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Market lane in Sineu with stalls beneath parasols, clothing rails and two street musicians playing saxophone and cajón.

Places / Pla de Mallorca

Sineu

Inland village

In the heart of Mallorca, Sineu hosts one of the island's oldest markets every Wednesday, under a royal charter dating from 1306. Its livestock section is the last of its kind on the island.

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Sineu
Location of Sineu in Mallorca
Location of Sineu

Sineu in 30 seconds

The essentials at a glance

Worth visiting for
A short visit
Best for
Market visitors who can come early on a Wednesday
Best months
January–May, September–December
Time to allow
Half a day on Wednesday; around an hour on other days
Without a car
Hire car recommended
Parking
On Wednesdays, arrive before nine or park at the edge and walk for ten minutes
Keep in mind
Visitors expecting lots of activity on other days
Access
Pushchairs: Manageable, but awkward in market-day crowds · Wheelchairs: Main squares and market area largely accessible
  • Inland village

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Bronze winged lion on a tall marble plinth outside Nostra Senyora dels Àngels church in Sineu, beside a yellow house with green shutters.

Sineu's winged lion looks older than it is, fitting neatly into the historic streets.

Two black Mallorcan pigs standing on straw inside metal pens at Sineu livestock market.

The black Mallorcan pig, traditionally used for sobrassada sold elsewhere in the market.

Three canaries perched inside a cage at Sineu market.

Poultry, rabbits and cage birds are among the animals sold here.

Getting to know Sineu

Does Sineu suit your plans?

What to expect and what to know before you visit.

Who it suits

  • Market visitors who can come early on a Wednesday
  • Anyone interested in Mallorca beyond the coast
  • Visitors without a car — the Palma–Manacor train stops here
  • Anyone shopping for Mallorcan produce

Things to bear in mind

  • Visitors expecting lots of activity on other days
  • Anyone arriving at midday hoping to see the livestock market
  • Visitors who need a sea view
  • Anyone expecting plenty of summer shade

Drive from the airport

35 minutes

35 km

Bus connections

The Palma–Manacor train stops in Sineu

Region

Pla de Mallorca

Elevation

140 m

above sea level

Markets

Wednesday

A glimpse of Sineu

Bronze winged lion on a tall marble plinth outside Nostra Senyora dels Àngels church in Sineu, beside a yellow house with green shutters. Two black Mallorcan pigs standing on straw inside metal pens at Sineu livestock market. Three canaries perched inside a cage at Sineu market. Two harnessed horses with collars and muzzles at the edge of Sineu market, with visitors and stalls behind.

More photographs of Sineu →

Season guide for Sineu

November Worth a visit

Very quiet Open

Worth a visit Worth considering Less suitable Closed

Worth visiting in January, February, March, April, May, September, October, November and December. Less suitable in July and August.

Location

Location of Sineu

Location of Sineu in Mallorca Palma Alcúdia Sóller Manacor
Location of Sineu
Population
3,800
Elevation
140 m above sea level
Airport
35 km , around 35 minutes
Hire car
recommended
Worth visiting for
a brief stop
Coordinates
39.6428,3.0117

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The market

King Jaume II granted Sineu its Wednesday market charter in 1306. The town was an important medieval administrative centre, and the kings of Mallorca stayed in the palace later converted into a convent.

The market has three main sections: clothes and leather goods around the church, food and plants around Plaça des Fossar, and the Mercat de bestiar, or livestock market, a little apart. The last of these sets Sineu apart.

The livestock market

Sheep, goats, rabbits, poultry and black Mallorcan pigs are traded in a separate area by people whose livelihoods depend on farming.

It starts early and is largely finished by eleven. Arrive at midday and you may find visitor stalls where the animals stood earlier.

Two black Mallorcan pigs standing on straw inside metal pens at Sineu livestock market.
The black Mallorcan pig, traditionally used for sobrassada sold elsewhere in the market.

What to buy

Look for sheep’s cheese, sobrassada, fuet, marinated olives and dried peppers, reflecting the produce of the surrounding plain.

The bags and leather goods displayed prominently on the outer stalls are rarely Mallorcan-made.

Closely packed leather bags, rucksacks and colourful fabric shoes at a Sineu market stall.
Bag stalls are prominent near the edges. Few of their goods are Mallorcan.

The winged lion

Outside Nostra Senyora dels Àngels stands a bronze winged lion on a column. It represents Saint Mark and has become Sineu’s unofficial emblem. It dates from 1945, although it looks older.

Bronze winged lion on a tall marble plinth outside Nostra Senyora dels Àngels church in Sineu, beside a yellow house with green shutters.
Sineu's winged lion looks older than it is, fitting neatly into the historic streets.

Exploring the plain

The Pla is a side of Mallorca that rarely features in beach brochures: flat, dry countryside without sea views, with water-pumping windmills, dry-stone walls, almond trees and carob trees. It gives you a much fuller picture of the island than the coast alone.

Rows of preserving jars filled with fruit and vegetables in oil on a Sineu market stall.
Preserved produce in jars, much of it from the surrounding plain.

Getting there

The Palma–Manacor train stops in Sineu. On Wednesdays, it is by far the most relaxing way to arrive and avoids the search for a parking space.

Bright red sobrassada and other sausages hanging from strings at Sineu market.
Sobrassada, soft enough to spread and coloured red with paprika.

Photographs

Sineu in Mallorca

Bronze winged lion on a tall marble plinth outside Nostra Senyora dels Àngels church in Sineu, beside a yellow house with green shutters.
SineuSineu's winged lion looks older than it is, fitting neatly into the historic streets.
Two black Mallorcan pigs standing on straw inside metal pens at Sineu livestock market.
SineuThe black Mallorcan pig, traditionally used for sobrassada sold elsewhere in the market.
Three canaries perched inside a cage at Sineu market.
SineuPoultry, rabbits and cage birds are among the animals sold here.
Two harnessed horses with collars and muzzles at the edge of Sineu market, with visitors and stalls behind.
SineuHorses still appear at the market, although fewer than in the past.
Stacks of Mallorcan sheep's cheese with herb-coated rinds at a Sineu market stall.
SineuRows of sheep's cheese, often with a taste offered before you choose.
Bright red sobrassada and other sausages hanging from strings at Sineu market.
SineuSobrassada, soft enough to spread and coloured red with paprika.
Fuet and air-dried sausages displayed on a white market counter, with German-language signs and prices behind.
SineuThe German signs reflect the market's international visitors.
Large earthenware bowls of green and dark marinated olives with handwritten prices at Sineu market.
SineuOlives sold by weight from earthenware bowls, including spicy Mallorcan varieties.
Long strings of red, green and yellow dried peppers hanging at Sineu market.
SineuDried peppers on strings. Paprika gives sobrassada its red colour.
Closely packed leather bags, rucksacks and colourful fabric shoes at a Sineu market stall.
SineuBag stalls are prominent near the edges. Few of their goods are Mallorcan.
Rows of preserving jars filled with fruit and vegetables in oil on a Sineu market stall.
SineuPreserved produce in jars, much of it from the surrounding plain.
Bronze winged lion holding a shield on a stone plinth, with a sandstone house, green shutters and an olive tree behind.
SineuThe winged lion represents Saint Mark. It has stood in Sineu since 1945.
Solid church bell tower and arcaded gallery in Sineu, with palms and a broad staircase in front.
SineuA substantial tower for a small town, recalling Sineu's former importance.
Sineu square with sandstone houses, green shutters, a central tree, parked bicycles and arcades behind.
SineuSineu on a day without the Wednesday market.
Long sandstone wall with few windows beside a paved Sineu lane, with a palm beneath blue sky.
SineuBehind this wall stood a palace of Mallorca's kings, later converted into a convent.
Narrow Sineu lane between tall sandstone houses with blue shutters and a parked van.
SineuNarrow lanes built from the same stone as the church.
Gently sloping Sineu street with tall sandstone façades and wide wooden courtyard gates.
SineuBroad gateways once allowed carts and livestock through.

How much time do you have?

Things to do in Sineu

Three hours

Start early at the Wednesday livestock market, then browse the stalls around the church and Plaça des Fossar.

Half a day

Add the older streets behind the church and a walk beside the long convent wall.

A full day

Combine Sineu with Muro, Petra or Santa Margalida for a day in the Pla.

On a rainy day

Partly suitable. The market still runs, but fewer stalls may be open in wet weather.

Practical details

Parking
On Wednesdays, arrive before nine or park at the edge and walk for ten minutes
Public transport
The Palma–Manacor train stops here — the easiest way to reach the market
Time to allow
Half a day on Wednesday; around an hour on other days
Good to know
The livestock market starts early and is largely finished by eleven. Later arrivals mainly see the visitor-oriented stalls.
Bus
The Palma–Manacor train stops in Sineu
Shops and services
Supermarkets: In town · Pharmacy: In town · Medical care: Health centre in town; hospitals in Inca or Manacor · Cash machines: In town · Fuel: On the edge of town
Access
Paved lanes and squares, with gentle slopes in the old town · Pushchairs: Manageable, but awkward in market-day crowds · Wheelchairs: Main squares and market area largely accessible · Dogs: On a lead; best kept away from the livestock area
What you will not find
The sea · Plenty of market-day parking · Shade across the main squares · Much evening activity
Coordinates
39.6428,3.0117 Google Maps Apple Maps

Within reach

Places to visit

Nearby

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Distances without a driving time are measured in a straight line. The road journey can be much longer; known driving times are shown alongside.

Explore from here

Llubí 6 km Petra 9 km Ariany 9 km Santa Margalida 10 km Muro 11 km

Your questions answered

Your questions about Sineu

When is Sineu market?

Every Wednesday, year-round. Its market charter dates from 1306. The livestock section starts early and is largely over by eleven, so arrive early if that is what you want to see.

What makes the livestock market special?

It is the last of its kind on Mallorca. Sheep, goats, rabbits, poultry and black Mallorcan pigs are traded in a separate area by people who make their living from farming. It is not simply a visitor demonstration.

How do I get to Sineu without a car?

Take the Palma–Manacor train, which stops in Sineu. It is the most relaxing way to arrive on Wednesday, when parking becomes difficult.

Is Sineu worth visiting on other days?

Allow around an hour. The winged lion outside the church, sandstone lanes and long convent wall are worth seeing, although Wednesday is the main attraction.

What is worth buying at the market?

Sheep's cheese, sobrassada, fuet, marinated olives and dried peppers. The bags and leather goods on the outer stalls are rarely made on Mallorca.

Practical questions

When is the best time to visit Sineu?

Recommended months: January, February, March, April, May, September, October, November, December. The market runs year-round. January is cold and mainly local.

Is Sineu worth visiting in July and August?

July: another month may suit you better. Usually lively. Inland heat can be intense without a coastal breeze. Temperatures can reach 38°C. August: another month may suit you better. Usually lively.

How far is Sineu from Palma airport?

About 35 km from Palma airport. Allow roughly 35 minutes by car. The train is by far the most relaxing Wednesday option. If driving, arrive before nine or park on the edge of town and walk for ten minutes.

Do I need a hire car for Sineu?

A car is useful The Palma–Manacor train stops in Sineu

Where can I park in Sineu?

On Wednesdays, arrive before nine or park at the edge and walk for ten minutes

Can I visit Sineu with a pushchair or wheelchair?

Paved lanes and squares, with gentle slopes in the old town Pushchairs: Manageable, but awkward in market-day crowds Wheelchairs: Main squares and market area largely accessible

Are dogs allowed at Sineu?

On a lead; best kept away from the livestock area

Sineu features in our Mallorca highlights

Words and photographs: . Exploring Mallorca since 2013 — by bike, on foot and with a camera.