Ciutadella Menorca

Overview

An elegant taste of former times with fine old palaces, and a charming little harbour. The original capital of Menorca lies at the western edge of the island. A superb contrast to the beach and holiday resort- a place very different to anywhere else on the island. Great shopping and a place to wander the pedestrianised old city with its many narrow streets with hidden sights, shops and cafe treats. The scene for the spectacular Sant Joan festival in June, when stunning black horses parade through the streets and the brave try to "touch the horses heart". Also competes with Mahon for the title of the best music bars and venues on the island. Which is better to visit Mahon or Ciutadella? - simple, both!

Menorca Tips

Best way to discover the old centre is to put away your map and just wander. The center is bordered on thee sides by a tree line dual lane road ( Avinguada des Constitucio-Capita Negrete), so whenever you reach this just turn around. On the Calle de Call Bisbe there is a baker with a traditional wood fired oven right behind the counter.

Another tip to see the area to get a quick overview before deciding on places to visit is to use the Bus Turistic a two hour tour which takes in a route including Naveta de Tudons and Lithica. Departs from Placa des Pins Mon-Sat 08:00-20:00 around 5 € children 6-12 50% and unders 5 free.

See and Do

Menorca Urlaubtipps

Der Treffpunkt für den Rundgang Stadtpaläste in Ciutadella ist die Plaza dels Pins von Juni bis Oktober. Der Rundgang wird um 10 Uhr in Spanisch und Katalan durchgeführt und um 12 Uhr in Englisch und Deutsch. Der Rundgang dauert 2 Stunden.

Pedestrian Historical Centre

Ciutadella gets its name from 'Citadel' -a fortified city. Allthough most the defensive walls were knocked down to expand the city you can still see remnents of them today- most notabley the walls above the harbour under Placa des Born. Walk up the Carrer Major from Place Born , through Placa de Catedral and into the city's famous Ses Voltes arcades.

Placa des Born

Placa des Born, particularly in spring when the leaves on the square's trees dont obscure, can compete with any squares in Europe's great cities. The town hall was formally a royal palace and the square is lined with elegant buildings built by weathly landowners. A 16th century spanish city seemingly 'frozen' in time. The Square is the centre piece of current day Ciutadella. From here you can enter the pedestrian area of charming old city through Calle Major d'es Born, which leads to Placa del la Catedral - Cathedral area. Take coffee at Es Quiosc on the square to soak up this square. Tourist Office is located by the town hall.

Harbour

The pretty harbour lies below the fortified walls of the old city and offers a mixture of boutiques, shops and Bars & Restaurants of varying styles, prices and quality. Start here for a pleasant evening walk along the harbour quay , past the nautical club , up the steps to Cami de Baix and on down to Castell de Sant Nicolau at the waters edge.

It is a working harbour with small fisihing boats and smaller yachts which means there's always something to see . One for camera is the arrival/departure of the large modern catamaran ferry from Majorca which turns and docks here with seemingly just inches to spare in the small harbour.

Shopping

Ciutadella has a wide variety of simple through to very stylish boutique shops. Plus there are lots of Cafes for those little stops. Dont forget that Siesta applies here so from 13:00 to 17:00 nothing will be open. Evenings are the prefered time for shopping, taking in some Tapas aswell.

Menorca Tips

Just before the city begins entering from the ME-1 are a range of factory outlets for leather and ceramic goods. There is also a Lidl on the Poligno offering very competitive prices.

Restaurants

A favourite ( good value ) restaurant El Guitarre, near to the Cathedral ( Carrer de Nostra Senora dels Dolors 1) , is a great place for a lunchtime or evening meals. Specialising in traditional Menorcan dishes its reached down cellar steps and set in rustical wine cellars. Very child friendly ( help with buggies down the steps and inside), atmospheric and excellent food.

Sant Joan Festival

A wonderful sight is to watch over 100 immaculately prepared horses and riders in their pristine costumes parade through Ciutadella's old city streets. The Menorcans love their festivals and especially the chance to show off their stunning native horses. The most eagerly awaited moments are the cargols, when riders circle specific points along the route and especially the "jaleos", where riders bring their horse onto their rear legs - "Jaleo"- The young brave hope for good luck by touching the horses heart as the horse dances above them. Much Pomada ( Gin and Bitter Lemo ) is drunk during the festival, but is very good natured. Note: The riders care too much about their horses for this to be stressing for the horses.

Fiesta de Sant Joan in Ciutadella is held annually 23-24 th June.

Sant Joan Ciutadella

"Jaleo"

"Jaleo"

Sant Joan Ciutadella

Nightime Entertainment

Ciutadella has a wide range of Cafes, Bars, Clubs and Restaurants to suite all tastes. The chill out and dance clubs are located together down in the harbour area ( Pla de Sant Joan )

more

TIP Want to visit a Club or Music bar? Don't forget you are on Menorcan time, nothing starts to happen until after 10 pm as people will have eaten 'late'. Go much later and then it will be buzzing.

In der Nähe von...

Water Park - Aquapark Los Delfines

Bietet verscheidene 'nassen und trocknen' Spaßmöglichkeiten an. Wasserrutschen und Becken für Groß und Klein mit Trampolinen und Hüpfburgen für die kleinen. Vor Ort gibst es ein einfacheres Schnellrestaurant. Geöffnet täglich von Mai bis August von 10:30 bis 18:30 Uhr. Kinder unter drei Jahren kostenloss. Siehe die Website für die aktuellen Preise und Öffnungszeiten.

www.aquacenter-menorca.com

Menorca Urlaubtipps

Anschließend können Sie Los Delfines mit seiner Vielzahl von Geschäften, Unterhaltungsangebote, Bars und Restaurants besuchen.

Water Park and Karting - Aquarock Cala en Bosch

Is a good clean collection of water fun and Go Karting. Staff are vigilant and the facilities clean and modern. On site Cafeteria. The waterpark is open daily from 10:30 until 18:00 children under two are free. The Karting track is next door open daily from 10:30 until 22:30 See web site for current opening times and prices. Bus no. 65 from Ciutadella. Open from May - October.

www.aquarockmenorca.com

Menorca Tips

After 15:30 the water park entrance price is halved but closes at 18:00. Afterwards you can visit the nearby marina with its other small childrens attractions (Goody fun park ) with relaxation areas for mums and dads, have something to eat or just watch the world go by. Of the two waterparks this is perhaps the better one to visit.

Water chutes

Wave pool

Relax Pools

Main Pool

Outdoor Jacuzzi

Wave Pool

Slides and Chutes

Large Relaxing Pool

In der Nähe von...

Cala Morells

A small quiet fishing village resort on the north west coast set in dramatic rocky coastlines. Best known for the extensive man made (Bronze and Iron ages) cave dwellings nearby that give a real sense of cave "living" ( though many caves were also for burial ). Some are sophistacted with central roof columns and windows. Some are obviously younger and larger, cut with more advanced metal tools, but the smaller older ones gives a view into another world. A good place to combine with a visit to the beautiful virgin beach of Algaiarens and walks athrough the very attractive valleys of Vall de Algaiarens.

TIP bring a torch to see the really special ones

In der Nähe von...

Historical Sites

In the west of the island near to Ciutadella you will find more of the islands historical legacy.

Naveta des Tudons - Ancient monument, Son Catlar - prehistoric village, Cala Morells - extensive cave dwelling and burial chambers

Son Angel

Is a farm offering horserides for all. Bookings Antonio Bosch 609833902 www.cavallssonangel.com

Menorca Tips

On the road to virgin beach playa Algaiarens so combine the two.

Interaktive Karte - Ciutadella

Hotels in Ciutadella, Menorca ( Minorca )