In Serbian the village is known as Banatska Palanka (pronounced [bǎnaːtskaː pǎlaːŋka]; Банатска Паланка); in German as Palank or Neu-Palanka; in Hungarian as Palánk; and in Turkish as Haram.

Banatska Palanka is located in south-eastern part of the Serbian Banat, near the border with Romania.

West of the village are the Danube's island Čibuklija and the special nature reserve and a Ramsar site Labudovo okno.

As the košava exits from the Danube's Iron Gates Gorge, it becomes much stronger in the wide lowlands of the Banat and Stig regions.

The hamlet is located 3 km (1.9 mi) south of Banatska Palanka, on the Danube's left bank, stretching between the mouths of its two tributaries: Nera on the east, and channeled Karaš (part of the Danube–Tisa–Danube Canal), on the west.

The entirety of Stara Palanka is designated for social recreation centres (including hotels, resorts, restaurants, sport playgrounds, performance venues, etc.)