Ciutadella was Menorca’s capital until the 18th century and keeps an old town of palaces and narrow streets that you can walk in under a kilometre: plaça des Born, the cathedral and the Ses Voltes arcades. Below, the harbour is full of restaurants and bars, and less than 15 minutes away are the Naveta des Tudons, the Lithica quarries and Punta Nati lighthouse.
Plaça des Born
Ciutadella’s great square, with the obelisk and the town hall on the old walls. From here you walk down to the harbour along the Baixada Capllonch.
The old town is pedestrianised: park on the ring road (the Contramurada). More on Ciutadella’s old town.
The cathedral
It was built on the site of the old mosque after the Catalan conquest of 1287. Free visits from 8:00 to 13:00 and 18:00 to 20:00; no tourist visits on Sundays and holidays.
Recommended itinerary
1 day
History and culture
Ciutadella in a day
The naveta, the marès quarries, the old capital, an unspoilt cove and sunset at Punta Nati.
Ses Voltes
The arcaded streets of the centre, lined with shops: the place to stroll at any time of day, and to keep sightseeing under cover when it rains.
If the day turns wet, there are more ideas in what to do in Menorca when it rains.
The harbour
A long, narrow natural harbour with terraces, restaurants and, towards the end, cocktail bars. The terraces fill up from 21:00: in summer, book dinner.
More on Ciutadella harbour.
Near Ciutadella
8 minutes by car, the Naveta des Tudons; 10, the Lithica quarries; 15, Punta Nati lighthouse for sunset; and 20, Cala Turqueta and Artrutx lighthouse.
- Naveta des Tudons: the island’s most iconic prehistoric monument.
- Lithica: mazes and gardens in old marès quarries.
- Punta Nati lighthouse: sunset over the sea.
- Beaches near Ciutadella: Macarella, Turqueta and more.
Where to eat
In the old town, Menorcan cooking at Cas Ferrer de sa Font, an 18th-century forge by the cathedral, or at Es Tast de na Sílvia (Slow Food, cash only); on the harbour, fish and seafood at Café Balear.
Book in summer. Another classic is Molí des Comte, a grill in the granaries of an 1812 mill, open Tuesday to Sunday.
Recommended itinerary
3 days
Nightlife and leisure
Menorca for couples
Three days of coves, sunsets and dinners by the sea: the Cova d’en Xoroi, Punta Nati and Cavalleria.
Take it organised
Itineraries with the order of each day, how to get there and where to eat, ready on your phone.
1 day
History and culture
Ciutadella in a day
The naveta, the marès quarries, the old capital, an unspoilt cove and sunset at Punta Nati.
3 days
Nightlife and leisure
Menorca for couples
Three days of coves, sunsets and dinners by the sea: the Cova d’en Xoroi, Punta Nati and Cavalleria.
