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Overview: Together with its neighbour, Magalluf, the resort of Palma Nova on the south west coast of Mallorca makes up the most popular holiday area on the island, situated a few miles west of the capital, Palma, and the Son Sant Joan International Airport. Most visitors to Palma Nova come on package tours from Britain, intent on enjoying an entertaining, fun-in-the-sun vacation in a 'home-from-home' setting. Few are disappointed because the purpose-built resort offers all they need and more, from beautiful beaches to wild nightlife. The three sandy beaches of the holiday strip, Es Carregador, Playa de Palma Nova and Son Maties, are backed by a long promenade and have Blue Flag status. Palma Nova is divided from Europe's famed party capital, Magalluf, by a rocky headland, but the resorts are basically merged into one conglomerate of hotels and apartments offering a range of accommodation from budget self-catering to luxury-serviced suites. Palma Nova is known as the quieter section of this hedonistic seaside development, and therefore more suited to families.

Shopping: Holidaymakers who prefer not to stray too far from their accommodation and the beach will be able to find all they need in the commercial centre of Palma Nova, which is liberally sprinkled with convenience stores, souvenir shops, gift shops, camera and electrical goods stores, a chemist and clothing outlets. For variety it is easy to take a stroll across to neighbouring Magalluf, which has even more tourist-oriented retail outlets. Serious shoppers can catch a bus or taxi into Palma, Mallorca's capital, which is famed for its excellent shopping, or visit one of the lively markets in the nearby towns and villages. A weekly market is held in nearby Andratx every Wednesday.

 

Restaurants: Palma Nova has great eateries including Natalies, Churchill's, La Cucaracha-Tex Mex and the aptly named Palmanova. The long promenade that stretches along the three beaches of Palma Nova is lined with dozens of good restaurants offering British, Chinese, French, Italian and Mexican cuisine. The resort also bristles with fast food outlets of all descriptions. Several Spanish bars serve up tapas snacks during the day.

 

Nightlife: Some of Palma Nova's bars have discos, live acts or TV (football and UK soaps). For a pub-type bar go to Willows, and music bars and clubs include Banana Joes, Papis and Ruby Tuesdays. Its neighbouring resort of Magalluf, just a short walk away, has some of the hottest nightspots in Europe.

 

Activities: Palma Nova offers numerous pursuits to suit young and old, making it an ideal family resort. All manner of watersports and boat trips are available on the clean, safe beaches and there are plenty of sports facilities, particularly golf courses, in the vicinity. The resort's most popular attraction is an intriguing mini-golf course, called 'Golf Fantasia', with 50 holes in a tropical setting. There is also a giant water-park at adjacent Magalluf, a wild west theme park, a go-kart track and a short distance away is a marine park featuring dolphins and sea lions. Most holidaymakers opt to hire a car or moped to make excursions around the island, and the resort is connected by a frequent, cheap bus service to the historic island capital of Palma.

 

Negatives: Palma Nova, although not as busy as Magalluf, is a close second. Beaches and streets can be crowded and congested in peak season, and this is not the place to seek out for a quiet getaway.

 

Activities

Castell d’Alaro: Mallorca’s most popular hiking trail is the climb from the town of Alaro up to a ruined castle and hilltop chapel, which offers panoramic views of the sea and plains as far as Palma. From Alaro the walk takes about two hours to complete. The castle ruins on the hilltop date from the 15th century and dominate the landscape. At the summit there is a restaurant and bar to refresh weary climbers. On Sundays the trail becomes rather busy.