Top 12 best Mallorca souvenirs

When a holiday comes to an end, it's easy to feel nostalgic. How much you'd love to just cram sun, palm trees, sea and lifestyle into your suitcase and unpack again when you arrive home in Germany. The bad news first: an island like Mallorca doesn't fit on an aeroplane. A small ray of hope: Mallorca has extraordinary souvenirs and specialities that will quickly put you back in the holiday mood and give you that easy-going attitude to life back home. Whether you want to treat yourself, friends or family - the choice is plentiful. And in most cases, shopping at a traditional market, directly from the producer or in one of the charming little souvenir shops will make you want to unpack and savour your purchases at home.

Fortunately, when it comes to the question of what is typically Mallorcan, there is a respectable selection and, on top of that, very useful products that are made on the island and thus also give something back. Nobody has to take home a "dust catcher" as a Mallorca souvenir. The Mediterranean way of life can be found, for example, in the culinary souvenirs - whether sweet (ensaimada) or savoury (sobrassada). You can also treat those at home to Mallorca pearls and see where they are produced beforehand. Practical purchases for a holiday trip definitely include everything (artisanal) - from basket bags to ceramics. The best place to buy such items is directly from the producers in one of the many manufactories or at one of the weekly markets. And for anyone who didn't manage to think about a souvenir from Mallorca during their holiday, there's always the airport.

Specialities and souvenirs from Mallorca:

1. olives & olive oil

The gnarled Mediterranean olive trees are a major visual feature of the island. They exude romantic charm, have a calming effect and exude an almost fairytale-like flair. They also provide the island with plenty of culinary delights. A small bowl of olives is a must on any table in Spain and the fruit is even a favourite for breakfast on the Balearic Islands. The same applies to the oil extracted from them, which should not be missing in any dish. In fact, the quality of the oil in the Mediterranean is so good that a slice of bread is often enough to fully indulge in the flavour. Olives and the oil pressed from them are therefore the ideal Mallorca souvenir for all amateur cooks and gourmets. The products can be bought almost everywhere. A special experience is, of course, a visit directly to the producer, where you can be present during the production process and delight the family at home with great stories.

2. flor de sal

Like olive growing, salt production also has a long tradition on Mallorca. The history of the most famous production site - the Salines de Llevant, not far from Colònia de Sant Jordi in the east - dates back to the fourth century BC. This makes salt production one of the oldest trades on the island. If you drive along the flat country roads in the area, you can see the white salt mountains rising several metres into the sky from afar. The unfiltered seawater evaporates in pools the size of football pitches, leaving behind the white crystals with their characteristic flavour. Guided tours of the Salines take place several times a day. At the same time, the white gold can be bought in decorative tins all over the island.

3rd sobrassada

It is slowly becoming clear - the way to a man's heart on Mallorca is through his stomach and so the island's most popular souvenirs are actually of a culinary nature. If you like savoury, spicy food, you'll love Mallorcan cuisine, especially the typical sobrassada. What the iconic sausage, which comes strangely wrapped, loses in appearance, it makes up for in flavour. The air-dried raw sausage made from pork, bacon, paprika, salt and spices can be enjoyed hot or cold, processed or on its own. This Mallorcan delicacy is no less versatile than the island it comes from. Wrapped in parchment paper, it is easy to transport and can also be enjoyed at home in Germany.

4. jamon serrano

If you like sobrassada, you will also love jamon serrano, air-dried ham sliced wafer-thin, which is usually lean and mildly aromatic in flavour. The intensity of the flavour varies, of course, depending on the storage time. It is advisable to buy the jamon the day before departure from the butcher or in one of the traditional market halls and have it shrink-wrapped before travelling with this speciality.

5. ensaimada

If you prefer sweet and sticky, take ensaimadas, the typical Mallorcan yeast rolls with lard, with you. They are either simply dusted with icing sugar, filled with custard or now also with chocolate or jam. The best place to buy them is in one of the many traditional bakeries on the island, packed in a pretty cardboard box for easy transport.

6. almond products

In addition to the fairytale atmosphere that the almond trees create on the island every February, they have another decisive advantage: almonds can be turned into wonderful products. The most famous is probably the Gato de Almendras, a Mallorcan almond cake with an unmistakable flavour, which is traditionally served with vanilla ice cream. Just like the ensaimadas, you can also buy this tasty souvenir in the old-established bakeries in beautifully decorated cardboard boxes and then enjoy it at home. A special greeting is the almond perfume from the island of Flor d'Ametler.

7. basket bags

These accessories made from natural materials are the perfect companions, and not just for the beach or a visit to the market. Popular with Mallorcans for centuries, they are also becoming increasingly popular with holidaymakers and are a real must-have during a stay on the island. You can find them in all sizes, shapes and colours. Sometimes made from wicker, sometimes from raffia and some are even made from bamboo. The craft of weaving has a long tradition on the Balearic Islands and in addition to baskets, there are many other items such as hats and decorative items. The products can be bought almost everywhere, and the weekly markets or a visit to the island's most famous basket maker, Mimbreria Vidal in Palma in the former basket weaving district of Corderia, are particularly worthwhile.

8 Mallorcan fabrics and leather

No less decorative are the colourful linen fabrics with tongue patterns, a variation of the oriental ikat pattern. This is another craft with a long history on Mallorca, a true symbol of the island. There are many possible uses, and the unique pieces are always pretty to look at. The town of Inca in the centre of the island is one of the most important European production sites for leather and jewellery. The shoemaking trade in particular has a long tradition and is honoured with a statue in the Plaza de Sa Quartera in the centre of the town. Shops selling shoes and leather goods are lined up endlessly here and offer beautiful souvenirs for every taste and budget. Nevertheless, caution is advised: these days, plagiarised products from the Far East are often found among the local offerings, which is why you should check the quality and price carefully. The most successful shoe creations come from the Mallorcan brand Camper, which started its success story with quality and chic design. To this day, the designs come from the island - but production now takes place elsewhere.

9. ceramics, pottery and glass

In the towns of Manacor and Felanixt in particular, you will find a huge selection of handmade ceramics and pottery in all shapes and colours. Sometimes traditional with oriental ornaments, sometimes colourful or modern. The most common are the red-brown bowls in which tapas are usually served - a wonderful souvenir if you want to spread Mallorcan flair at home. You can also look over the shoulders of the producers in some factories and gain an insight into real craftsmanship as well as great souvenirs. Popular excursion destinations are the three most famous glassblowing factories on the island Gordiola, Menestralía and Lafiore in the centre of the island. This craft has a tradition dating back thousands of years and watching the glassblowers mould the glowing material into unique, artistic pieces is a real experience. A piece of Mallorca for your home - just make sure that the fragile individual pieces are safely packed in your suitcase!

10. hierbas and orange products from Soller

The traditional herbal schnapps not only tastes good as a nightcap after savouring the rich island cuisine. Enjoying a glass at home will quickly bring back memories of your last holiday. This drop is just as versatile as the island; with nine different and often native plants and in many different flavours. Orange ice cream, orange liqueur, orange jam, orange perfume - oranges everywhere! Yes, it is very difficult to escape this fruit on Mallorca. The stronghold of orange cultivation is in the Soller valley, which is one of the most beautiful parts of the island in addition to its fruity splendour. Here, in addition to well-known traders such as Fet a Sóller (deliver to your home country via online order), you will find numerous small suppliers who produce in their own kitchens and sell at small stalls directly from their front gardens, authentically Mallorcan.

11. plants and plants

Small cuttings and seeds are an exceptional souvenir for all amateur gardeners and lovers of Mallorca's plant diversity. This way you can also have a piece of Spanish nature in your garden at home. It is of course taboo to take protected plants with you and only small cuttings or seeds are suitable, as many plants are lost. It is best to pay a visit to one of Mallorca's garden and plant shops - there are many Mediterranean natural wonders to discover, so amateur gardeners can quickly get nervous.

12th wine

Last but not least, the classic Mallorcan product - wine, especially Vino Tinto. Mallorca's best-known wine region is located in the centre of the island around Binissalem. There you will find numerous bodegas where you can taste the wines and take your favourites home with you. There is also no shortage of wine shops on the island. The best-known wineries are José L. Ferrer, Son Prim, Ànima Negre, Tianna Negre, Miquel Gelabert and Son Bordils. But remember to pack the fine wines in your suitcase instead of your hand luggage.