Palma Nova History Facts and Timeline

(Palma Nova, Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain)

The Spanish island of Mallorca has a long and fascinating history, although today most people think of it simply as a sunny beach destination.

Palma Nova's history is unique in that it was one of the original purpose-built tourist resort destinations on the island. Its location, very near the capital Palma, gives it easy access to many of Mallorca's amazing historic sights.

The Ancient Era of Mallorca

Mallorca has one of the oldest histories of settlement in the Mediterranean, with traces of inhabitation dating to the Paleolithic era, from 6000 BC to 4000 BC. Though the history of Palma Nova begins in modern times, it is known that Romans occupied the island in the 2nd century BC, founding the cities of Palma and Alcudia.


The Vandals evicted the Romans in 426 AD, annexing the entire island to their kingdom around 465 AD. The Byzantine Empire was next up to control Mallorca, conquering the island in 534 AD and ruling it as part of Sardinia. During the Byzantine era, Christianity flourished and many of Mallorca's churches were built, some of which are within easy driving distance of Palma Nova.

Arabs and the Iberian Peninsula

When the Moors began invading the Iberian Peninsula at the start of the 8th century, they also frequently attacked Mallorca. With Christianity already entrenched, the island endured an infusion of Arabic culture and religion over the next 400 years. While never fully under the control of the powerful Al-Andalus caliphate in southern Spain, the island was run by a series of 'taifas' (sovereign Islamic states) for centuries.

Christian Landmarks

Mallorca and the area around Palma Nova returned to Christian control in 1230, when James I (King of Aragon) and a large force drove out the Arabic rulers. Renaming the island the Kingdom of Mallorca, James I and his son James II supervised an era of unprecedented building around the capital Palma. Major sites like Bellver Castle, the Cathedral of Mallorca and the renovated Arabic palace of Almundaina were all built during this era.

A Quiet Fishing Village Turned Resort

Throughout all this cultural upheaval and development in nearby Palma, the site of Palma Nova remained an insignificant fishing village. By the start of the 1900s, Europeans had discovered the beauty of Mallorca's beaches and were entranced by its rich heritage.

Palma Nova's history began during this time, when officials decided to transform this fishing village into a purpose-built tourist resort in the year of 1935. Just as ground was being broke around the Finca de Ses Planes area, the Spanish Civil War made its appearance. This immediately put a stop to everything at Palma Nova until the 1950s, when life in Spain began to return to normal.

The first hotels at Palma Nova were constructed soon after, including both the l'Hotel Platja and l'Hotel Moroco in the late 1950s. The 1960s were a boom period for Spanish beach tourism and Palma Nova was at the centre of the fervour. With its three beaches and proximity to the capital Palma, this resort town quickly emerged as one of Europe's most popular holiday spots. Today, this role continues as a quieter alternative to the rowdy party resort of Magaluf just next door.