Shopping
In Mallorca there are two shopping sale season every year: one in January and the other one in July-August. It is therefore a good idea to take advantage of your summer holidays and buy a couple of things at a good price. The island has many things to offer: jewellery, glass handicrafts, embroidery, cultured pearls, fashion, shoes, antiques, big brands, autochthonous products, local ceramics, outlet areas, etc. Let your imagination carry you away.
The web of the IBI Comerç Foundation has a browser to look for all sorts of businesses. All businesses have a file indicating their address and their business category. The product list is divided into four groups: Food, Leather, Fabrics, Perfumery, etc.
Although craftwork is in decline, in Mallorca it subsist thanks to the tourism, since our visitors buy typical products made by our artisans. Some good examples include: cultured pearls, blown glass, leather craftwork (shoes), pottery, embroidery, basketry and fabrics. It is also important to mention the famous siurells, anthropomorphic colourful whistles of unknown origins. They are exclusive from Mallorca and have very peculiar shapes.
The Roba de Llengües (literally “Tongue Cloth”, due to their longish print design) are handcrafted traditional fabrics typical from Mallorca. The manufacture of these fabrics implies the preparation of the warp with white cotton, in the same way as it was made in ancient times. Afterwards, the fabric is dyed little by little, according to the chosen design. Due to this, the Roba de Llengües fabrics do not have a front or a back side, since both sides have the same print design.
Other traditional Mallorcan craftworks are:
- The typical Mallorcan embroideries include the Mallorcan stitch, the looped stitch, the cross-stitch...
- The manufacture of Mallorca espadrilles and footwear
- The luthiers, creators of the traditional Mallorcan folk instruments
STREET MARKETS
In Palma, street markets are held every week. These coexist with shops, department stores centres, supermarkets and big shopping centres.
- Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday: Street market in Can Pastilla (Plaça Pius IX) from 8:00 to 14:00
- Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday: Market and flea market in Plaça Pere Garau (Palma) from 8:00 to 14:00
- Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday: Market in Santa Catalina (Plaça Navegació) from 8:00 to 14:00
- Wednesday: Market in Avenida Amèrica - Antas de Ulla - Tamarells from 8:00 to 14:00
- Wednesday: Market at the fortress of Torre d’en Pau (c/ Illa de Samos - c/ Josep Mascaró) from 8:00 to 14:00
- Saturday: Market in Son Ferriol (Plaça Prevere Bartomeu Font) from 8:00 to 14,00