Top 5 things to do in Palma Nova, Majorca

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Jaillan Yehia

Palma Nova is Majorca's most well-known tourist destination, alongside its neighbour, Magaluf. As one of the very first purpose-built resorts on the island it was named 'New Palma', after the capital city which is a 20-minute drive north.

It's no surprise that the island's west coast, particularly in and around the family-friendly Bay of Palma region with its palm-lined white powder-sand beaches, remains popular with tourists of all ages.

Top 5 things to do in Palma Nova, Majorca © Ian Dagnall - Alamy

Palma Nova consistently appeals to those who aren't quite as partial to partying as the Magaluf crowd - including couples, groups and families who tend to visit during summer.

Meanwhile, retired visitors often spend whole winters here avoiding northern Europe's cold climate preferring to stay in the sun for two-month stints instead.

Top things to do in Palma Nova

If you plan to visit Majorca during the summer season (May until October) you're probably looking forward to spending most of your time basking in that beautiful Balearic sunshine - either by your hotel pool or at one of the three Blue Flag beaches.

However, if you get bored easily there are plenty of things to do beyond being stuck to your sun lounger.

On the beach in Palma Nova, Majorca © Atlaspix - Alamy

First stop? The beaches

1. Playa de Palma Nova

The main beach at Palma Nova is located near the harbour in front of the Passeig Maritim pedestrian promenade. There's plenty of space for indulging in those beach-based things to do in Palma Nova, including play areas for kids and adventurous water sports such as paragliding and kitesurfing, as well as boat trips around the coast.

Like all of the resort's beaches, there are well-maintained facilities such as bathrooms and showers as well as sun loungers and parasols for rent, and lifeguards on duty keeping it safe for families.

2. Son Maties

The most westerly of Palma Nova's three resort beaches, this long stretch of white sand also has children's playgrounds and water-based activities and is known for its calm waters. This is also one of the resort's hubs, so there are plenty of bars and restaurants to head to if you need a break from the rays.

3. Es Carregador

Palma Nova's smallest and most tranquil beach is Playa Es Carregador to the east of the resort, near the marina, which offers a quieter vibe to the area's larger beaches.

Discover stand-up paddleboarding

Stand-up paddleboarding, or 'SUP', really is having a moment right now as holidaymakers all over the world discover that this mixture of surfing and boating is a great way to see their destination from the water, all the while getting some exercise and a tan.

Take on a new challenge among Majorca's clear waters and rocky coves, which make the perfect place to try out this innovative water sport.

Try your hand at mini-golf

Golf Fantasia is one of the most popular and fun family activities on our list of things to do. There are three different 18-hole mini-golf courses set in a pretty garden - all promising to bring out the competitive streak in each player. The course is open late and there's a café onsite.

Party till 4 am

While it may not have the reputation for the full-on hedonism of Magaluf, Palma Nova is no shrinking violet when it comes to nightlife and live music. There's a strip of options a mile long, with entertainment ranging from karaoke to tribute bands. Popular Palma Nova bars like The Prince William, Stadium 63, Monroe's, Ruby Tuesdays and Banana Joes have been consistently pulling in the party goers for many a season, and are often open until the small hours of the morning.

Portals Nous Beach, also known as L'Oratori Beach © Anna Lurye - Fotolia.com

Take a walk to Portals Nous

Lying around halfway between Palma Nova and Palma itself, the upmarket and fashionable town of Portals Nous and the harbour of Puerto Portals is worth the 3 to 4 km walk from Palma Nova to view the superyachts alone.

It's also well worth the visit to enjoy beautiful views out to sea. Head to the town's church, walk down to the beach or try your hand at celebrity spotting at one of the area's exclusive eateries.

Experience Magaluf

What were once two separate and distinct resorts, Palma Nova and Magaluf have both expanded and merged so that they're practically one place, meaning that if you're on holiday in Majorca and looking for things to do in Palma Nova, heading over to Magaluf is a great way to get more out of your trip once you've exhausted all of Palma Nova's pastimes.

Family fun in Magaluf

Magaluf is home to the family favourite Pirates Adventure (and there's a special edition of the swashbuckling show after dark for adults only), and the Balearics' best amusement park, Katmandu Park, which has rides, mini-golf, and a 4D rollercoaster as well as a splash land.

Looking for more? Don't miss our guide to Majorca's most popular water parks.

The beach at Magaluf, Majorca © Tobago 77 - Fotolia.com

Magaluf for grown-ups

Magaluf is known to be a more boisterous base than Palma Nova, so if you want to turn the volume up, you can't get much more high energy than the area's super clubs.

BCM Planet Dance is one of the top 10 dance clubs in the world attracting many big-name DJs and up to six thousand revellers a night. Alternatively, you could try one of the area's latest all-day beach clubs like Wave House where you can shop, sunbathe, surf and sway to the music in one open-air beachside location.

If you're looking for a resort in Majorca that's perfect for families, or want to dip your toe into the myriad of options in Magaluf but not dive all the way in, you can enjoy a great holiday armed just with this list of things to do in Palma Nova.

Getting to Palma Nova: don't miss the current deals from TUI on holidays to Majorca^*, and remember to check our guides to see when to go to Palma Nova for the best holiday weather.

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