five minutes to get from your car to this spectacular place.

To get a really beautiful view from Pont D'en Gil I recommend you to visit it at sunset or at night. A sunset at Pont D'en Gil is one of the best experiences you will have when visiting the Ciutadella. It is also ideal to visit this point of the island at night to see the starry sky with amazing clarity.

If you are one of those people who prefer a dark tourism and you like to know the most lurid facts of history, you will love the trip to the Necropolis of Cala Morell. It is a cave that has remained intact since pre-Talayotic times. It is located a few meters from Ciutadella and is a must-see destination to learn about the history and culture of the city.

This cave in the ancient times of the island was used as a cemetery. Take into account that the word "necropolis" comes from Greek and means "city of the dead". The best thing about visiting this monument, preserved through the years, is that its entrance is completely free, so you can take a walk around it without making reservations.

To get to the Necropolis you need to deviate a little from the Ciutadella and go in the direction of the Cala Morell urbanization, the road will guide you to the place of the caves. To visit each of the nooks and crannies offered by the caves, it will take just over an hour. It is a short walk but very enriching in terms of culture and ancient history.

It is unmissable to visit Ses Voltes street located in the center of Ciutadella, it is the most important street in the historic center of the city. In its surroundings you will be able to see how the oldest buildings of the city are erected. This street consists of two sections, of which the first was part of an ancient square.

For the second section, it is remarkable the number of arches that decorate the avenue on both sides. This very Mediterranean design recalls the splendor of this city in ancient times. If you go to Menorca and want to know the most cultural and emblematic of Ciutadella, you can not overlook the street Ses Voltes.

In full street you will find some places and establishments to eat something or to enjoy a good coffee or refreshing drinks. The gastronomy of Ciutadella is typical Mediterranean and offers intense flavors that are common to find in every corner of the island of Menorca.

What makes the old town of Ciutadella special is the great difference that can be seen between the old buildings and the modernism of the new buildings. Walking along the Contramurada you will notice the clear imaginary line that defines the old town. In addition to important buildings, you will be able to see what the houses were like in ancient times.

In ancient times, Ciutadella used to be surrounded by a great wall that protected it from the threats of invading troops. Once the wall was demolished and the expansion of the city towards its surroundings began, the change of structures began to be noticed. Taking pictures in the Contramurada is one of the activities you cannot miss.

Around the old town you can see different buildings that are part of the attraction and cultural interest of this Minorcan town. Before going into any of the monuments that are in this historic center, I invite you to get lost in the streets and see every little detail to not miss anything.

Of course this is a unique tour that is best done on foot, rather than by car. If you walk through the area you can get to imagine what it was like to live in this city in medieval times and you could even imagine what the wall surrounding the society looked like.

In ancient times this used to be the main square of the Menorcan town. Now it functions as a center of shows and multitudinous presentations that gathers locals and visitors of the island. This important square is located in the center of Ciutadella and a stroll through it is a must.

The stately Placa Des Born houses in the center an obelisk that has remained intact since its inauguration in the 19th century. The monument has a height of 22 meters, not small to be right in the center of the square. It was erected in commemoration of the victory of the inhabitants of Ciutadella against the Turks in 1558.

From here start all the streets, avenues and alleys that are watered by the Ciutadella in the form of a labyrinth. So, a good place to feel free and away from the narrowness of the streets, is this. Inside is the City Hall, a building that tells its own story, taking into account that it was built on an ancient Muslim castle.

The Municipal Market is one of the newest architectural works of Ciutadella. Its construction was completed around 1985 and since then it has been a meeting point for the inhabitants of the island. It is also a tourist attraction par excellence for visitors to the area.

The freshest products from both the sea and the mainland can be found at the market. In the market you can buy vegetables and fruits popular in Menorca to make the special dishes of the area. The diversity of colors and species of vegetables will make you fall in love. The aromas of the market will make you feel an authentic Mediterranean experience.

In the sausage area you can buy cheeses, hams, Iberian and all kinds of sausage products for you and to give as a gift when you return from your trip to Menorca. The Iberian products you will find in this area are typical of the island of Menorca, as well as the cheeses, whose production is part of the deep-rooted gastronomic pride of Menorca.

The town hall of the city is located inside the complex of the Plaza Des Born and it is an old building that was constructed on an old Muslim castle. The vestiges of that old castle are still intact today, even with the construction that stands on top of them and represents the current power building.

After being a Muslim castle, this building became the Royal Alcazar, then the Palace of the Military Governor and finally the City Hall. This space was given over to its current use around 1865. The architect who remodeled the inner part of the enclosure finished his work in 1925 when it was inaugurated as the Town Hall.

As a way of protecting the island from the constant attacks by sea that it suffered in ancient times, the Castle was ordered to be built to function as a kind of fortress from which cannons were fired and the entrance to the port of Ciutadella was defended. Today it is one of the most interesting attractions of the old capital of Menorca.

To visit this castle you only have to walk to the end of the port of Ciutadella and then appreciate the wonderful view of the open sea that can be seen from this point. Its construction was made of a stone from the island of Menorca and multiple sculptures are positioned at the entrance of the castle as decoration.