A quiet white washed town, situated almost in the centre of Menorca and overshadowed to the east by Monte Torro, the island's highest 'mountain'. It was originally founded in the fourteenth century and is surrounded by some of the best agricultural land on the island. However although farming is still important to the town, it is now better known for the pastries and biscuits which are made locally and for the typically Menorquins sandal, abarcas. Visible on feet all over the island, the uppers are made of cow hide and the soles from recycled car tyres - guaranteed by the manufacturers for 50,000 km!
Find the cheapest late deals to Es Mercadal leaving in the next six weeks.
Es Mercadal hotels and apartments
Our hotels and apartments in Es Mercadal include Hostal Jeni.
More Menorca holiday destinations
Looking for holidays in Menorca? Our Menorca holiday destinations include Arenal D'en Castell, Binibeca, Binisafua, Cala 'n Blanes, Cala Alcaufar, Cala Blanca, Cala Canutells, Cala Galdana, Cala Santandria, Cala'n Bosch, Cala'n Forcat, Cala'n Porter, Ciudadela, Es Canutells, Es Castell, Es Mercadal, Punta Prima, S'algar, Sa Caleta, San Luis, Santo Tomas, Son Bou, Son Xoriguer and Trebaluger.
Beaches
Encircled by undulating countryside, Es Mercadal has no beaches, but a short drive north takes you to the windswept beach of Cala Tirant near Fornells or the captivating cove of Arenal d'en Castell.
Eating out
Evenings in Es Mercadal are delightfully low-key and mostly centred on quiet meals out. The town has a handful of excellent eateries, from white stucco tavernas serving traditional Menorcan dishes to lively bistros with international fare on the menu. Fornells, just to the north, is a charming fishing village with a trail of elegant waterside restaurants along its harbour – all of which serve the island's famous caldereta de langosta, a lip-smacking lobster dish.
Shopping
Although there are only a handful of shops to browse here, a wander down the crooked old main street, Carrer Major, is a pleasurable one, passing whitewashed houses with bottle-green shutters all the way down to the main square. Es Mercadal is known for its manufacture of abarcas, which are sandals made from recycled car tyres and sweet almond biscuits called amargas and carquinyols, so you're bound to come across somewhere selling these ideal souvenirs in town.
Transfer time
About 45 minutes to 1 hour.
Recommended
Luxury
