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Palma Nova |
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 holidaymakers to enjoy. 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 holiday 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.