Santa Rosalia

About Santa Rosalia

Santa Rosalia suits travellers who want a base in Ciutadella, the old capital of Menorca, with the independence of a kitchen or kitchenette. The hotel is not rated and has no guest score listed. It is a straightforward accommodation for those who prefer to cook some meals and explore the west of the island on their own schedule.

The stay is a self-catering one in a hotel that lists a full set of kitchen equipment, a washing machine and a dishwasher. The property is not beachfront; Ciutadella's port and old town are 0.4 km away. It works for couples or small families who want a quiet street address and the option to eat in.

Location: Ciutadella

Ciutadella sits on the west coast of Menorca and was the island's capital until the 18th century. Its old town has a cathedral, narrow streets with palaces, and a port that faces west for sunsets. Santa Rosalia is on a street called Santa Rosalia, 0.4 km straight line from the centre. The hotel is inside the town, so restaurants, shops and the port are walkable.

In high summer Ciutadella is busy with visitors, especially around the port and the main square. In the shoulder months of May, June, September and October the town is quieter but most services stay open. A car is useful for reaching the southern coves such as Cala Turqueta, 9.9 km straight line, or Cala Galdana, 12.6 km straight line. The Naveta des Tudons, 4.6 km straight line, is a short drive east.

Rooms and facilities

The hotel lists facilities that include air conditioning, a fan, a safe, free WiFi, a TV and a telephone. Each unit has a kitchen or kitchenette with a refrigerator, microwave, oven, toaster, dishwasher and coffee-making equipment. A washing machine, iron and board, hairdryer and toiletries are also listed. The accommodation is non-smoking.

For families, the kitchen and washing machine make longer stays practical. The listed fireplace and patio or terrace suggest some units have outdoor space. There is parking listed, which is useful in Ciutadella where street parking can be limited. Guests arriving late should confirm the check-in procedure with the property directly.

Getting there

Menorca Airport (MAH) is 36 km straight line from Santa Rosalia. A taxi takes about 30 minutes by road. Buses run from the airport to Maó and, in summer, to Ciutadella, but the service is seasonal and less frequent outside July and August. A hire car collected at the airport gives flexibility for the whole stay.

The ferry port at Maó is 38.4 km straight line; ferries from Barcelona and Palma arrive there. Ciutadella also has a ferry port with routes to Alcúdia on Mallorca and to Barcelona in season. From Maó port, a taxi or a hire car is the easiest way to Santa Rosalia. In winter, flights and ferries are fewer, so check schedules before travelling.

Beaches, sights and food nearby

Ciutadella old town at dusk is 0.5 km straight line, an easy walk for the evening passeig along the port. The Naveta des Tudons, 4.6 km straight line, is a prehistoric tomb shaped like an upturned boat, one of the best-preserved navetes on the island. Cala Turqueta, 9.9 km straight line, is a white-sand cove on the south coast with pine trees to the water's edge.

Menorcan food includes Mahón-Menorca cheese, a protected designation of origin, and caldereta de llagosta, a lobster stew from Fornells on the north coast. Ciutadella has markets and shops for local produce. For the southern coves, arrive early in summer or take the bus, as car parks fill quickly. The Camí de Cavalls, the coastal path, passes near several of these beaches.

A day from Santa Rosalia

Start the morning at Santa Rosalia with breakfast in the kitchen. Walk the 0.5 km to Ciutadella old town to see the cathedral and the port. Drive east to the Naveta des Tudons, 4.6 km straight line, for a short visit to the prehistoric tomb. Then continue to Es Mercadal, 21.7 km straight line, at the foot of Monte Toro, the highest point on Menorca at about 358 m, for views of both coasts.

In the afternoon, drive south to Cala Turqueta, 9.9 km straight line, for a swim and a picnic on the sand. Return to Ciutadella in the evening for a walk along the port at sunset. The old town is lively in summer with people sitting out at cafés. Dinner can be from the kitchen or from a takeaway, given the hotel's self-catering facilities.

Practical tips

Much of Menorca's tourism business closes roughly from November to April; check Santa Rosalia's opening dates before booking. July and August are the peak months, with higher demand and warmer sea temperatures around 25-26 °C in August. The Balearic sustainable tourism tax, the ecotasa, is charged per person per night by Santa Rosalia; the rate depends on the season and accommodation type, is reduced in low season and for longer stays, and children under 16 are exempt. Check the current rates with the Govern de les Illes Balears.

Questions about Santa Rosalia