The glow of the Spanish sun softly touches the waters of its harbor. The pleasant Mediterranean breeze gently passes through its winding cobblestone alleyways. The town of Ciutadella de Minorca in Spain’s Balearic Islands is truly a sight to behold. Baroque and Gothic architecture line the streets of Ciutadella, making it feel as though one is walking through a museum or movie set.
Throughout history, the town has been a vital trading center as well as the site of countless territorial wars. By the 17th-century, much of the town had been rebuilt. As of 2016, Ciutadella has around 28,000 residents. Today, it is mostly known for its beautiful architecture, festivals, and dining scene. Despite its tumultuous past filled with destruction, the town stands today as a picturesque reminder of Spain’s rich history and cultural heritage.
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1. Explore areas accessible only by kayak
If you’re on the sporty side (or trying to be), how about hopping on a kayak? Menorca’s pristine waters provide a great opportunity for those looking to take part in water sports activities while admiring the surrounding view. There are services like Club de Mar which offer kayak tours for visitors. Katayak’s kayak tour allows guests to learn the basics of kayaking with a professional instructor. Guests are taken to areas that are only accessible by kayak including caves and grottos.
The tour also allows guests to go snorkeling (equipment provided) and swimming. The half-day tour starts from their shop at Fornells Bay where they have their own private dock. Guests can choose between a morning or afternoon departure, and snacks and beverages are provided. People of all ages and kayaking skill levels might want to try a ride around the sparkling waters of the Balearic Islands.
Book Tours : Kayak Tour in the Marine Reserve !
2. Relax in the pristine beaches
Whether you’re ending the day or just starting it, why not chill out at the beach? Ciutadella, as well as its neighboring areas, have a lot of beautiful beaches so it would not be difficult to find one not packed with tourists. Around 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) away are the small yet lovely Cala Santandria and Sa Caleta.
Cala Blanca, a small white-sand beach surrounded by rocks, is around 5 kilometers from Ciutadella. Cala des Degollador is near the urban area of Ciutadella but usually doesn’t get too crowded. Other small yet picturesque beaches are the Cala en Brut and Cala en Forcat which are 6 to 7 kilometers (3.7 to 4.3 miles) from Ciutadella. Most beaches are reachable via bus, so public transport will not be much of an issue. Most beaches also have shops, restaurants, and bars nearby.
Cala en Brut and Cala En Forcat
Address: Ciutadella, Menorca, Balearic Islands, Spain
Opening hours: All day
Entrance fee: None
Getting there: Take Bus 61 from Ciutadella
Cala Blanca
Address: Cala Blanca Beach, Cala Blanca, Menorca, Balearic Islands, Spain
Opening hours: All day
Entrance fee: None
Getting there: Take Bus 67 from Ciutadella
Cala Santandria
Address: Cala Santandria Beach, Cala Blanca, Menorca, Balearic Islands, Spain
Opening hours: All day
Entrance fee: None
Getting there: Take Bus 64, 65, or 67 from Ciutadella
3. Dine with a view
Ciutadella’s restaurants always have the best views to offer, be it seaside cliffs or postcard-worthy gardens. When it comes to the food, Ciutadella is known for its seafood delicacies and tapas (appetizers). There are many restaurants at the town center, but there are also hidden gems such as S'Esplanada which offers inexpensive al fresco dining. Located behind a bus stop, guests have commended its convenient location. Sa Posta De Sol, a restaurant on the side of a cliff, offers a great view of the sunset making it a great choice for dinnertime. The place is a little on the expensive side, but the Cala en Forcat sunset views make it worth the splurge.
S'Esplanada
Address: Plaça dels Pins, 2, 07760 Ciutadella, Menorca, Balearic Islands, Spain
Getting there: The main bus terminals are located in Plaça dels Pins
Sa Posta de Sol
Address: Avd. Los Delfines s/n Calan Blanes, Ciutadella, Balearic Islands, Spain
Opening hours: 5:30 pm–12 am
Contact: +34 616080877
Getting there: Take Bus 61 from Ciutadella and get off at Cala en Forcat
Website: Sa Posta De Sol Facebook Page
4. Live out the pirate life
Ciutadella’s waters used to host a number of pirates throughout history. Holiday Village Menorca offers tourists a taste of the pirate life through a boat ride through the city. Kids, and kids at heart, can put on costumes and face paint as they play games and go on a treasure hunt while learning about Ciutadella’s rich history. The tour also stops so guests can go swimming and snorkeling.
Pirates Of Menorca
Address: Cala'n Bosch, Menorca, Balearic Islands, Spain
Price: Adults - 48 USD (43 EUR), Children - 28 USD (25 EUR)
Contact: +34 90275040
Getting there: Take Bus 65 from Ciutadella
Website: Holiday Village
5. Explore the Menorca landscape on horseback
If you really want to travel back in time, why not travel as the conquistadors did? Ciutadella has a variety of horse riding services such as Cavalls son Àngel and Rutas Ecuestres Menorca. Both services offer half-day treks through the Ciutadella terrain. Guests pass through the countryside, pine forests, mountainous areas, and beaches. Guests can also arrange pick-up and drop-off points.
Cavalls son Àngel
Address: Platges D Algaiarens 0, Km 1 07760 Ciutadella, Menorca, Balearic Islands, Spain
Recommended duration: 2 to 3 hours
Price: From 28 USD (25 EUR)
Contact: +34 609833902, info@cavallssonangel.com
Website: Cavalls son Àngel
Rutas Ecuestres Menorca
Address: Camino Algaiarens 14 Bajos, 07760 Ciutadella, Minorca, Balearic Islands, Spain
Recommended duration: 2 to 3 hours
Price: From 28 USD (25 EUR)
Contact: Telephone - +34 971596409, Mobile - +34 634644992, Reservations - +34 634644992, rutasecuestresmenorca@gmail.com
Website: Rutas Ecuestres Menorca
6. Shop in traditional markets
A visit to a historical town isn’t complete without a trip to the market. Ciutadella has open-air markets that sell everything it has to offer. For fresh produce, visitors can shop at the Plaza del Mercat. The popular Plaza Es Born, or Plaça d'es Born, markets are open on Fridays and Saturdays.
Plaça d'es Born (Main Square)
Address: Plaza Des Born, 0 S/N, 07760 Ciutadella, Menorca, Balearic Islands, Spain
Market days: Fridays and Saturdays
Opening hours: All day
Entrance fee: None
Plaça Mercat
Address: Plaça Mercat, Ciutadella, Menorca, Balearic Islands, Spain
Market days: Monday to Staurday
Opening hours: All day
Entrance fee: None
7. Dance to the beat of the night
Aside from its picture-perfect architecture, excellent delicacies, beautiful terrain, and pristine beaches, Menorca’s nightlife is teeming with activities for visitors. Why not skip the typical club beats and move to something different? Ciutadella has Sa Clau Jazz Club which, of course, provides jazz music. Guests can drink cocktails like the tasty tinto de verano on the terrace.
La Margarete, a nice tranquil bar in a garden, has live performances and independent music. For the artsy visitors, Si Vens Café also holds poetry recitals and exhibitions. And finally, there’s Asere. This salsa club is located next to the harbor and offers guests a chance to know more about this beloved dance style.
Sa Clau Jazz Club
Address: Carrer Marina, 93, Ciutadella, Menorca, Balearic Islands, Spain
Contact: +34 971384863, saclau@saclau.com
Website: Sa Clau Jazz Club
La Margarete
Address: Carrer de Sant Joan Baptista, 6, Ciutadella, Menorca, Balearic Islands, Spain
Website: La Margarete
Si Vens Café
Address: Avenida Constitucio 22, Ciutadella, Menorca, Balearic Islands, Spain
Asere
Address: Port de Ciutadella, Ciutadella, Menorca, Balearic Islands, Spain
Contact: +34 609672610
8. Enjoy a romantic sunset cruise on the Ciutadella waters
Sightseeing in Ciutadella does not have to be limited to land. Especially during the summer, the port is packed with yachts and the beach is alive with various water sports activities. There are various services such as Planoram and Magic Boat Menorca that take visitors on a boat excursion along the west and south coast of Menorca.
This particular catamaran cruise lasts for 3.5 hours and takes guests around Menorca while enjoying the Mediterranean sunset. Aside from admiring the surrounding view, the cruise also lets guests go swimming and snorkeling. Complementary snacks and drinks are also served. This tour is ideal for couples, but water wanderers and sunset lovers of all ages might want to check it out too.
Book Tours : Catamaran Sunset Trip in Menorca
9. Walk its many alleys and revel in its history
Ciutadella has plenty of gems for architecture and history buffs. Its streets pass through many cathedrals built as far back as the 13th-century, and many houses and establishments have retained the classical Italian style from the 1700s. Even though the town has been rebuilt from the ashes of destruction, remnants of the past can still be seen in much of the town’s architecture. Admire the aesthetics of the Town Hall, Teatre Municipal d'Es Born (theater), and palaces such as the Palau Salort and Palau de Torresaura.
Plaça d'es Born (Main Square)
Address: Plaza Des Born, 0 S/N, 07760 Ciutadella de Menorca, Balearic Islands, Spain
Opening hours: All day
Entrance fee: None
10. Party with the locals during festival season
Spain isn’t Spain without a fiesta. Menorca is not left far behind, and the locals sure know how to party. While there are festivals during other months, most are held during the summer. The Festival of Sant Joan, held every June to celebrate midsummer and commemorate Saint John the Baptist, feels like one huge block party. It is celebrated in some areas in Spain, but Ciutadella puts its own twist on the festival. The fiesta is very popular and people flock to Ciutadella to witness it. For three to four days, people take part in the revelry which includes a bonfire, fireworks, food, music, and dancing. If you see a gentleman riding a horse through the streets, don’t be surprised! That’s just how they do it. Other rituals that take place include jousting, a procession, and a mock battle with hazelnut shells as ammunition.
For the music lovers, another festival to be witnessed is the Ciutadella Summer Music Festival. The festival was started in 1973 and is held at the cloister of the Church of El Socorro seminary all throughout August. Festival attendees can immerse themselves in culture as world-famous classical musicians, orchestras, and opera singers provide entertainment.
Sant Joan Festival in Ciutadella
Dates: June 23-25
Admission: Free
Website: Menorca Official Website
Ciutadella Summer Music Festival
Dates: All throughout August
Admission: To be announced
Website: Joventuts Musicals Ciutadella
Fall in love with the surroundings of eras past
The spirit of Ciutadella is just as colorful as its history. It may have been rebuilt from destruction, but its timeless charm can still be found in its surroundings. Sometimes we just have to look.
History
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