Lithica Quarry Menorca: Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting

Visiting a former quarry might seem like an unusual thing to do when visiting Menorca; however, the Lithica Quarry needs to be at the top of your things to do on the island. This is an incredibly interesting and unique spot, so here is why you should visit and everything you need to know before making the trip!

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What is Lithica Quarry?

Lithica Pedreres de s’Hostal was responsible for providing the marés stone that was used as the building blocks for many of the buildings in Western Menorca, from churches, schools, fortresses and towns. Production from Lithica Quarry ceased in 1994, and it was intended just to be left as a scar on the landscape. However, Laetitia Sauleau Lara and a non-profit private foundation stepped in and campaigned to avoid the abandonment.

Instead, it was turned into a cultural and unique heritage space. The huge cavern that was carved from the removal of stone became the perfect place for gardens, mazes and an interesting insight into an important part of Menorca’s history. In the summer, there is a programme of concerts, art installations, operas, theatres and even a film festival.

Where is Lithica Quarry?

Tucked away on the sun-drenched western edge of Menorca, Lithica Quarry (locally known as Pedreres de s’Hostal). It is approximately 3 KM from the former capital of Menorca, Ciutadella. The quarry is situated in a rural area of the island where the landscape changes from Mediterranean scrub to the dramatic, honey-hued marès stone that has defined Menorcan architecture for centuries.

How to get to Lithica Quarry

If you have your own car (and I recommend hiring one to see the best of Menorca), it is about a 10-minute drive from Ciutadella. The quarry is clearly signposted off the roundabout from the Me-1 road. There is a car park on site, with an overflow section if it gets full.

There are no public buses to the area. (Guide to hiring a car in Menorca is here)

Planning your Visit

Here is some helpful information to help you plan your visit to Lithica Quarry.

Opening Times

The opening hours for Lithica Quarry vary by day of the week and by season.
In the summer season (April – October), it is open Monday to Saturday from 9 am until sunset.
On Sundays and in the winter season (November – March), opening hours are from 9 am to 2 pm.
It is completely closed in January.
There are also some special closures, such as on Christmas Day, so for peace of mind, do check their website before visiting.

Ticket prices

The cost for a ticket for an adult is 10€.
There are reduced tickets at 7€ for: Seniors (+65), Registered in Menorca (accreditation for access), Functional diversity (accreditation for access) and groups of 12 people.
Children under 15 are free with a family.
There is also a 20€ annual pass.

The Best Time To Visit

If you are visiting in summer, it can get very hot. The quarry is exposed, and there is limited shade, particularly in the maze. Try to visit first thing in the morning or later in the afternoon, before dusk, for slightly cooler temperatures.

What to see at Lithica Quarry

There are three routes you can take that are signposted, albeit not that clearly, around the site. Along the way, there are some specific spots to stop at.

The Medieval Quarries (The Labyrinth)

This is the most iconic part, and what you will most likely think of when you think of Lithica Quarry. It’s the deep, hand-cut section that looks like a maze. As you enter the site, there is a photo opportunity from above which should not be missed. Towards the end of the tour, you then get the chance to wander around the geometric maze that is created in the middle.

The Modern Geometric Quarries

Unlike the hand-cut areas, this area is a legacy of the mechanical era, where huge circular saws carved out the marès stone from the 1960s until 1994, leaving behind perfectly smooth, 25-meter vertical walls that look like they belong in a Cubist painting.

Because the acoustics here are so incredible, it doubles as a natural amphitheatre for the Fosquets de Lithica summer festival. Even if you aren’t catching a sunset concert, it is easily the most impressive spot for photos. The sheer scale of the geometric “rooms” is incredible.

The Botanical Garden and “The Orchard”

After the stone extraction stopped, this allowed nature to once again thrive in the area. These sections are now filled with native Menorcan flora, lemon trees, and medicinal herbs, offering a green contrast to the orange stone.

The Labyrinth of Orchards

Often confused with the stone maze, however, this is actually a separate labyrinth made of greenery. It’s a great spot for photos and a more “zen” experience. It is made entirely from greenery and aromatic plants, and feels like a secret Mediterranean garden hidden away from the heat. It’s a great place for getting photos!

The Totem and Sculptural Features

Throughout the site, look out for the totems. These are actually tall, slender pillars of stone that the quarrymen intentionally left behind to show the original height of the ground before the excavation began.

The Medieval Garden (The Secret Garden)

One of my favourite parts of Lithica Quarry! This area is designed to mimic the cloister gardens of the Middle Ages, and is created like a room among the towering high walls of the quarry. You enter it through a crack in the rock face, and it is truly spectacular when you walk through. Inside is a very peaceful and beautiful moment.

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