He was born in city of Patra and his formative years coincided with the explosion of romanticism in Greece. He published his first poems in 1886 and he became the central figure of the Greek literary scene for the rest of his life. His poems evoke a deep rhythmic sense, along with a romantic humanism he received from his exposure to the poetry of Goethe, Roland, et al. His great composite poem "Dodecalogue of the Gypsy", published in 1907, synthesizes all his influences and integrates all his ideas. His central figure is a gypsy untouched by civilization, who seeks redemption through "guessing his existence on his own"'.

Palama's intellectual contribution aroused aesthetic and philosophical ideas and many other poets expressed the belief that he opened new doors of thought for Greece.
In 1895, on the Olympic Committee's request, he wrote the lyrics for the Hymn of the Olympic Games.
His death, in the middle of the German occupation, inspired thousands of starving and suffering Greeks to follow the "ekfora" (funeral procession), singing the Greek National Anthem thus offering a glimpse of hope, during those difficult times.