Herbal Scents and Myrtle Distillation: Selva Celebrates Its Herb Fair

Herbal Scents and Myrtle Distillation: Selva Celebrates Its Herb Fair

An evening of dance and tapas, an afternoon full of market stalls and the sweet drop of myrtle

On 12 June 2026 the small village of Selva will once again be transformed into a herb garden on wheels. When the bells of the village church ring in the evening, the Plaça de la Vila fills with tables, folk dancers and the soft clinking of glasses: at 7:30 pm the traditional opening begins with local dances, followed by a tapas night where restaurants and bars from the village set up their stalls.

It quickly becomes clear that this is not a festival for tourist groups but for people from the valley and neighbours: children run barefoot over the cobbles of the Carrer Major, older couples nod to the music, and a breeze from the Serra brings the scent of rosemary and thyme. This is the kind of Saturday evening a local remembers — a little loud, a little cosy, authentically Mallorcan.

Sunday starts earlier: from 5:00 pm the market stalls open. Soaps made with herbal oils, small bottles of aromatic essences, bundles of freshly harvested herbs and dried bunches lie side by side. Handmade products, natural salves and infusions — everything has that patient, homemade touch you rarely find at large markets.

One moment that attracts many visitors is the distillation of myrtle. From the evergreen plant a sweet liqueur is made, a tradition with deep roots in Selva. The scene is almost cinematic: a steaming kettle, the smell of myrtle in the evening air, someone tasting the distillate and smiling in satisfaction. For locals this is not just a sip but a piece of village history.

The selection of goods at the market is deliberately local: soaps with lavender from nearby gardens, salves with St. John's wort and small sachets of dried sage for the kitchen. Many stalls offer explanations — how to dry herbs properly, which plants are suitable for tea, or how to do a small household smudging ritual. Such tips spread quickly by word of mouth, between a tapa and a glass of wine.

Why is a festival like this good for the island? Because it strengthens the connection between people and landscape. In Mallorca attention often goes to sun, beach and hotels — but events like the herb fair are a reminder of how many small producers work here, how much plant knowledge is passed down in families, and how pleasure can arise without great effort.

A simple everyday observation: if you stroll through Selva on such a weekend you notice how the place breathes. Cafés fill up, the bakery sells faster than usual, and visitors stop on the steps in front of the town hall to share a portion of tapas. This is not a glossy programme; this is village life with good spirits.

Tip for visitors: come with a cloth bag, walk slowly and try the small things. Buy local soap instead of plastic-wrapped products, take a bundle of thyme home and sit in the Plaça in the evening when the lights come on. If you want to see the myrtle distillation, plan your time so you don't miss the demonstration — it's an experience to be smelled and tasted, not just photographed.

The herb fair in Selva is also an invitation to start growing herbs in pots again or to make a jar of syrup. A small community project, a souvenir for friends — such things spread quickly through the neighbourhood and help keep tradition alive.

If you're looking for more festivities that weekend, there are often similar events in the region, such as the Fig festival in Lloret de Vistalegre, the Vermar wine festival in Binissalem or the Artà agricultural fair. But Selva has something of its own: the myrtle and the relaxed mood on the village square. For locals and visitors alike the fair is a gentle, fragrant anchor in the yearly calendar.

Image: Ajuntament de Selva