The town of Sineu and my favourite market in Mallorca

If someone says 'Mallorca market', the one that springs to mind for me is the traditional and popular Wednesday market in Sineu (pronounced Sin a you), which has been going since way back in the 14th century. Sineu is a quaint inland town. If you stuck a needle where you guess the middle of the island of Mallorca is, you'd probably hit Sineu, geographically almost centric, strategically situated in the plains known as Es Pla.

Its history reaches as far back as Roman times when it was called Sinium. During Moorish occupation it went by the name of Yinyau, but it started to thrive after Spanish occupation. In 1309, Jaume II ordered the building of his residential palace there, which was later used as courthouse. This made Sineu one of the most important towns of old Mallorca. Its parish church Nostra Senyora dels Angels is mentioned as far back as 1248 and in the square is a statue of a winged lion, built in 1945 and symbolising Sineu's patron saint St Mark. The convent of the nuns, Convento de las Monjas, is also known as El Palau as it was built out of the ruins of Jaume II's palace. Walking through the narrow alleys, you can virtually smell the centuries of history in which the town is steeped.

This ancient agricultural hilltop town comes alive on Wednesdays for market day, and offers a true view of a typical Mallorquian town. The streets throng with visitors that come to buy, see, breathe and generally experience one of Mallorca's most diverse markets. Once the market is in full swing, it pretty much brings the entire centre of Sineu to a standstill and you had best park further out and walk in. The greatest activity is around the main square by the church and the Placa del Fossar, where the animal market takes place.

Merchandise ranges from locally made leather shoes to kaleidoscopically coloured peppers, from live piglets, dogs and chicken to pony rides for the little ones. And, let's not forget the numerous animated street musicians causing serious traffic jams in the already tight space available between stalls, browsers and buildings. Remember that it is still, essentially, a farmers' market, so expect to see lambs tied up like parcels for easy carrying, and also take note that it's an early market, which becomes unpleasantly crowded from 11 o' clock onwards.

A useful tip: as the town, people, wares and activities are so picturesque, the stall-keepers are used to tourists being more interested in snapping pictures than buying. Some get quite piqued, it is therefore one of those occasions where common courtesy and asking permission before you snap prevails. Here's the phrase that pays: ¿Me permite sacar una foto? And a positive answer will be a nod or "Sí". 

If you visit Mallorca during October and November, it is also a perfect time to try a typical mallorquian fried sugared delight, the plum sized 'buñuelos' which vendors prepare fresh while you wait. Traditionally, young men serenaded young girls in the street on the Day of the Virgins, the 21st of October, and gave them a carnation. In exchange, the girls gave the young men these potato fritters.

To read about more markets in Mallorca visit our Market section.