Food & drink
Palma's food markets
The food markets are the best way to see the real Palma:
- Mercat de l'Olivar: the main one, on Plaça de l'Olivar, between Plaça d'Espanya and Sant Miquel. Fish, meat, fruit and cured meats Monday to Friday 7:00–14:30 (part of it until 20:00) and Saturday 7:00–15:00. Its food area (counters, oysters, sushi, cava) is open Monday to Saturday until 16:00; Saturday lunchtime is the best moment for a bite. It's closed on Sunday.
- Mercat de Santa Catalina: the oldest, in the trendy neighbourhood, with lively bars for a vermouth or breakfast.
- Mercat de Pere Garau (Llevant district): the most local and cheapest; on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays the square fills with open-air stalls. At its bar Bellaombra you buy meat or fish at the stalls and they cook it for you right there; there are tapas and llonguet rolls too, above all the squid one. Open Tuesday to Saturday mornings (Saturday 8:00–16:00); closed Sunday and Monday.
None of them opens on Sunday: go on a weekday or Saturday, before midday.
Olivar is open Monday to Friday from 07:00 to 14:30, with some stalls open until 20:00, and on Saturdays from 07:00 to 15:00; its food court stays open until 16:00. It has its own car park, which you can reach without authorisation along the signed routes through the low emission zone, and a supermarket on the first floor. Santa Catalina, on Plaça de la Navegació, describes itself as Palma's oldest municipal market and opens Monday to Saturday from 07:00. Both are closed on Sundays.
To see the market at work, go early on a weekday; Saturday lunchtime is more party than shopping. To take something home, look for sobrassada, cheeses and island olive oil. And outside Palma, Sineu's market on Wednesday mornings is the oldest in Mallorca and one of the few where live animals are still sold.
Frequently asked questions
What are the opening hours of Mercat de l'Olivar?
Monday to Friday from 07:00 to 14:30, with partial opening until 20:00, and Saturdays from 07:00 to 15:00. The food court is open until 16:00 Monday to Saturday. It is closed on Sundays; on public holidays, check before you go.
Can you park at Mercat de l'Olivar?
Yes, the market has its own car park next to Plaça d'Espanya. Although it is inside Palma's low emission zone, you can reach public car parks in the centre such as Olivar without authorisation by following the signed routes.
What is the oldest market in Palma?
Santa Catalina, which describes itself as Palma's senior municipal market. It is on Plaça de la Navegació, in the neighbourhood of the same name, and opens Monday to Saturday from 07:00. Its bars are a classic spot for breakfast or a vermouth.
Updated in November 2026
