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 appearance detailing the true Mediterranean feel is a must-see gem on 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 coves in the south of Minorca.

For 7 hours you will sail the crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean and enjoy some unique and still unspoilt places on 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, 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 port. Its extension and division of ship arrivals make it the most important port on the island. With this in mind, it is not surprising that the atmosphere is vibrant and busy.

Walking around the harbour or having some refreshing drinks, as well as sampling the tapas in the various restaurants in the area, are not to be missed if you visit this area. With the passing of time, the port has gone from being just 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 sites. If you want to do this tour, I recommend that you arrive a little earlier at the port so that you can get to know the area more comfortably and with more time.

This tourist attraction, in operation since 1974, has been offering its visitors a wide range of entertainment in the Minorcan city of Ciutadella for several decades. If you want to spend a fun time doing different activities with your family, you can't miss a visit to 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 can test your skills as a driver on a go-kart track.
• You will discover a large games area and a swimming pool for the fun of the whole family, especially the youngest members of the family.

And to remember your visit to Menorca Castle, it also has a gift shop inside. Here you can buy anything 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 to bring gifts for your relatives.

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

The sunsets at the Punta Nati lighthouse are some of the best you'll get on the island. The height of this lighthouse and the clear skies during the summer season will help you to catch 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, private car, on foot or by bicycle. Whichever means of transport you choose, it will give you a pleasant ride and it will only take you a few minutes to reach your destination. If you are driving, there is a free car park just a few metres 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, as from here you can enjoy a starry sky like almost nowhere else on the island.

Traveller Tip

Wear a jumper even if it's summer because the wind blows hard here on the island.

At some point in history, this cathedral was once a mosque, which is why certain elements of Muslim architecture still survive 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 metres 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 liturgical vestments 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. It can be reached on foot, by car or by sea.

The bridge is really close to the town of Ciutadella, so it is considered a must-see destination if you go to 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 get from your car to this spectacular spot.

For a really beautiful view from Pont D'en Gil I recommend you 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 be able to see the starry sky with amazing clarity.

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

This cave was used as a cemetery in ancient times on the island. Take into account 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 stroll around without booking.

To get to the Necropolis you need to take a slight detour from Ciutadella and go in the direction of the Cala Morell housing estate, the path will lead you to the caves. It will take you just over an hour to explore each of the nooks and crannies that the caves have to offer. It is a short walk but very enriching in terms of culture and ancient history.

A visit to Ses Voltes street in the centre of Ciutadella is a must. It is the most important street in the historic centre of the city. In its surroundings you will be able to see how the oldest buildings of the city were erected. This street consists of two sections, the first of which formed part of an old square.

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

In the middle of the street you will find some places and establishments where you can have something to eat or enjoy a good coffee or refreshing drink. Ciutadella's own gastronomy is typical Mediterranean and offers intense flavours that are common 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 photos at the Contramurada is one of the activities you can't miss.

Around the old quarter of the city you will be able to see different buildings that form part of the attraction and cultural 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 that you don't 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 can even imagine what the wall surrounding society looked like.

In ancient times this used to be the main square of the Menorcan town. Now it functions as a centre for shows and mass performances that bring together locals and visitors to the island. This important square is located in the centre of Ciutadella and a stroll around it is a must.

The stately Placa Des Born houses an obelisk in the centre that has remained intact since its inauguration in the 19th century. The monument is 22 metres high, no small feat for being 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 alleyways that wind through the Ciutadella in the form of a labyrinth start from here. So, a good place to feel free and away from the narrowness of the streets is here. Inside is the Town Hall, a building that tells its own story, given that it was built on top of an old Muslim castle.

The Municipal Market is one of the newest architectural works in Ciutadella. Its construction was finished around 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 mainland can be found at the market. At the market you can buy vegetables and fruits popular in Menorca to make the special dishes of the area. You will fall in love with the diversity of colours and species of vegetables. The aromas of the market will make you feel an authentic Mediterranean experience.

In the charcuterie area you can buy cheeses, hams, Iberian cured meats and all kinds of charcuterie products for yourself and to give as gifts on your return from your trip to Minorca. The Iberian cured meats you will find in this area are typical of the island of Menorca, as are the cheeses, the production of which forms part of Menorca's deep-rooted gastronomic pride.

The city's town hall is located within the Plaza Des Born complex and is an ancient building that was built on top of an old Muslim castle. The vestiges of that old castle are still intact today, even with the construction that stands on top of it 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 Town Hall. This space was given over to its current use around 1865. The architect who remodelled the inner part of the building 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 remote times, the Castle was ordered to be built to function as a kind of fort from which cannons were fired and the entrance to the port of Ciutadella was defended. Nowadays it is one of the most interesting attractions in 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 marvellous view of the open sea that can be seen from this point. It was built with stone from the island of Menorca and multiple sculptures are positioned at the entrance of the castle as decoration.