Ciutadella, Menorca, Spain
Ciutadella was once the capital of Menorca and is full of historic buildings and quaint little streets. This is the ideal destination for anyone who is interested in adding a little culture to their summer holiday.
Ciutadella
The town offers a harbour and a main square which is surrounded by bars which is great for relaxing over a drink and watching the world go by. There are also plenty of shops and restaurants tucked away in the little streets.
Read more about: Beaches | Things to Do | Out and About | Nearby Attractions | Ciutadella Reviews
Beaches
As Ciudadella is situated a little inland, it does not actually have any beaches but there are some in neighbouring resorts. The nearest beach is Playa Grande which is accessible via the Plaza Europa in Ciudadella. The beach here is white sand and quite small with a promenade at the rear.
There are also beaches available in resorts such as Cala del Pilar, Cala Morell and Cala Bosch. A variety of water sports such as windsurfing, snorkeling, kite surfing, water skiing, pedalos, parasailing and sailing can be found at these nearby beaches.
Things to Do
There is so much to see and do in Ciudadella, such as the windmill which stands high up on the cliffs, the 14th century Gothic Cathedral, the remains of the fortified walls and the various museums. There are also plenty of opportunities to take it easy, with many shops to stroll around and plenty of cafes and bars to enjoy a little drink at.
Although there are many water sports available from the surrounding beaches, scuba diving is available from the harbour and with such a good selection of dive sites in the area it is certainly worth having a go. There are many different spots which will not only suit the more experienced diver but the beginner also.
Many island tours, boat trips and even ferry crossings to Alcudia depart from the busy port in Ciudadella.
If you are lucky enough to be visiting the resort at the end of June you will be able to take part in the celebrations of the San Juan Fiesta. The Fiesta dates back 600 years and sees medieval horsemen parading through the streets, jousting and performing tricks. It certainly makes for a very lively and fun day out.
Out and About
As you can imagine, having its own harbour means there is always seafood on the menu, and plenty of it. The many cafes and restaurants will serve up some typical Menorcan dishes such as lobster casserole and baked cuttlefish but you will get plenty of other options other than seafood. You may also wish to try a traditional ensaimada which is a type of bun covered in powdered sugar or sample one of the islands most traditional drinks, gin flavoured with juniper cones. With such a great variety of bars and restaurants you will be spoilt for choice.
Many people come to Ciudadella from neighbouring resorts to shop as there is a great abundance of shops here. You will find everything here, from tourist shops to clothes boutiques so no matter what you are looking for, you are sure to find it here.
Nearby Attractions
For a fun family day out, take a trip to the local water park, where there are plenty of water slides, an adventure river and even a bouncy castle. This is a great day out and also a great way to keep cool.
There are many activities to be found locally such as tennis, cycling, paragliding and horse riding and even a round of golf on the island's only golf course which is in Son Bou, 30 minutes drive away. There are also many different coastal paths which pass through many coves and villages with some fantastic views along the way.
Although there are a few museums in Ciudadella, there is a military museum in Es Castell which has a great collection of the islands military history. There is a large collection of canons and guns which is well worth seeing.
If you are feeling energetic, you may want to climb up the highest mountain in Menorca, Mount Toro which has become an important place of pilgrimage. It is just over an hours walk and you will be rewarded with some fantastic views at the top. There is a convent at the top which opens it's doors from May and a cafe.
Mahon, the capital, is well worth a visit, there is lots going on here and a whole host of shops, bars and restaurants. There are also many historical attractions, a gallery and even a casino. The port in Mahon is the second deepest natural harbour in the world and there are loads of fishing boats, yachts and speedboats anchored up.
Menorca Resorts
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