Majorica pearls from Manacor should also be mentioned. At the tourist resorts most shops stay open from morning until evening every day of the week. In the villages and in Palma, official opening hours are the rule. That is week days from 10 am to 1.30 pm and from 4.30 pm to 8 pm. On Saturdays open until lunch and Sundays closed. The large department stores in Palma, however, stay open all day, and do not close for siesta. Naturally, Palma offers the best range, with everything from simple shops to exclusive boutiques.

Take a look at the large, and elegant, department store El Corte Inglés, where you’ll find most things, or C & A, a large department store with clothes at relatively modest prices. The two chain stores Mango and Zara offer fashion at reasonable prices. Most villages and town hold their own market on one or more days every week. This is where the locals shop, and almost everything is for sale; fruit, veg, household equipment, clothes, shoes, sometimes even live animals. Haggling is not common on Mallorca, but at the market it may pay to at least discuss the price. The vendors usually set up their wares around eight in the morning and will continue until siesta.

Market days:

Monday: Manacor, Montuiri, Calviá
Tuesday: Artá, Alcudia, Porreres and Santa Margalida
Wednesday: Andratx, Capdepera, Lluchmajor, Santanyi, Sineu, Sencelles and Puerto Pollensa
Thursday: Arenal, Campos and Inca
Friday: Alaró, Algaida, Binissalem, Lluchmajor, Son Servera and Puerto de Alcudia
Saturday: Bunyola, Campos, Santanyi, Cala Ratjada, Sóller and Palma (flea market at Polígono Son Fuster) Sunday: Alcudia, Felantix, Pollensa, Santa Maria, Consell (flea market) and Valldemossa

Good buys on Mallorca

Shoes There is a wide range of shoe shops on Mallorca, particularly sandals, slip ins, flip flops and other ladies’ summer shoes.

Pottery Wherever you go on Mallorca, there are pretty vases and pottery for sale. The production is an old tradition, and with a bit of luck, you could lay your hands on really nice stuff at a really nice price.

Alcohol Wine, spirits and beer are all equally cheap in the supermarkets, particularly in the larger shops.

Pearls The world’s third finest pearls, the Majorica pearls, are made in Manacor, from fish scales. Make a visit to the factory and buy pearls at a reasonable price.

Leather Good quality leather products are easy to find on Mallorca, mainly jackets and belts. Inca is the main seat of the island’s leather industry. Best time to visit is on Thursdays, when there is a market.

Olive oil Olive oil from Mallorca is considered to be among the best in the Mediterranean, and locally produced olive oil can be found all over the island

Beware of what you bring home, especially souvenirs made of plants or animals and pirate copies. Learn more here.