Manacor

Manacor is with about 45,000 inhabitants the second-largest city in Mallorca — and probably the most underrated. The city is not a beauty contest candidate: industrial areas on the outskirts, little restored old town, hardly any tourist infrastructure. But that's exactly what makes Manacor one of the most authentic places on the island, where you experience the real, unfiltered Mallorca.

Manacor is mainly known for two things: artificial pearls and furniture. The company Majorica (founded in 1890) has been producing the world's most famous artificial pearls here for over 130 years — using a patented process with fish scale essence and glass. The factory on the road to Palma offers free tours (Mon–Fri 9–13) and a factory outlet, where pearl necklaces, earrings, and bracelets are 20–40% cheaper than in retail. A Majorica pearl necklace (45 cm, classic) costs from about €40 in the factory outlet.

The furniture industry is less touristically relevant but part of the city's DNA. Manacor produces a large part of Mallorcan furniture — from rustic olive wood pieces to modern design. Some workshops in the Zona Industrial are open to visitors.

The Monday market on Plaça de sa Mora and the surrounding streets is one of the largest on the island: food, clothing, household goods, plants. Not particularly pretty, but a real experience. Here you can find everything — from live chickens to designer sunglasses (fake, of course). The locals come to shop, not to stroll.

In the old town, the parish church Nostra Senyora dels Dolors (imposing neo-Gothic tower, 80 m high, one of the highest church towers in Mallorca), the weekly market square, and a few restored alleys are worth visiting. The Museu d'Història de Manacor in the Torre dels Enagistes (14th century) displays archaeological finds from the area, including early Christian mosaics from the Son Peretó basilica.

Manacor is also the hometown of Rafael Nadal — the tennis legend has his academy here (Rafa Nadal Academy, Carretera Cales de Mallorca), which can be visited. Sports museum, padel courts, tennis camps for all ages. Tour of the sports museum about €12.

Conclusion: Manacor is not a place to linger, but an interesting half-day stop on the way to the east coast (the Porto Cristo caves are only 15 minutes away). Mondays for the market, otherwise for the Majorica factory or the Nadal Academy.