Mercat Olivar, Palma de Mallorca

Market in Palma de Mallorca

CC BY-SA 3.0 / Chixoy

In the very centre of Palma de Mallorca, Olivar Market (Mercat de l'Olivar) is where the city really shops, eats and chats. Open since 1951, it has become one of the best places to visit in Palma de Mallorca if you love food in all its forms: gleaming fish counters, colourful fruit and veg stalls, cured meats, cheeses, tapas bars and sushi stands all under one roof. The easiest way to understand how important it is is simply to watch the locals: this is where they come for ingredients, quick snacks, takeaway lunches and unhurried meals at the counter.

The market spreads over two main levels, with a full range of stalls, cafés, restaurants and bars, and serves as a kind of unofficial town pantry in a city with relatively few big supermarkets. On the ground floor you weave through aisles stacked with seafood, meats, fresh fruit and vegetables and gourmet products; upstairs you find a small ecosystem of its own, with a shopping arcade, cooking school, hairdresser, restaurants, bars, boutiques, a supermarket, children's area and even a library. It is a great place to visit on a walking tour of Palma de Mallorca when you want to blend sightseeing with everyday local life.

History and Significance of the Olivar Market
Things to See and Do in the Olivar Market
How to Get to the Olivar Market
Practical Tips on Visiting the Olivar Market
Where to Stay close to the Olivar Market
Is the Olivar Market Worth Visiting?
FAQs for Visiting Olivar Market
Nearby Attractions to the Olivar Market

History and Significance of the Olivar Market

Olivar Market dates back to 1951, when Palma was beginning to grow into a modern city but still relied heavily on traditional markets for daily shopping. Built in a central location, it was designed from the start as a covered, all-weather market where residents could find almost everything they needed in one place. Over the decades it has adapted to changing tastes and tourism, but its core identity as the city's main fresh-food hub has stayed the same.

Unlike a simple supermarket, the market connects producers, stallholders and shoppers face to face. Generations of families have run some of the stalls, building personal relationships with regular customers and passing down knowledge about fish seasons, meat cuts and local recipes. For many Palma residents, coming here is not just a chore; it is a weekly ritual, a chance to talk, taste and keep up with neighbours.

As tourism to Mallorca expanded, Olivar Market also became an attraction in its own right. Visitors discovered that by following locals through the aisles and stopping where they stopped, they could get an authentic slice of city life. Today, the market plays a double role: it still serves as a practical “go to” place for food shopping, but it also introduces travellers to Mallorcan and wider Spanish food culture in a lively, accessible way.

Things to See and Do in the Olivar Market

Start on the ground floor, where the core food stalls are located. Here you will find vibrant displays of seafood on ice, from glistening fish to prawns and shellfish, alongside counters piled high with cured meats, sausages and local cheeses. Fruit and vegetable stands show off seasonal produce in neat pyramids, while specialist stalls sell dairy products and gourmet items that are perfect for picnics or gifts. Take your time to walk the aisles and see what draws your eye, and do not be shy about asking stallholders for recommendations.

As you wander, you will notice places where the market shifts from pure shopping to eating. Bars and small restaurants are tucked between stalls, often offering tapas, pinchos, sushi and freshly prepared plates based on the ingredients sold around them. It is easy to turn a visit into a progressive snack or lunch: a plate of grilled seafood here, a small tapa and a drink there, perhaps finishing with fruit or pastries from another counter. Watching office workers and locals grab a quick bite at the bar gives you a good feel for how the space functions in everyday life.

Head up via escalators or lifts to the upper floor to see another side of Olivar Market. Here a shopping arcade, restaurants, bars and boutiques mingle with a cooking school, hairdresser, children's area and a library. There is even a supermarket, which means you can top up on basics after shopping at the more specialised stalls below. This level shows how the market has evolved into a mixed-use centre, not just a traditional food hall, and it offers quieter corners if you want to sit for a while and watch the flow of people from above.

How to Get to the Olivar Market

Most visitors arrive in Palma via Palma de Mallorca Airport, the island's main international gateway with regular flights from across Spain and Europe. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Palma de Mallorca on Booking.com. From the airport, buses and taxis run frequently into the city centre, and from there it is a short walk to the market near Plaça d'Espanya.

If you are already on the island, regional trains from towns such as Inca, Sa Pobla and Manacor arrive at Palma's Estació Intermodal, just a few minutes' walk from Olivar Market.Train schedules and bookings can be found on Omio. This makes it easy to combine a day trip to the city with a visit to the market for lunch or shopping.

Travelling by car, follow the main roads into Palma and look for car parks around Plaça d'Espanya and the city centre; from there you can walk to the market in a matter of minutes.If you are looking to rent a car in Spain I recommend having a look at Discover Cars, first, as they compare prices and review multiple car rental agencies for you. Parking directly next to the market is limited, but the central location means you rarely need to drive right up to the door.

Practical Tips on Visiting the Olivar Market

Suggested tips: Come hungry and plan to both shop and eat; start with a slow circuit to see what is available before committing to a bar or stall.
Best time to visit: Mornings are liveliest, especially on weekdays and Saturdays when locals shop; early afternoon is good for a more relaxed, food-focused visit.
Entrance fee: Free
Opening hours: Monday - Thursday, 7am to 2:30pm. Friday, 2:30pm to 8pm. Saturday, 7am to 3pm. The market is closed on Sunday.
Official website: https://www.mercatolivar.com/en/home/
How long to spend: Allow 1-2 hours to browse, snack and perhaps sit down for a light meal; food lovers could easily stay longer.
Accessibility: The market has level access at entrances and uses escalators and lifts between floors, making it generally manageable for visitors with reduced mobility.
Facilities: Expect toilets, parking access, cafés, bars, restaurants, a supermarket, children’s area and a library on the upper floor, plus plenty of seating areas in and around the food zones.
Photography tip: Capture the bustle from the ends of aisles or from the upper floor, and focus on colourful displays of produce rather than tight close-ups of people unless you have their consent.
Guided tours: Some food and tapas tours include Olivar Market as a stop; joining one can be a good way to learn about Mallorcan products and tasting traditions.
Nearby food options: Beyond the market itself, the surrounding streets are packed with cafés, bakeries and small restaurants, so you are never far from your next snack.

Where to Stay close to the Olivar Market

Staying near the centre of Palma makes it very easy to drop into Olivar Market more than once during your trip. A practical and central option is Hotel Almudaina, which offers comfortable rooms within walking distance of the market, the old town and the seafront. For a more intimate atmosphere in a historic setting, Boutique Hotel Posada Terra Santa places you in the old quarter’s narrow streets, close enough to stroll to the market for breakfast, lunch or snacks. If you would like a stylish base that balances access to both the historic core and transport links, Hotel Basilica works well and still keeps Olivar Market within an easy walk.

Is the Olivar Market Worth Visiting?

Olivar Market is absolutely worth visiting if you have even a passing interest in food or local life. It is not a polished tourist show but a working market where residents genuinely shop, which makes it a great place to understand what Mallorcans eat and how they shop. Between the fresh produce, fish, meats, tapas bars and upper-floor services, it functions as both pantry and social hub for the city, and spending time here will likely become one of your standout memories of Palma.

What Other Travellers Say...

Reviews Summary

4.5 (27,513)

Olivar's Market on Plaça de l'Olivar is a bright, historic market hall where vendors sell fresh produce, cheese, seafood and pastries alongside prepared foods; visitors praise the spacious, well kept space, a lively yet relaxed atmosphere and friendly stalls where you can eat as you explore, sampling tapas, oysters, sushi and other seafood at corner bars and counters—best visited in the morning (and avoid Saturdays if you can) to enjoy the freshest selection and a more manageable crowd.

bertie malco

a month ago

"Mercat de l’Olivar is an absolute must-visit when in Palma de Mallorca. Bright, spacious, and immaculately kept, it captures the essence of Mallorcanfood culture perfectly. The range and freshness of produce are remarkable — from colourful fruit and vegetables to first-class meat and seafood, including an impressive fish market with oysters and prawns so fresh they could have come straight from the boats. What makes it even better is that you can eat as you explore. The corner stalls on the outer edges serve wine, beer, and delicious small plates — perfect for taking a break and enjoying the lively atmosphere. The tapas counters inside are also excellent, giving you a true taste of local flavours without needing to leave the market. The whole space feels vibrant yet relaxed, filled with friendly vendors and locals doing their daily shopping. Arrive early if you can — mornings are best for soaking up the energy and freshness. A wonderful experience overall — great food, a friendly atmosphere, and an authentic taste of Mallorca. Highly recommended...."

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Sahereh

2 months ago

"I highly recommend it😍nYou can try a wide variety of fresh seafood there at very reasonable prices, and everything was absolutely delicious. I alsotried fresh oysters for the first time ☺️they were truly amazing! You can even find authentic Iranian caviar and enjoy the experience. It’s a bit crowded and noisy, but totally worth it for an hour of great food and atmosphere! 🥰..."

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Catherine L

3 months ago

"Amazing place! Must visit. But don’t go on a Saturday if you can help it as it’s too busy. Wander around then sit at one of the bars and have tapaseither in the fish market or the meat market. Loved it!..."

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FAQs for Visiting Olivar Market

Morning is ideal if you want to see the full buzz of local shopping and the best selection at the stalls, while late morning to early afternoon is perfect for combining browsing with lunch.

Yes, there are plenty of bars and small restaurants where you can sit down for tapas, seafood, sushi or simple plates made from market-fresh ingredients.

Yes, families are very welcome; the lively atmosphere, colourful displays and upper-floor children’s area make it an easy and enjoyable stop with kids.

Nearby Attractions to the Olivar Market

Plaça d'Espanya: Palma's main transport and meeting hub, just a short walk away and a useful starting point for exploring the city.
Plaça Major: The tiled, arcaded main square filled with cafés, shops and street performers, ideal to combine with a market visit.
Palma Cathedral La Seu: The city's iconic Gothic cathedral on the seafront, reachable on foot through the old town streets.
Royal Palace of La Almudaina: A fortified royal palace beside the cathedral, with historic interiors and harbour views.
Mercat de Santa Catalina: Another lively food market in the Santa Catalina neighbourhood, offering a different vibe and plenty of tapas bars.

The Mercat Olivar appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Palma de Mallorca!

Moira & Andy

Hey! We're Moira & Andy. From hiking the Camino to trips around Europe in Bert our campervan — we've been traveling together since retirement in 2020!

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