Palmanova in Spain is designed for you
The sunny, seaside resort of Palmanova on the Spanish island of Mallorca was created purely with you in mind. It was one of the Balearic Island’s first purpose built resorts and has accommodation, shops and nightlife to suit all tastes. Award-winning beaches and a spectacular array of water sport opportunities add further to the resort’s appeal. The transfer is easy from Palma Airport; a 20-minute drive away; so that’s a relief! The historic capital, Palma, is itself, also close by. This attractive resort is sitting pretty and waiting to greet you.
Heaven or hell in Palmanova
The only remaining thing that links Palmanova to the past is the old harbour. There are a few fishing boats but these are quickly giving way to the glass-bottomed variety designed to give visitors the best possible impression of life below the waves. Above the waves and on land, the views and opinions of Palmanova vary depending on the season and your own preferences. Summer seems to go on forever with many hotels in Palmanova catering for demand and accommodating partying groups. Magaluf is the adjacent resort and it’s true to say that the nightlife of the two resorts merge to become one big partying scene. It’s notoriously noisy too. If this doesn’t float your glass bottomed boat, you need to be extremely careful when selecting hotels. There are quieter areas of Palmanova, but you may need to venture away from the beach to find one. It’s all change, though, with the end of summer in sight. Partying youngsters are replaced with largely middle-aged visitors keen to enjoy Palmanova’s autumn, winter and spring sunshine.
In the Palma of your hand
If you occasionally tire of the non-stop enjoyment on offer in Palmanova, the antidote lies in a short trip to the historic capital city of Palma. It’s only 10 miles away and there’s a local bus service which runs every half an hour or so. There’s a starting point which is convenient for many Palmanova hotels. You don’t need to be over-flushed with currency, though, to afford the taxi journey. Or, you could treat yourself to the ferry boat service; the ultimate option for many. Palma’s Santa Maria Cathedral dates back to the 13th century and dominates the city. One of numerous city features is Ca’n Fontirroig. Located behind the Cathedral, it is a peaceful oasis of palm trees, gardens and chirruping birds. Less peaceful is Palma’s shopping scene where there are choices galore for bargain hunters. High-end fashion seekers, on the other hand, can’t resist a galaxy of stores which includes Cartier and Louis Vuitton. From holiday bases in Palma Nova hotels, all that Palma has to offer is accessible and truly … in the palm of your hand.
Out of the blue in Palma Nova
There are two beaches in Palma Nova. Both have the enviable Blue Flag accolade. Playa Carregador is the smaller of the two and is approximately 650 yards long. Imported sand the clear blue waters of the Med combine to ensure its popular appeal. Playa Palma Nova has similar qualities but is much larger; over half a mile in length. It’s great for water sports and children’s activities. If concerned about the prospect of starving, there are no catering worries if you are based at one of the many hotels in Palma Nova. Self-caterers, though, will head to the outskirts of the resort and to the huge Eroski Supermarket. Then, wander around and discover selections of paellas, tapas, local breads, cakes and pastries. The appeal of Palma Nova lies in its desire to give the tourist what he/she wants. There’s no shortage, then, of burgers, fish and chips and hot dogs … if that’s what appeals to you. If staying at one of the all-inclusive hotels in Palma Nova, expect menus to reflect home-based and Mallorcan appeal.
Traditional highlights in Palmanova
As with all towns and villages on Mallorca, Palmanova plays a role in the year’s major carnival, fiesta and religious events. Street parties and parades take over in March, during the pre-Lent period. There are then, two major fiestas during June and held in nearby Santa Ponsa. The first is a religious five-day celebration, culminating in a party themed weekend. There’s a bit of praying going on but it seems to be for more food and wine, rather than any spiritual problems. If you feel old age creeping on, you’ll be OK later in June when, at the Fiesta of John The Baptist, over 75s get free ice cream… but no wine! There’s also a two week long event in September. Santa Ponsa and Calvia are prime locations but, throughout the year, there is a programme of events during which everyone is encouraged to participate. There’s also a full complement of Spanish public holidays during which, it’s worth noting that some of Palmanova’s public services are not available.