Ciutadella from north to south

Day 1: Punta Nati - Ciutadella

Start your adventure at Punta Nati, where the stone comes to life in a rugged and surprisingly beautiful landscape. The terrain is mostly flat, but don't be overconfident: you'll be walking on a blanket of rock that seems to merge with the sea. The small canals that meander towards the coast are silent witnesses to the force of the water, which has sculpted this corner of the island over millennia.

Just a few steps from the start, you will come across a hidden gem: the Sa Torre Vella marine geyser. This 38-metre deep hole in the rock hides a unique natural spectacle. The air rises from the depths and, waves permitting, sends splashes of water skyward. Be careful when approaching, because you won't see it until you are right on top of it. It is a surprise that nature offers to those of you who are curious enough to discover it.

In this first stage, you will immerse yourself in the so-called "dry Minorca", a landscape dominated by limestone and the tramontana wind, which whips mercilessly, especially in winter. There, vegetation is sparse, but if you keep your eyes peeled, you can find the caper, a hardy plant that sprouts in the summer heat. Its buds and fruits, capers and caperberries, are a gastronomic treasure that adds a Mediterranean touch to any dish.

Don't be surprised if you come across a flock of Minorcan sheep. With their curly white wool, they seem to camouflage themselves perfectly among the ochre tones of the landscape. These sheep are adapted to Minorca's harsh climate and are a symbol of the island. Although they are raised mainly for their meat, the milk they produce is also valued for its quality and is used to make delicious sheep's cheese.

As you go on, the path will lead you to hidden coves, such as Cala des Corbetar. From there, you can admire the impressive Pont den Gil, a natural rock bridge that seems to float over the sea. Erosion has worked masterfully here, creating a perfect arch. Right next to it, a 300-metre deep cave is hidden, waiting to be explored.

The last part of the stage runs along roads, the coast and into the tourist resort of Cala en Blanes. Although the environment is becoming more urban, the charm of Minorca is still present in every corner. After 5 kilometres, you will arrive at the port of Ciutadella, where the sea and history are intertwined in an eternal embrace. The adventure has only just begun!

Day 2: Ciutadella - Cap d'Artrutx

The second day of your route takes you from the heart of Ciutadella to the southern tip of the west coast, at Cap d'Artrutx. A serene and almost flat route, where the constant company of the sea will be your ally as you explore the most authentic corners of the island.

The day begins in the port of Ciutadella, where the morning bustle gives way to a leisurely stroll through the streets of this historic city. The road will guide you for the first few kilometres, but don't worry, the sea will always be by your side. After two kilometres, you will enter the Sa Caleta residential estate, a tourist spot that holds a piece of history in the Torre des Castellar, an old coastal watchtower from the 18th century. From there, the views are breathtaking, a reminder of the unbreakable connection between land and sea in Minorca.

A little further on, you will reach Cala Santandria, a narrow and deep cove that looks like a small hidden paradise. More than 500 metres long, this cove is home to two beaches of white sand and crystal clear waters, ideal for a refreshing break. Despite being in a tourist area, Cala Santandria retains a relaxed, family atmosphere, perfect for enjoying the peace and quiet that you are looking for.

The path continues along the sea until it reaches Cala Blanca, where the contrast between the cliffs and the fine white sand creates a perfect postcard. This cove, surrounded by lush dune vegetation, offers a glimpse into Minorca's past with the remains of a naveta dwelling built during the pre-Talayotic period. The first human settlements left their mark there and you can feel the history beneath your feet as you walk along.

Leave the road and enter a path where the sea begins to show its best side: a hypnotising turquoise colour. Along the route, the diversity of Minorca's landscape unfolds before you, with local shrubs such as the socarrells, which dot the landscape with their hardy greenery. If you are lucky enough to walk here in spring, the orchids in bloom will be the stars of the show, with their vibrant colours and delicate beauty.

As you progress, the path will take you through the Mediterranean salt steppe, a unique habitat on the island, where plants struggle against the salinity to survive. This landscape, although less common than in other parts of the Balearic Islands, is a testimony to the adaptability of life on the island's coasts.

Finally, you will reach the tourist resort of Cap d'Artrutx, where the sea once again reclaims its prominent place on the horizon. This is the end of your second day on the coast of Ciutadella. The route still has a lot to offer! 

Day 3: Cap d'Artrutx - Cala en Turqueta

On this third day, the route takes you to discover the westernmost end of the south coast of Minorca, a stretch of great beauty in which the serenity of the sea and the gentle profile of the terrain make it a pleasure for the senses.

Set off from Cap d'Artrutx, where its lighthouse, one of the most unique in the Balearic Islands, stands imposingly. From there, the path takes you through the residential estate of Cala en Bosch, a family-friendly cove with all services. Next to the beach, there is a small marina with a unique entrance channel for boats and a wide range of leisure and restaurant facilities.

A few minutes further on, you reach the coves of Son Xoriguer, a group of small beaches that combine areas of fine white sand with other more rocky and intimate ones. This place marks the end of the developed area of Ciutadella and gives way to a wilder and less developed stretch of coast. Here, nature begins to take centre stage.

As you leave Son Xoriguer behind, the landscape is transformed. There are wide coastal rocky areas alternating with gentle depressions, forming small hidden and practically deserted coves along the route. Dune vegetation is abundant on these beaches, adding a green touch to the rocky environment. The path, although gravelly, is easy to follow and always remains close to the sea, offering moments of evocative silence that invite contemplation.

You soon reach the beaches of Son Saura, a set of two virgin beaches. This is the largest sandy area on the south coast of Ciutadella. The first, Es Banyul, is preceded by a picturesque pine forest with a picnic area, ideal for a break in the middle of nature. The second, Bellavista, extends with its dune system and a wetland area at the back, known as the Prat de Bellavista, which serves as a refuge for many aquatic birds.

Continuing along the road, you come across Es Talaier, a jewel hidden among pine trees and rocks. This small unspoilt beach, with crystal clear waters and amazing transparency, is a true paradise. Its name comes from the watchtower of Artrutx, a 17th century watchtower that once protected the coast from possible maritime incursions.

Finally, the day ends at the famous Cala en Turqueta, where the landscape changes once again. There, holm oak forests begin to appear, protecting the ravines that lead to the sea. Alongside the holm oaks, wild olive trees, which grow in the poorer, stony soils near the coast, mix with aladerns, mastic trees and asparagus, creating a mosaic of greenery that will accompany you along the route.

This stage has taken you into limestone Minorca, the youngest part of Minorca, geologically speaking, and the most popular for tourists. But you still have to cover the stretch that will take you to Cala Galdana.  

Day 4: Cala en Turqueta - Cala Galdana

On this fourth and last day of your route, you enter the most diverse stretch of the south coast of Minorca. There, the presence of ravines is more abundant than in the previous sections. These impressive vertical cuts will be your travelling companions and will offer you a wide variety of landscapes, alternating more arid areas with lush forests that, if you do the route in summer, will serve as a refuge from the heat.

You will pass through drier areas, where the vegetation struggles to survive, and then through shady and humid areas, sheltered from the wind, where the holm oak and wild olive forests come to life. There, it is not unusual to come across a Mediterranean tortoise, a species that has found its perfect home in the ravines of southern Minorca. Watch calmly, for these small inhabitants are a living testimony to the island's rich biodiversity.

Following the road, you reach one of the jewels of Minorca: Cala Macarelleta. This cove, together with its big sister, Cala Macarella, is one of the most photographed and admired on the island. Its crystal-clear waters, white sand and pine-covered cliffs that embrace the sea create an idyllic landscape, a dream corner in the heart of the Mediterranean. There you will notice the presence of dried posidonia on the shore, a marine plant endemic to the Mediterranean that plays a vital role in protecting the coast from erosion and is an indicator of excellent water quality.

Cala Macarella not only dazzles with its natural beauty, but also with its history. In the surrounding area, there is a group of artificial caves used as necropolis in the Talayotic period. This type of burial site was very common in Minorca's prehistoric times, and visiting these sites invites you to connect with the island's most ancient roots.

Continue along the paths that wind their way through the typical Mediterranean forest, moving eastwards until you reach the majestic Cala Galdana. This cove, located at the beginning of the municipality of Ferreries, is a natural spectacle: an enormous shell-shaped sandy area, surrounded by pine trees and protected by imposing cliffs. Its incomparable beauty and crystal clear shallow waters have made it one of the most popular family beaches. You will see that tourism has left its mark here, but the magic of the place remains intact.

At the end of the beach, the necropolis of Cala Galdana reminds you once again of the island's rich history. These artificial caves were originally burial places in the Talayotic period, although today they are used as dwellings for fishermen or holidaymakers. 

And after four days of walking the Camí de Cavalls, you will have reached the end of your adventure. You have walked through the most spectacular landscapes of Minorca, from the rugged rocks of the north to the soft beaches of the south, always with the sea as your faithful companion. Each step has brought you a little closer to the essence of this magical island, where nature, history and stillness combine to offer a unique experience.