The lighthouses of Menorca by bicycle

Day 1: Punta Nati lighthouse

If there is one place in Menorca where you can see magnificent sunsets, it is undoubtedly the Punta Nati lighthouse. This watchtower is in Ciutadella, only six kilometres to the north of the municipal district and, in turn, at the western end of the island, precisely where the sun sets. Therefore, getting there is not a challenge, but rather the opposite: leaving from Ciutadella, it is a pleasant walk that takes no more than 30 minutes. 

The notorious wreckage of the steamship General Chanzy in the beginning of the 20th century led to the construction of the Punta Nati lighthouse, which has stood imposingly since 1913 in an arid, inhospitable landscape, a desert criss-crossed by infinite walls of dry stone and cattle huts built with the same traditional technique, declared Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2018. The straight walls and white limestone are interrupted by flocks of sheep, clumps of low vegetation and, in summer, flowering caper plants. In this area of Menorca you won't find any trees to shelter you from the sun. So, if you visit in summer, we recommend that you do so either early in the morning or late in the afternoon. And, of course, protect yourself with a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. Going to Punta Nati is like going to a desert of sharp rocks.  

As you arrive, you will see how the lighthouse, pristine white, emerges ghostly against a deep navy blue background. We have reached the north coast of Ciutadella. This is when you will realise what a good idea it was to cycle, as parking is extremely scarce. It is a 10-minute walk to the tower where you will be able to admire the two batteries from the Spanish Civil War, which visitors sit upon to enjoy the incredible sunsets that this unique spot has to offer.

Day 2: Cavalleria Lighthouse

This time we are going to visit another of the most beautiful lighthouses in Menorca in a sustainable way: the Cavalleria lighthouse. It is located in a protected natural area of immense beauty and great scenic value, to the north of the municipality of Es Mercadal, very close to spellbinding beaches like Cavalleria, Binimel-là and Pregonda. 

We'll set off from the village of Es Mercadal to embark on a 16-kilometre ride, which involves approximately one hour of cycling. We head northwest, taking the Camí de Tramuntana towards Cala Pregonda. The road that before us is flat, paved and easy. It crosses a landscape of cultivated fields, where herds of Minorcan (brown) and Friesian (black and white, the typical dairy cow) cows graze peacefully. It is an area of intensive agricultural production, especially cheese production. The farms (or llocs in Menorcan) along the route will sell you their local products. This green, beautiful agricultural environment owes its existence to the presence of numerous freshwater aquifers and small streams that flow through the fields, feeding the fertile soil.

After a pleasant walk through fields and farms, you will come to a turning on the right, clearly signposted as Far de Cavalleria. As you ride, you will leave the agricultural landscape behind enter a more wooded environment. Trees surround us and the road becomes more winding as we approach the imposing Cavalleria lighthouse. The arid terrain becomes evident as we approach the coast.

The Cavalleria lighthouse, witness to Menorca's maritime history, welcomes us with its majesty. Dating to 1857, it is located in a dangerous area for sailors, where more than 700 shipwrecks have been documented since the 14th century. The lighthouse keeper's old house now houses an visitor centre that shows the peculiarities of the area's landscape and details about the lighthouse. Outside, guided routes with verses by well-known poets have been set up and classical music concerts are frequently held.

Day 3: Lighthouse of Artrutx

Our starting point is Ciutadella again, this time to visit the Artrutx lighthouse, a journey of approximately 10 kilometres that will take us approximately 45 minutes on foot.

The route sets off along the quiet Camino de s'Hort de Ses Taronges, from Ciutadella's Ronda Sur. It is a tarmac road, flat and easy to ride on, surrounded by small private orchards and lush fields of fruit trees. There is little traffic on the road, the atmosphere is quiet and the scenery is rural and picturesque, characterised by typical dry stone walls invaded by local vegetation, such as brush and blackberry bushes. The rural atmosphere surrounds us as we make our way through the fields, enjoying the fresh scent and tranquillity of the landscape.

After a few kilometres, we come to the ME-24, an paved road that connects Ciutadella with other towns on the island. This road is very busy, so take care and wear high-visibility clothing for your safety on the road.

Continue your journey along the ME-24, sharing the road with other vehicles as you head towards the Artrutx lighthouse. Despite the traffic, you will still enjoy the wonderful agricultural landscape and flocks of sheep grazing peacefully in the sunshine. 

After a few more kilometres of cycling along the road, you will see some signs to go to the Cap d'Artrutx housing estate and Miradores. Although you could carry straight on, we suggest you turn right to the seafront promenade enjoy the quieter seaside route, with less traffic. Cycle along the cliffs and admire the beautiful apartments on the seafront until you reach the Artrutx lighthouse. 

Once you get to the lighthouse, take time to admire its beauty and treat yourself to a well-deserved rest. The landscape invites us to reflect on the grandeur of the sea and the region's maritime history. It was inaugurated in 1859 and the lighthouse keeper's house is now a restaurant. An underwater cave in the vicinity caused tremors in the building, even breaking some of the glass in the lantern. That's why they added buttresses to the tower, giving it its current appearance, unique among the lighthouses of the Balearic Islands.

In addition, the lighthouse keeper's former home now houses a bar-restaurant. It is the perfect place to enjoy a moment of tranquillity and the sea breeze before heading back to Ciutadella!

Day 4: Favàritx lighthouse

Today we will take the Camí de Cavalls to cycle the longest and most demanding route of our cycling tour of the lighthouses of Menorca. It is a challenge, but well worth it. We will visit the symbolic Favàritx lighthouse, passing through the Parc Natural de l'Albufera des Grau, the core of the Biosphere Reserve. Plan a couple of hours of cycling on the way there and a couple of hours on the way back. 

Set off from Maó on the route to the Favàritx lighthouse on the north coast of Menorca. This journey is around 20 kilometres each way and will take you through breathtaking scenery and along picturesque trails.

An paved road runs six kilometres from the port of Maó to the small village of Sa Mesquida. Continue to the car park of Cala Mesquida beach, a family beach with clear waters. It also houses a defence tower built during British rule in the 18th century and the rock of Es Pa Gros, an impressive cliff almost seventy metres high.

From Cala Mesquida, you follow a path along the coast, with some difficult stretches as we discover hidden rocky coves. The route takes you to the Macar de Binillautí and, momentarily, you leave the sea behind to enter the Parc Natural de l'Albufera des Grau. This protected area is the heart of the Biosphere Reserve, of very high environmental value and a habitat for numerous species of native and migratory birds. 

Continue to the picturesque white village of Es Grau, reminiscent of the Costa Brava. The path continues to the long beach of Es Grau and then to the secluded Cala des Tamarells. We enjoy the panoramic view with the Illa d'en Colom in front of us and the Torre de Rambla on the north side.

The next few kilometres run through inland stretches and unspoilt coves such as Cala en Cavaller or Cala Morella Nou. Finally, you will reach Cala Tortuga and Cala Presili, two beautiful coves with crystal-clear sea and white sand, rather quiet, which offer impressive views of the Favàritx lighthouse.

The Camí de Cavalls leads back to the access road to the lighthouse. At the end of the road, the landscape is dominated by the black rock of Cap de Favàritx and its lighthouse. In fact, it is the only one we recommend you visit on grey, stormy sea days, due to the spectacular beauty of its steep, dark and rugged landscape. In combination with the grey overcast sky and the white foam of the rough sea, they give it a lunar and extraterrestrial appearance.

Like Punta Nati, this lighthouse was built because of the many shipwrecks in the area, and was inaugurated in 1922. Visiting by bicycle is the best option, as access by private vehicle is prohibited in the summer months. 

Day 5: Ciutadella Lighthouse

The last stage of the route will take you from Ciutadella to the Ciutadella Lighthouse, an easy route of barely 2.5 kilometres that will allow you to enjoy the charms of this Minorcan city without leaving it. This tower warns of the proximity of land just at the entrance to the port of Ciutadella. 

Go down Carrer del Portal de Mar, where there are small craft stalls that add a picturesque touch to the promenade at sunset. Go around the oldest part of the port of Ciutadella, with its small traditional Minorcan boats moored in the harbour, as the aromas of the local cuisine emanating from the numerous seafood restaurants and fishermen's taverns whet your appetite. 

Cross the bridge and tackle a small challenge: climbing the slope towards the Dalt Sa Quintana neighbourhood. Once past this point, follow the road towards Camí de Sa Farola, where you can relax on a pretty path lined with pine trees and with the sea always in the background.

Finally, arrive at the Ciutadella Lighthouse, located next to some bathing platforms that are very popular among Ciutadella residents for their beauty, proximity and the cleanliness of their waters, despite being close to the port. This tower was inaugurated in 1863 and was one of the first to be supplied with electricity in 1918. From the steep rocks that surround it, you can contemplate a matchless view of the Passeig de Sant Nicolau, the outer harbour and the outline of the neighbouring island of Mallorca.

There is a spectacular view of the Mediterranean Sea and the city's picturesque harbour. It is the perfect place to relax and contemplate the beauty of Menorca after a pleasant cycling route.

Two more lighthouses

There are two lighthouses we still haven't visited. The first is perhaps the least lighthouse-like of the route, yet there is an interesting story behind it. It stands at the mouth of the port of Maó, one of the longest natural harbours in Europe. It was the oldest in Menorca, inaugurated in 1852. However, its position, very close to a coastal military battery, led to protests from the armed forces, as the beams of light hindered shooting practice; and also from the lighthouse keepers, who were frightened by the bullets that sometimes even entered the lighthouse premises, endangering their lives and those of their families. Therefore, in 1912, the lighthouse was shut down and replaced by a  mobile beacon. The building was demolished in 1917. Part of the demolished material was used to build the Favàritx lighthouse.

And finally, the Illa de l'Aire lighthouse. It is the only lighthouse in Menorca on an islet, just opposite Punta Prima beach, in the municipality of Sant Lluís. It was inaugurated in 1860 and, at 35.3 metres, was the tallest tower on the Balearic Islands until the construction of the Moscarter lighthouse in Eivissa in 1977. At present, access to the Illa de l'Aire is not permitted in order to protect the high ecological value of the environment, which is home to an abundant colony of an endemic subspecies of Balearic lizard.