Calvia, located in the southwest region of Majorca, is the second most popular destination among tourists on the island, after Palma city centre of course. It is home to the well-known town of Magaluf, popular amongst families and teens alike; as well as nature enthusiasts, due to its privileged location nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Tramuntana Mountain Range; beach lovers, as it boasts some of the most beautiful beaches you have ever laid eyes on, and other family resort towns such as Palmanova and Santa Ponsa.

However, there is another side to Calvia few visitors get the opportunity to see. And that is a very traditional Majorcan market. It may seem simple but this is, in actual fact, where you will discover the most authentic side to Majorcan culture. Locals bargaining in rapid Mallorquín (a dialect of Catalan); people sat in the restaurants on the sidelines of the markets, watching the busy goings-on and chatting with friends over a caña (beer); up to 60 stalls selling traditional arts & crafts like “albarcas”, traditional Majorcan sandals, Majorcan-style kitchen aprons, leather bags, handmade baskets, phone cases, jewellery, ceramics… And the food? Why, you’ve never seen anything like it! From stalls selling seasonal fresh produce, typically-Spanish legs of ham, freshly-made bread, turrón (nougat), sweets, chocolate, pastries; we are sure you will have your fill of food to try.

The locals’ favourite stalls has to be those which offer an endless variety of olive oil, which is very typical of Majorca. This is because, away from the beautiful beaches and glorious climate, olive oil is what the island was originally known for. Olive oil accounted for 80% of Majorca’s exports in the 19th century and the islands still boasts thousands of olive trees over 500 years old. There’s not a market you can visit, not a high street you can walk down and not a local shop you can go to that does not sell olive oil and typical Majorcan olive oil servers. You’re not classed a true local unless you pour it onto everything: toast, salads, rice, pasta…It is even used in cocktails! Anything you can think of, Majorcans will pour it onto. You can even go on olive oil tours, visiting official olive oil routes and visiting olive oil press’. One could suggest it’s like Britain’s love of butter. Brits love putting butter on bread, crackers, in cakes, biscuits…

Come discover the most authentic side to Calvia in this traditional market open every Monday morning until 1pm all summer long. Chat with the locals, try Majorca’s most famous delicacies and bring back some traditional albarcas as souvenirs for your friends and family!

*You can get to Calvia’s traditional market by taking a short 9-minute taxi journey from our Tropico Playa hotel in Palmanova.