Shopping is typically a secondary endeavor for visitors to Mallorca. Most resorts are loaded with souvenir shops and minimarts, although there is a good supply of arts and crafts and regular markets on the island. Hand-painted ceramics, embroidered items, blown glass, shoes, and artificial pearls are all popular buys. Mallorca observes the siesta (afternoon nap) like the rest of Spain, but many malls and shops in the tourist areas stay open during this time.
Palma de Mallorca easily has the best shopping, featuring pedestrianized streets, squares and several good markets. The high-end Spanish department store chain, El Corte Ingles (a bit like Macy’s), has branches in Palma on Jaime 111 and Avenidas. There is also a daily craft market, Mercat Artesanal, which is good for souvenir shopping, as well as the Olivar Market for flowers and the Rastro flea market, located slightly out of town.
All markets sell crafts from the other Balearic Islands, such as jewelry from Menorca. The Monday market in Manacor is where you can get pearls. Port de Pollença has a market on Wednesday, El Arenal and Inca have theirs on Thursday, Sóller's is on Saturday, and Valldemossa and Alcudia are on Sunday. Most markets run from morning to lunch, though popular resorts also have night markets in the busy summer time. Be sure to barter as negotiating is an customary practice.
Mallorca Pearls
Manacor is Mallorca’s second town and more of a quick stop between Palma and the east coast. It is famed for its fake pearls and factories where they are churned out. There are several jewelry shops, though the factory is they best place to make a purchase. You can tour the facility where artificial diamonds are also created.
Mallorca Spas
Palma (and around the bay), Alcudia, Cala Millor, and Cala d’Or on the east coast have the best spas in Mallorca. One of the favorites is the Son Caliu Hotel Spa Oasis in Palma Nova, while Sa Coma Beach is a reknowned retreat at the well-equipped Blau Mediterraneo Hotel.