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 Menorquíns 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!

 The centre of the town is situated off the main road, and most of the shops can be found along the main street, Carrer Nou, and the adjacent square, Sa Plaça. However, like most towns on the island, it is best explored on foot, and as you wander round the town, shops appear unexpectedly in residential streets, with little to mark their presence. There are also plenty of good restaurants, offering excellent Menorquíns cuisine - one is even situated in a windmill!

 Wherever you go in the town, Monte Torro makes its presence known. Indeed the town and its land mark are inexorably linked.  One legend has it that a long time ago when there was no man made path up the “mountain”, the people of Mercadal saw an unexplained bright light. When they climbed up to investigate they found themselves blocked by a precipice guarded by a bull, el torro. Instead of attacking them, the bull split the rock and led the people to an image of the Virgin Mary at the top of the hill. To show their gratitude the villagers built a shrine, the Shrine to the Virgin Monte Torro which crowns the summit today.

 It is a pleasant walk of about 3.4km to the summit, however many people choose to visit by car or even coach, and there is plenty of parking at the top. Originally it was the site of an Augustinian Monastery, part of which still survives in the renaissance style church. However it is now occupied by nuns, who look after the church, and run a cafe and gift shop. Fabulous views abound, and on a clear day it is even  possible to see Mallorca.

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