Nure Cel Blau

About Nure Cel Blau

Nure Cel Blau suits travellers who want a simple base in western Menorca without paying for extras they will not use. The one-star rating means the accommodation is basic but functional: rooms have air conditioning, a fan and a TV, and each comes with a kitchen or kitchenette, a refrigerator, a microwave and a toaster for self-catering. The outdoor pool and solarium give a place to cool off after a day on the coast.

The hotel is in the Cala en Bosc area, a short drive from Ciutadella and the south-coast coves. It is not beachfront, but the nearest beaches are within a few kilometres by car or taxi. Free parking and free WiFi are included. The property has family rooms and can provide a cot on request.

Location: Ciutadella de Menorca

Nure Cel Blau is in the urbanisation of Cala en Bosc, on the Tramuntana road west of Ciutadella. This is a residential area with a mix of holiday homes and small hotels, quieter than the main resort strips. Ciutadella is 8.6 km away as the crow flies; the old town, with its cathedral, palaces and narrow port, is a short drive or taxi ride. The south-coast coves such as Cala Turqueta (7.6 km) and Cala Macarella (9.8 km) are also within easy reach by car.

In high summer, the roads to the popular coves fill early, and parking can be tight. A hire car is the most practical way to explore. In the shoulder months of May, June, September and October, the area is much quieter, and the hotel is a good base for walking the nearby sections of the Camí de Cavalls. The hotel has a garden and a picnic area, so guests can eat outdoors when the weather is fine.

Rooms and facilities

The rooms at Nure Cel Blau are listed with air conditioning, a fan, a hairdryer, a safe and a TV. Each has a kitchen or kitchenette equipped with a refrigerator, a microwave and a toaster, which allows guests to prepare their own meals. The hotel offers family rooms, and a cot can be provided. The property is wheelchair accessible, and non-smoking rooms are available.

Guests arriving late should confirm check-in arrangements with the hotel directly, as the reception may not be staffed around the clock. The rooms have a terrace or access to the garden, and free WiFi is available throughout. The hotel provides a laundry service and car rental can be arranged on site.

Getting there

Menorca Airport (MAH) is about 34.4 km straight line from Nure Cel Blau. A taxi from the airport takes roughly 30-40 minutes, depending on traffic. A hire car is the most flexible option for exploring the island, and the hotel has free parking. Buses from the airport run to Maó and, in summer, to the resorts; from Maó you would need to change to a bus towards Ciutadella and then get a taxi or local bus to Cala en Bosc. Check the island bus operator for current timetables.

If arriving by ferry, Ciutadella port is about 8.6 km away, and Maó port is about 37.8 km away. Ferries from Barcelona and Alcúdia (Mallorca) dock at Ciutadella; from Palma they dock at Maó. A taxi or hire car from either port will get you to the hotel. Flights and ferries are fewer in winter, so check schedules if travelling outside the main season.

Beaches, sights and food nearby

The closest named beach is Cala Turqueta, 7.6 km away, a white-sand cove set among pines on the south coast. Cala Macarella, 9.8 km away, is another classic Menorcan cove with turquoise water. Both are popular; arrive early or use the seasonal bus from Ciutadella. Cala Galdana, 11.5 km away, has a larger beach with facilities. Son Bou, 21.8 km away, is the longest beach on the island, with dunes and a wetland behind it.

Ciutadella old town, 8.5 km away, is worth a visit at dusk when the streets and port are lit. The Naveta des Tudons, a prehistoric boat-shaped tomb, is a short drive north of Ciutadella. The Camí de Cavalls passes near the hotel; walkers can pick up a stage along the south coast. For food, look for Mahón-Menorca cheese, sobrasada and caldereta de llagosta (lobster stew) in the restaurants of Ciutadella and Fornells.

A day from Nure Cel Blau

Start the morning with breakfast in the room, using the kitchenette, then drive to Cala Turqueta (7.6 km). Arrive early to find parking before the cove fills. Swim in the clear water and walk along the sand. From there, take the short drive to Cala Macarella (9.8 km) for a second swim or a picnic on the rocks. The Camí de Cavalls links the two coves if you prefer to walk.

In the afternoon, head into Ciutadella (8.6 km) for a walk through the old town. See the cathedral and the palaces around the Plaça des Born. Find a café in the narrow streets near the port. Return to the hotel for a swim in the outdoor pool before dinner. In the evening, drive back to Ciutadella for a meal at a restaurant near the port, watching the sunset over the water.

Practical tips

Much of Menorca's tourism business closes roughly from November to April; check with Nure Cel Blau whether it is open during your travel dates. July and August are the busiest months, with higher prices and crowded coves. The Balearic sustainable tourism tax (the ecotasa) is charged per person per night by the accommodation; the rate depends on the season and the type of accommodation, is reduced for longer stays, and children under 16 are exempt. Check the current rate on the Govern de les Illes Balears website.

Questions about Nure Cel Blau