Castillo de San Felipe

Castillo de San Felipe is a former fortress near Es Castell, built to defend Mahon’s port. Much of the structure is now in ruins, but a guided visit reveals its scale above ground and leads into a network of underground galleries, dug over several centuries by Spanish and British forces. Tours explain the site’s role in Menorca’s history and can cater to multiple languages. Book ahead to see the tunnels, and check the official website for current visiting arrangements before setting out.

A fortress guarding Mahon’s port

Castillo de San Felipe stands near the entrance to Mahon’s port, close to Es Castell. Its purpose was defence: it was built to protect the port and became one of Europe’s largest fortresses under British control.

The site replaced an earlier fort, built in the sixteenth century during the reign of Philip II. That fort was demolished in the eighteenth century on the orders of Charles III, who believed that removing it would make the British less interested in taking Menorca. What visitors see today is a partly ruined complex, with enough remains to give a sense of its former size and strength.

The galleries below ground

The most distinctive part of the visit is the underground network. Spanish and British forces dug the galleries on different levels over three centuries. They form a maze beneath the remains of the fortress, and much of the underground structure has survived heavy bombing.

A guided tour covers both the above-ground areas and the tunnels. The guide explains the history of the site as you move through it, helping connect the visible remains with the larger fortification that once stood here. Tours can be conducted for visitors speaking different languages.