Palma Nova Beach Resort Guide

The purpose-built resort of Palma Nova, established in the 1930s, is a home from home for British package holidaymakers. Its golden sandy beaches and numerous family attractions are perennially popular. Palma Nova merges with Magaluf, notorious for its bars and party atmosphere. By contrast, its other neighbour is the upmarket marina of Puerto Portals, nicknamed the St Tropez of Mallorca.

Palma Nova appeals more to families and to a slightly older market than neighbouring Magaluf. Nonetheless, during high season, hordes of 18-35 visitors flock to this part of the island for the nightlife, and many stay in Palma Nova. Older families visit year round while in the mild winter months Palma Nova also attracts ‘snowbirds' - retired visitors looking to escape the cold wet winters of northern Europe.

Palma Nova is at the western end of the Bay of Palma, on the southwest coast of Mallorca (Balearic Islands, Spain). It is 13km (8 miles) southwest of the island capital, Palma, and 22km (14 miles) from the airport. Overlooking the bay and beach, Palma Nova is flat.

Between May and October the daily average temperature never falls below 20ºC and rises above 30ºC in July-August. The ideal time to visit is May-June and September-October. The crowds are also less overbearing at this time of the year. There are 8 or 9 days of rain per month between October and March but this is usually light and winters are mild with good spells of sunshine.

Palma Nova boasts a broad golden fine-sand beach which shelves gently to the sea, providing ideal bathing for young families. There is also a lovely small cove at Son Caliu, a thin ribbon of sand by the port, and an attractive but crowded beach at Son Matias. Neighbouring Magaluf boasts the largest and best sand beach on the south side of Mallorca; indeed many people rank it the best beach on the island. Holidaymakers can hire surfboards, go jet-skiing, water-skiing, ride inflatables and paraglide.

In the centre of Palma Nova, Marineland (Calle Garcilaso de la Vega 9, Costa d'en Blanes; www.marineland.es), with its dolphin and seal shows, is a firm family favourite. Golf Fantasia (Calle Tenis 3; www.golf-fantasia.com) is an elaborately themed, very popular crazy golf attraction, and one of the best mini golf courses on the island.

On the water, holidaymakers can venture out on the Nemosub submarine (Calle Galéon 2, Magaluf), and ‘booze cruises' are always popular. Sliding and splashing in the water is great fun at the Western Water Park (Carretera Cala Figuera 12-22, Magaluf; www.westernpark.com) or next door at Aqualand (Carretera Cala Figuera 23, Magaluf; www.aqualand.es). There is also a go-karting circuit, pony trekking, bungee jumping and a choice of first-class golf courses within easy reach of Palma Nova. It's worth a trip to the neighbouring luxury marina of Puerto Portals (the Spanish Royal Family moor their yachts here) if only to see how the other half lives.

Palma Nova is an excellent resort for families with the beach so close to the centre, lifeguards on duty in summer, first aid stations, warning flags and other safety facilities. All eating and drinking places in the resort are family friendly and there are dozens of family attractions within a short distance of Palma Nova.

Shops in Palma Nova are completely geared towards the holiday trade. Supermarkets are the best place to snap up cheap cigarettes and alcohol. The Mallorcan capital, Palma, offers a much more interesting shopping experience, catering to a much broader market, with international branded high street stores nestling beside atmospheric one-off boutiques on its historic streets. Don't miss the Wednesday market at Sineu, 40km (25 miles) north east of Palma Nova, which is the best and most traditional on Mallorca. The Monday morning market in Calvià, 10km (6 miles) inland, is also worth a trip.

With only one disco worthy of the name, Palma Nova is some way behind Magaluf, its party-central neighbour, in the nightlife stakes. However with a multitude of international music and karaoke bars that go on until late, neither is it suited for holidaymakers searching for a quiet night out with the locals. Pirates Adventure (Carretera La Porrassa 12; www.piratesadventure.com) is a spectacular family-oriented dinner show with a devoted following.

The infamous British breakfasts and photo menu meals are served all day and there are plenty of places to stop off for a fix of fast food. Palma Nova's restaurants are eclectic and affordable, including Mexican, Italian, Chinese, Turkish and Indian cuisine.

Palma Nova is a small resort clustered around a bay and everything is within easy walking distance. The headland divides it from Magaluf, which begins in the next bay, though in practice the two resorts merge together. Local buses run between Palma Nova and Magaluf, although these are only necessary if you are travelling from the far end of one resort to the far end of the other.

The island bus service is comprehensive and frequent, though routes can be indirect and slow. Journeys north from Palma Nova are best made via Palma. Hire cars are the best way to get around Mallorca. Bikes and motorbikes are for rent but beware that traffic is heavy around the resorts, particularly in the summer. Taxi ranks are dotted throughout Palma Nova.

Mallorca's capital, Palma, is seriously underrated. This is one of Spain's most beautiful small cities with a magnificent cathedral, atmospheric old streets, and some great shopping, eating and drinking opportunities. Old-timer trains rattle north from Palma, slicing through the heart of the holiday island to Sóller in the north, where a tram trundles down to the north coast. A day trip to the Cuevas del Drach cave system is also well worthwhile. Closer to Palma Nova the old towns of Calvià and Andratx are also worth visiting.

In Palma Nova itself, Ciro's restaurant on the beach (Paseo del Mar 3) has been serving top quality local fish and seafood dishes for over 30 years. Or rub shoulders with the jet set and Spanish royalty at Tristáns gourmet restaurant at Puerto Portals (Local 1, Edificio Capitanía). Its two-Michelin star cuisine does come at a hefty price though! Or you might like to take a taxi to Palma and start your night out in the island's most decadent bar, Abaco, in the old town (Carrer Sant Joan 1). It may charge a premium for its sumptuous cocktails, but for the chance to recline in a romantic renaissance old courtyard awash with fresh fruit and flowers it is well worth it. An alternative drop-dead trendy venue is Puro Beach Club on the seafront (Carre Pagell; www.purobeach.com). Dress to impress and come here to watch the sun go down.

Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI)