Pollença Old Town & Market

Pollença is widely regarded as Mallorca's most refined and authentically Mallorcan inland town, a medieval settlement of golden limestone at the northern foot of the Tramuntana mountains that has drawn artists, writers, and discerning travelers for over a century. The town centers on the shaded Plaça Major, a broad arcaded square of ochre stone where the Sunday market has operated for centuries and where café terraces remain busy year-round. The market itself, held every Sunday morning from 8AM to 2PM, is one of the largest and most authentic in Mallorca — a genuine mix of local produce, traditional crafts, ceramics, and clothing stalls rather than pure tourist souvenirs. The town's most celebrated feature is the Calvari staircase: 365 stone steps climbing steeply to the small Chapel of the Calvary (Oratori del Calvari) at the hilltop, with panoramic views across the rooftops of Pollença to the bay and the Serra de Tramuntana. The steps are flanked by cypress trees and ancient stone lanterns, creating a deeply atmospheric ascent that rewards the effort. The lower town contains the 13th-century Church of Our Lady of the Angels, the Museu Municipal de Pollença with paintings by local artist Anglada Camarasa, and numerous excellent restaurants and galleries that reflect the town's long tradition of artistic patronage. The annual Pollença Music Festival in July and August brings world-class chamber music concerts to the Claustre de Sant Domingo convent courtyard, one of the most prestigious chamber music events in Spain.