Mount Toro closes the view from most streets in Es Mercadal, and the town under it has been trading since 1301, when King James II of Majorca ordered a public centre of commerce for Menorca. The name comes from the Latin mercatum, market, and the open-air market is still what the town is known for. Avarcas, the traditional Menorcan sandal, are sold here. The municipality runs from the centre of the island to the north coast at Fornells and is the second largest on Menorca by area. The festes of Sant Martí fall in mid-July.
Es Mercadal
- Currency
- Euro (EUR, €). Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in cities and tourist areas. ATMs are abundant; most charge €2–7 per foreign card withdrawal. Some shops request ID before accepting a credit card. €500 banknotes are not accepted in most shops.
- Language
- The local language is Menorquí, a Catalan sub-dialect not easily understood by Spanish speakers. Most inhabitants speak Spanish and English to a reasonable standard, especially in tourist areas.
- Power plug
- Europlug (Type C) and Schuko (Type F) sockets; 230 V, 50 Hz
- Visa
- Schengen area: EU, EEA and Swiss nationals enter on national ID card or passport. Many non-EU nationalities have 90-day visa-free access. Non-EEA citizens staying longer than 90 days require an advance visa.
- Time zone
- Europe/Madrid (UTC+01:00 winter time, UTC+02:00 summer time from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October). Canary Islands are one hour behind mainland Spain.
- Tap water
- Safe to drink throughout Spain. In some southern regions it has high mineral content and may taste unfamiliar; locals often drink bottled water instead. Bottled water is inexpensive and widely available.
- Tipping
- Not mandatory or customary. In restaurants: not expected for simple meals or basic establishments; 5–10% in mid-range or upscale venues if service was exceptional. Always pay cash to the server, not on card. Taxi drivers and hotel staff may appreciate small tips in upscale settings but it is not expected.
- Emergency
- 112
When to go
Shoulder
Apr – May
The inland hills are still green and the town keeps its own pace before the season builds. The north coast at Fornells takes a cold wind well into spring.
High season
Jun – Aug
August is the hottest month, with average maximums of 25 °C and summer highs going past 30 °C. Street parties run through the summer, and the festes of Sant Martí fall in mid-July, when the whole town is out in the streets.
Shoulder
Sep – Oct
The heat lets go and the crowds go with it. Late afternoon light comes in low over the middle of the island, and Mount Toro is at its clearest before the autumn rain sets in.
Low season
Nov – Mar
January is the coldest month, averaging a minimum of 11.5 °C, with nights and early mornings often down to 5 °C. This is a working town rather than a resort, so it stays awake through the winter, while the coastal side of the municipality is shut for the season.
How long to stay
Es Mercadal is a half-day town: the market, Carrer Major with the town hall on it, a meal, and back out. Taken as a base it earns three or four days, because the municipality spreads from the middle of the island up to the north coast at Fornells and there is a lot of ground in it. Anyone staying elsewhere on Menorca usually folds the town into a day out with Mount Toro, which rises straight above it.
Getting around
In the town, walking does it — the market, Carrer Major, the town hall. Everything else in the municipality means a car: 138 km², the second largest area on Menorca after Ciutadella, running from the centre of the island to the north coast at Fornells. The airport is around a 20-minute drive and Maó is relatively close. In winter the coastal side of the municipality is out of season, and there is much less reason to drive out that way.
What to see
Destinations in Es Mercadal
Frequently asked questions
What is Es Mercadal known for?
Its market. In 1301 King James II of Majorca ordered a central place of commerce for Menorca, and the town has carried the Latin word for it — mercatum — ever since. The open-air market is still one of the island's principal attractions.How far is Es Mercadal from the airport?
Around a 20-minute drive. Maó is relatively close as well.What is Mount Toro?
El Toro, the highest point on Menorca. It rises directly above Es Mercadal and dominates the town from every direction.When are the town festivities?
Mid-July, dedicated to Sant Martí. Like the other towns on the island, Es Mercadal also holds street parties through the summer months.How big is Es Mercadal?
The municipality has 6,459 inhabitants and covers 138 km², second in area on Menorca only to Ciutadella. The town itself sits at 71 m above sea level in the north-centre of the island.