Palmanova
Broad sandy bays with pale, shallow water, right beside Magaluf but with a different feel. The quieter neighbour, and my choice for the beaches.
Palmanova
Palmanova in 30 seconds
The essentials at a glance
- Worth visiting for
- A longer stay
- Best for
- Families with small children; the water shelves gently
- Best months
- March–May, September–October
- Time to allow
- A week as a base, or half a day for a visit
- Without a car
- Hire car recommended
- Parking
- Difficult in season
- Keep in mind
- You expect a traditional village
- Access
- Pushchairs: Very easy to manage · Wheelchairs: Promenade and beach approaches largely accessible
Get a feel for Mallorca. Find your kind of place.
A broad, rounded bay, with calm water on the day of this photograph.
The extensive shallows are one reason families choose Palmanova.
Everything is lined up and empty in the morning. Two hours later, it looks different.
Getting to know Palmanova
Does Palmanova suit your plans?
What to expect and what to know before you visit.
Who it suits
- Families with small children; the water shelves gently
- You want a base within easy reach of Palma
- You don't want to drive in the evening
- You want winter sunshine and a choice of open hotels
Things to bear in mind
- You expect a traditional village
- You want deep swimming water close to shore
- You want plenty of beach space in high summer
- Architecture is your main interest
Drive from the airport
22 minutes
22 km
Bus connections
Good connections from Palma
Region
Serra de Tramuntana
Nearest beach
Santa Ponça
5 km
Elevation
10 m
above sea level
A glimpse of Palmanova
Season guide for Palmanova
November Worth considering
Very quiet Some places closed
Worth visiting in March, April, May, September and October. Less suitable in July and August.
Location
Location of Palmanova
- Region
- Serra de Tramuntana
- Municipality
- Calvià
- Population
- 6,500
- Elevation
- 10 m above sea level
- Airport
- 22 km , around 22 minutes
- Hire car
- recommended
- Worth visiting for
- a longer stay
- Coordinates
- 39.5248,2.5397
What is Palmanova?
A holiday resort in the municipality of Calvià, around twenty minutes by car west of Palma, spread along three sandy bays. Its holiday-making history goes back further than you might expect.
An early planned resort
Palmanova began in 1934, planned on previously undeveloped land. It was the first urbanisation in Calvià and one of the earliest on Mallorca.
A merchant family from Puerto Rico was behind it. Lorenzo Roses Borrás and his son bought the Son Caliu and Ses Planes estates and commissioned Catalan architect Josep Goday i Casals. His plan was a garden city inspired by early Mediterranean seaside resorts: 40.8 hectares, curving streets and plenty of greenery between houses.
The hotels of the sixties and seventies have changed much of that picture. But look at the street layout and the pines left between the buildings and you can still make out the 1934 plan.
It is one reason to look at Palmanova separately from its neighbour: the resort had a plan before construction began.
The beaches
There are three sandy bays, all with pale sand and gently shelving water: Es Carregador by the yacht club, Palmanova in the middle and Son Maties to the east.
The sand slopes very gradually for a considerable distance, making the water look almost like a swimming pool from above. This is appealing for families who want to paddle with small children; it is less convenient if you want deep water immediately offshore.
The neighbour
Palmanova borders Magaluf, which often colours people’s expectations. They are separate resorts with different crowds. Palmanova is the quieter one, and I prefer its beaches.
Palma within easy reach
Frequent buses make a city morning and a beach afternoon straightforward, without having to find parking in Palma.
When to go
April and October are good choices. In July and August, the beaches fill during the morning.
In winter, some hotels remain open and the promenade is very quiet.
Photographs
Palmanova in Mallorca
How much time do you have?
Things to do in Palmanova
Three hours
Spend the morning on a beach, then follow the promenade to a headland between the bays.
Half a day
Add Puerto Portals or Cala Comtessa near Illetes.
A full day
Palma in the morning, beach in the afternoon — the city is around twenty minutes away by car.
On a rainy day
Head to Palma; there is little to do here in the rain.
Practical details
- Parking
- Difficult in season
- Public transport
- Good connections from Palma
- Time to allow
- A week as a base, or half a day for a visit
- Good to know
- The beaches shelve very gently, which suits paddling with small children better than deep-water swimming close to shore. Lifeguards operate in season; always check conditions.
- Bus
- Good connections from Palma
- Shops and services
- Supermarkets: Several in the resort · Pharmacy: Several · Medical care: Local health centre; hospitals in Palma · Cash machines: Plenty · Fuel: On the approach road
- Access
- Level promenade and beach approaches · Pushchairs: Very easy to manage · Wheelchairs: Promenade and beach approaches largely accessible · Dogs: Not on the main beaches in season
- What you will not find
- A historic village centre · Deep water close to shore · Peace and quiet in high summer · Enough parking spaces
- Coordinates
- 39.5248,2.5397 Google Maps Apple Maps
Within reach
Places to visit
Nearby
The south-west's marina, with 670 berths, rows of white boats and a white tower by the quay. You come here to look …
A striking circular Gothic castle, built above Palma between 1300 and 1311. Inside is a two-storey round …
Sant Pere bastion, built in the late 16th century on the western edge of Palma’s old town, became home to a …
Palma’s cathedral was begun in 1230 and built over several centuries. Its Gothic buttresses rise above the water …
The royal palace beside Palma cathedral began as a Moorish alcázar, later converted into a residence for …
The March family's city palace between the cathedral and the Almudaina: a terrace filled with 20th-century …
The Balearics' largest harbour sits in the city, in front of the old town. Cargo quays, cruise terminals, marinas …
Palma's grand promenade between Plaça de la Reina and Plaça del Rei Joan Carles I. It follows the bed of a torrent …
Distances without a driving time are measured in a straight line. The road journey can be much longer; known driving times are shown alongside.
Where to swim nearby
Beaches and swimming nearby
A large resort in the south-west with a broad sandy beach, marina and offshore islands. Jaume I landed here in …
A residential neighbourhood above a south-western bay, beside Port Adriano, the marina redesigned by Philippe …
Three sandy bays in a row, separated by pine-covered rocky headlands, with a plane-tree-lined boulevard behind …
Around two kilometres from Paguera, Cala Fornells feels quite different. Rocky shores and small patches of coarse …
Explore from here
Your questions answered
Your questions about Palmanova
Is Palmanova the same as Magaluf?
No. The resorts adjoin each other but attract different crowds. Palmanova is generally quieter, and I prefer its beaches.
How shallow is the water?
The sandy beaches shelve very gently for a considerable distance. This suits paddling with small children, though conditions still need checking and children need supervision. Deep-water swimmers have further to go.
How do I get to Palma?
It is around twenty minutes by car, with frequent bus connections too. You can combine city and beach in one day without searching for parking in Palma.
Is Palmanova worth visiting in winter?
With some reservations. Some hotels stay open, the promenade is very quiet and Palma is within easy reach. It is generally too cold for a beach-swimming holiday.
Practical questions
When is the best time to visit Palmanova?
Recommended months: March, April, May, September, October. The season begins, with Palma around twenty minutes away by car.
Is Palmanova worth visiting in July and August?
July: another month may suit you better. Usually very crowded. The beaches fill up during the morning. August: another month may suit you better. Usually very crowded.
How far is Palmanova from Palma airport?
About 22 km from Palma airport. Allow roughly 22 minutes by car. Take the Ma-1 and Palmanova exit. Parking is difficult in season; frequent Palma buses are the more sensible choice for a city day.
Do I need a hire car for Palmanova?
A car is useful Good connections from Palma
Where can I park in Palmanova?
Difficult in season
Can I visit Palmanova with a pushchair or wheelchair?
Level promenade and beach approaches Pushchairs: Very easy to manage Wheelchairs: Promenade and beach approaches largely accessible
Are dogs allowed at Palmanova?
Not on the main beaches in season
Words and photographs: Friedhelm Fischer. Exploring Mallorca since 2013 — by bike, on foot and with a camera.