Supermarkets and discount stores
The main supermarket chains in Mallorca are Mercadona, Lidl, Eroski, Carrefour and Aldi. In the nationwide comparison by the Spanish consumer organisation OCU, their prices are close together, with Lidl, Mercadona and Aldi almost level. Only Alcampo, which runs a hypermarket on Mallorca in Marratxí, comes out cheaper. Which chain is best for what, with price index, store numbers and organic options, is covered in our guide to supermarkets in Mallorca compared. Here is the short version with opening hours.
Mercadona is Spain's largest supermarket chain and, by its own figures, had 47 supermarkets in the Balearic Islands at the end of 2025. The range is wide: fruit, vegetables, meat and fish, dairy and toiletries. Its own labels are Hacendado (food), Deliplus (toiletries) and Bosque Verde (household).
Opening hours: usually Monday to Saturday 9 am - 9:30 pm. Mercadona is normally closed on Sundays; only in summer do some branches in holiday resorts open on Sundays from 9 am to 3 pm.
Lidl is a German discount chain with 26 branches on Mallorca (as of June 2026). In the OCU comparison, Lidl is just ahead of Mercadona nationwide, but the difference is small. The range is smaller but sufficient for basics. New offers appear in the leaflet every Monday and Friday.
Opening hours: according to its store finder, Monday to Saturday 9 am - 9:30 pm, generally closed on Sundays.
Eroski is a Basque chain and, by its own figures, had 180 outlets in the Balearic Islands at the end of 2025, from large supermarkets and Eroski City stores to small Rapid shops in holiday resorts. In the OCU comparison, its prices are slightly above Mercadona and Lidl. Its gourmet own label is called Seleqtia. Opening hours vary by store.
Carrefour is a French chain. There are smaller "Carrefour Express" stores and large hypermarkets in Palma. The larger ones are ideal for bigger purchases and household goods and often run promotions. In the OCU comparison, prices are just above Mercadona. The hypermarkets open Monday to Saturday until 9 or 10 pm.
Aldi has 14 branches on Mallorca (as of January 2026), several of them in Palma. Most of the range is own-label, and in the OCU comparison its prices are at Mercadona's level. Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 9 am - 9:30 pm.
Alcampo runs a hypermarket on Mallorca in Marratxí, on the PM-27 motorway from Palma to Inca. In the OCU comparison, Alcampo is the cheapest of the big chains. Opening hours according to the shopping centre: Monday to Saturday 9 am - 10 pm.
Dia is a Spanish discount chain that opened its first store on Mallorca in March 2026, inside the market hall in Inca.
In small villages, Eroski City, Rapid, Suma, Proxim or Spar often cover everyday needs. These shops are slightly more expensive, but close by and sometimes the only place to shop in the village.
Weekly markets
The markets in Mallorca are legendary. Fresh produce, local specialities, fish, fruit and vegetables from the farmer. This is the real Mallorca. Palma has permanent market halls, while the towns and villages hold a weekly market on a set day.
Mercat de l'Olivar in Palma is the largest and best-known market hall. It opens Monday to Saturday from 7 am to 3 pm, with some stalls open until 8 pm on Fridays, and is closed on Sundays. You will find fruit, vegetables, fish, meat, cheese and olives. Prices for fresh produce are fair, and the atmosphere is old, lively and authentic.
Mercat de Santa Catalina in the neighbourhood of the same name in Palma is smaller, with a local feel, but also popular with visitors. It opens Monday to Saturday from 7 am to 3 pm.
Sineu market is famous throughout Mallorca. It takes place every Wednesday morning and dates back to a privilege granted by King Jaume II in 1306. There is fruit, vegetables, handicrafts and clothing. It is also a tourist experience: busy, loud and lively.
Inca market every Thursday from 9 am to 2 pm in the town's main shopping streets. One of the largest markets on the island, known for leather goods and shoes, plus fruit, vegetables and household items.
Santa Maria del Camí every Sunday morning until 2 pm on Plaça Nova. There is a dedicated area for organic food, and many producers sell directly.
The weekly markets in the towns run in the morning, usually until around 1:30 or 2 pm. There are Sunday markets too, for example in Santa Maria del Camí.
Opening hours and Sundays
On weekdays, every shop in the Balearic Islands can set its own opening hours, up to a maximum of 90 hours a week. This is laid down in the Balearic commerce act (Ley 11/2014 de comercio). Large supermarkets usually open from 9 am to 9:30 pm, and many small shops close for a lunch break.
On Sundays and public holidays, shops may in principle only open on ten days a year, which the Balearic government sets each year. In 2026 these are 4 and 18 January, 8 March, 2 April (Maundy Thursday), 15 August, 6 September, 29 November and 6, 20 and 26 December. Municipalities may replace 15 August and 6 September with other days. The Balearic government explains the rules in detail.
The following may open freely, including on Sundays:
- shops in the designated high-tourism zones (zonas de gran afluencia turística), during the periods set for each zone
- shops with up to 300 m² of sales area that do not belong to a large retail group
- bakeries, cake shops, petrol stations, newsagents and florists
- shops at the airport, ports and stations, and convenience stores that are open at least 18 hours a day
- markets authorised by the municipality
All year round, the tourist zones include Alcúdia, Muro, Capdepera, Campos, Llucmajor including s'Arenal, the coastal strip of Calvià, Can Picafort, Cala Millor (the part in the municipality of Sant Llorenç), Cala d'Or and Palma's old town inside the ring of avenues, among others. Only from 15 March to 30 October do the rules apply in places such as Pollença, Andratx, Sóller, Inca, Son Servera and along Palma's coast (Cala Major, Paseo Marítimo, Molinar to s'Arenal). The Balearic government publishes the full list of municipalities.
In practice, this means a supermarket in a tourist zone may open on Sundays, but whether it does is up to the chain. Lidl and Aldi only list Monday to Saturday opening hours for their stores on Mallorca, and Mercadona only opens some branches in holiday resorts on Sundays in summer. On Sundays your best bet is small shops, bakeries and petrol stations. Check the chain's store finder before planning a Sunday shop.
One more rule applies in certain holiday areas of Palma, Llucmajor and Calvià: shops that sell alcohol must stay closed between 9:30 pm and 8 am there, supermarkets included.
December has its own rules: 8, 25 and 26 December are public holidays in the Balearic Islands, and on 24 and 31 December many supermarkets close in the afternoon. Which Sundays and holidays shops may open during the season, and what is open on which day, is covered in our guide to Christmas in Mallorca. On top of that come local holidays, which differ from one municipality to the next, see public holidays in Mallorca.
Shopping habits in Mallorca
Spaniards shop differently from what many newcomers are used to. Lunch is the main meal (1-3 pm), dinner is very light (8-9 pm). Many people buy fresh produce daily rather than for the whole week.
That is why markets are so important: they offer fresh products every day. Many newcomers are used to keeping a pantry stocked. That is possible too, but with so many supermarkets nearby it is less necessary.
Payment habits: Contactless payment is widespread everywhere. A Spanish bank account with a contactless card is practical. Cash is also accepted. Small change is useful (car parks, market stalls).
Prices and saving tips
In the nationwide price comparison by the Spanish consumer organisation OCU from September 2025, Alcampo is the cheapest with an index of 101, and the other big chains on the island are close together: Lidl has 108, Mercadona and Aldi 109, Carrefour 110 and Eroski 112, where 100 stands for the cheapest chain in Spain. OCU only publishes figures for Palma to its members.
Saving tips:
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Buy fresh produce at the market. Seasonal fruit, vegetables and fish are often fresher there than at the supermarket, and you buy straight from the producer.
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Buy own-label products, such as Hacendado at Mercadona or Milbona at Lidl. They are cheaper than branded goods.
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Avoid tourist areas. Small shops in holiday resorts are often much more expensive than the large supermarkets. Check out the best places to live in Mallorca to save on shopping too.
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Watch for promotions (ofertas) in the chains' leaflets. Lidl, for example, brings out new offers every Monday and Friday.
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Online ordering: Mercadona delivers online orders to your home, and the online shop shows whether your address is covered once you enter your postcode. Mercadona does not offer in-store collection. Carrefour also has an online shop.
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Market timing: Shortly before the market closes it is worth asking, as some vendors sell off what is left rather than taking it home.
Summary
Shopping in Mallorca is straightforward once you know the opening hours. Use Lidl, Aldi or Mercadona for basics, the Alcampo and Carrefour hypermarkets for big shops and the weekly market for freshness and a bit of adventure. The food culture here is great, so embrace it and enjoy fresh produce every day. For a detailed overview of the cost of living in Mallorca, see our separate article. Your wallet and your health will thank you.
