Castell de Sant Nicolau and the Ciutadella Obelisk Walk

The castle marks Ciutadella harbour’s entrance, while the Obelisk stands in Plaça des Born, within the traditional town centre. Together, they connect the seafront with one of the city’s central squares. The castle’s full address is Plaça de l'Almirall Farragut, s/n, 07760 Ciutadella de Menorca.

The Obelisk is also known as the Obelisc des Born. Ciutadella’s protected-elements catalogue identifies it as part of a protected monument ensemble. The two sites offer a compact way to see contrasting parts of the city: a harbour defence tower by the coast and a commemorative monument in the town centre.

You can plan the walk as a simple link between Plaça des Born and the castle at the harbour entrance. The landmarks sit in different settings—the Obelisk in the traditional centre and the tower beside the coast—so the route connects the square with the seafront.

Start at the Obelisk if you are already in Plaça des Born, then continue toward the harbour entrance and Castell de Sant Nicolau. Alternatively, visit the castle during its public opening hours and finish at the square.

If you are planning a broader town visit, the one-day Ciutadella itinerary from the hotel area brings the landmarks into a wider day plan.

Castell de Sant Nicolau is a harbour-defence tower built at the end of the 17th century to protect Ciutadella harbour and nearby coves and prevent enemy ships from landing. Its name comes from a nearby oratory dedicated to Saint Nicholas; the oratory was demolished in 1799.

The tower is owned by Ciutadella Town Council, and Talaia Cultura S.L. manages public opening. Talaia Cultura gives the regular opening pattern as May through October. Admission is free. Opening schedules can change, so check the official site before you go.

Opening hours

• Tuesday to Saturday: 16:00–20:00
• Monday and Sunday: closed

Last checked November 2026. Hours can change on holidays and for special events.

For context on another historic site in town, what to know about visiting Teatre des Born can fit into the same Ciutadella outing.

The Obelisk in Plaça des Born is a 19th-century monument commemorating Ciutadella’s resistance and defeat during the Turkish attack of 1558. Its position in the square places that history within the traditional town centre, in contrast with the castle’s defensive role at the harbour entrance.

The municipal protected-elements catalogue names the monument Obelisc des Born and identifies the whole ensemble as protected. Take in the setting as well as the monument: the square is the landmark’s defining location.

The castle’s regular public opening is seasonal, while the Obelisk is identified as a monument in a public square. The confirmed visitor schedule in these details is for the castle; no parking arrangements are established here, so don’t assume there is dedicated parking beside either landmark.

For the castle, plan around the May-to-October opening pattern and its Tuesday-to-Saturday afternoon hours. Talaia Cultura S.L. manages public access. Check the official site before you go for current opening details. The Obelisk’s setting in Plaça des Born makes it a natural point to include while walking through the town centre.