Ciutadella (pop 32,171), Menorca’s most westerly town was the capital of the island until the English occupation in 1714.
In 1558, the Turkish fleet landed. About 5,000 inhabitants were lost, dead or captured and taken to Constantinople for the slave trade, known as the Year of Misfortune.
We enjoyed our day off here. There’s a lovely old town with enough tourism at this time of year to support quality restaurants and shops but not so many the city is overwhelmed.
Looking up at the Town HallCiutadella Harbour 17th century Town HallCathedral-Basilica of Saint Mary built in the 13th century on the old mosque after the conquest of the island from the Muslims. It has suffered repeated looting and reconstructionSalort Palace from 1600, its current state from 1813Ses Voltes, a narrow street with arched porticos in the old townMoli des Comte, 19th century, now a restaurant
Camí de Cavalls
We continue walking around the island of Menorca from Ciutadella to Maó along the southern coast.
This section, essentially flat, follows the southern coastline at the western end of Menorca. The first half goes through residential areas, the second across coral rock. It’s nice walking along looking at the sea and hearing the waves.
Torre de Santandria, coastal defence tower built in 1799, during the last period of British control of the islandAntique bunkerSometimes we have to walk on the sandCala SantandriaLooking back towards Ciutadella, blue seaThere’s dry stone huts along the coastMilitary bunker system part of the old coastal defences
Monday 19 May 2025
Cap d’Artrutx to Cala Galdana
Distance: 19.3 km Time: 6:50 Ascent: 120m Descent: 100m – Wikiloc
The first section is almost completely flat with the low cliffs broken up by small sandy coves. The path then enters a wooded area of pine trees, and some shade.
Artrutx Lighthouse first became operational in 1859Son Xoriguer Beach, behind the sand lies a large urbanized area specifically for touristsRocky path after the resort areaThere are 14 tourist and residential developments on the coast leaving the remaining rugged area a Declared Natural Area of InterestDes Pardals Cave once used by the island’s fishermen, as well as for smuggling tobacco and coffeeReminders of the Civil War – almost every small cove has a bunker looking out to seaMenorca was the only Balearic island held by the Republicans. The British eventually arranged their surrender to the Nationalists in February 1939Canal de Ses Abelles, a drainage canal for the Bellavista marshlands behind Son Saura beachSon Saura beach with shallow, crystal-clear water Come summer these beaches will be crowdedTalaier is another of Menorca’s typical beaches, with its turquoise waters and fine white sandPurple flowers in the rocksWe found it hard going across the coral rock constantly watching our footingAlthough it’s very beautifulTurqueta inlet flanked by the high cliff-like slopesAncient coral reef 30 meters above current sea levelMacarella Beach – fine white sand, turquoise watersManmade caves in Macarella that had been used as a necropolis in Talayotic times (900-100 BCE)Blue rock thrushOur destination, Cala Galdana
We took the GR233 from Mitjana to Sant Tomàs which goes inland rather than the unnamed coastal route, a bit further but shaded and gentle on the feet.
Algendar ravine flows into the beach of Cala Galdana. It is 10 kilometers long, half the distance separating the north and south of the islandCala Mitjana beach is nestled between the typical limestone cliffs of Menorca’s southern coastThe island’s coast was once patrolled by soldiers mounted on Menorcan horses – Camí CavallsEasier walking, mostly shaded and not so rockyOld stone shelter in the forestBinigaus is the longest unspoiled beach on the south coast of MenorcaSeagull resting on rocksSant Tomàs, a residential/tourist beachHappy as a pig in mudShut the gate to keep the pigs in (or out?)Crossing the Son Boter Ravine wetlandsHorses in the wetlands
It was a long day, mostly inland, exposed and hot. We appreciated any shade and breezes.
Cala Llucalari, between two rock formationsWell with platform behind to collect rainwaterThousands of snails on this postPecan trees, 20 meters tall, listed in the Catalogue of Unique Trees of the Balearic Islands planted by Menorcan emigrants upon their retum from AmericaThreshing platform to separate grain from stalks, located where the wind could assist the processRocky descent pathThe Moors (903 to 1287) established fruit orchards and irrigation in the Cala en Porter ravineInside this animal shelter there are water troughs carved into the rock – it looks like it’s still usedLand tortoise basking in the sunWe appreciated the shade on a hot dayBack on the coast at Cala BinissafúllerBlindingly white buildings of Club Nàutic Binibèquer Vell holiday complex, created in 1972 in fishing village style
Our last day was relatively easy with some road walking through resort areas, a contrast to the previous days of undeveloped landscapes. There was also enough track walking to keep it interesting.
Caseta des Panarés – 1914 fisherman’s cottageRocky coastline near Punta PrimaIlla de l’Aire lighthouse – built 1860, the tallest stone-built tower on the Balearic IslandsTorre d’ Alcalfar – built by the Spanish in 1787 (restored 1994) to protect against Algerian pirates It served as a model for the 11 towers built by the British between 1798 and 1802Fisherman heading out from Cala AlcaufarErmita de Sant Esteve, Alcalufar We enjoyed walking along the laneways between old dry stone walls even in the rainFortification of Castle of San Felipe built in the 16th century at the southern entrance to the Bay of Mahón Port in response to the Turkish threatWindmill at Es Castell, MaóA special thanks to the staff of Camí Cavalls 360º who assisted us, transferred us to/from accommodation and delivered our bags
