The best fashion and gift stores Balearic Islands

Timetable

Palma, like any large city, offers a wide choice of boutiques and department stores. While the latter are generally open continuously from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., small shops in Palma, as in the rest of the archipelago, operate according to Spanish opening hours, from 9/10 a.m. to 2 p.m., then from 3/16 p.m. to 8/21 p.m. (even later in the old town of Eivissa). Many markets brighten up the public squares of the Balearic Islands throughout the summer, especially in Ibiza and Formentera, which host hippy markets.

Ibiza. In Eivissa, along the marina, small stalls set up every evening, selling jewelry, paintings and souvenirs. In Es Canar, the Hippie Market is held every Wednesday, while in Sant Carles, the Las Dalias market, undoubtedly the most exotic, opens on Saturdays. There's also a Saturday morning flea market in Sant Jordi, and a Sunday morning market in Sant Joan, with temporary stalls selling handicrafts, food products and local and organic cosmetics.

Formentera. The La Savina market takes place on the harbor during the high tourist season (July to early September), while the Sant Francesc Xavier market (May to October) is open daily from 10am to 2pm. Behind the church of Sant Francesc, a second-hand market is held every Tuesday and Saturday throughout the year. On the promenade of carrer Major, the Sant Ferran art market brings together artists from all over the world (May to October, daily except Wednesday and Sunday, 8.30pm to midnight). Sant Ferran also boasts a craft market three days a week (May to October, every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 8.30 pm to midnight). Es Pujols also has a hippie market, set up on the seafront promenade every summer evening (May to September, daily from 8pm to midnight), but it's undoubtedly at La Mola that you'll find the best quality finds: craftsmen and artists exhibit their work in the central square paved with multicolored mosaics (May to October, Wednesdays and Sundays, 4pm to 10pm).

Budget & Tips

In the Balearic Islands, you can find shoes, leather, pearls, handicrafts and local industry at relatively attractive prices. Some of Spain's best-known brands, such as Camper and Mascaró, are still worth buying, as their factories or headquarters are located in the Balearic Islands. When it comes to handicrafts, the offer is highly diversified. Watch out for prices and quality! There are more stores in Mallorca than anywhere else. Small craft and hippy markets are set up in the most popular tourist spots, often in village squares. When it comes to gastronomy, the Balearics are full of delights: wines, olive oils and dried fish, Maó cheese and Xoriguer gin from Menorca, ensaïmadas and sobrassada from Mallorca, hierbas from Ibiza... Ibiza and Formentera are also renowned for their clothing creations derived from the highly Mediterranean Adlib style, offering outfits and accessories that are both simple and elegant.

Sales

In the Balearic Islands, as in the rest of Spain, sales last twice two months: winter sales take place from early January to early March, summer sales from early July to early September.

What's very local

On all four islands, you'll find stores specializing in local food products. Some supermarkets also offer local produce at fair prices. There are also numerous markets in all four islands. While some of the most emblematic markets are listed in this guide, please enquire directly on site for market locations and times.

Tourist traps

As in most countries, many souvenirs are unfortunately made in Asia. Many stores sell fake souvenirs. Some market stalls also offer products that are sometimes excessively expensive compared to their real value! So make sure you buy local and authentic to encourage the local economy.