When you take a European cruise, make sure your itinerary stops at the beautiful island of Mallorca. The island of Mallorca might be one of Spain’s most historic islands, but its capital city of Palma de Mallorca is best known for its beaches and bustling modern and cosmopolitan lifestyle.
On your cruise to Palma de Mallorca, you’ll have a chance to discover the entire city including its main attractions as everything is within an hour’s driving distance by car. As you’re exploring the island, check out these top 15 specialty items to buy.
1. Mallorca Pearls
Mallorca is well-known for its man-made pearls which are indistinguishable from genuine pearls. Mallorca pearls have an opaline base that is coated with up to 40 layers of a proprietary finish made of marine animal particles, giving the pearl its signature iridescence.
You’ll find plenty of jewelry shops in Palma de Mallorca, many of which are dedicated to selling only pearls. Or, you can visit a local pearl factory during the Caves of Drach excursion to see and buy Mallorca pearls before you leave the island.
2. Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
The entire island is filled with vistas of olive trees, many of which are hundreds of years old and produce olives harvested by hand. In Palma de Mallorca, you’ll find two types of olive oil: one made with younger green olives and another made with ripe olives. Look for labels that say “Oli de Mallorca,” which means you’re buying a genuine product.
3. Almonds
In addition to olive trees, Palma de Mallorca is known for its swathes of almond trees which produce sweeter almonds based on the climate and water content they are grown in. Whether you take home a package of plain, roasted or seasoned almonds, or some almond-infused oils and creams, just know that you’re getting real ingredients.
Remember to make sure your almond products are prepackaged and unopened when bringing back to the ship.
4. Wine
Take advantage of the exciting shore excursions on Palma de Mallorca, many of which take you to the island’s spectacular winery, Bodega Santa Catarina. The most striking part of this bodega is the fantastic sandstone caves where the quality wine matures in oak barrels.
Enjoy a tasting of three of the wines, accompanied by bread, cheese and olives, and then pick up a bottle as a souvenir. Remember that Carnival allows you to bring one 750 ml bottle of wine per adult if you’re over 21 years of age.
5. Flor de Sal Salt
Bringing sea salt back home with you might sound odd, but the sea salt from this island is considered gourmet and a must-have. It’s skimmed from the water by hand and then sun-dried.
It has a high mineral content and unusual texture that makes it unique and savory. You can find Palma de Mallorca sea salt, so grab one for your kitchen or someone else’s before you leave the island.
6. Siurells de Fang Figurines
These unique miniature clay figurines have whistles inside them. Pick up a figurine and it will serve as a keepsake of your trip to Palma de Mallorca.
7. Ikat Fabric
If you sew or love genuinely-inspired global decor, pick up some of Palma de Mallorca’s colorful, local fabric known as ikat fabric or roba de llengües, the cloth of tongues. Great for your home, you can buy ikat fabric readymade items like bags, napkins, tablecloths and cushion covers in shops across the island.
8. Leather
If you’re looking for a new pair of beautiful and top-quality leather shoes at a reasonable price, take a quick trip to the city of Inca on the island of Mallorca, known as the land of leather.
You’ll also find a footwear and leather museum in the island of Inca that fashionistas will surely appreciate.
9. Avarques Sandals
Look down at any local resident’s feet and you’ll notice that they’re probably wearing a specific type of sandal called avarques or menorquinas. Malljorcans have adopted this as the traditional shoe of the island, due to its extremely comfortable leather and rubber upper sole. Grab a couple pairs in different colors before you leave.
10. Wicker Items
Wicker items can still be found in Palma de Mallorca. If you look around the island, you can find straw hats, baskets, hammocks and more.
If you can find a traditional basket shop, pick something up!
11. Blown Glass
If you love blown glass anything, you’ve come to the right island. Here in Palma de Mallorca plenty of beautifully designed and locally-Just that are emblematic of the Mallorcan tradition. As you’re shopping, you’ll sometimes have the see the glass-blowing process in action.
12. Ensaïmada
These lighter-than-air yet indulgent pastries are so delicious, you might just have to grab two or three to take back home. Opt for larger size boxes of Ensaïmada like octagonal boxes that give you plenty of varieties and selections.
When you open the box, you’ll find a large swirl-shaped pastry dusted with icing sugar and fruit or filled with sweet pumpkin. Remember to keep your box of delicious ensaïmadas packaged and unopened when bringing it back to the ship, please.
13. Almond Blossom Perfume
If you’re a fan of almonds and want real almond ingredients in everything you use, pick up some almond blossom perfume in Palma de Mallorca before you leave the island. It’s made with traditional, artisanal methods and from handmade recipes.
14. Pottery
Palma de Mallorca, or the land of clay, is known for more than just its mini figurines. The city and its neighboring village of Pòrtol is filled with pottery studios producing popular pots, pans and other kitchenware.
In fact, Pòrtol is the only village on the island of Mallorca where you can find these types of ceramic kitchen tools. You can recreate the traditional Mallorcan dishes back home when you buy sold on the island.
15. Spirits
Treat yourself to locally made liquors distilled only in Palma de Mallorca. Thanks to the premium climate of the Tramuntana mountain range that produces ideal growing conditions for citrus, its oranges are bursting with flavor. Bring home a bottle of orange liqueur made in Mallorca.
Its taste is fruity yet slightly bitter and is delicious on ice, mixed as a cocktail or used in cooking for added flavor.
For a deeper flavored spirit, try one of Mallorca’s locally distilled gins. Local citrus mixed with juniper and botanicals are responsible for the unique tastes you find on the island. Look for crystal clear gin or pink or blue varieties.
Palma de Mallorca is one of the most magical and unforgettable ports in Spain and you’ll have the chance to explore it when you take a European cruise. Depending on which of those two sailings you choose, you’ll also stop at Palma de Mallorca with Carnival Radiance™ and Carnival Legend™, where you are guaranteed incredible views from this enduring Mediterranean city.