A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bali vs. Palma de Mallorca for Food, Nightlife, Resorts, and Scuba Diving & Snorkeling

Should you visit Bali or Palma de Mallorca?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Bali and Palma de Mallorca can help you decide which place is right for you.

Bali

Bali is a tropical, lush, and frequented island. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Palma de Mallorca

Palma de Mallorca is a beautiful, stunning, and cultural island. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking.

Bali and Palma de Mallorca: Pros and Cons

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

Travelers will usually find more to do in Palma de Mallorca. Although Bali and Palma de Mallorca are popular destinations, Palma de Mallorca has more sights and attractions for tourists. Palma de Mallorca is very popular for its music and historical sights, while Bali attracts visitors for its food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty. Bali is famous for its many temples, beautiful beaches, world class scuba diving, and cultural retreats. Palma de Mallorca is famous for its strikingly blue waters, sandy beaches, all-inclusive resorts, and vibrant towns. It is also well known for the turquoise water and white sand beaches.

The turquoise water and white sand beaches

How is Bali 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 Bali. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

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

Bali is a must-visit destination for its restaurants. Also, Palma de Mallorca is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Bali is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The food is rich and diverse with a lot of spices and complex flavors. Turmeric is a common spice and many dishes use coconut milk. Popular local dishes include Nasi Ayam (a chicken dish), Satay (grilled chicken), and Babi Guling (a pork dish).

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Palma de Mallorca. 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 Bali or Palma de Mallorca Better for Nightlife?

Both Bali and Palma de Mallorca are terrific when it comes to partying.

Bali is a world class party destination. The island is known for its crazy raves and all night pool parties. There are multi-story dance clubs as well as upscale bars and beach clubs that host parties late into the night. The best nightlife areas are around Kuta, Seminyak, and Canggu.

Palma de Mallorca is a must-see party destination. Head to Magaluf and Palma for the most popular places.

Is Bali or Palma de Mallorca Better for Music?

Palma de Mallorca is a well-known place for its live music scene. However, Bali is not a live music destination.

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

Bali is not a live music destination.

Is Bali or Palma de Mallorca Better for Resorts?

Bali is a must-visit destination for its luxury resorts. Also, Palma de Mallorca is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its resorts.

Bali offers an unforgettable resort vacation. The island has resorts as well as private villas that cater to everyone from celebrities to families or even budget travelers. Private villas offer a more secluded vacation while resorts usually have more amenities and the opportunity to socialize with other guests. There are also many family-friendly resorts around the island.

In Palma de Mallorca, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. Top resorts on the island include The St Regis Mardavall, Viva Cala Mesquida Resort and Spa, and Nixe Palace Hotel.

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

Bali is a must-visit destination for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. Also, Palma de Mallorca is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its diving and snorkeling.

People travel to Bali specifically to enjoy its famous scuba diving and snorkeling areas. The waters are crystal clear and the marine life is abundant making scuba diving and snorkeling popular around the island. There are many snorkeling day trips that you can arrange and there are also dive shops that will take you out on the water.

It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life in Palma de Mallorca. 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.

Is Bali or Palma de Mallorca Better for Beaches?

Bali and Palma de Mallorca are terrific choices for a beach vacation.

With world-famous beaches, Bali is a very popular vacation destination. The island is large enough that it has a diversity of beach styles. There are popular beaches with water sports as well as secluded bays where you can enjoy a more peaceful setting. Some beaches are dramatic with limestone cliffs while others are lined with palm trees.

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.

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

Palma de Mallorca is very good for its old town. However, Bali does not have a historic old town.

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.

Bali does not have a historic old town.

Is Bali or Palma de Mallorca Better for Hiking?

Bali 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 Bali. Walking on the island is beautiful and with its varied landscapes you can explore scenic rice paddies or pristine rainforests. You'll find the most challenging hikes in West Bali National Park, where a guide is recommended, but there are many other shorter hikes on the island that can be explored independently.

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 Bali or Palma de Mallorca?

Bali is an excellent place to visit for shopping. Also, Palma de Mallorca is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Bali. A big appeal of shopping on the island is the affordability. There are many local items that are fun to bring home including jewelry, handicrafts, furniture, and clothing.

Palma de Mallorca offers some nice shopping areas. Head to Palma for some of the areas best shopping.

Is Bali or Palma de Mallorca Better for Families?

You'll find excellent kid-friendly activities in either Bali or Palma de Mallorca.

Bali is a very kid-friendly island. The island has countless activities that kids can enjoy. There are watersports, snorkeling, surfing lessons and beautiful beaches. You can also expose your kids to the spiritual side of the island with kid-friendly yoga classes. Animals lovers will enjoy getting to see the monkeys up close and for a unique culinary experience, you can take a family cooking class.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Palma de Mallorca. 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 Bali or Palma de Mallorca Better for Couples?

Bali is a must-visit destination for romance. Also, Palma de Mallorca is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Bali has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. This beautiful island offers stunning beaches, adventure sports, and world class snorkeling. There are beautiful resorts with spas as well as couples yoga classes impressive natural areas.

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 Bali or Palma de Mallorca Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bali is a must-visit destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Palma de Mallorca is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many backpackers frequent Bali. Backpackers flock to this beautiful island for its stunning setting and affordable accommodation. There are many nice places where backpackers can hang out and get to know other travelers. If you want to get off the beaten path, it's best to head into the countryside and away from the main tourist hubs.

Palma de Mallorca is a great island to visit for backpackers. 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.

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

Both Bali and Palma de Mallorca offer nice public transit options.

Bali has a few public transit options. There are minibuses and tourist shuttle buses around the island. You can also hire a taxi or rent a car, scooter, or bicycle.

Palma de Mallorca has some public transit options. 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 Bali or Palma de Mallorca a more walkable city?

Palma de Mallorca is very good for its high level of walkability. However, Bali is not a good island for its ease of walking around.

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.

Bali is generally not a very walkable island. There are some walkable towns and cities on the island, but many areas can be challenging to navigate on foot.

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

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

How long in Bali or Palma de Mallorca?

In either Bali or Palma de Mallorca, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Bali than Palma de Mallorca because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 5-7 days is a good amount of time for Bali, and 3-5 days is enough time in Palma de Mallorca.

Families should spend more time in Bali than Palma de Mallorca. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Bali, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bali than Palma de Mallorca 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 Bali.

One day in Bali or Palma de Mallorca?

With scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the destination of Bali, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. 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.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the destination of Palma de Mallorca. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Bali or Palma de Mallorca?

With shopping and nightlife around the spiritual island of Bali, 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. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Palma de Mallorca is a fun place to experience. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Bali or Palma de Mallorca?

With nightlife and food around the spiritual destination of Bali, there's plenty to do. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. If you have five days, this island makes for a great vacation. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here.

Visitors enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the cultural destination of Palma de Mallorca. This island offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

A week in Bali or Palma de Mallorca?

Bali is a popular choice for travelers. It's also a relaxing resort destination. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. One week here is typical. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

The stunning island of Palma de Mallorca offers scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Indonesia, 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 Bali and Palma de Mallorca, we can see that Palma de Mallorca is more expensive. And not only is Bali much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bali is in Asia and Palma de Mallorca is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Bali would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bali 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 Bali.

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

Which is Bigger, Bali or Palma de Mallorca?

Bali has a larger population, and is about 8% larger than the population of Palma de Mallorca. When comparing the sizes of Bali 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 Bali or Palma de Mallorca?

Palma de Mallorca has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Bali experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

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

Both Palma de Mallorca and Bali during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Bali because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Palma de Mallorca for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Bali is generally a little warmer than Palma de Mallorca. Daily temperatures in Bali average around 27°C (81°F), and Palma de Mallorca fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).

In Palma de Mallorca, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Bali. In the summer, Bali often gets less sunshine than Palma de Mallorca. Bali gets 253 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Palma de Mallorca receives 334 hours of full sun.

Bali usually gets more rain in July than Palma de Mallorca. Bali gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Palma de Mallorca receives 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year. April to September is the dry season in Bali.

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

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Bali and Palma de Mallorca. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bali year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Palma de Mallorca in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Bali is a little warmer than Palma de Mallorca in the autumn. The daily temperature in Bali averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Palma de Mallorca fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Palma de Mallorca this time of the year. In Bali, it's very sunny this time of the year. Bali usually receives more sunshine than Palma de Mallorca during autumn. Bali gets 266 hours of sunny skies, while Palma de Mallorca receives 204 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Bali usually receives around the same amount of rain as Palma de Mallorca. Bali gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Palma de Mallorca receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn. Also, October to March is the rainy season in Bali.

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

The winter brings many poeple to Bali as well as Palma de Mallorca. Bali attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Palma de Mallorca for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Bali is much warmer than Palma de Mallorca. Typically, the winter temperatures in Bali in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Palma de Mallorca averages at about 11°C (52°F).

In the winter, Bali often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Palma de Mallorca. Bali gets 170 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Palma de Mallorca receives 164 hours of full sun.

Bali usually gets more rain in January than Palma de Mallorca. Bali gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Palma de Mallorca receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year. October to March in Bali is the rainy season.

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

Both Palma de Mallorca and Bali are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bali throughout the year. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Palma de Mallorca because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Bali is generally much warmer than Palma de Mallorca. Daily temperatures in Bali average around 27°C (81°F), and Palma de Mallorca fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

It's quite sunny in Palma de Mallorca. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bali. Bali usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Palma de Mallorca during spring. Bali gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Palma de Mallorca receives 210 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Bali usually receives more rain than Palma de Mallorca. Bali gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Palma de Mallorca receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring. The dry season in Bali is April to September.

Typical Weather for Palma de Mallorca and Bali