A Short Guide To Es Mercadal | The Crossroads of Menorca

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.

如今，漂亮的小粉饰小镇仍然是当地人和旅行者从东到西，向南航行的中央十字路口。ME-1公路，Menorca的主要高速公路，您必须向后行驶，几乎可以在任何地方驶过，裙子越过它，任何带有租车的人都会非常习惯于通过ES Mercadal及其标志性的风车。

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 ofMonte 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.

但是，对于任何做出住宿选择的游客来说，这一范围内的专业人士也远远超过了一个很大的骗局：ES Mercadal远远不在海边。

在本指南中，我们分享了ES Mercadal中最好的事情，如果您只参加当天的访问，以及对于那些可能将其视为Menorca住宿基地的人来说，很多提示和建议。

ES Mercadal Essentials

//位于岛中心

// 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.

在阿尔贝妮将军的卡勒·德尔将军上几扇门，您会发现罐头（maps),一个家族手工贝克和赢家的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仅有的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 undoubtedlythe到达岛上的全景远景。

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.

我们已经解释了英国军方在我们的指南系列中的各种文章中对Menorca的影响（包括在访问Menorca之前要知道的23件事）。

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 ithereon Google Maps.

您可能已经注意到，“水箱”这个词似乎不是特别的英国还是西班牙语？这是因为这是西班牙和巴利阿里氏症的北非和伊斯兰占领的众多阿拉伯语影响之一（Ciutadella是10世纪的Calpihate）。Aljibe源于用于水箱或井井有条的经典阿拉伯语单词，并且在单个西班牙语单词中对“ Al”的使用和压缩以各种常见项目（即Albahaca（Basil）和Almohada（枕头）复制。

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.

在标志性的餐厅Esmolíd'EsRacó举行午餐

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.

Moli d Raco归根结底是一个机构在梅诺卡岛,和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 ithereon Google Maps - and you can easily park for free in the large car park outside the restaurant.

向北走。或南方。或东方。或西！

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.

乘公共汽车，您始终可以找到直接或直接转移到大多数感兴趣的地方。如果有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.

因此，如果您待在ES Mercadal中，则应利用这一点并计划几天的旅行。我们的建议是：

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

·卡拉pregonda|Stunning red beach in the north, only accessible by car

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

·儿子Bou，Cala Galdana和几个best beaches in Menorca

·Ciutadella|The historical capital on the west coast

·The Camí de Cavalls|一条20段的步行小径，绕过整个岛屿

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）。它被安置在一个古老的军营中，分享了该岛的手工艺和传统，提供了购买和学习的机会。它还举办各种永久和临时展览。

在ES Mercadal中，您还可以借此机会在Abarques Mibo中获得一对正宗的Menorcan凉鞋（Abarcas），或者从两个小型Delis上购买了许多在岛上生产的当地食物 +饮料：SA Figueraecològica（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.

在冬季，只有星期二和周四，上午9.30至2.30

进入是免费的，您应该在大约一个小时内进行访问。

Where To Stay in Es Mercadal

尽管该镇对于那些寻求在Menorca的内陆基地的人来说，这是我们的选择之一，但我们认为这对每个人都不适合。

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.

但是，它不在海边的海滩上，也不是乡村的偏远，乡村村庄。因此，ES Mercadal的优点可能超过了您dohave to drive or take a bus anywhere for a beach day or to join theCamí 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 morehere.

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 morehere.

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 morehere.

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 morehere.

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 morehere.

如何到达ES Mercadal

// From The Airport

为了从Menorca唯一的机场到达ES Mercadal，您有三个选择：

1.通过公共交通工具，在10号线上跳到Mahón汽车站。它们每30分钟就离开到达外部的单个巴士站。门票的价格为每人2.75欧元，旅行时间约为15分钟。从那里，乘坐几条常规公共汽车线之一去ES Mercadal（25分钟）

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 aboutMenorca car rental，因此，如果您正在考虑做的事情，我们强烈建议您先阅读。

// 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

第51行|Mahón到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 whichpassEs 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 ishere.

//从岛上其他地方的汽车

如果您打算在梅诺卡（Menorca）租车，请务必查看我们在Menorca租车指南.

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 foundhere.

如果留在镇上，请提前检查住宿是否提供替代私人停车位。