Manacor, Municipal capital in eastern Mallorca, Spain.
Manacor is a municipal capital in eastern Mallorca, Spain, that spreads across fields and low hills a few kilometers inland from the coast. The streets run through residential areas with low houses, past workshops producing furniture and artificial pearls, and along squares lined with cafes and shops for everyday goods.
King James II granted municipal status to the settlement in 1300, turning it into an administrative center in the eastern part of the island. The parish church was built in the late 19th century on the site of an earlier mosque, showing the shifts in religious and cultural life over the centuries.
Furniture making has been part of daily life here for generations, and workshops across town still operate with traditional methods passed down through families. Many visitors also watch the artificial pearl production process, which involves layering glass to create a shine that resembles the real material.
The Monday morning market draws vendors and shoppers from across the region, and the streets fill with stalls selling food, textiles, and handmade goods. Many workshops open their doors on weekdays for visitors interested in seeing how furniture and pearls are made.
The sports center named after tennis player Rafael Nadal houses a museum with interactive simulators that recreate different sports. Visitors can try techniques and movements usually reserved for professional athletes.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
