Palma Nova

History & Culture in Palmanova

Palma Nova was one of the first tourist resorts to be built in Mallorca. Dating back to 1935, officials decided to transform the fishing village into a purpose-built resort to attract visitors. However, the Spanish Civil War put this on hold until the country returned to normality in the 1950s, when building resumed.

See our History Guide

Beaches in Palmanova

Palma Nova is home to three beautiful stretches of beach, all connected by a lively promenade that runs the length of the resort.

Right at the heart of Palma Nova lies Palma Nova Beach, a spacious 1-kilometre long blue flag beach with a depth of around 60 metres. This central beach is perfect for water sports enthusiasts looking to dive into activities like jet skiing, paddleboarding, and more.

At the eastern end of the resort, you’ll find Es Carregador, another blue flag beach known for its fine white sand and crystal-clear waters. Adjacent to a small harbour, this beach is particularly popular with families thanks to its children’s play area located on the promenade just behind the sand, making it a safe and fun spot for kids.

On the western side, the largest of the three is Son Maties (Matias), also proudly flying the blue flag. This stretch boasts a vibrant and upmarket atmosphere with a great selection of cool bars and restaurants, offering a perfect spot to relax with a drink and soak up the atmosphere.

Dining in Palmanova

Palma Nova’s dining scene offers a diverse mix of options, ranging from casual pizza and pasta joints to charming seafood chiringuito-style eateries and more refined dining experiences. Whether you’re craving simple, familiar flavours or looking to indulge in fresh Mediterranean seafood and stylish international cuisine, there’s something here to satisfy every appetite.

During the day, Il Chiringo is popular spot, ideally located right on the beachfront, perfect for watching the little ones on the beach whilst enjoying fresh seafood, or a light snack and cocktail. 

For something a little different, Siso Beach offers an elegant beachfront dining experience with Mediterranean-inspired dishes and world-class entertainment, while Calvia Beach House combines relaxed vibes with a menu full of fresh, locally sourced ingredients, ideal for a stylish lunch or dinner. Annabel is a glamorous restaurant near Port of Palma Nova. 

Things to do in Palmanova

Many activities in Palma Nova are centred around the beach, watersports and boat trips. However, there are plenty of other activities to keep the whole family entertained in and around the area.

Boat trips
Discover the south-western coastline by hopping on board one of the many boat trips departing from Palma Nova. There are half day trips with swimming stop offs, many of which offer all-inclusive lunch and drink deals. A glass-bottom boat trip will allow you to explore the fascinating underwater world without getting wet.

Golf & mini golf
Palma Nova is within easy reach of some of the best golf clubs on the island. Golf Santa Ponsa, T-Golf & Country Club and Real Golf de Bendinat are all within a 10-minute drive. A major attraction in Palm Nova is Fantasia Mini Golf, with its three 18-hole courses set in tropical gardens, you will play among beautiful and picturesque waterfalls, lakes with ducks, caves, wooden bridges and a variety of tropical vegetation.

Theme parks
Katmandu Theme Park has been named the best theme park in Mallorca and 2nd best theme park in Spain. Within the iconic upside down house, you will find a small waterpark, soft play areas, 4D experiences, a house of magic, mini golf and so much more.

Go-karting
Got a need for speed? Karting Magaluf attracts a wide range of people of all ages holidaying in the south west of Mallorca. There are different types of karts depending on what you are looking for, and prices for these karts correlate with this.

Waterparks
Western Waterpark is located just outside of the resort. Here you will be able to spend the day exploring all its different attractions, including a wave pool, water rapids and a 15-metre high half pipe amongst other thrill-seeking rides. There’s also plenty of activities for the smaller ones to get involved with. If rides aren’t your thing, then Marineland is a marine amusement park with dolphin and sea lion shows, plus aquariums with sharks and other species.

Evening entertainment 
Pirates Adventure Show is a truly unforgettable family experience with acrobatics that will amaze, dancers that will dazzle and laughs for all ages. Tickets include drinks and food for the evening too. There’s also an adult-only late night show, an x-rated version thanks to the innuendo packed script. It boasts an electric atmosphere and live DJ sets alongside its acrobatics. A top party destination with a unique twist!

Shopping
There are plenty of convenience stores found within the resort alongside the typical holiday souvenir shops, beach shops selling inflatables, towels and sun cream, newsagents and more. There are also a couple of large supermarkets, namely Lidl and Aldi in Son Caliu - just short a short taxi-ride away and well worth it for self-catered holiday makers. Being a short distance from Palma, it’s easy to grab a bus or taxi into the city to indulge in some high street or designer shopping.

Nightlife in Palmanova

The nightlife vibe in Palma Nova is more late-night bars than clubbing. Many people will have a few drinks in the Zen Lounge Bar & Grill, enjoy some live music at El Mecca Bar or indulge in some guilty pleasures at Karaoke Bar Monroe’s before venturing over the headland to Magaluf to shake their moves in one of the many nightclubs along the strip.

Hotels in Palmanova

Palma Nova is smartening up and there is a now a good choice of refurbished hotels to choose from. Some are adult-only whilst others welcome families with kids’ clubs, paddling pools and entertainment for children. If you are looking for something a little more upmarket, then Son Caliu to the east might be more to your taste.

Senses Palmanova has been recently refurbished to a good standard, making it a top pick for adult visitors to the area. The modern hotel offers immaculate rooms, indoor and outdoor swimming pools but also a spa and wellness area with steam baths, hydrotherapy, and a traditional Turkish bath. A highlight is the exclusive rooftop terrace pool with panoramic views over the bay of Palma Nova – only available for Club Sky Privilege guests. If you'd like to have a little more independence when holidaying in Mallorca, then Mar Hotels Rosa del Mar & Spa is a modern aparthotel complex located in the centre of Palma Nova, just 150 metres away from San Matias Beach. If you don’t want to venture too far away from the hotel, then half-board options are available, along with a jam-packed entertainment schedule for day and night, catering for both adults and children.

How to get to Palmanova

By car
By car, it takes around 30 minutes to get to Palma Nova from the airport and just 10 to 15 minutes to get into the centre of Palma (traffic dependent). It is well connected to the rest of the island thanks to the Ma-1 being close by.

Public transport
Public buses are frequently driving through Palma Nova (or the roundabout just above the port). The TIB bus line 106 travels between Palma and Magaluf, connecting Palma Nova to Son Caliu, Magaluf and Palma. The 104 goes around the houses a little more, stopping off at a good number of tourist hot spots on the southwestern coastline including Cala Major, Portals Nous, Port Adriano, Santa Ponça and Peguera. For a quicker journey, taxi ranks can be found in Palma Nova.

See our Getting Here Guide