Palma Nova along with its near neighbour Magaluf is one of Mallorca’s original mass tourism resorts. Whilst much of the rest of the island has reinvented itself in terms of offering more upmarket tourism, Palma Nova continues to offer what it does best, good value package holidays.
The resort is just 15km west of Palma and is constructed around three excellent beaches with white sand and lovely, clear sea. The first beach to the east is Platja de Carregador which is next to the resort’s tiny marina. The flat ‘Passeig Marítim’ is the pedestrianised walkway which overlooks the sea and stretches the whole length of the resort’s three beaches.
The Restaurante Bahia Palma Nova is a nice choice for fine Spanish cuisine. If you’re taking a stroll along the promenade stop off at the Blau Mas café which has a fine open air terrace looking over the bay.
The main Palma Nova tourist information office stands in the middle of the promenade overlooking Platja de Palmanova. This beach is as equally attractive as the first one though it tends to be souvenir shops which line the main road rather than bars and restaurants.
Where to Stay in Palma Nova
The 4 star Sol Cala Blanca Hotel is an attractive option overlooking Palma Nova beach. A nice alternative located right in the centre of the resort, just a 5 minute walk from the beach is the Viva Palmanova Hotel which will appeal to families. Facilities include a good pool and tennis courts and there’s plenty activities to amuse the kids such as mini golf and table tennis.
Another popular choice for families is the Mimosa Park Hotel which is well located in a relatively quiet part of town only a 5 minute walk from the beach. It has a fabulous swimming pool, good food and a great entertainments team who provide a great selection of activities for both adults and children.
For budget family accommodation the self catering studio apartments at Las Palomas are worth a look. They offer great views from their balconies, a first class location almost on the beach and near proximity to the main strip of bars and clubs in Magaluf.
Platja de Son Maties is the most westerly of the resort’s beaches. Again this is a very attractive spot with lovely sand and clear water for swimming. At the other end of the beach is the large headland called Torrenova where the bulk of Palma Nova’s hotels are located, many with sea views. This headland marks the end of Palma Nova and the beginning of Magaluf though the two resorts run seamlessly into one another.
Palma Nova or Magaluf?
Being on the doorstep of neighbouring Magaluf there is no real advantage or disadvantage to being in one resort rather the other. Palma Nova is a little more relaxed than Magaluf and doesn’t offer the same amount of nightlife but such is the proximity of the two that they’re practically one resort these days. There’s a good selection of theme parks serving both resorts and you’ll find some lovely beaches just west of Magaluf such as Portals Vells should you wish to escape the resort for a day.