Free walking tours in Ciutadella and what to see

Must-sees

Ciutadella was the capital of Menorca until the 18th century and keeps a beautifully preserved old town. The starting point is Plaça des Born, with its obelisk and the town hall overlooking the harbour. From there, the main street leads to the cathedral of Santa María, in Catalan Gothic style. On the way you will see palaces of noble families, such as Torre-Saura and Salort, and the arcaded streets of Ses Voltes, with shops and cafés.

The narrow, elongated harbour is lined with restaurants at the foot of the walls and is the place for a sunset stroll. At the end of the seafront stands Sant Nicolau castle, a defence tower by the sea. A few kilometres away, the Naveta des Tudons is one of the island’s best-known prehistoric burial monuments. To the south lie clear-water coves such as Macarella, Macarelleta and Cala en Turqueta, reachable by road and along the Camí de Cavalls.

Free tours and guided visits

Tip-based free tours cover the old town: Plaça des Born, the cathedral, the palaces and the arcaded streets, explaining the town’s history and the Sant Joan festival. Among paid visits, guided tours of the cathedral or a palace, excursions to the nearby Talayotic sites and boat trips along the south coast to see the coves from the sea are worthwhile. Walking a stretch of the Camí de Cavalls with a guide is another good option.

How long to spend

The old town can be seen well in half a day. With a full day you can add the harbour, Sant Nicolau castle and dinner by the water. If you want to enjoy the southern coves and the Naveta des Tudons, allow two or three days. Ideally, keep mornings for the beach, when it is less crowded, and afternoons for strolling the town.

Where to stay

To do everything on foot, stay in the old town or near the harbour, where most of the restaurants and nightlife are. Traffic is limited and parking is difficult, so ask about it if you arrive by car. If you want a pool and a beach nearby, the residential areas of Cala en Blanes and Cala en Forcat, to the west, are a few minutes from the centre and have more apartments.