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Photo tour of Ciutadella
Use the Photo Tour to see high quality photographs of all the information described below.
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is located on the west coast. Approximately 40-50 mins., from the Airport. Ciutadella ( pronounced "thwi-te-della" ) Use the Interactive Maps link to see where everything is.
Use the Interactive Maps to take a detailed visual tour, with ariel views complete with additional photos and useful holiday information.
A taste of elegant former times with fine old 17-18th century 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. Considered as one of Spains' most attractive city squares. Great clotthes and footwear shopping and a place to just 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 dance venues on the island. Which is better to visit Mahon or Ciutadella? - simple, both!
Best way to discover the old centre is to put away your map and just wander. The center is bordered on thee sides ( and fourth by harbour ) by a tree lined 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. Show your children how REAL bread is made!
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.
Favourite cafe spots : Ses Palmeres ( opposite windmill ) , Plaza d'Artrux - appropriate clothing please!!!
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 Placa Born , through Placa de Catedral and into the city's famous Ses Voltes arcades. If your curious you'll also discover beautifull inner courtyards with fountains and flowers.
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. Lots of charming cafes and clothing shops in the old cellars
Ciutadella's culture and history is in streets all around you and all easily reachable on foot. Casa Museu Torrent, Museu Municipal, Museu Diocesa, Palau Salort to name just a few.
Museums and Sights in Ciutadella
The Museu Diocesa de Menorca is set in a beautiful 17 century former baroque convent Saint Agustine with a wonderfull open courtyard at it's heart. The building alone is worth a visit.
Permanent exhibitions of the island's early inhabitants (Talayotic eras), Contemporary painting (Pere Daura) and from the 17th to 20th centuries. Religious art and gold and silverware.
Open in Summer Tues. to Sat. 10:30-13:30 hrs., evenings Tues. to Sat. 18:00-21:00 hrs. Free entrance on Sunday mornings (closed evening) Closed Mondays and public holidays.
Open in Winter Tues. to Sat. 10:30-13:30 hrs., Closed Sundays, Mondays and public holidays.
For information tel. 971 481 297. Carrer del Seminari, 7 Ciutadella 07760.
Museum is located right in the heart of the delightful pedestrianised old city, close to the atmospheric food (fish ) markets and full of lovely side streets to wander and explore.
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. Every morning at around 10:00 there is a variety of day long boat trips along the west and south coast where you can experience the real beauty of this island coast and with midday and bathing stops taken in some of the islands renowed virgin beaches.
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.
Ciutadella has a wide variety of simple souvenir 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. The main market for summer clothes and shoes is on Saturday mornings during summer(see below).
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 for self caterers. Bus no 60 will take you there.
A travelling market ( circa 40 stalls ) offering good value leatherwares,shoes and summer clothing along with costume jewellery sets up Fridays and Saturdays 09:00 - 14:00 on the main square ( Placa des Born )
In peak season, mid June to mid September there is a nightly handcrafts, jewelry market along the steps to the old port. 22:00-24:00
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.
For boat hire/charter and all things diving visit Sport Massanet, Marina 66 www.menorcaboats.com.
Riding at Son Angel - see separate panel
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.
Buses
Buses are available to most parts of the island with changes, so is also a good way to see something of the other parts of the island. You will be suprised how different the landscape is to the area around Ciutadella. Direct buses to Mahon ( 45 min ) and also with stops ( 80mn ) at Ferreries, Es Mercadal and Alaior. There is a local city bus linea 60 ( line 60 ) that travels the circuit from ferry terminal, through city out to Poligno ( industrial/commercial area for leather outlet shops etc ) and to Placa del Pins ( city centre )
Destinations along the western coast are run by Torres and arrive / depart from Placa del Pins ( city centre ) .
Ferry Terminal,Sa Caleta,Santandria,Cala Blanca,Cala en Bosch,Son Xoriguer,Los Delfines,Cala en Forcat,Cala en Blanes and Cala Morell
All other destinations are run by TMSA and arrive/depart from Placa Menorca which is about 350m from Placa de Pins stop - see map below
Bus Company TMSA
01 Mahon - Alaior Es - Mercadal - Ferreries - Ciutadella(Placa de Menorca)
Mahon Mondays to Friday: 6:45, then hourly from 8:15 to 23:15,00:15** Saturdays: 8:00,10:00,11:30,13:00, 16:00, 18:00, 20:00, 21:30 Sundays/ Fiestas: 8:00, 10:00, 11:30, 13:00, 16:30, 19:00
01 Ciutadella(Placa de Menorca) - Ferreries - Es Mercadal - Alaior - Mahon
Ciutadella Mondays to Fridays Hourly from 6:40 to 21:40,22.40**,23:40 Saturdays: 8:10, 09:40, 11:10, 12:40,14:10, 15:40, 17:10, 18:40, 20:10,21:40,23:10,00:30 Sundays / Fiestas: 8:10, 09:40, 11:10, 12:40,14:10, 15:40, 17:10, 18:40, 20:10,21:40,23:10
** operates Mo-Thu 1.07-31.08 and Fri 1.05-31.10
In ADDITION to the above there is direct, non-stop service, the Bus Expres: Mahon to/from Ciutadella. The journey takes 45 mins. No direct service Saturdays, Sundays or on Fiesta days
no. 14 TMSA Mahon to Ciutadella(Placa de Menorca) NON STOP:
Mondays to Friday: 7:00, 8:00, 9:45,10:45, 12:45, 14:15, 15:15, 16:45, 17:45, 19:45, 22:15
no. 14 TMSA Ciutadella(Placa de Menorca) to Mahon NON STOP:
Mondays to Friday: 7:00, 8:00, 9:10, 11:15, 12:10: 14:15, 15:15, 16:15, 18:10, 19:10, 21:15
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 ) and some have open air roof terraces where you can relax under the stars.
Favourite Clubs Asere ( Cuban bar with live Music ) , Jazzbah ( can you guess?, with impromtu sessions ) , Lateral. See also Under Madison ( Sant Joan Baptista 8 ) Bistro bar cuban salsa and Spanish guitar.
TIP Want to visit a Club or Music bar? Don't forget you are on Menorcan time, nothing starts to happen until after 11 pm as people will have eaten 'late'. Go much later and then it will be buzzing.
Is a collection of water and dry fun. Water slides and pools for big and small with trampolines and bouncy castles for smaller ones. On site basic food restaurant. Open from May - August daily from 10:30 until 18:30. Children under three are free. See web site for current opening times and prices. Reduced prices after 13:00
Afterwards you can visit Los Delfines commercial area with its wide variery of shops, Bars and Restaurants.
Aquarock is a collection of water fun, electronic amusements, trampolines and Go Karting. Staff are vigilant and the facilities clean and modern. On site Cafeteria with sensible prices. The waterpark is open daily (May - October) from 10:30 until 18:00 children under two are free. Over 11's count as adults. 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. Address Cova Des Moro, Cala en Bosch tel.
www.aquarockmenorca.com
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 childrens attractions ( eg 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.
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 sophisticated 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 through the very attractive valleys of Vall de Algaiarens.
By Bus from Ciutadella ( Placa dels Pins ) Torres Line 60 circa 15 mins 1.75 Euro single ( 2010 )
Ciutadella-Cala Morell 11:30 , 15:15 , 19:30
Cala Morell-Ciutadella 11:45, 15:30,19:45
TIP bring a torch to see the really special ones
For mini downloadable guides, current opening times and entrance prices visit www.menorcamonumental.org
In the west of the island near to Ciutadella you will find more of the islands early historical sites.
Naveta des Tudons - Ancient monument, Son Catlar - prehistoric village, Cala Morells - extensive cave dwelling and burial chambers
Naveta dels Tudons is a pre-talayotic burial monument (constructed around 1,500 B.C ) and considered as one of the greatest treasures of all the prehistoric monuments the island has. One of a number of 'Naveta' it is built from huge stone blocks which resemble an upturned boat. Navetas feature a doorway into a burial chamber where along with the bodies of the dead offerings such as bronze or china figures were left. Naveta del Tudeons is 13.6 m long with a maximum width of 6.40 m and height of 4.5 m - so not small!
Mao-Ciutadella road, km. 40. Open Tues. to Sat. 0915-2030 hrs., Sun. and Mon. 0930-1500 hrs. Entrance 2 euros, free on Sun.
Is a farm offering horserides for all. For bookings call 
Antonio Bosch 609833902
www.cavallssonangel.com
On the road to virgin beach playa Algaiarens so combine the two!
Useful Telephone Numbers
With locations and Information for :
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