13 Things to Do in Ciutadella, Menorca

At one point in history, Ciutadella was the capital of Menorca, which is why many features from that period remain in the streets and buildings of this city. Its appearance, which captures the true Mediterranean spirit, makes it a gem that you cannot miss on your list of things to do in Menorca.

The Old Port of Ciutadella is where you will embark on your excursion to the coves of southern Menorca.

For about 7 hours, you will sail the crystal-clear waters of the Mediterranean and enjoy some of the unique and unspoilt places on the island of Menorca. Of course, you will visit some coves, such as Cala es Talaier, Cala Turqueta and the Artruix lighthouse, and you will have the opportunity to go snorkelling.

This excursion also includes lunch on board the boat and stops so you can dive into the island's clear, turquoise waters. Sounds good, doesn't it?

Ciutadella is a modern port divided into three sections: marina, commercial, passenger and fishing. Its size and the variety of ships that arrive there make it the most important port on the island. With this in mind, it is not surprising that the atmosphere is vibrant and bustling.

Walking around the port or enjoying some refreshing drinks, as well as trying the tapas in the different restaurants in the area, are unmissable activities if you visit this area. Over time, the port has gone from being just a fishing port to becoming an important point of embarkation and disembarkation.

From this port, you can visit Mallorca and Barcelona by boat, as well as take a trip to the coves in the south. In fact, the port is considered a good connection point between different tourist destinations. If you want to take this trip, I recommend arriving at the port a little earlier so that you can explore the area at your leisure.

This tourist attraction, in operation since 1974, has been offering its visitors a wide range of entertainment in the Menorcan town of Ciutadella for several decades. If you want to have a fun time doing different activities with your family, you cannot miss a visit to Menorca Castle:

• You can sample a wide range of cuisine.
• You will have the opportunity to admire or purchase a variety of porcelain figurines.
• You can test your driving skills on a go-kart track.
• You will discover a large play area as well as a swimming pool for the whole family to enjoy, especially the little ones.

And to remember your visit to Menorca Castle, there is also a gift shop inside. Here you can buy everything 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 shop, so you'll have no excuse not to take gifts home to your family.

As a way to prevent 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 an important tourist attraction on the island, making it a must-see that you cannot afford to miss.

The sunsets at the Punta Nati Lighthouse are among the best you will find on the island. The height of this lighthouse and the clear skies 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 reach the lighthouse in several ways: by bus, by car, on foot or by bicycle. Whichever means of transport you choose, you will enjoy a pleasant journey and it will only take a few minutes to reach your destination. If you go by car, there is free parking just a few metres from the lighthouse. You can park your vehicle there and then follow the path on foot to the lighthouse. Punta de Nati is also a good place to visit at night, as you can enjoy a starry sky like almost nowhere else on the island.

Traveller Tip

Bring a jumper even in summer because the wind blows strongly in this part of the island.

At one 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 that took hold 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 metres will leave you spellbound, especially when you discover the detail of the interior decoration. The complex gives you the opportunity to visit a museum where many of the cathedral's treasures are kept and exhibited, from liturgical vestments to paintings, artefacts and various objects of cultural interest.

This is a special place because it is a beautiful rock formation that resembles a natural bridge emerging from the sea. This natural bridge can be crossed by small and medium-sized boats without difficulty. You can reach it on foot, by car or by sea.

The bridge is very close to the town of Ciutadella, so it is considered a must-see destination if you are visiting this town in Menorca. If you arrive by car, there is a car park very close to the bridge and it will take you just five minutes to walk from your car to this spectacular spot.

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

If you are someone who prefers dark tourism and likes to learn about the most gruesome facts of history, you will love a trip to the Necropolis of Cala Morell. It is a cave that has remained intact since pre-Talayotic times. It is located a few metres from Ciutadella and is a must-see destination to learn about the history and culture of the city.

In ancient times, this cave was used as a cemetery. Bear in mind that the word "necropolis" comes from Greek and means "city of the dead". The best thing about visiting this monument, which has been preserved over the years, is that admission is completely free, so you can take a stroll around without making a reservation.

To get to the Necropolis, you need to take a slight detour from Ciutadella and head towards the Cala Morell residential area. The road will guide you to the caves. It takes just over an hour to explore every corner of the caves. It is a short walk but very enriching in terms of culture and ancient history.

A visit to Calle Ses Voltes in the centre of Ciutadella is a must. It is the most important street in the historic quarter of the city. In the surrounding area , you can see the oldest buildings in the city. This street consists of two sections, the first of which was part of an old square.

The second section is notable for the number of arches that decorate both sides of the avenue. This very Mediterranean design is reminiscent of the splendour of this city in ancient times. If you are visiting Menorca and want to discover the most cultural and emblematic aspects of Ciutadella, you cannot miss Calle Ses Voltes.

In the middle of the street, you will find several places to eat or enjoy a good coffee or refreshing drinks. The cuisine of Ciutadella is typically Mediterranean and offers intense flavours that are common throughout the island of Menorca.

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

In ancient times, Ciutadella used to be surrounded by a large wall that protected it from the threat of invading troops. Once the wall was demolished and the city began to expand into its surroundings, the change in structures became noticeable. Taking photos on the Contramurada is one of the activities you cannot miss.

Around the old town, you can see different buildings that form part of the cultural appeal and interest of this Menorcan town. Before entering any of the monuments in this historic centre, I invite you to lose yourself in the streets and see every little detail so you don't miss a thing.

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 imagine what it was like to live in this city in medieval times and even imagine what the wall surrounding the town looked like.

In ancient times, this used to be the parade ground of the Menorcan town. Now it serves as a centre for shows and large-scale events that bring together locals and visitors to the island. This important square is located in the centre of Ciutadella and a short stroll around it is a must.

The stately Placa Des Born has an obelisk in the centre that has remained intact since its inauguration in the 19th century. The monument is 22 metres high, which is quite impressive for something located right in the centre of the square. It was erected to commemorate the victory of the inhabitants of Ciutadella over the Turks in 1558.

All the streets, avenues and alleys that spread out across Ciutadella like a labyrinth start from here. So, this is a good place to feel free and far from the narrow streets. Inside is the Town Hall, a building with its own history, considering that it was built on top of an old Muslim castle.

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

The freshest products from both the sea and the land can be found in the market. Here you can buy vegetables and popular fruits from Menorca to make special local dishes. You will fall in love with the diversity of colours and varieties of vegetables. The aromas of the market will give you an authentic Mediterranean experience.

In the charcuterie section, you can buy cheeses, hams, Iberian cured meats and all kinds of charcuterie products for yourself or to take home as gifts after your trip to Menorca. The Iberian cured meats you will find in this section are typical of the island of Menorca, as are the cheeses, whose production is part of Menorca's deep-rooted gastronomic pride.

The town hall is located within the Plaza Des Born complex and is an old building that was constructed on the site of an ancient Muslim castle. The remains of that old castle are still intact today, even with the building that stands on top of them and represents the current seat of power.

After being a Muslim castle, this building became the Royal Alcazar, then the Palace of the Military Governor and finally the Town Hall. This space was given over to its current use around 1865. The architect who remodelled the interior of the building completed 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 built to serve as a kind of fort from which cannons were fired to defend the entrance to the port of Ciutadella. Today it is one of the most interesting attractions in the former capital of Menorca.

To visit this castle, simply walk to the end of the port of Ciutadella and enjoy the wonderful view of the open sea from this point. It was built using stone from the island of Menorca and there are several sculptures positioned at the entrance to the castle as decoration.