Things to Do in Palma Nova, Mallorca: 15 Real Picks

Things to do in Palma Nova start with the beach, and honestly, that's most of what you need. This is Mallorca's quieter answer to Magaluf next door — same bay, same sand, a fraction of the noise. I stayed three nights here in September on a stopover from Palma airport, and it's the kind of place where the biggest decision each day is which of the three beaches to lie on.

Palma Nova is shaped like a crescent, with the promenade (Paseo del Mar) running behind the beach and the whole town walkable in about 20 minutes end to end. It won't fill a week, but for a 2-3 day beach stop or a day trip from Palma, here's everything worth doing, what it actually costs, and where I'd spend my money instead of Magaluf's strip.

Spend a day on the three beaches

Palma Nova has three blue-flag beaches connected by the same promenade: Playa de Palmanova (the main one, widest and busiest), Son Matías (quieter, better for families, has a beach bar with decent sangria at €6), and Es Carregador (smallest, tucked at the western end near the marina). All three are free, have wheelchair-accessible ramps, sunbed rental (around €12-15 for a lounger and umbrella per day, cash preferred), and showers.

If you're picking one, go with Son Matías — less crowded than the main beach and closer to the hotels on the quieter west side. Skip renting sunbeds if you're only there a few hours; there's enough free sand to spread a towel.

Western Water Park

The water park sits about a 20-minute walk (or 5-minute drive) from central Palma Nova, split into three themed zones: Western Land, Indian Town, and El Paso. Adult day tickets run from €29.50 online (cheaper than at the gate), kids €22. It's open roughly April to October, 10am-5/6pm depending on season — check before you go, as it closes for the winter entirely.

It's a solid half-day if you have kids. If you don't, I'd skip it — the slides are fun but not worth the price tag for adults traveling without children.

Take the glass-bottom boat trip

Boats leave from the small harbor at Palma Nova for a roughly 2-hour trip along the coast toward Illetas and the coves near Portals Nous. You watch the coastline from the deck, then head below to the glass floor to see the seabed. Prices run €25-35 per adult depending on operator and season — book a morning slot if you can, the afternoon sun makes the glass floor harder to see through.

If you want more speed than scenery, Blade Runner Mallorca runs jet boat outings from the same harbor — pricier (from around €45) but a genuinely different pace.

Play mini-golf at Fantasia Golf

This is the tropical-themed mini-golf course right by the beach, with three 18-hole courses set around ponds. Tickets run around €10-12 per adult. It's a fine way to kill an hour in the evening when the beach cools off — not a destination on its own, but a good rainy-afternoon backup.

Play a real round at T-Golf & Country Club

If you actually golf, the southwest of Mallorca has three courses within a short drive: T-Golf & Country Club (18 holes, creative driving range), Golf Santa Ponsa I (has hosted European PGA tour events), and Real Golf Bendinat (a tighter, wooded valley course). Green fees start around €70-90 depending on the club and season — book a tee time a few days ahead in peak summer.

Have a drink at a beach bar

Il Chiringo sits directly on the sand at the main beach — shabby-chic, laid-back, decent for a sunset beer (around €4-5). Campino leans smarter, with white lounge seating and sea views if you want something a step above a beach shack. Neither is cheap by Mallorca standards, but you're paying for the location, not the drinks list.

Go water skiing or wakeboarding

Club Náutico Palmanova runs lessons from April to October, open to adults and kids old enough to swim. A single session with gear included runs roughly €40-60. It's a good half-day activity if you want something more active than another beach day, and the instructors are used to complete beginners.

Watch the Pirates Adventure dinner show

This dinner-and-acrobatics show runs in nearby Magaluf (a 10-minute taxi or 25-minute walk along the coast) and has been running for over 30 years. Tickets including dinner start around €45-55 per adult, with a separate 18+ version (Sizzling Pirates Reloaded) later in the evening. It's touristy, but the acrobatics are genuinely well done — worth it once if you have an evening free.

Visit Katmandu Park

About a 20-minute walk from the beach (or a short taxi), Katmandu Park is a compact theme park with Western shootouts, mini-golf, laser tag, 4D cinema, and a splash park. Entry runs from around €20-25 depending on what's included. It skews younger — good for families with kids under 12, less interesting otherwise.

Shop on Paseo del Mar and Avenida de la Playa

The seafront strip is lined with the usual beachwear, souvenirs, and gift shops. For actual shopping, Puerto Portals (high-end) and Porto Pi Shopping Centre in Palma (a 20-minute drive) have more range. Don't expect much beyond beach essentials and fridge magnets in Palma Nova itself.

Go to the Calvià market

Every Monday, 8:30am-1pm, the town of Calvià runs a traditional market about 10 minutes by car or taxi from Palma Nova. Fifty-plus stalls selling produce, local crafts, and clothing. It's a nice contrast to the resort strip if you want to see a slice of ordinary Mallorca life, and it's free to wander.

Day trip into Palma de Mallorca

Palma's old town is about 25 minutes away by bus (L104 or L103, roughly €1.75 each way, or a 20-minute taxi). Worth a full day for La Seu Cathedral, Almudaina Palace, and the old town's markets and plazas. If you're only in Palma Nova for a couple of nights, I'd still carve out a day for this — it's a different pace entirely from the beach strip. For a fuller breakdown, see our guide to things to do in Palma de Mallorca.

Eat dinner on the promenade

Restaurants along the seafront cover Mediterranean, Indian, Thai, and pizza, with most offering a lunch set menu (€12-18) that's better value than ordering à la carte at dinner. For something more local, walk a couple of streets back from the beachfront — prices drop noticeably once you're off the promenade itself.

Should you go to Magaluf for nightlife?

Palma Nova itself is not a party destination — it's British and Irish pub territory, with live music and karaoke in summer, not clubs. If you want the nightlife Mallorca is known for, Magaluf is a 10-15 minute walk or short bus ride away, home to BCM Planet Dance and the rest of the strip. I'd stay in Palma Nova for the sleep and walk over for a night out, rather than book a hotel on Magaluf's strip itself — it's louder than it needs to be if you're not planning to be out until 4am every night.

Where to stay in Palma Nova

Hotels cluster in two zones: right on the main beach (walking distance to everything, pricier) and a 10-15 minute walk back from the water (cheaper, quieter at night). If nightlife isn't the priority, the Son Matías side gives you beach access without the noise from Magaluf carrying over.

Best time to visit Palma Nova

June through September is peak season — warmest water, busiest beaches, most restaurants and the water park open. May and October are the sweet spot if you want fewer crowds and still-warm weather; expect some restaurants and Western Water Park to be closed or on reduced hours outside April-October. Winter (November-March) is mostly shut down — many hotels and beach bars close entirely.

Palma Nova works best as a 2-3 day beach base rather than a full week — you'll run through the beach, water park, and boat trip options in that time, plus a day trip into Palma. If you're stringing together more of Mallorca, our guide on renting a car in Spain covers what you need for the drive south, and places to visit in Spain in summer has more coastal options if you want to extend the trip.

FAQs: Things to Do in Palma Nova

Is Palma Nova worth visiting?

Yes, for a short beach stay. It has three clean, blue-flag beaches, a walkable promenade, and easy access to both Magaluf's nightlife and Palma's old town without living in the middle of either. It's not a destination for a full week unless you're happy doing very little.

Is Palma Nova better than Magaluf?

Depends what you want. Palma Nova is quieter and more family-friendly; Magaluf has the clubs and the party reputation. Many people base themselves in Palma Nova and walk over to Magaluf for a night out — you get both without living in the loudest part of it.

Is there a strip in Palma Nova?

There's a promenade with bars and restaurants, but it's low-key compared to Magaluf's strip a short walk away. Expect pub-style bars and live music, not clubs.

Is Palma Nova a party place?

Not really. It has bars with live music and karaoke in peak summer, but the actual party scene — clubs, late-night strip — is in Magaluf next door.

How do I get from Palma airport to Palma Nova?

A taxi runs about 20-25 minutes and costs roughly €25-35. Buses also connect the airport to Palma Nova, though a taxi is more direct if you're arriving with luggage.

How far is Palma Nova from Magaluf?

About a 10-15 minute walk along the coast, or a couple of minutes by taxi. They share the same bay.

📍 More Mallorca and Spain planning: Things to Do in Palma de Mallorca · Renting a Car in Spain · Places to Visit in Spain in Summer