Lazareto Island Guided Tour from Menorca

La Isla del Lazareto is a silent testimony to Menorca's medical and maritime history. Built in 1793 as a quarantine station to prevent the spread of diseases among sailors, the lazaretto evolved over time to become a residence for medical personnel and finally a cultural space.

Today, this protected enclave - declared an Asset of Cultural Interest in 1993 - opens its doors for visitors to understand its legacy through a guided narration.

The excursion begins at the Cales Fonts dock (Es Castell), from where you embark towards the island. Upon arrival, the live guide (in Spanish or English) leads the tour, explaining every nook and cranny: from the original quarantine facilities, to the staff quarters, to the functional changes it underwent over more than two centuries. The architecture, perfectly preserved in many places, reveals the sanitary and logistical priorities of bygone eras.

You will walk along paths and through buildings that weave together stories of isolation, hope and adaptation. You will learn why the lazaretto was key to protecting the island population, how health protocols worked in times when epidemics could decimate entire communities, and how the site was transformed over the years into a centre of civilian life and then a space of memory and events.

In addition to the historical narrative, the panoramic views from different points on the island provide a sensory experience: the sea, the Mediterranean light and the natural surroundings complement the cultural content, making the visit a combination of learning and contemplation.