Photo Credit: SN6200

Palma de Mallorca is the main hub for shopping in the Balearic Islands, with a huge choice of souvenirs and treats to bring home as memories of a great holiday. Cultured pearls are the favorite buy with jewelry shops all over town offering gorgeous, unique designs in necklaces, rings, bracelets, and earrings. The island’s glass-blowing industry is famous for its home goods, and young designers create colorful and practical pieces perfect for the modern home. Pottery is a traditional craft, with Mallorca’s unique siurells – colorfully-glazed earthenware figurines – delighting collectors from across the world.

Textiles and embroidery are also traditional crafts on the island, and found in many of the small craft stores, as well as in the street markets. The embroideries are exquisite and the woven goods come in many styles. Leather goods, including fashion items and irresistible shoes and bags, are a great buy, and can be found in boutiques, factory outlets, and markets. The stores around Palma de Mallorca’s C/San Miguel and Av. Jaume III are exclusive, but terminally tempting, and bargaining in Palma’s many markets is great fun.

Across the Balearic Islands, shops and tiny delicatessens offer spices, cheeses, meats, and other culinary delights, as well the famous local olive oil, wines, and liqueurs. The port area of Ibiza Town is the place for edgy, individually-designed fashions, acres of bling, and unusual souvenirs, making medieval Dalt Vila the district to head for. Menorca is famous for its aromatic Xoriguer gin, distilled in Mahon’s port district from wine and juniper berries for 300 years, and the island’s markets offer local crafts and products at great prices. Menorcan avarca, traditional sandals made of leather with rubber soles recycled from discarded tires, make perfect beach shoes and come in a brilliant range of colors.

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