Mercat Olivar Tour

While away a few hours in Palma at the central Mercat Olivar. Better still walk a tour with  Albert Bouzas of Mallorca Cultural Tours who is the the perfect host and a font of knowledge. His depth of knowledge takes his audience on an unforgettable journey through Palma’s heritage with his gastronomic and cultural tours.

Taking its name from a 16th century Convent which stood on this spot, Mercat de l´Olivar has been at the very heart of city life for over 60 years.

In the interests of progress, daily open food stalls were no longer practical and to shield traders from the weather, it was decided they should be brought together under one roof, and this impressive building dates back to 1951.

Hosting more than one hundred shopkeepers the Mercat is busy, and in more recent years has become a gastronomic destination with the opening of cafes and tapas bars popular with both traders and visitors.

As you stroll around with Albert he explains how the market is the centre of Mallorcan life and culture and will talk you through the history and heritage of olive oil production, wine production and almond production etc on the island and will tell you the truth about sobrassada; the Sicilians had it first!

You will hear about the types of bread from the `pan moreno´ (the brown bread of the countryside) to the `llonguet ´ (the white bread rolls popular in the city of Palma). Residents of Palma are still nicknamed ‘ llonguets’  by their country friends for their softer taste in bread!

To complete the tour, and if you have time, Albert will delight in taking you outside and through the streets of Palma to tell you more about the history of the city and the long tradition of public markets in the capital of Mallorca.

There are numerous tours on offer, so check-out their website Mallorca Cultural Tours.

If you want to get under the skin of the island and find out more, then just click the link.

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