A tour of the best local markets in Mallorca
There's nothing quite like the thrill of the hunt, and in Mallorca there are dozens of opportunities to scour and discover what you're looking for - there's practically one market per town. The island's markets are a draw for both visitors and locals, whether by birth or adoption, and today we'll take a tour of the best and most noteworthy ones.
Pollensa: over 300 stalls selling crafts, food, and textiles
Our tour starts in the northernmost part of Mallorca, an area that boasts one of the island's most beautiful seaside roads, which runs from the port of Pollensa to Alcudia along the bay.
The market in this town is held on Sundays, in the Plaza Mayor and Plaza Ca les Monnares, from 8am to 1:30pm.
Local farmers have used this weekly meeting for centuries to sell the fruits of their labor: fresh eggs, freshly picked tomatoes, a variety of fruit depending on the season... In addition to handmade products such as shoes, textiles, or jewelry.
Alcudia: Tuesdays and Sundays are market days
Across the road, about twelve kilometers away, is the town of Alcudia, whose market takes place on Tuesdays and Sundays from 8am to 1:30pm, on the Paseo Mare de Déu de la Victòria and surrounding streets.
In the winter it offers the attractions of coastal towns: vegetables, fruit, and local products... but in the summer it explodes into a colorful and festive atmosphere that blends the local, national, and international, and is definitely worth experiencing.
Sineu: the oldest and most "animal" market
It takes place on Wednesday mornings and takes up almost the entire town. The market in Sineu is a must-visit for school groups, tourists, travelers, reporters, adventurers, and lifelong Mallorcans.
It is the oldest in Mallorca, established by King James II in 1306. In addition, it is the only one with permission to trade in live animals, mainly indigenous breeds from the islands. It's not unusual to see proud children with newly acquired ducklings, or, during rabbit breeding season, with baby bunnies in their hands. You can also see roosters, goats, horses, calves... and sometimes, even ostriches, although they're not particularly native to the island.
Consell Flea Market: on the hunt for treasure
The Consell Flea Market, located more towards the center of the island, takes place on Sundays from 8am to 2pm. It's a space for buying and selling second-hand items, and it's highly recommended to wake up early to explore it properly.
It's usually set up on Calle Antonio Barceló García de Paredes, and among its stalls you'll find a wide variety of clothing, toys, furniture, and jewelry, as well as highly sought-after antiques.
Hundreds of people come week after week to hunt for treasure and browse for that special object: century-old books, paintings, cameras, vinyl records...
There are also small stalls offering typical local snacks, such as empanadas and cocarrois, bread with sobrassada, coca de trampó, and other delights to make the visit more enjoyable and add a gastronomic touch for the impatient stomachs.
