The souvenirs from Mallorca worthy of excess luggage allowance

Forget the tourist trap distress purchases found at the airport and major Mallorca landmarks. The best way to experience the culture and essence of the island is to savour its flavours and support businesses that favour traditional, sustainable methods of production. 

This sausage made of pork meat and fat, paprika, salt and spices is a Mallorcan icon and an exquisite treat. It can be served at room temperature or heated, and eaten on its own or in a variety of recipes. Be sure to also try the one made of Mallorcan black pig and stuffed in natural intestines. A Mallorcan grandmother's tip: For optimal transportation and storage, wrap it in waxed paper and don’t take too long to finish it (which is unlikely to happen). Be sure to include at least one bag of quelitas, those salted olive oil crackers made in Inca that are served with it. And no, this delicacy is not particularly low-fat.

Mallorca is purely Mediterranean, even at the table. It is defined by fish, vegetables and a Mediterranean diet centred around olive oil with the D.O. Oli de Mallorca. The varieties available on the island are Mallorquina, Arbequina and Picual, and they can primarily be found in the Tramuntana mountain range along the western side of the island. You’ll reminisce about your holiday whenever you eat a salad at home.

The Tramuntana mountain range is also where the best citrus is grown. The famous Sóller oranges from the Golden Valley known as “Valle Dorado” are the source of the delicious and vitamin-packed juice you’ll have for breakfast and of Angel d'Or (31%) liqueur, which has a fruity yet slightly bitter taste. Bring a bottle back and enjoy it on its own, create innovative cocktails or give an extra “punch” to a recipe.

While these pastries will probably disappear quicker than your holiday tan, no Mallorcan holiday is complete without trying one. You can find them everywhere from the supermarket to the local bakeries. But, of course, quality plays a big part in the delicious taste of this sweet treat. 

Industrial ensaimadas don’t stand up against a lovingly homemade version. While perhaps not a souvenir from Mallorca that will be enjoyed when you are back home, there is no denying that this is a must-buy when on holiday. 

While Angel d’Or is a traditional choice when browsing souvenirs from Mallorca, Hierbas de Mallorca is even more so. This typical Mallorcan herbal liqueur is traditionally made from a heady mix of island herbs such as fennel, rosemary, and chamomile lemon, all of which are macerated in alcohol until their flavours permeate the liquid. Each family has their own recipe handed down through the generations. Today this beverage is produced under its own denomination of origin (denominación de origen) and industrial versions must adhere to a strict recipe to be able to carry the name Hierbas de Mallorca. When on holiday try the sweet, semi-dry and dry varieties to find your new favourite after-dinner tipple. 

Is there anything prettier than Mallorca during the almond blossom season? If you are lucky enough to witness this natural phenomenon while walking through Mallorca, it is only normal that you want to remember it with something almond-flavoured. The Mallorcan almond has a delicate mild aroma making it ideal for traditional dishes such as Gató de almendra. Yet almonds are not restricted to being used in food, their sweet aroma is coveted for cosmetics such as the popular perfume Flor’dametler.

While food is a wonderful way to experience the local culture in the Balearic Islands, when it comes to souvenirs from Mallorca you may want something more durable to take home with you. Brighten up your living area with some traditional Mallorcan fabrics and other gifts from Mallorca.

Before video games or tablets existed, Mallorcan kids played with siurells de fang, clay figurines that were used as whistles. Linked to the Mycenaean culture, they were believed to chase away evil spirits. 

If you're a fan of history or would like to take home a nice souvenir, you can buy them in Marratxí, a town known as "the land of clay". The pottery workshops in this village also sell an array of artisanal products made of this material.

These items can be found in interior design magazines or in bars and restaurants. You’ve seen them before but you had no idea where they were from. However, they are the one best souvenirs from Mallorca to bring back with you. Mallorcan classical tongues with geometric prints in green, blue or red hues were traditionally used to decorate payesa homes. They are made of natural fibres (usually cotton or linen), coloured using natural dyes and linked to oriental techniques such as ikat. Tongues are available at Teixt Vicens, an artisanal textile workshop that dates back to the 19th century.

Glass blowing in Mallorca is a big tradition and perhaps you are lucky enough to stumble upon a glass workshop while out exploring the things to do in Mallorca. Blown glass, which has been made on the island using artisanal methods since the 14th century. Visit the Lafiore and Gordiola factories to buy these products and view the production process first-hand.

Spanish fashion is popular the world over thanks to high-street giants offering on-trend looks at affordable prices. Yet, fashionistas will be eager to discover a more authentic side to the Spanish fashion scene while on holiday and the island doesn’t disappoint. Mallorcan leather shoes, boho designs made from Mallorcan fabric - the choice is endless.

Do the Camper, Farrutx, Lotusse and Yanko brands sound familiar? They all have three things in common: they manufacture shoes, they are renowned throughout the world and they are originally from the same city, Inca, which is known as ciutat de la pell (the city of leather). If you’d like to take advantage of your holiday in Mallorca to buy some new shoes, be sure to stop by this city located in the middle of the island where you’ll find countless shoe (and accessory) shops that sell quality products at reasonable prices. In fact, there’s even a footwear and leather museum as well as a sculpture in honour of the shoemaking trade.

Jewellery is one of the souvenirs from Mallorca worth saving up for and there is nothing fancier than a Mallorcan pearl item of jewellery. While not authentic pearls, these extremely high-quality imitation versions have become part of Mallorca’s rich culture and traditions. The process for producing Majorica pearls was patented in 1890 by a German, Eduard Friedrich Hugo Heusch. He discovered a technique that involves dipping mother-of-pearl cores into a mixture of fish scales and other natural substances in order to give the pearls a smooth, glowing finish, just like a real pearl. The name of the brand is inspired by the island’s original Latin name, Maiorica and soon after launch, the pearls became one of the top souvenirs from Mallorca. 

If you want to blend in while also having a way to carry all the souvenirs from Mallorca you wish to take home with you, we suggest you buy a Senalla - a traditional Mallorcan woven basket bag. Crafted from raffia, these carry-alls are ideal for the beach, shopping or as a decoration for your home. The production method used to create them is an artform that has been passed down through generations and only natural, Mallorcan materials are used. If you want to ensure that you are buying an original, authentic Senalla, head to a craft market or an official manufacturer as there are many imitations sold in the cheap souvenir stores on the island.