Shopping in Majorca

Mallorca is rich in popular handicrafts and traditions and much of the island's culture can be seen in some of the more popular souvenirs.

A good example of this are the popular Siurells, clay whistles which have been made in Mallorca since Arab times. They are small painted white figures with flashes of red and green and they come in all shapes and sizes, the most common design being a man on horseback.

Joan Miró, the Mallorcan artist was greatly influenced by the brightness of these ancestral earthenware figures painted in bright colours. Also part of the local handicrafts are ceramics, leather, costume jewellery, namely the famous pearls of Manacor Majorica and artistic glassware.

The main shopping areas in Palma are Avenida Jaime III where you can still find a C&A, Paseo del Born for more up market boutiques and the pedestrianised streets around Placa Major. There is also a modern and very large shopping mall and hypermarket complex, the Centro Comercial Porto Pi, 2kms from the centre.

Today the Avenida Jaime III is one of the best known streets of the city. It is also the newest and 30 years ago, it is surprising to think that the street did not even exist. It is one of Palma's most elegant avenues and is lined with sophisticated shops as well as the Corte Ingles, Spain's most popular department store chains, the other one being located in the main Avenidas in Palma.

For a thorough shopping spree, you shouldn't forget the side streets of Bomnaire, Sta Maria del Sepulcro, San Miguel and Sindicato. If you wander the back streets of Palma, you will also come across numerous art galleries featuring work by many Mallorcan and international artists. The Plaza Mayor also offers an outdoor craft market which is held on Monday, Friday and Saturday mornings.

Festival Park is located just off the main motorway between Palma and Inca. It is a factory outlet Mall with dozens of designer shops and a large cinema complex which offers some films in the original English language. There is also a bowling alley and many different restaurants and bars offering a variety of dining experiences.