A guide to Ciutadella – Menorca’s Second City

Posted on by Explore Menorca

Ciutadella, the second capital of Menorca provides its own special charm and allure. We’ve brought everything together in an easy to read, simple guide to Ciutadella.

Guide to Ciutadella

Where Is Ciutadella?

Ciutadella is located in Menorca on the western point of the island, the opposite end from the capital, Mahon.

History Of Ciutadella

The former and old historic capital city of Menorca, Ciutadella. The city may also be referred to as Ciutadella de Menorca and was originally founded by the Carthaginians.

Many years later Ciutadella was conquered by the vandals and then Byzantine Empire. Muslims conquered and stayed from 7th century until the beginnings of the 10th century. During this ownership, Ciutadella became the capital of the island until 1722. Which is when Richard Kane moved the courts of justice and government offices to Mahon, which remains the capital today.

During his time, Richard Kane introduced a new constitution, connected Mahon with Ciutadella and looked to introduce new farming methods and increase the variety of produce available.

Following this, the French rule introduced more cultural events and finally, the Spanish rule, following the second British dominion, reinstated the city to re-establish its own bishopric.

Restaurants In Ciutadella

Being the second city of Menorca, Ciutadella has plenty of restaurants and cafés to visit, whether that’s for a quick lunch stop or a more indulgent dinner. Arguably a more attractive city than Mahon, you can enjoy a bite to eat around the

Alternatively feel free to look at our list of best restaurants in Menorca guide.

Restaurant Cafè Balear

A beautiful seafood restaurant located right at the entrance of the Ciutadella port. Serving up delightful fish dishes from exquisite lobster, luscious stews and plenty of sharing tapas dishes too, such as croquettes, Tuna carpaccio and more. It’s not the cheapest, but the food is excellent.

Check out the Restaurant Cafè Balear menu here. Restaurant location here.

Pinzell Restaurant

Found in the charming Plaça dels Pins, Pinzell plates up various Menorcan favourites such as croquettes, stuffed squid, suckling pig, octopus and more. Not the cheapest due to it’s location but be sure to check out some of their wine pairings.

You can view the Pinzell Ciutadella menu here. Restaurant location here.

Pins 46

Another resturant located in Plaça dels Pins, Pins 46 and perhaps more laidback than Restaurant Cafè Balear and Pinzell. Pins 46 offers more tapas than larger main dishes, so think of small plates such as mussels, patatas bravas, grilled octopus, Spanish meatballs, steak tartare and Iberian cured ham.

Find the Pins 46 Ciutadella menu here. Restaurant location here.

Restaurant Pizzeria Roma

(Almost) Everyone loves Pizza, so we have to include a Pizzeria. Restaurant Pizzeria Roma is found in one of the narrow streets of Ciutadella serving up a whole host of pizzas that are baked in a natural wood-fired oven. From classic pizzas such as Margaritas, Romana and Napolitana’s, to the more local flavours of Menorquina and Mediterrania.

Find the Pizzeria Roma menu here. Restaurant location here.

Restaurant Cas Cònsol

Found in the heart of Ciutadella in Plaça des Born, Cas Cònsol overlooks the beautiful Ciutadella port with plenty of wonderful dishes on offer. From traditional croquettes, steamed mussels, Galacian style octopus, Menorcan cheese to more substantial dishes such as lobster stew or roasted lamb shoulder.

You can find the Restaurant Cas Cònsol menu here. Restaurant location here.

TuSushiAhi

Something slightly different from what you may expect. TuSushiAhi focuses on Asian inspired dishes. On offer are plates such as gyozas, sashimi, maki, uramaki, to various niguiri dishes. All with unique flavours and ingredients.

You can find the TuSushiAhi menu here. Restaurant location here.

Bars In Ciutadella

Below we’ve provided some Ciutadella bars you may want to visit. Similarly to most Mediterranean towns and cities, the café culture stands true here. Many cafes will open onto the streets with a table or two where you can order a wine, beer, or even Pomada. Many open well into the night in the summertime too.

La Margarete Ciutadella
La Margarete Ciutadella

So bear this in mind, it’s easy to wander the streets and simply stumble across a lovely café for a drink. In between heading to some of the Ciutadella bars we’ve conveniently listed below.

La Margarete

With a beautiful garden with hanging lights, shady trees and tiny shrubs provide a great laidback out door setting. Exposed beams on the inside and classic cocktails make for a wonderfully relaxed evening spent at La Margarete Menorca. You can find La Margarete at Carrer de Sant Joan Baptista, 6, 07760. Just a short walk from Plaza de los Pinos.

Moriarty Gintonic Club

A stones throw from Plaza del Borne and something a little more upmarket than your café bars. An elegant tapas menu, albeit not cheap, combined with exquisite and unique cocktails make for a lovely evening. The quaint garden out the back with stoned floor and fruit trees keep you away from the louder city centre. Although the indoor city still has a lot to offer with beautiful cream stonework to admire as you ponder over the signature cocktails. You can find them at Carrer Major des Born, 9, 07760

Bar Imperi

Conveniently located in Plaça des Born (Plaza del Borne), Bar Imperi provides a relaxed bar with ample outdoor seating in which you can soak up the locals passing by. Alternatively enjoying the Ciutadella town hall lit up at night. Inside, pretty brick work lace the walls and a small terrace out back to get away from the city centre noise. Traditional drinks and small tapas plates are on the menu here, a variety of beers and wines, Spanish omelette, Pan con Tomate and more.

Shisha Club – Babilonia Shisha Ciutadella

Something slightly different, but as we understand the only Shisha bar in Ciutadella and possibly the only Shisha bar in Menorca. Located just at the entrance of the Ciutadella port – Passeig es Pla de Sant Joan, 10, 07760. Comfy seats, a nice ambiance and lighting make you feel at home here, even if you don’t want to enjoy the Shisha on offer.

Bar La Reina

Another Ciutadella born on the Plaza del Born that allows you to watch the world go by. A traditional Menorcan bar serving plenty of drinks and typical tapas style dishes.

Nightclubs in Ciutadella

The nightlife in Ciutadella is a lot more expansive than more of the tourist resorts such as Son Bou or Cala Galdana for example, which typically have a few café bars as well as the odd bar aimed at the UK tourists.

Ciutadella however has plenty of café bars, mixed in with elegant bars as mentioned above. As well as some late night pit stops if you want to explore what the Ciutadella nightlife has to offer. For these late night stops head to the entrance of the port – Passeig es Pla de Sant Joan

Discoteca Kopas Club

One of few nightclubs in Ciutadella, the Kopas Club stays open until the early hours providing Spanish and European music to enjoy. Plenty of space inside, a couple of floors and even a terrace when you can take a peak an revellers enjoy the late Ciutadella evenings, whilst enjoying a cocktail or two. Located at the port entrance here.

Discoteca Limoo bar

Open until the early hours of the morning and located towards the Ciutadella port entrance, it’s easy to find. Expect Spanish and European music and more locals than tourists. Of course, plenty of drinks and variety on offer here too. Located here and sandwich in-between Babilonia Shisha Ciutadella and Kopas Club, it’s easy enough to find.

Discoteca Sakova Ciutadella

Opposite Kopas club on the other side of the road you have another option in Sakova Ciutadella. With a unique indoor setting set into the Ciutadella rock, you feel inside a cave. Another club in Ciutadella where you can easily lose track of time until the early hours. You can find Sakova club on Passeig es Pla de Sant Joan, 1, 07760.

Services in Ciutadella & Ciutadella Amentities

ATMs in Ciutadella

Never wanting to be short without any cash money, just in case. There are plenty of cash machines located in the streets of Ciutadella.

ATMs and Banks Near Plaça Es Born

Other ATMS and Banks in Ciutadella

Ciutadella Pharmacies

We have our full guide on Menorca medical centres here. However you may require something less excessive. The pharmacies in Ciutadella and around the island will typically be closed for the midday hours so head to the Pharmacy in the morning or in the evening, generally after 5pm.

Tobacco Shops Ciutadella

Tobacco in Spain and also on the island in Menorca is only available through dedicated Tobacconists. Therefore if you smoke and want to find cigarettes or tobacco in Ciutadella it’s helpful to know where they are situated. Similar to many other stores, Tobacconists shut for the midday hours, so either head to the store in the morning, or the evening to avoid disappointment.

Shopping in Ciutadella

In and around the Ciutadella city streets there are plenty of small boutique stores, as well as markets into the summer evenings. However, if you need to know where the Ciutadella supermarkets are you can take a look at our Menorca supermarket guide for that.

Ciutadella Markets

Ciutadella Markets

  • Plaça des Born Market at Plaça des Born: All Year – Monday & Friday – Summer 08:30 – 15:00 / Winter 09:30 – 13:30
  • Agrary Market at Plaça de la Llibertat: All Year – Wednesday & Saturday 08:00 – 14:00
  • Craft Market at Plaça des Born: July to September – Monday & Friday 19:00 – 24:00 / July & August Monday & Friday 19:00 – 24:00
  • Capllonc Market at Pere Capllonc: 1st July to 30th September – Monday to Thursday 19:00 – 24:00 / Friday to Sunday 18:00 – 01:00
  • Costa Marina Market at Portal de la Mar: 1st July to 30th September -Monday to Sunday 19:00 – 24:00 / Friday to Sunday 17:00 – 01:00

Ciutadella market government website

Things To Do In Ciutadella & What To See In Ciutadella

Ciutadella is seen as more vibrant and picturesque than the islands capital Mahon. And there is plenty to see and do in Ciutadella.

Firstly, Plaça d’es Born. Part of the old small fortified city. The narrow streets and maze like labyrinth of turns are a reminder of the Muslim occupation. The obelisk standing tall in the Plaza del Borne commemorates the Turkish assault in 1558, which all the inhabitants are the time were either forced into slaves or sacrificed. A cruel memory to times gone past.

Plaça d’es Born Plaza del Borne

In Plaza del Borne you will also find the home of the beautiful looking Ajuntament de Ciutadella de Menorca, or the Ciutadella Town Hall. Proudly lit up when the night sky arrives. On another corner you have the Teatre des Born, or Born Theatre. And finally the Palaces of Palau Salort, now a heritage museum you can visit and Palau Vivó.

Catedral de Santa Maria de Menorca, Ciutadella’s Catherdral is set back from Plaza del Borne and somewhat hidden amongst the narrow streets. Built on top of an ancient Arab Mosque and first completed in 1362, nowadays the gothic cathedral displays a neoclassic design from 1813.

First completed in 1362, this gothic cathedral has a neoclassical facade from 1813.

Ses Voltes, we highly recommend visiting too, found on Carrer Josep Maria Quadrado. Here you have a large variety of shops selling a range of items from shoes, clothes, toys, perfumes, jewellery, bags and more. All nestled under the characteristic arches. At the beginning of the street you can see Es Be, a bronze lamb statue honouring the Sant Joan fiesta.

Things to do just outside of Ciutadella main town

Slightly further out of the Ciutadella main town you have the old Castell de Sant Nicolau. Once used to protected the city this octagonal tower sits pride of place at the mouth of the Ciutadella port. Definitely worth a visit and set back from the hustle and bustle of the city shops and day traders.

Alternatively, opposite Castell de Sant Nicolau and the other side of the Ciutadella port you have one of the 7 lighthouses in Menorca. Protecting seafarers from the rugged Menorcan coastline.

Dotted along from the city of Ciutadella you have a few beaches to choose from. Albeit quite small. Cala Santandria to the south or Cala en Forcat beach to the north are your best bets for beaches close to Ciutadella.

Ciutadella Car Hire

Driving around Menorca is one of the best ways to get around and explore the island. Ciutadella has plenty of companies that can help with this. Such as; Minurka rent a car; Autos Llonga – Rent a Car; Menorca Go!; Autos Ciutadella and more.

With plenty of options available it can be overwhelming. Therefore we typically advise using a comparison website to ensure you can filter, pick and choose what suits you. We find Holiday Extras has what you need.

Airport Transfers from Mahon Airport to Ciutadella

There are multiple methods to reach Ciutadella from Mahon airport. Bear in mind that Ciutadella is on the opposite end of the island so is one of the longest journey’.

Methods of airport transfers from Mahon Airport to Ciutadella include shared transfer services, car hire, taxi and even the local bus. Local bus will definitely take the longest however head over to our Menorca bus guide for further information. Direct airport transfers from Mahon airport to Ciutadella can be found below.

Shared Transfer Service To Ciutadella

A shared shuttle service will be the most cost effective way to head to your resort and some services you can check out include;

Or you can search amongst a variety of airport transfers to Ciutadella on Holiday Extras here.

Airport Taxi transfer to Ciutadella

Taxi transfers from Mahon Airport to Ciutadella are a longer journey, approximately 45-60 minutes. One of the longer journeys on the island. There’s also taxi rank at Mahon Airport just outside of the main airport terminal for easy access. Costing around €60 one way per taxi.

The official Menorca taxi website is https://www.taxismenorca.com/en/home

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