Ciutadella, Menorca's Tranquil Island Town

The next day I wanted to explore a different part of the island. Ciutadella is a port city on the west coast of Menorca. There's a bus that takes you directly from Mahon station to Plaça de la Pau.

When I first arrived at the station, I walked from the town center until I reached the waterfront. There are many restaurants that line the waterfront and even the upscale places have a laid-back vibe.

For lunch, I stopped at Cafe Balear. I researched alittle ahead of time, and apparently the restaurant has its own boat, the Rosa Santa Primera, which helps supply fresh fish and seafood for paellas, stews and more. Since, it was low season, I snag an alfresco seat along the harbor’s quay. With a craving for seafood, I ordered the steamed clams.

After lunch, I continued along the waterfront, stopping in a small Check out Son Finestra. The boutique is the personal project of a Catalan painter based in Menorca. They sell garments made with excellent linens in simple and exquisite patterns that last a lifetime. The orginal boutique is in Majon, but she opened a second small one in Ciutadella.

I turned onto a narrow street and found myself walking down a private road, where I stumbled into a beautiful gated property, Faustino Gran Hotel. This five star property inhabits a sprawling 16th-century merchant’s palace in the city’s historic centre. The property has overseen a contemporary reimagining of the space, and what now offers a beautifully kep garden, a pool, and an outdoor restaurant.

I continued on my walk through the old town. The buildings have a pastel colour palette - tangerine, banana, peach - and shaded by palm trees. The narrow streets are filled with sleepy old leather shops, tapas bars and tabacerias, and the windows are shielded from the sun by handmade crochet curtains.

I walked into Papillon, a boutique specializing in homeware and lighting, and Santara for textiles.

The whole island radiates a calm, relaxed energy, and there are constant reminders of this.

One of my favourite discoveries in Ciutadella was Cafe Central, a newly designed space serving as both a cafe and boutique. I was visiting early in the season so they were just setting up the cafe. The entrance to the boutique space is through a Spanish arched doorway, with terra cotta tiles. The boutique's selection consisted of artisanal designs from local designers, such as straw hats, linen dresses, and crochet sets.

I then walked past the Cathedral Basilica of Ciutadella, a wonderful building full of charm and religious tranquillity.

Mercat Municipal is located in the heart of the old town, on Plaza de la Libertad square. It is one of Menorca's most charming markets. The small square with its arcades has a central kiosk with fresh fish, surrounded by small stands under its arcades, offering the best of twhat Menorca has to offer.

Last stop before heading back to Mahon is for gelato at Can Padet.

When I arrived back in Mahon, it was dinner time. I went to El Rais, one of Daniel's recommendations. I had prawn carpaccio and grilled lomo. I was also craving some greens, and the kitchen brought me a salad to go with the meal.

Tip: Cala Turqueta is another one of Menorca's beautiful white sand beaches with crystal clear water. It's about a 20 minute drive from Ciutadella, so whether you are staying in the city or just making a day trip, it's worth stopping at when you're nearby.

Other spots in Ciutedella:

• Tembo

• Aglaya Boutique

• Galeria de Arte Pedrin

• The Room

• AJUAR

• Ivette Beach Club Cala Morell

• Cova Sa Nacra