Es Mercadel Holidays

Travel Agent's View

The town is best suited to those seeking a quite holiday in a rural setting.

Es Mercadel is situated in the centre of the island and lays at the foot of Mount Toro. The town is best suited to those seeking a quite holiday in a rural setting.

The town has a selection of bars and fine restaurants but for those seeking a greater variety the capital of Mahon is approx a 30 minute drive.

The airport is approx 18 km away.

Insider's View

by Georgina Bromwich

Menorca Insider

...even if you hadn't planned to come here you'll certainly end up passing through.

Es Mercadal is home to dozens of restaurants, a quantity that its totally disproportionate to the size of its population.

The geographical and spiritual centre of the island, Es Mercadal's something of a crossroads on Menorca - even if you hadn't planned to come here you'll certainly end up passing through. It's a tiny town of 5,000-odd residents, it's not at all touristy, and being in the centre, it's a great base for exploring beaches on both the north and south coast.

Es Mercadal's most obvious landmark is Monte Toro, Menorca's highest point and home to a church and a few nuns. From the top, the views are spectacular - but on a windy day it's wise to take refuge in the café as the flower shaped biscuits there (known as pastissets) are particularly tasty.

Shopping might be limited in town - I prefer the Thursday evening craft market - but when it comes to eating out, Es Mercadal is home to dozens of restaurants, a quantity that its totally disproportionate to the size of its population. It's hard to know where to recommend, as they all offer a great meal for exceptional value. For typical island recipes, the Menorcan cooking at Es Molí is excellent - the fact that the restaurant is set in a windmill gives it some novelty value too. Then in the centre of town, Las Vegas and Jeni both serve filling set menus at lunchtime, while carnivores will be happy at Ca n'Olga. A sugar fix is also guaranteed in Es Mercadal, with Cas Sucrer bakery an essential stop off for coffee and pastries.

It might be small, but much of Es Mercadal's character lies in the fact that it's almost impossible to make sense of the narrow streets that weave between the church and the town hall. In a place where the door is usually left on the latch, your exploring is certain to get net curtains twitching. Insider Sig