Finca Torrenova: Calvià to open historic park to the public from 2026

A patch of green between Palmanova and Magaluf – soon open to the public

On a windless November morning walking along the Camí de Torrenova, the scent of pine needles, freshly turned earth and a faint salty note from the sea mix in the air. On roughly 18,000 square meters lies Finca Torrenova, a piece of island history that Calvià now wants to open to the public. From 2026, according to the municipality's plan, it is to become an accessible park: not just nature, but a place for culture, encounters and everyday life.

Old houses, new roles

Several historic buildings stand on the site, two of them by the architect Josep Ferragut, now classified as cultural heritage. The façades are weathered but present – like old neighbors you do not want to displace. The municipality is aiming for restoration with an eye toward usability: exhibitions, small concerts, studios, maybe a café with a view of the pines. Not a museum vacuum, but a place that lives slowly and attracts locals and visitors who want to linger.

Funding: Part of the renovation is to be paid for with one million euros from the tourist tax. That sounds like a lot, but it quickly disappears into the costs for specialist firms, monument conservation, landscape architects and accessibility measures. The administration calls it an investment in quality of life and attractiveness – an argument that is easy to understand in a coastal town with a constant stream of visitors.

How the neighborhood feels

Local voices are mixed, as so often: Marta, who lives next to the old wall, is looking forward to quiet Sunday walks and the shade the pines will provide again after years. The owner of the small kiosk on the corner of Camí and Carrer de la Marina hopes for more customers and maybe a quicker espresso in the afternoon. Others are skeptical: Is one million and the maintenance plan enough? Who will take care of the grounds in the long term? And what if events disturb the peace?

Such worries are normal. In the streets of Palmanova you can hear the distant coastal breeze in the evenings and the garbage collection’s service song in the mornings – a new park will change the rhythm, that is indisputable. It will be important to find the balance between lively use and respect for the neighborhood.

Step-by-step development and practical details

The plan is a phased opening from 2026: first access points and paths will be secured, buildings stabilized and barriers for people with mobility impairments removed. After that, the green spaces will be designed with native plants, seating under the pines and small squares for cultural activities. Areas are intended to be opened gradually – a gentle transition that allows time for testing, feedback and adjustments.

Practical: Walkers and dog owners will be given fixed paths, cultural events will be planned seasonally and in limited scope so that residents are not surprised by noise. Pop-ups and temporary offerings could be used initially to test how the place is received.

Why the project matters

Finca Torrenova is more than green space. It is memory, an ensemble of historic buildings and an opportunity to return tourist levies directly to the community. In an intensively used coastal stretch like the one between Palmanova and Magaluf, an open park offers a small breathing space: shaded spots on hot July days, a place for school projects, amateur concerts or for neighbors to meet and chat again.

Concerns remain: maintenance costs, event management, security. Good solutions could lie in a cooperative care concept, partnerships with cultural associations and clear rules for events. A café with local charm, studios for young artists and scheduled hours for school classes are real opportunities that could grow here.

I will stop by more often in the coming months, one eye on the construction fences and the other on the people who will soon be sitting under the pines. And maybe by 2026 there will already be the first small pop-up café – with a view of a park slowly finding its new role.