The town of Es Mercadal lies at the centre of Minorca and was founded at the time of the Christian reconquest of the island in the 13th century. It was built huddled around the Church of Sant Martí at the foot of El Toro, at 357 metres the highest peak on Minorca, with the Shrine of La Mare de Déu del Toro perched at the very top.
Es Mercadal is a small town with quiet, narrow streets and still retains its links to the rural life of yesteryear. One of the most remarkable constructions here is a vast cistern built by the British to provide water for the troops as they made their way from Maó to Ciutadella.
The stretch of coastline in the municipality of Es Mercadal is situated on the northern shore of Minorca. The resorts of Fornells and S’Arenal den Castell are to be found here, as are a number of small residential areas such as the port of Addaia, Na Macaret, Coves Noves, Punta Grossa, Ses Salines, Platges de Fornells and Son Parc, which is next to the only golf course on the island.