Ciutadella de Menorca
Ciutadella de Menorca
Menorca's beautiful former capital on the west coast, with a medieval old town of palaces, a Gothic cathedral and a famous summer horse festival.
Ciutadella de Menorca, usually just called Ciutadella, sits at the western end of the island and was its capital until the 18th century. Often called the old and beautiful, it has the most charming old town on Menorca, a maze of honey-coloured streets, grand mansions and quiet courtyards. At its centre stand a Gothic cathedral and the broad Plaça des Born. Down below, a long narrow harbour fills with restaurants and boats. It is the island's historic and cultural heart.
What [Destination] is known for
Ciutadella is best known for the beauty of its old town. Its narrow lanes, many of them lined with arcades known as Ses Voltes, wind between aristocratic palaces such as Palau Salort and the great Cathedral of Menorca, a Gothic church built on the site of an old mosque. The main square, Plaça des Born, is ringed by 19th-century buildings and the town hall, with an obelisk marking a brutal Ottoman raid in 1558. Its other great draw is its festival. Every year on 23 and 24 June, the Festes de Sant Joan fill the old streets with riders and black Menorquín horses, which rear up on their hind legs among the crowds. It is one of the most spectacular festivals in the Balearics. The harbour, set in a long inlet below the town, is the place to be in the evening, with its line of bars and restaurants. The old fish market and the streets around the cathedral are the liveliest spots by day, and the famous beaches of the west coast lie a short drive away.
5WTP
Experience Name
Description
5WTP
Region name
Description
5WTP
Region name
Description
5WTP
Region name
Description
5WTP
Region name
Description
5WTP
Region name
Description
Things to do in [Destination]
Spend your time getting lost in the old town, which is made for wandering. Visit the Cathedral of Menorca, step inside one of the old palaces like Palau Salort, and follow the arcaded streets of Ses Voltes between the shops and cafes. Pause in Plaça des Born for the views and the grand buildings around it. In the evening, head down to the harbour for dinner by the water and watch the sun go down. If you can, time your trip for the Sant Joan festival in June, when the whole city fills with horses and music.
Where to stay in [Destination] (City)
Food and drink in [Destination]
Ciutadella is one of the best places to eat on Menorca. The streets around the cathedral and the old fish market are full of tapas bars and restaurants, and the harbour is lined with seafood places. Look out for island dishes and a glass of the local Xoriguer gin, often served as a long, refreshing drink.
5WTP
Restaurant Name
Description
Airport Code
Region name
Description
Airport Code
Region name
Description
30
Feels like
/
30
°
18
31
°
Weather today in [Destination]
The current weather in Ciutadella de Menorca, Balearic Islands: Sunny with a high of 31°C and a low of 18°C. Updated 29/06/2026.
0 mm
Rain
UV 9.7
UV
9.7 km/h SSE
Wind
3 Day Forecast
Forecast
0% Rain
00
/
00
°
Day
Forecast
0% Rain
00
/
00
°
Day
Forecast
0% Rain
00
/
00
°
Day
Sunny
Best time to visit [Destination]
Getting to [Destination] and around
Ciutadella is at the western end of Menorca, about 45 minutes by road from Maó and the island's airport (MAH), with regular buses linking the two cities. In summer there is also a ferry across to Mallorca from the nearby port. The old town is compact and best explored on foot, and a car helps if you want to reach the beaches and coves around it.
Nearest Airport in [Destination]
Airport Name
Airport Code
Airport Name
Airport Code
Travel tips for visiting [Destination]
The old town is small and walkable, so the best plan is simply to wander and get lost. The harbour comes alive in the evening and is a lovely spot for dinner at sunset. For the Sant Joan festival in late June, book accommodation many months ahead. Ciutadella has some excellent boutique hotels in restored old palaces. It is the best base for the beautiful beaches of the west and south coast. Mornings around the cathedral and fish market show the city at its most local.
Events happening in [Destination]
What's on in [Destination] during your travel dates - annual festivals events.
DATE
Destination
,
Country
Event Name
Collapsible text is perfect for longer content like paragraphs and descriptions. It's a great way to give people more information while keeping your layout clean. Link your text to anything, including an external website or a different page. You can set your text box to expand and collapse when people click, so they can read more or less info.
Date
Country
,
Country
Event Name
Collapsible text is perfect for longer content like paragraphs and descriptions. It's a great way to give people more information while keeping your layout clean. Link your text to anything, including an external website or a different page. You can set your text box to expand and collapse when people click, so they can read more or less info.
Town Name
Country
,
Country
Event Name
Collapsible text is perfect for longer content like paragraphs and descriptions. It's a great way to give people more information while keeping your layout clean. Link your text to anything, including an external website or a different page. You can set your text box to expand and collapse when people click, so they can read more or less info.
FAQs about visiting [Destination]
Helpful answers for planning your visit to [Destination].
Add a Title
Question
Answer.
Add a Title
Add a Title
Add paragraph text. Click “Edit Text” to update the font, size and more. To change and reuse text themes, go to Site Styles.
Add a Title
Add a Title
Add paragraph text. Click “Edit Text” to update the font, size and more. To change and reuse text themes, go to Site Styles.
All [Country Demonym] Islands (Singular Island)
Grouping Name (Slide)
Balearic Islands
Description
Canary Islands
Description
More destinations in [Country]
Browse to find a destination you'll love in [Country] or filter by selecting your vibe and preferred region.
Nearby Places to Stay
Grouping Name (Scroll)
Explore more regions (Mainland)
Grouping Name (Slide)
Region Name
Description
Town Name
Description
Town Name
Description
Explore more destinations in [Country]
Grouping Name (Slide)
Explore all the [Island Group] (Island)
Grouping Name (Slide)
Mallorca
Tagline
Ibiza
Tagline
Menorca
Tagline
Formentera
Tagline
More in [Island] (Island)
Grouping Name (Slide)
Binibeca Vell
Beach
A photogenic white village of narrow lanes and arches on Menorca's south coast, built to look like an old fishing village.
Es Castell
City
A small British-built garrison town on the edge of Maó harbour, with a grand parade-ground square and the lively Cales Fonts waterfront.
Fornells
Beach
A white fishing village on a long, sheltered bay in northern Menorca, famous for its lobster stew and its calm waters for sailing.
Maó
City
The capital of Menorca, set above one of the world's largest natural harbours, known for its Georgian streets, its gin and its lively food markets.
More in [Admin Area] (Mainland)
Grouping Name (Slide)
