Markets on Thursday: a wide variety of goods on offer in Mallorca

Tourists and locals alike love the markets in Mallorca. Local markets offer you a clear idea of how the locals live. They offer you a chance to get to know Mallorca’s unique cuisine. There are more than 100 markets across the island, reflecting a deep-rooted tradition of weekly markets that are an essential element of Mallorcan culture. In addition to fruit, vegetables, meat and fish, the stands sell products like honey, spices and herbs.

Some of the largest markets on the island can be found in the capital Palma de Mallorca. There are also weekly markets with long traditions further inland and in small towns. There is a market happening somewhere on the island on every day of the week. Aside from the weekly markets with fresh food from the region, there are also regularly held flea markets and art markets. Some markets are open every day, including on Thursdays. Others are held only once a week on a specific day of the week. Here we present the most important weekly markets, which are regularly held on Thursdays in Mallorca.

Overwhelming choice of markets

Since modern shopping malls and supermarkets have also proliferated in Mallorca, it's easy to forget the pleasure of shopping at a traditional market. Holidays are the ideal time to consider not only the price or efficiency of a shopping trip but also about enjoying it with all your senses. When shopping at a market, the journey is the destination, so to speak. You can talk to local farmers there, learn about their specialities, and taste a variety of wonderful dishes. The best thing about an open-air market is that it offers you the perfect chance to talk to vendors and customers. Bargaining is encouraged. If you buy several products from one stand, you can suggest rounding down the price to the seller. Self-caterers who are staying in a finca or holiday flat in Mallorca, for example, can do their daily shopping at the markets. Mallorcan specialities are also great souvenirs for the holiday, and loved ones back home will be delighted with a culinary souvenir from Mallorca. It is advisable to take cash with you to the open markets, as paying with a credit card is possible at only a few stands.

Daily markets in Palma

The most famous market on the island is the Mercat de l’Olivar, held in the market halls of that name in Palma. It is one of the tourist attractions of the island’s capital Palma, and its architecture and atmosphere also make it interesting for visitors who don’t care about shopping. In the light-flooded historic hall, vendors sell their products from 7:00 am every day except Sunday. Fruit, vegetables, cheese, seafood, baked goods and other specialities are offered in many variations.

Another important Palma market hall is located in the charming Santa Catalina district, where there are many cafés and bars. The Mercat de Santa Catalina also opens its doors to visitors daily during the week from 7:00 am and is closed on Sundays.

Tourist market in Arenal

The popular tourist resort of Arenal hosts a market on Thursdays where tourists can find everything they need throughout the summer season. Inflatable water toys for kids, beach towels, air mattresses and beachwear hanging from the stands turn the market into a brightly coloured spectacle. There is also a wide array of sun hats, water shoes, popular souvenirs and flip-flops – everything holidaymakers need for a perfect day at the beach.

Thursday is big market day in Inca

Inca is the third largest town in Mallorca and is located in the middle of the island, halfway between Palma and Pollensa. Every Thursday morning, Inca transforms the streets in its city centre into an open-air market. There you will find food, handcrafted goods, flowers, clothes, shoes and spices – simply everything your heart could desire. Visitors should plan plenty of time for their visit to Inca, as strolling around and admiring the wide variety of goods on offer will take longer than expected. Bargaining with the merchants sometimes takes a bit of time, but it's fun and will save you a little on your holiday spending.

Weekly market in Ariany

If you prefer a quieter market, you should visit small villages like Ariany on Thursdays. The weekly market in Ariany has preserved the original charm of times past. Here you will find local farmers with their fruit and vegetable stands. There are also fishmongers, butchers and stands where they sell homemade jam. The fruit is beautifully presented in large baskets at the outdoor markets. Food is clearly the main attraction but there are also stands in Ariany with textile products. The tiny village is located on a scenic hill in the central region of Pla de Mallorca and has fewer than 900 residents. This number doubles on Thursdays, when many visitors from outside come to Ariany.

Small weekly markets on Thursday

Other smaller weekly markets are held on Thursdays in the small Mallorcan towns and villages of Ses Salines, Sant Joan, Consell and Lloseta. These traditional weekly markets are aimed at local residents and are therefore especially authentic and local. For the locals, the weekly markets still mean much more than just a chance to shop. They are important places to meet and, even in times of social media, are places where the (mostly older) residents of the villages discuss the latest news. The main products sold are fresh foods like fruit, vegetables, cheese, fish and meat. On Thursdays, many holidaymakers from the surrounding tourist resorts go to Sant Llorenc and Es Llombards to buy groceries.

The Thursday market in Campos is smaller than the one on Saturday. There are therefore fewer stands, which offer mainly food, fruit and plants. Other smaller market towns are Calonge, S'Illot and Portol. The popular markets in Santanyí and Sineu are held on Wednesdays. One of the best-known markets on the Balearic island is the flea market in Santa Maria del Camí, which takes place every Sunday.