Planning a day trip or stay in Es Mercadal? Our guide's got you covered!

In days of old, Es Mercadal marked the half-way point for British troops travelling west from the new capital of Menorca to the old.

Although not technically in the geographic centre of the island, Es Mercadal's fortuitous position between Mahón and Ciutadella and beside the Cami d'en Kane was central to its development as one of the main inland towns of the small Balearic island.

Today, the pretty little whitewash town remains a central crossroads to locals and travellers navigating their way from east to west, north to south. The Me-1 road, the main highway in Menorca and one which you must drive toward and along to get pretty much anywhere, skirts past it, and anybody with a rental car will become quite used to passing Es Mercadal and its iconic windmill.

Due to the nature of the roads and transport in Menorca, this actually makes Es Mercadal one of the most convenient locations from which you can explore all sections of the coastline on day trips with public transport or your own hire car. At the foot of Monte Toro, the highest point in Menorca, it's also a popular day trip destination for foodies and those looking for a slice of local life away from the coast.

However, this pro of being in the interior is also outweighed by quite a big con for any visitors making their accommodation choice: Es Mercadal is nowhere near the sea.

In this guide, we've shared the best things to do in Es Mercadal if you're only visiting for the day, plus lots of tips and recommendations for those of you who may be considering it as your accommodation base in Menorca.

es mercadal essentials

// Located in the centre of the island
// Good base for sight-seeing
// Inland so no beach nearby
// Famous for the traditional Menorcan pastry, ensaïmadas

Things to Do in Es Mercadal

Eat An Ensaïmada

Wherever you're coming from, arrive here with an empty stomach and a sweet tooth.

If you're already in Menorca, then you may have seen lots of locals carrying large hexagonal or octagonal boxes tied in various colours of ribbon: this is the ensaïmada.

A native treat of the Balearic Islands, it's a large spiral wheel of dense pastry that locals buy whole and then breakfast or snack on throughout the week. They come plain or stuffed in all manner of sweet or savoury flavours: chocolate, dulce de leche, cream, cabello de angel (pumpkin strands cooked in sugar), sobrasada, or cheese.

You can't leave Menorca without trying it, and you can't leave Es Mercadal without eating some fine ensaïmada examples.

In the Plaça Constitució, the heart of the town, start the day with a strong coffee and your pastry from Cas Sucrer (maps). The busy little cafe has chairs and tables outside, perfect to indulge in some people-watching in the morning sunshine.

Don't fill up though.

A few doors down on Carrer del General Albertí, you'll find Can Pons (maps), a family-run artisanal baker and winner of the Campeonato Mundial de Ensaimadas (who knew?). The perpetual queue out the door is a sign of their popularity with islanders who come to Es Mercadal solely to take home a few orange and white boxes of the best ensaïmadas in the world, and they have a huge variety of traditional and non-traditional fillings to choose from.

If you haven’t got a big sweet tooth or an appetite, then consider sharing a piece as they’re really quite rich.

Good To Know // A key ingredient in ensaïmadas is lard (pork fat). Vegetarians and vegans will have to ask for a non-traditional ensaïmada, which may not always be available - we were unfortunately not aware of this before we scoffed down several pieces...

Visit Monte Toro

The highest peak in Menorca, it could also justifiably be labelled as the only peak in Menorca given the lack of competition. Relatively diminutive in size at 358 metres (1,175 ft) above sea level, it's really more of a hill, but Monte Toro is undoubtedly the go-to place for a panoramic vista over the island.

From its open-air balcony, the countryside and the coastline unfold beneath and into the Balearic Sea, with the colours changing from a spring green to the dry browns and golds after long, hot summer; it is the best view of Menorca.

It rises on the outskirts of Es Mercadal, and you've got to pass through or start in town in order to access the views as well as the small cafe and chapel.

We've shared everything you need to know before visiting, including advice on driving or walking to Monte Toro from Es Mercadal in this post: How To Visit Monte Toro.

Wander The Centro Historico

Es Mercadal really is quite small - the population is about 5,000 - and you could slowly explore the collection of pretty whitewash streets thrice-over within an hour.

Most of the action takes place in and around Plaça Constitució, Carrer Nou has a few shops, banks, and boutiques, and Carrer Major is the most photogenic. You should also stop by
Església de Sant Martí. If you keep your eyes open, you may see a few workshops where the traditional Menorcan wooden gates are made.

We've explained the British military's occupation and influence on Menorca across various articles in our guide series (including 23 Things To Know Before You Visit Menorca).

An interesting relic of this in Es Mercadal is the 'El Aljibe' (The Cistern), a large water tank built in 1735 at the behest of Governor Richard Kane in order to catch rain and resupply troops at the half-way point of the island as well as the local population. The capacity is around 273,000 litres, and it's actually still in use!

Unfortunately, when we visited it was undergoing reconstructive maintenance, so we could only spy it from the bottom of the stairs - please do let us know when it's back open for visitors! Find it here on Google Maps.

Cunning linguists amongst you may have noticed that the word for ‘cistern’ doesn't seem particularly British or Spanish? That's because it's one of the many Arabic influences left over from various periods of North African and Islamic occupation in Spain and the Balearics (Ciutadella was a calpihate in the 10th century). Aljibe stems from the classic Arabic word for a cistern or well, and the use and compression of the 'al' from Arabic in a single Spanish word is replicated in all manner of common items i.e. albahaca (basil) and almohada (pillow).

Top tip | On Thursdays and Saturdays in July & August, there is a free guided tour around the town. Pre-registration necessary (contact ituristicaesmercadal@gmail.com) but we're not certain if it's in English.

Lunch At the iconic Restaurant es Molí d'es Racó

We had such fond (quite drunken memories) of eating at a restaurant inside a windmill from our first trip to Menorca, that we made a point of seeking it out on our second visit.

Sort of like a hungry Don Quixote in a battered Fiat Panda.

Molí d'es Racó is an institution in Menorca, and regularly packed out for lunch and dinner. The setting, reputation, and the atmosphere is what makes it so special, with the food actually being a bit hit and miss in our experience. It is however a memorable, non-generic option with lots of traditional plates and flavours on the men.

This is one of the most popular places to eat on the island for tourists and locals alike; for lunch in high season, a reservation is highly recommended unless you arrive as soon as it opens (there will be queues out the door otherwise).

Es Meradal does however have a really good gastronomic offering, so you'll have good options if it's full or you'd rather go somewhere a little less busy.

Sol32 (maps) is a quaint relatively hidden away bistro with a French leaning menu at surprisingly good value, whilst Restaurante Tast and Restaurante Ca N'Olga are also highly-rated.

Where + When // es Molí d'es Racó is open all week from 12.30pm - 11.30pm. Find it here on Google Maps - and you can easily park for free in the large car park outside the restaurant.

Go North. Or South. Or East. Or West!

Due to its central location and the Me-1 road passing right by it, Es Mercadal is very well-connected to all sides of Menorca.

By bus, you'll always be able to find a direct line or straightforward transfer to most places of interest. If you've got a hire car in Menorca, you'll be in the best spot to get out and explore.

This makes Es Mercadal the most convenient accommodation choice to have hassle-free day trips to the north and south, as well as the east and west; in contrast, the lack of connections in coastal accommodation hubs can restrict your day trip options to certain area of the island.

Therefore, if you are staying in Es Mercadal, you should take advantage of this and plan several day trips. Our suggestions are:

· Fornells | A charming little coastal town in the north, just 10 minutes drive away

· Cala Pregonda | Stunning red beach in the north, only accessible by car

· Mahón & Es Castell | The capital on the east coast and its little neighbour

· Son Bou, Cala Galdana, and several of the best beaches in Menorca

· Ciutadella | The historical capital on the west coast

· The Camí de Cavalls | A 20-section walking trail which circumnavigates the whole island

Shop Menorcan Crafts & Produce

Across the road from es Molí d'es Racó you'll find the pale lemon painted Centre Artesanal de Menorca (maps). Housed within an old military barracks, it shares the crafts and traditions of the island, offering the opportunity to buy as well as learn. It also hosts a variety of permanent and temporary exhibitions.

Within Es Mercadal, you can also take the opportunity to get yourself a pair of authentic Menorcan sandals (abarcas) in Abarques Mibo, or buy lots of local food + drink produced on the island from two small delis: Sa Figuera Ecològica (maps) and el Paladar (maps). You’ll see the ‘KM0’ mark used a lot on produce and in restaurants, and it just means that it’s created right here on the island!

Where + When // For the summer season (1st May to 31st October), the Centre Artesanal is open from 9.30am to 2.30pm, Monday-Saturday.

In the winter season, it's only Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9.30am to 2.30pm

Entry is free, and you should factor in about an hour for your visit.

Where To Stay in Es Mercadal

Although the town would be one of our picks for those looking for a quiet, accessible inland base in Menorca, we don't think that it'll be a good fit for everyone.

The pros of staying in Es Mercadal are that it's got fantastic bus connections to everywhere you'd like to visit during your Menorca holiday, and those of you with a rental car will be able to reach various parts of the coast easily and conveniently. The atmosphere and architecture of the town also provides a very different sort of slow travel Menorcan holiday base and experience, which may be exactly what you're looking for.

However, it's not on a beach, near the sea, and isn't a remote, rustic village in the countryside. Therefore, Es Mercadal's pros may be outweighed by the fact that you do have to drive or take a bus anywhere for a beach day or to join the Camí de Cavalls.

In short, if you're looking to be on full-on holiday / relax mode, then Es Mercadal may be best as a day trip option. If you're happy going out and about each day, and having quiet days in the streets and cafes, then it may be ideal.

In terms of accommodation, there are a handful of small hotels in Es Mercadal and a limited number of apartment rentals available.

Hotels

Hotel m - 27 | A contemporary beauty - full of wonderful little design features - in Es Mercadal’s historic centre. We’d stay here in a heartbeat! Superb reviews, and guests speak very highly of the owners. Find out more here.

Hotel Es Mercadal | Comfortable, clean and homely rooms, set within a 19th century typical Menorcan home. Excellent reviews and a good breakfast. Also very good value, with rooms less than £130 a night in July. Find out more here.

Apartments & Airbnbs

Spectacular House in Centre of Island | A recently restored, late 19th century town house, with four bedrooms and set over three floors. It’s bloody gorgeous! Super modern in its design, it light, white and bright but maintains beautiful traditional features. Also has garden and pool. Find out more here.

Rustic House | This super cute, traditional little Menorcan townhouse may be a little too rustic for some, but it has excellent reviews, three bedrooms, is located in the centre of Es Mercadal - and is an absolute steal price wise! Find out more here.

Central House | With four bedrooms, this house is ideal for a family (although the space is a little on the small side). Clean with modern furnishings, it also has a good-sized private garden. Find out more here.

How To Get To Es Mercadal

// From The Airport

To reach Es Mercadal from Menorca’s only airport, you have three options:

1. By public transport, jump on Line 10 to Mahón bus station. These leave every 30 minutes from the single bus stop located outside arrivals. Tickets cost €2.75 per person from the driver, and the journey time is around 15 minutes. From there, take one of several regular bus lines going to Es Mercadal (25 minutes)

2. Taxis outside Menorca airport are plentiful, and with a fixed rate depending on your final destination you needn’t worry about overpaying nor the meter. The standard fee for a Menorca Airport to Es Mercadal taxi is €30, plus €0.60 per piece of luggage.

Journey time is around 20 minutes.

3. Pick up your rental car at the airport, and make the drive yourself. We’ve written much more in this guide about Menorca car rental, so if it’s something you are considering doing, we highly recommend giving it a read first.

// by bus From Elsewhere on the Island

Es Mercadal is very well-connected to all sides of Menorca. Bus lines stopping there include:

Line 36 | Ciutadella - Son Bou

Line 41 | Mahón - Es Mercadal

Line 45 | Fornells to Es Mercadal

Line 51 | Mahón to Cala Galdana

There are several others though, and you'll always be able to find a direct line or transfer to most places of interest for day trips on the north, south, west, or east of the island. Do note that not all buses which pass Es Mercadal will necessarily stop there; it needs to be listed as a stop.

To view bus schedules and prices, visit the TMSA website. The bus station is here.

// By Car From Elsewhere on the Island

If you’re planning on renting a car for your time in Menorca, be sure to check out our guide to car hire in Menorca.

For day trippers looking for parking, the large free car park (maps) by the windmill restaurant is the best option. It's tarmac with marked spaces for about 100+ vehicles, and the town is only a few minutes walk away. It does fill up around lunchtime, so try to arrive before or after then.

An alternative large alternative free car park can be found here.

If staying in the town, check ahead whether accommodation provides alternative private parking.