A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Arachova vs. Palma de Mallorca for Nightlife, Food, Old Town, and Hiking

Should you visit Arachova or Palma de Mallorca?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Arachova or Palma de Mallorca, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Arachova

Arachova is a beautiful, outdoorsy, and bustling town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums.

Palma de Mallorca

Palma de Mallorca is a cultural, historic, and beautiful island. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Arachova and Palma de Mallorca: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Arachova or Palma de Mallorca?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Palma de Mallorca. Although Arachova and Palma de Mallorca are both popular with visitors, Palma de Mallorca has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Palma de Mallorca is more popular for its nightlife, music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty, while Arachova is known for its skiing, museums, historical sights, hiking, and small town charm. Palma de Mallorca is more touristy than Arachova and is popular for its strikingly blue waters, sandy beaches, all-inclusive resorts, and vibrant towns. It is also home to the turquoise water and white sand beaches. Arachova is popular for its surrounding mountain beauty, festive Christmas atmosphere, and nearby winter skiing.

The turquoise water and white sand beaches

How is Arachova different from Palma de Mallorca?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Palma de Mallorca and Arachova. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is Arachova or Palma de Mallorca Better for Skiing?

Arachova is a nice place to visit for skiing and snowboarding. However, Palma de Mallorca is not a skiing destination.

Arachova is a great destination for skiing with plenty areas to explore. The Parnassos Ski Resort is located just 24 kilometers from town and offers skiing that is beautiful and fun. There are spectacular views and the area has gained popularity in recent years. There are lessons for kids and many other fun winter activities nearby.

Palma de Mallorca is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Arachova or Palma de Mallorca?

Arachova is a nice place to visit for its museums and history. However, Palma de Mallorca does not have museums and landmarks.

Arachova is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are some interesting sights in the surrounding area, as well as the unique Ai Giorgis Church near town.

Palma de Mallorca does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Arachova or Palma de Mallorca? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Arachova and Palma de Mallorca can be an enjoyable experience.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Arachova makes for a great culinary experience. The town is filled with old tavernas that serve up traditional local cuisine. You'll find a lot of the local cheese, formaela, as well as a local noodle dish called hilopites. Pork ribs and delicate desserts are also popular.

Palma de Mallorca has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Food here is centered around pork, fish, and vegetables. It is flavored with garlic and olive oil and it offers that feeling of comfort that comes with home cooking.

Is Arachova or Palma de Mallorca Better for Nightlife?

Palma de Mallorca is an unbeatable place for nightlife. Also, Arachova is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

The nightlife in Palma de Mallorca is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. Head to Magaluf and Palma for the most popular places.

Many people head to Arachova for the nightlife scene. There are many charming bars around town that stay open late into the night. During the popular winter months, you'll find the streets filled with people that come for the unique winter atmosphere.

Is Arachova or Palma de Mallorca Better for Music?

Palma de Mallorca is well known for live music. However, Arachova is not a live music destination.

Music is a popular form of entertainment in Palma de Mallorca. Live concerts, international DJs, and a diverse range of styles have put the island's music scene on the map.

Arachova is not a live music destination.

Is Arachova or Palma de Mallorca Better for Resorts?

Palma de Mallorca is well known for its resorts. However, Arachova is not a resort destination.

Palma de Mallorca is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. Top resorts on the island include The St Regis Mardavall, Viva Cala Mesquida Resort and Spa, and Nixe Palace Hotel.

Arachova is not a resort destination.

Is Arachova or Palma de Mallorca Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Palma de Mallorca is a nice place to visit for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Arachova is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Palma de Mallorca has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. Head to Cala Santanyi on the south side of the island for the best snorkeling. For scuba diving, National Park of Cabrera is one of the most popular spots.

Arachova is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Arachova or Palma de Mallorca Better for Beaches?

Palma de Mallorca is an unbeatable place for its beaches. However, Arachova is not a beach destination.

The beaches in Palma de Mallorca are among the best in the world. The island is lined with sandy beaches and rocky coves, which have contributed to it becoming one of Europe's most popular beach destinations.

Arachova is not a beach destination.

Is Arachova or Palma de Mallorca Better for its Old Town?

Arachova is an excellent place to visit for its historic old town. Also, Palma de Mallorca is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its old town.

Many visitors go to Arachova to see the historical old town. The charming old town is at its best during the Christmas season when there are decorations around the town square and the streets are filled with people.

Many people head to Palma de Mallorca to see the old town. Alcudia is the best old town on the island. It has cobblestone streets and historic walls that give it charm and history.

Is Arachova or Palma de Mallorca Better for Hiking?

Arachova is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. Also, Palma de Mallorca is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Arachova. For the best outdoor activities, head to nearby Mount Parnassos, where there's skiing and snowboarding during the winter months and beautiful hikes through the mountainous terrain during the summer months.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Palma de Mallorca. There are many beautiful hikes along the water and through the countryside that offer beautiful views and pass by quaint towns.

Is the Shopping Better in Arachova or Palma de Mallorca?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Palma de Mallorca and Arachova.

Arachova is a great destination for shopping. The charming town has many unique shops that sell carpets, woven goods, and local food items.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Palma de Mallorca. Head to Palma for some of the areas best shopping.

Is Arachova or Palma de Mallorca Better for Families?

Arachova and Palma de Mallorca are both superb destinations for the whole family.

Arachova is a very family-friendly place to visit. The charming town has long served as a winter escape for those living in Athens. There's plenty for kids to do including and ice skating rink, a horse ranch, and even nearby skiing.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Palma de Mallorca is very family-friendly. The beaches are large and sandy with beautiful blue waters. There's also many activities that both adults and kids can enjoy around the island including waterparks, aquariums, and amusement areas.

Is Arachova or Palma de Mallorca Better for Couples?

Arachova is an excellent place to visit for romance. Also, Palma de Mallorca is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Arachova makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's a romantic setting with nice accommodation, delicious local taverns, and plenty of unique activities that couples can enjoy.

Palma de Mallorca makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. With beautiful beaches and a fun Spanish flare, Mallorca makes for a memorable honeymoon.

Is Arachova or Palma de Mallorca Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Palma de Mallorca is well known for backpackers. However, Arachova is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Palma de Mallorca. There is no shortage of hostels in Mallorca so it's easy to find an affordable place to stay and a young crowd to hang out with.

Arachova is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Most backpackers don't think to visit this area on their trip to Greece. There are some guesthouses, but not a lot of hostels, so you might find a limited number of social activities.

Is Arachova or Palma de Mallorca Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Arachova and Palma de Mallorca.

You'll find some public transit in Arachova, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are some public buses in the area.

While Palma de Mallorca offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is an efficient bus system that can get you around the island, but trips are less frequent on weekends. Pick up the Intermodal Card which can get you from town to town.

Is Arachova or Palma de Mallorca a more walkable city?

Arachova and Palma de Mallorca both are good when exploring on foot.

Arachova is somewhat walkable. The town has many walkable streets that are fun to explore on foot.

Palma de Mallorca is a somewhat walkable place. It is a larger island that is not walkable, but Palma is generally a walkable area. If you stay in the central area you should be fine to explore on foot but if you want to get out into more rural areas, you'll need access to some type of transportation.

For even more information, also check out Is Arachova Worth Visiting? and Is Palma de Mallorca Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Palma de Mallorca or Arachova?

How long in Arachova or Palma de Mallorca?

In either Arachova or Palma de Mallorca, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Palma de Mallorca than Arachova because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Arachova, and 3-5 days is enough time in Palma de Mallorca.

Couples should spend more time in Arachova than Palma de Mallorca. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Arachova that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Palma de Mallorca than Arachova if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Palma de Mallorca.

One day in Arachova or Palma de Mallorca?

With shopping and museums around the destination of Arachova, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It offers something for everyone.

The beautiful island of Palma de Mallorca offers shopping and nightlife. Most people come for the beaches. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Arachova or Palma de Mallorca?

With museums and skiing around the outdoorsy town of Arachova, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.

Palma de Mallorca is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Arachova or Palma de Mallorca?

Travelers enjoy the skiing and nightlife when visiting the beautiful destination of Arachova. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Palma de Mallorca is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Palma de Mallorca, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Arachova or Palma de Mallorca?

Arachova is a popular choice for travelers. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Palma de Mallorca is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This island offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Greece, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Greece, The Best 2-Week Tours in Spain, and The Best 3-Week Tours in Spain.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Arachova and Palma de Mallorca, we can see that Palma de Mallorca is more expensive. And not only is Arachova much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Arachova would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Arachova and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Palma de Mallorca would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Palma de Mallorca than you might in Arachova.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Arachova Expensive? and Is Palma de Mallorca Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Arachova or Palma de Mallorca?

Palma de Mallorca has a larger population, and is about 90 times larger than the population of Arachova. When comparing the sizes of Arachova and Palma de Mallorca, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Arachova or Palma de Mallorca?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Arachova or Palma de Mallorca in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Arachova as well as Palma de Mallorca. The summer months attract visitors to Arachova because of the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Palma de Mallorca this time of year.

Arachova is a little warmer than Palma de Mallorca in the summer. The daily temperature in Arachova averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Palma de Mallorca fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Palma de Mallorca. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Arachova this time of the year. In the summer, Arachova often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Palma de Mallorca. Arachova gets 357 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Palma de Mallorca receives 334 hours of full sun.

Arachova usually gets less rain in July than Palma de Mallorca. Arachova gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Palma de Mallorca receives 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Arachova or Palma de Mallorca in the Autumn?

Both Palma de Mallorca and Arachova are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to Arachova this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Palma de Mallorca for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Arachova is around the same temperature as Palma de Mallorca. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Arachova in October average around 19°C (67°F), and Palma de Mallorca averages at about 19°C (66°F).

It's quite sunny in Palma de Mallorca. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Arachova. Arachova usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Palma de Mallorca during autumn. Arachova gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Palma de Mallorca receives 204 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Arachova usually receives less rain than Palma de Mallorca. Arachova gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Palma de Mallorca receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Arachova or Palma de Mallorca in the Winter?

Both Palma de Mallorca and Arachova during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Arachova for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Palma de Mallorca in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

In January, Arachova is generally around the same temperature as Palma de Mallorca. Daily temperatures in Arachova average around 10°C (51°F), and Palma de Mallorca fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In the winter, Arachova often gets less sunshine than Palma de Mallorca. Arachova gets 143 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Palma de Mallorca receives 164 hours of full sun.

Arachova usually gets more rain in January than Palma de Mallorca. Arachova gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Palma de Mallorca receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Arachova or Palma de Mallorca in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Arachova and Palma de Mallorca. Many visitors come to Arachova in the spring for the small town charm. Furthermore, most visitors come to Palma de Mallorca for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

Arachova is a little warmer than Palma de Mallorca in the spring. The daily temperature in Arachova averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Palma de Mallorca fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Palma de Mallorca this time of the year. In Arachova, it's very sunny this time of the year. Arachova usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Palma de Mallorca during spring. Arachova gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Palma de Mallorca receives 210 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Arachova usually receives less rain than Palma de Mallorca. Arachova gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Palma de Mallorca receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Palma de Mallorca and Arachova