Ben Calçat: one of the last traditional Mallorcan shoe workshops

Thanks to our excellent location, the Alcázar Hotel Sóller lets you enjoy everything the Sóller valley has to offer in a very particular way, getting into the genuine historical and cultural tradition that defines not only our valley but the essence of Mallorca itself. Beyond its food, its emblematic landscapes and the charm of its streets, the Sóller valley also hides small artisan gems that connect you directly with the island’s most authentic side. Among them stands Ben Calçat, one of the few traditional Mallorcan shoe workshops left in the Balearic Islands, where tradition, history and handwork come together to keep making footwear today, adding something unique to the crafts of our valley.

The story of Ben Calçat

Ben Calçat was born on 9 March 1975 in Port de Sóller, founded by the Miró family as a small artisan workshop making belts, sandals and bags. From the start the enterprise was built on handwork, on knowing the trade and on using quality materials, values that have defined it over the years.

Over time, and because of changes in the sector, particularly the rising cost of raw materials, the brand adapted and evolved, turning its production towards traditional Mallorcan footwear. That shift not only kept the business going but allowed it to specialise in one of the most authentic expressions of local craft. Years later the workshop moved from Port de Sóller to the centre of the town, specifically to the emblematic Calle de la Luna, at number 74. For a time both premises ran side by side, until this address became the single point of reference. Today Ben Calçat keeps alive a tradition passed from generation to generation for more than three decades, and has become a byword for Mallorcan handmade footwear and a clear example of how traditional trades on the island have evolved and endured.

What you will find at Ben Calçat

After a walk of about 10 minutes from the Alcázar Hotel Sóller, through the Plaça Constitució and along the Carrer de Sa Lluna, you reach Ben Calçat. As soon as you step inside you realise this is far more than visiting a shop: it is getting a close look at one of Mallorca’s most authentic traditions, thanks to the people who have kept the trade alive for generations. Inside you will find five of their own handmade shoe models, made with high-quality natural leathers such as nubuck, split leather and full-grain, available in a wide range of colours.

Every product reflects the value of work done by hand: from cutting the leather to the final finish. Every detail is carefully considered to give you footwear that is comfortable, hard-wearing and long-lasting, suited to everyday use without losing its distinctive, traditional character.

Among all the models, the “porqueres” stand out in particular, one of the most representative types of Mallorcan footwear. Legend has it that the first “porqueres” came about when a poor man from Ibiza, arriving on the island with no shoes left, used an old car tyre and a piece of canvas to make his own. Over time the design has evolved without losing its essence, moving from the traditional colours — black, brown and natural — to a wide range that makes them easy to match with any style. They are now made both in summer versions, combining canvas and leather, and in winter versions entirely in leather, always comfortable and hard-wearing. They also remain very much part of local life, worn by many people in the village as part of traditional dress during celebrations as important as Sa Fira i Es Firó.

Alongside them you can discover other traditional models such as the Menorcan “albarques”, the Mallorcan boot, a sturdy and versatile shoe available in plain or combined colours, and the “patatera”, whose origins lie in work in the fields and which is defined by a functional design intended to give protection and resistance in use. And finally the “frailera”, which combines tradition and looks, bringing a more elegant touch to traditional Mallorcan footwear.

They have also recently brought back a very special model after years without making it: Paco Miró’s leather sandals, one-off pieces that stand out for their detailing and for carrying the craftsman’s own signature, which makes them an even more exclusive keepsake. If you wish, you can hear the story of each piece in depth from Paco, Maruja or Jaume, the owners and craftspeople of the workshop, who will be delighted to explain everything in detail, sharing the origin of each shoe, how it has evolved and how it is made. It is a close-up experience that helps you understand and value what craft really means. As well as their own production, the shop also stocks a carefully chosen selection of well-known brands, which sit alongside the handmade products and round out the experience.

A visit to Ben Calçat is an experience we wholeheartedly recommend. The warm, family atmosphere created by its craftspeople invites you to discover and understand their work at your own pace. But if there is one thing that really makes the difference, it is the human side. Being able to talk directly with Paco, Maruja or Jaume and hear at first hand how they work, how they have kept this tradition going over the years and what makes each shoe special turns the visit into something far deeper than a simple purchase.

Ben Calçat offers the chance to connect with genuine Mallorcan culture through one of its most representative trades. A very special visit indeed. If during your stay with us at the Alcázar Hotel Sóller you would like to know more about visiting Ben Calçat or other places in the Sóller valley and around it, our reception team will be delighted to help.