Ciutadella de MenorcaMenorca · Balearic Islands

All About Ciutadella de Menorca

Ciutadella de Menorca, or simply Ciutadella, is an encapsulating city with a dramatic history. Established by the Carthaginians and ruled by the Moors, Ciutadella later came under the Crown of Aragon. The Turks then attacked the city in 1558. A dominant port from the very beginning, it was the capital of Menorca for the longest of time. However, in 1722, the British shifted the island’s administrative center to Mahón. Nevertheless, Ciutadella continued to be the religious center and an essential tourist and trade hub of Menorca.

Attacked and destroyed multiple times over centuries, present-day Ciutadella is primarily a city of 19th-century buildings. Due to several imperialistic influences, tourists do get to marvel at diverse architectural styles throughout the town, from baroque to neo-classical and gothic. Far less busy than the capital of Menorca, Ciutadella is a graceful city with a seductive magnetism that is hard to resist.
 

Routes and Ferries to Ciutadella de Menorca

Arriving in Menorca via sea has an indisputable charm. Ferryscanner can assist you in booking ferry tickets to Ciutadella de Menorca from Mainland Spain as well as neighboring Mallorca. Up to 13 vessels from Barcelona arrive here weekly, covering the voyage in four hours. The trip from Toulon takes over 13 hours. However, book your ferry tickets to Ciutadella early as there is only one ferry per week sailing this route. Alcúdia in Mallorca is relatively well-connected, with multiple boats covering the 1-hour 30-minute journey to Ciutadella daily.

To reach Ciutadella by plane, you need to book flights for Mahón. The capital’s airport is 47km from Ciutadella. It handles mainly tourist-centric flights and charters throughout the year, with an increase in air traffic during the summers. A small, single terminal airport, Mahón has basic arrival facilities such as Duty-Free shopping, currency exchange, and a cafe. Bus transfers from the airport to Ciutadella require a change at Mahón city bus station. On the other hand, taxis take 45 minutes to Ciutadella, costing €35 per trip.
 

Port of Ciutadella de Menorca

Located on the island’s western coast, the Port of Ciutadella de Menorca is a sheltered, deep water narrow inlet with docking space for fishing and private vessels. The harbor is typically humming with movement every morning as fishing boats bring in the day’s catch. You can then eat the same at one of the many seafood restaurants alongside the port.

Cruise ships arriving at Ciutadella Port use tenders to transfer their passengers. However, when coming with ferry tickets to Ciutadella, you will disembark at the commercial port of Son Blanc. Situated about 3km from the main harbor, a bus service connects the ferry terminal with the rest of the city.
 

Best Beaches

Ciutadella might not have a beach it can call its own, but the city is still the best stay option when wanting to explore Menorca’s southern coastline. With plenty of secluded coves and seaside resorts a short distance away, a day at the beach from Ciutadella is a quick getaway you can plan, even at the last minute.

Cala Son Xoriguer

About 12km from Ciutadella, the beach of Son Xoriguer is a hidden gem frequented mostly by locals. A 110-meter-long sandy strip with intermittent rocky areas, it’s a spirited little cove fitting for a family day out by the water. The neighborhood around the beach is well-developed, with restaurants, shops, and a supermarket. Additionally, toilets, sunbed rentals, showers, and lifeguards during summers make the beach all the more family-friendly. The water by the beach is typical Mediterranean blue, perfect for swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and windsurfing.

Cala Galdana

Located in a circular sheltered bay, Cala Galdana is a popular south coast beach, roughly 24km from Ciutadella. Boasting fine sand, its 500-meter length fills up fast on sunny days, creating a vibrant atmosphere by the sea. Guests from the hotels in its vicinity add to the crowds, while parking is going to be an issue if you arrive post noon. Facilities at Cala Galdana include toilets, showers, lifeguards, sunbed rentals, and restaurants. The beach also has two water-sports centers offering kayaks and paddle boats.

Cala en Forcat

The only tourists who know about Cala en Forcat are the ones staying in the area. This gorgeously petite inlet, 6km from Ciutadella, is a scenic seaside worth spending a few hours. Unfortunately, there’s no space for sunbeds, but you can lie down on the rocks around the creek. The little sand at the entrance, though, is powdery fine while the water is clean and clear. Moreover, the seabed slopes gently, creating a safe space for children to play. Cala en Forcat has toilets and a couple of places to eat nearby, but no other facilities.          

La Cala

La Cala is a tiny alcove and an excellent sunset viewing spot in Ciutadella. The water here is incredibly mesmerizing, emerald green in color, and perfect for snorkeling. A cozy, family beach, you can rent sunbeds, park comfortably, and dine at one of the cafes when lounging here.

Cala Algaiarens

Known locally as La Vall, Cala Algaiarens is a north coast beach at a distance of 12km from Ciutadella. It actually comprises of two beaches. Platja des Tancats is the more expansive sandy beach in the bay. At the same time, Platja des Bot stays calmers and is thus a favorite among families and water sports enthusiasts. Cala Algaiarens, in general, has good parking facilities, lifeguards, toilets and is mostly devoid of any major commercial activity, keeping it natural and authentic.
 

Things To Do

History exudes from every corner of Menorca’s old capital. A city steeped in culture, Ciutadella enchants its visitors with a sense of nostalgia that seems to linger in the air eternally. Even with so much antiquity all around, Ciutadella isn’t without contemporary attractions, from gourmet restaurants to scenic day trips that leave you in a state of never-ending bliss.

Ciutadella Old Town

Unlike the whitewashed coastal villages of Menorca, the Old Town of Ciutadella has an array of ancient buildings drenched in shades of beige. Known as Es Born, the city’s historic center still reflects the grandeur of once being the capital and upholds its old-world charm. While traversing around the neighborhood, you’ll come across churches, restaurants serving fresh seafood, and quaint shops. Placa d’es Born is the city’s main square, abuzz with some form of activity, be it a street market, festival, or the locals mingling with each other. The courtyard is also the location of the Town Hall and the Born Obelisk, a 19th-century monument honoring the people who fought the invading Turks in 1558.

Cathedral of Ciutadella

The Cathedral of Ciutadella is a 14th-century construction built on a former mosque, ordered by King Alfonso III in 1287. Interestingly, the ever-changing façade of the cathedral, due to decades of destruction, reflects the city’s volatile history. Originally constructed in Catalan-Gothic style and later redone in a neo-classic format, it now showcases traditional baroque architecture. The cathedral’s interior is equally impressive, featuring stone walls, stained-glass windows, and a grand ceiling. Nowadays, the cathedral hosts organ music concerts in the summers and has a museum featuring wood carvings, paintings, and other artifacts. Entry into the cathedral and the cloisters cost €6.60.

Pont d’en Gil

Being on the western coast, visitors in Ciutadella get to witness the most superb sunsets ever. Pont d’en Gil is a famous spot, 10 minutes away from the center, where locals and tourists go to view the sun disappear into the horizon. The vantage point, which gets busy every evening, overlooks a natural rock arc that further adds drama to the stunning scenery. During the daytime, boat tours from the harbor take you through the Pont d’en Gil arc. Moreover, the entire area is idyllic for hiking, photography, and picturesque walks.

La Lola

Among the best restaurants in Ciutadella, La Lola is the perfect culinary respite during a sightseeing tour of the city. The tiny café serves delicious takeaway sustainable snacks made using local ingredients. Following a zero-waste concept, they prepare fresh food, in-house, in limited quantities every day. Situated in Plaça dels Pins, La Lola has a friendly proprietor, always happy to discuss the island’s local cuisine and guide you to a few hidden gems worth visiting. When ordering food at La Lola, try the gazpachos, banh-mi sandwich, burrata salad, and churros.   

Naveta d’Es Tudons

Naveta d’Es Tudons is a significant prehistoric finding of the world and a famous tourist attraction in Menorca. The megalithic stone monument, said to be a funeral building, resembles an upside-down boat. Located only 5km away from Ciutadella, more than 100 graves were discovered here during excavations in the 1950s. Although tourists cannot enter the monument, you can visit Naveta (meaning ‘little boat’) from the outside. Those interested in archaeology should also venture out to Torretrencada nearby. The village is famous for its remnants dating back to the Talaiotic period.
 

Transportation Around Ciutadella de Menorca

It takes a day, but traveling around Ciutadella becomes a straightforward deal once you figure out the right balance between walking and using transport. You certainly do not need any vehicle to explore the central parts of the city. However, depending on your itinerary and duration of stay, you’ll eventually need a car or some form of public transport.

Renting a car is the most obvious and convenient choice. It’s cost-effective and allows you to discover some of the island’s remote areas. Hiring a car is possible from the port as soon as you arrive on the island using ferry tickets to Ciutadella.

Otherwise, Menorca has a decent enough bus service connecting almost all the cities and villages. Most bus routes go past either Mahón or Ciutadella. A one-way bus ticket between Mahón to Ciutadella costs €5. Although available on call, taxis are only suitable for short distances or trips to specific beaches near Ciutadella.