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With a picturesque harbour, Gothic cathedral, magnificent mansions and courtyard gardens, Ciutadella, Menorca’s former capital, is an ideal base from which to explore the island.
Narrow alleys lined with honey-coloured houses lead to the main square, with its striking obelisk, a monument to the Turkish invasion of the city in the 16th century. There are a host of boutiques and specialist shops selling local produce and crafts.
Where to stay
Hotel Nuevo Sant Antoni
This six-bedroom boutique hotel is set in a medieval mansion in the heart of the old town, close to craft shops and street cafes. Fresh white rooms with soft taupe furnishings, original sandstone arches and modern bathrooms. Double rooms with breakfast from £54 (hotelboutiquesantantoni.com).
Wendy Green shares her budget travel guide to Ciutadella, Menorca’s former capital, including where to stay, what to do, where to eat and how to get there. Wendy considers it a “great base from which to explore the island”
Wendy says: ‘The main square, Plaça d’es Born, lined with historic buildings such as the former castle turned town hall (above) and the baroque-style church of Sant Francesc, is a great place to stop.’
Nao Cathedral Boutique Hotel
Rooms at this nautical-themed hotel, housed in a former house next to St Mary’s Cathedral, have whitewashed walls with wooden fixtures and fittings. The ‘captain’s cabin’ has a private terrace with views of the cathedral, the historic centre and the coast. There is automated check-in for pre-booked and on-site reservations, welcome snacks and an honesty bar. Double rooms from £48 (hotelnaocatedral.com).
Hotel Smoix
Close to the historic centre, this five-room boutique hotel, housed in a former shoe factory, features a mix of modern, rustic and industrial styles. Recently awarded the Michelin Bib Gourmand for its exceptional food at moderate prices, the Smoix restaurant serves Spanish and Catalan cuisine. Double rooms with breakfast from £98 (smoix.com).
Seth Port of Ciutadella
In a great location overlooking the sea, this refurbished hotel is just a ten-minute walk from the historic centre and a 20-minute walk along the seafront to the harbour. It has 94 spacious rooms with a beige and terracotta colour scheme. Facilities include an outdoor pool and spa. Double rooms with breakfast from £99 (en:sethotels.com).
What to see and do
‘Narrow alleys lined with honey-coloured houses front the main square with its striking obelisk (pictured above), a monument to the Turkish invasion of the city in the 16th century,’ Wendy describes.
Head to the center
The main square, Plaça d’es Born, lined with historic buildings such as the former castle turned town hall and the baroque church of Sant Francesc, is a great place to stop for a coffee or tapas before heading out to explore.visitmenorca.com).
Admire ancient buildings
A short walk from Plaça d’es Born is the 14th-century Santa Maria Cathedral, with its Gothic vaulted ceilings and stained glass windows. Entry, which costs £6, includes the nearby Baroque convent of Sant Agustí, which houses a museum with archaeological and natural history exhibits. Don’t miss the pastel frescoes and lush courtyard garden.
Then, see how Ciutadella’s aristocrats lived at the nearby Palacio Olivar, a grand 17th-century manor house with murals, crystal chandeliers, antique furniture, a wine cellar and stables. Entry £4 (illesbalears.viajes).
Ciutadella, seen here, has ‘tapas galore’, says the travel writer, as well as stately homes, squares and churches.
Try the local specialties
No trip to Ciutadella would be complete without visiting its specialty food stores. Here you will find Mahón cheese, with its characteristic salty taste that is said to come from the sea breeze that moves through the pastures where the cows graze.
Other products include sobrasada, a spreadable sausage seasoned with paprika, local hams and goat cheeses marinated in red wine.
Wine lovers can sample Menorcan wines such as Binifadet and Merluzo, known for their subtle nuances of herbs, minerals and salty island breezes. Gin lovers can opt for Mahon Xoriguer gin, renowned for its herbal and citrus flavours.
Go down to the port
Walk down the steps from the main square to the yacht-filled marina. Stop at one of the seafood restaurants to try local specialties such as caldereta de langosta, a succulent lobster stew, while enjoying the sea views.
Where to eat
Piqniq
Most restaurants in the city offer primarily meat or fish dishes, but this place also has plenty of plant-based options, such as a tasty Japanese-style poke bowl with rice, avocado, cucumber, red cabbage, radishes, shredded carrot, sesame seeds and soy sauce. A generously sized salad, poke bowl, veggie burger or chicken salad ciabatta for dine-in or takeaway costs £7.70 (es.piqniq.es).
Consol case
Located in the centre of Plaça d’es Born, this restaurant offers reasonably priced Mediterranean cuisine and a terrace with panoramic views of the harbour. There’s a delicious goat’s cheese, pear and walnut salad with strawberry vinaigrette for £9, while cod slow-cooked in olive oil is £17.60 (casconsolmenorca.com).
Of Ciutadella Marina, pictured, Wendy says: ‘Stop off at one of the seafood restaurants to try local specialities such as caldereta de langosta, a succulent lobster stew, whilst enjoying the sea views.’
Maramao Tapas Bar
Located close to the cathedral, this small bar offers a great selection of gourmet tapas ranging from pan con tomate y sal Maldon (toasted bread with tomato, olive oil and Maldon salt) for £2.60 to lemon cheese bread with Cantabrian anchovies for £6.90. Finish off with a cake of the day for £4.70 and a glass of wine for £2.40.maramaomenorca.com).
Cuk-cuk restaurant
A restaurant with a twist. Enjoy a glass of wine while watching a chef cook your meal. Or learn to cook authentic Menorcan dishes yourself, such as seafood paella or caldereta (Menorcan fish and seafood stew) before sitting down and enjoying the result. The Cook and Eat experience costs between £30 and £36 per person and includes a glass of wine or vermouth (cuk-cuk.com).
How to get there
Easyjet has return flights from Gatwick to Menorca from £75 (easyjet.com). Take a bus on line 10 (bus.e-torres.net) from the airport to Mahón bus station, then bus line 01 Maó-Ciutadella to Ciutadella.
At the harbour, Wendy suggests: ‘Take the stairs down from the main square to the yacht-filled marina (pictured).’