9th May 2008

Shops, Shopping Centres and Markets in Mallorca (Majorca)

Shopping in Mallorca is an absolute delight with a variety of hypermarkets, large stores, small local shops, just make sure you bring your credit card!

Designer clothing shops abound, shoe shops galore, jewellery, sport shops, health food, everything your heart desires.

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A guide to Shopping in Palma de Mallorca

In Palma, the capital, you can find a large selection of chain stores, such as C&A, then wander down the numerous back streets to investigate the wide range of local and international products.

From the cathedral you travel up the Passeig d'es Born in Palma, the main avenue, with numerous large stores interspered with smaller gems, then onto Las Ramblas, where the street is full of stalls selling fresh flowers. The Avenidas circle the main part of the city, with numerous side streets for you to explore.

The Mercat de l'Olivar is in the centre of Palma. Opened in 1951, it is one of the oldest markets in Mallorca. There are more than 140 stalls offering a wide variety of products, free underground parking and a play area for children.

One of the more traditional streets for shopping in Palma is the Carrer Sant Miquel. It is pedestrianised and a great place for shopping and sight seeing as the churches of Sant Miquel, Santa Margalida and Sant Antoniet can be found here as well as the Joan March Foundation.
Leading from the Plaza Major there are a wide range of products available, especially clothes shops, shoe shops and accessories.

The Carrer Sindicat is excellent for shopping, especially for modern clothing and accessories, with boutiques, beauty and perfume shops.
In contrast some of Palma's oldest shops can be found here selling spices and decorative items.

One of the oldest areas of Palma is the Passeig per l'Artesania where genuine Mallorcan products such as glass and pearls can be bought. Experience traditional handicraft trades and visit the Centre of Interpretation where visitors can find information on craftwork and modern creative processes. Entrance is free.

On the Avenida Jaume III you will find high quality shops with international brand names surrounded by elegant buildings and palaces.

Shopping around Majorca

There are many arts and crafts traditional to Mallorca and visitors should try one of the many excursions, or hire a car, to experience the real Mallorca.

Glass blowing is a traditional artistic craft in Mallorca. Glass originated in prehistoric times and the Phoenicians were the first to bring glass manufacture to Majorca. There are three Majorcan glass factories, making objects of different design and colour, where visitors can watch how various products are made.

Majorca is known for its leather and footwear industry, mainly due to its quality and design. Until World War I manufacturing was based mainly in Palma but now areas such as Inca and Llucmajor now have an important place in the industry and are well worth a visit.

In Arta and Capdepera a native Majorcan plant, the "garballo", is used in the weaving of baskets, hats and other objects. Leaves are harvested in July, left to dry then used for weaving, the process being known as "llata" or "llatra".

Ceramics have been a craft popular in Mallorca for centuries and are still today, often using traditional techniques. There are many pottery shops ("olleries") around Mallorca, especially in the town of Portol.
The Majorcan "siurell" are widely found throughout the island, often linked to religious festivals, although no one is certain of the origins of these figures.

Pearl manufacture in Mallorca has been popular for more than a hundred years and the local factories are internationally acclaimed.
The process takes many hours, simulating the natural process of the oyster. Trips are available to the pearl factories in Manacor where you can purchase a souvenir, all of which have undergone strict quality control checks.

There are a large selection of commercial shopping centres on the island such as Festival Park, Porto Pi and Al Campo. They offer a wide range of shops and restaurants for a great day out shopping.

There are a large variety of the larger stores, such as PC City and El Cortes Ingles as well as smaller computer shops, photography and video specialists, printers, furniture stores, there are also plenty of DIY stores such as Leroy Merlin offering all you need from specialist to general hardware.

Opening Hours

Most shops open from Monday - Saturday 09.30 to 14.00, and 17:00 to 20.00.

Although, many smaller shops may close on Saturday afternoons, major stores and shopping malls are open from 09.30 until 22.00, Monday to Saturday.

Open Air Markets throughout the Island of Mallorca

In search of a bargain perhaps? There are markets taking place in various towns and villages across the island each day of the week.

The more popular ones include the market in Palma that’s held every Saturday morning, along the Avenidas below El Corte Ingles and spreading off into the various side streets.

Another market that draws the crowds takes place every Wednesday in the beautiful town of Andratx, south-west of the capital and on a Sunday morning choose between Santa Maria and Consell.

Santa Maria’s market has everything you can imagine, it’s a real locals market with all the local produce, homewares, plants, and birds and animals for sale too.

Consell has more stalls selling second-hand goods and furniture – another great place for bargain hunters (if the weather's bad expect fewer stalls)

Word to the wise: as most markets across the globe, Mallorca’s markets also attract those who’d rather pinch from your pocket than purchase from a stall, so beware and keep your hand on your purse/wallet.

Monday
Caimari, Calvia, Lloret, Manacor, Montuiri, Palma (Plaza Mayor)

Tuesday
Alcudia, Arenal, Arta, Llubi, Pina, Porreres, Porto Colom, Santa Margalida, Palma, Ca’n Pastilla, Plaza Pedro Garau, Santa Catalina

Wednesday
Andratx, Capdepera, Colonia de Sant Jordi, Llucmajor, Petra, Port de Pollensa, Santanyi, Selva, Sencelles, Sineu, Villafranca, Palma, Arenal, Coll d’en Rebassa

Thursday
Algaida, Arenal, Ariany, Campos, Inca, Portol, Ses Salines, Sant Joan, Sant Llorenc, Palma, Ca’n Pastilla, Plaza Pedro Garau, Santa Catalina

Friday
Binissalem, Ca’n Picafort, Inca, Lluchmajor, Maria de la Salut, Son Carrio, Son Servera, Palma; Plaza Mayor, Sa Vileta

Saturday
Alaro, Buger, Bunyola, Campos, Cala Rajada, Costix, Esporles, Lloseta, Manacor, Porto Colom, Santa Eugenia, Santa Margalida, Santanyi, Soller, Palma; Flea Market/Rastrillo (Avenidas), Plaza Mayor, Santa Catalina

Sunday
Alcudia, Consell, Felanitx, Inca, Llucmayor, Muro, Sa Pobla, Pollensa, Portocristo, Santa Maria, Valldemossa

Calvia Markets

Monday: Calvia village.
Traditional market held in one of the most ancient villages in the municipality. Over 60 stalls offering everything from foodstuffs to clothes and typical craft work. Situated close to Calvia Church, Saint Joan, take the time to visit the impressive Town Hall, Can Verger and Sa Capelleta.

Tuesday: Galatzo Estate.
Recently created to meet the needs of this small estate near Santa Ponsa, just off the new Palma/Andratx motorway. There you will find a wide variety of fresh fruit and veg, salted fish and meats, shoes and other majorcan products.

Friday: Son Ferrer.
Another recently created market held in Son Ferrer, a village between Magaluf and El Toro. Here you will find typical Majorcan products, Spanish sausage as well as the usual fresh fruit and vegetables.

Saturdays: Magaluf.
Antique and Car Boot Sale. A very special market held on the waste ground just outside Magalluf, near Pirates Adventure. Offering all kinds of second hand articles as well as antiques and collectors items. Parts of the profits from this market go to helping the rehabilitation of drug addicts through the Projecte Home, with Calvia Council's co-operation.

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