A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Canberra vs. Palma de Mallorca for Nightlife, Food, Families, and Backpackers

Should you visit Canberra or Palma de Mallorca?

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

Should I visit Canberra or Palma de Mallorca? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Canberra

Canberra is a under-rated, cultural, and diverse city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Palma de Mallorca

Palma de Mallorca is a stunning, cultural, and historic island. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Canberra and Palma de Mallorca: Pros and Cons

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

Tourists will generally find more to do in Palma de Mallorca. Although Canberra and Palma de Mallorca are about the same size, Palma de Mallorca has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Palma de Mallorca is very popular for its nightlife, music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, and impressive beauty, while Canberra attracts visitors for its museums and big city activities. Palma de Mallorca is more touristy than Canberra and is known 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. Canberra is famous for its educational museums and the nearby nature reserves.

The turquoise water and white sand beaches

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

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

Canberra is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Palma de Mallorca does not have museums and landmarks.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Canberra can be an interesting and educational experience. As Australia's capital, there are a large number of museums around town that focus on everything from history and culture to science and nature. Some of the most interesting are the Australian War Memorial, the New Parliament House, the Museum of Australian Democracy, the National Gallery of Australia, and the National Science and Technology Centre, but there are many more.

Palma de Mallorca does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Canberra and Palma de Mallorca.

Canberra has a huge number of terrific restaurants. There's a trendy culinary scene as well as nearby vineyards that provide great wine. You'll find everything from family-friendly and casual to upscale and fine dining.

Dining out in Palma de Mallorca is an experience not to be missed. 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 Canberra or Palma de Mallorca Better for Nightlife?

Palma de Mallorca is terrific for nightlife and partying. Also, Canberra is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

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

Canberra has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There are local pubs and music venues that offer fun entertainment in the evening. You can sip wine or practice your dance moves at one of the city's clubs.

Is Canberra or Palma de Mallorca Better for Music?

Palma de Mallorca is an excellent place to visit for its live music scene. However, Canberra is not a live music destination.

Whether you like big venues or smaller artists, Palma de Mallorca has diverse options. Live concerts, international DJs, and a diverse range of styles have put the island's music scene on the map.

Canberra is not a live music destination.

Is Canberra or Palma de Mallorca Better for Resorts?

Palma de Mallorca is an excellent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Canberra is not a resort destination.

Palma de Mallorca is known as a popular and fun resort destination. Top resorts on the island include The St Regis Mardavall, Viva Cala Mesquida Resort and Spa, and Nixe Palace Hotel.

Canberra is not a resort destination.

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

Palma de Mallorca is a popular place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Canberra is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Palma de Mallorca has a few good snorkeling spots. 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.

Canberra is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Canberra or Palma de Mallorca Better for Beaches?

Palma de Mallorca is terrific for the beache. However, Canberra is not a beach destination.

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

Canberra is not a beach destination.

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

Palma de Mallorca is a popular place for its old town. However, Canberra does not have a historic old town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Palma de Mallorca. Alcudia is the best old town on the island. It has cobblestone streets and historic walls that give it charm and history.

Canberra does not have a historic old town.

Is Canberra or Palma de Mallorca Better for Hiking?

If you're looking to go hiking, Canberra and Palma de Mallorca both have nice trails.

Canberra is a good destination for hiking. There's one national park - Namadgi, as well as green space, rolling hills, and hiking trails just outside of town.

Many people include a hike when visiting 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 Canberra or Palma de Mallorca?

Shoppers can find a variety of nice stores in both Canberra and Palma de Mallorca.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Canberra. Caberra Centre is the city's largest shopping centre and it has all of the usual international brands.

Many visitors go to Palma de Mallorca to go shopping. Head to Palma for some of the areas best shopping.

Is Canberra or Palma de Mallorca Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Canberra or Palma de Mallorca.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Canberra is very family-friendly. There are interactive museums and science centers such as Questacon, the National Dinosaur Museum, and the National Zoo and Aquarium. There are also cultural and historical museums such as the Australian War Memorial, the Museum of Australian Democracy, and the National Museum of Australia. The city also has plenty of outdoor space and hands on crafts that kids will enjoy.

Palma de Mallorca is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. 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 Canberra or Palma de Mallorca Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Canberra and Palma de Mallorca make for a nice place to visit.

Canberra makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. As the city has plenty of date night activities like nice restaurants, interesting shows, and trendy wineries. During the day you can explore the outdoor setting, have a picnic, or visit a vineyard.

Palma de Mallorca is a good city for couples to visit. With beautiful beaches and a fun Spanish flare, Mallorca makes for a memorable honeymoon.

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

Palma de Mallorca is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Canberra is lacking in options for backpackers.

Many backpackers 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.

Canberra is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Despite being the capital city, few backpackers actually spend much time in town. There are some budget-friendly motels if you're stopping by.

Is Canberra or Palma de Mallorca Better for Students?

Canberra is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Palma de Mallorca is not popular with students.

Canberra is a great city to visit as a student. It's a welcoming city that is a fairly popular study abroad destination. Many students appreciate the friendly atmosphere, safe environment, and great economic setting.

Palma de Mallorca is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Canberra and Palma de Mallorca.

Canberra has some public transit options. There are public buses as well as a light rail system. The Red Explorer Loop bus goes by many of the city's sights.

You'll find some public transit in Palma de Mallorca, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. 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 Canberra or Palma de Mallorca a more walkable city?

Canberra and Palma de Mallorca are nice when it comes to walkability.

Canberra is a somewhat walkable place. There are parts of the city that are walkable and possible to explore on foot, but in general this is a very car-centered city.

Palma de Mallorca is a somewhat walkable city. 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 Canberra Worth Visiting? and Is Palma de Mallorca Worth Visiting?.

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

How long in Canberra or Palma de Mallorca?

In either Canberra 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 Canberra because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Canberra, and 3-5 days is enough time in Palma de Mallorca.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Palma de Mallorca than Canberra 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 Canberra or Palma de Mallorca?

With shopping and museums around the destination of Canberra, there's plenty to do. 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 Canberra or Palma de Mallorca?

With museums and nightlife around the under-rated city of Canberra, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. 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 Canberra or Palma de Mallorca?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the cultural destination of Canberra. 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 Canberra or Palma de Mallorca?

Canberra is a popular choice for travelers. This city 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 The Best Walking Tours in Australia, The Best Eco Tours in Australia, The Best 2-Week Tours in Spain, and The Best 3-Week Tours in Spain.

When comparing the travel costs between Canberra and Palma de Mallorca, we can see that Palma de Mallorca is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Canberra is in Pacific and Palma de Mallorca is in Europe, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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

Which is Bigger, Canberra or Palma de Mallorca?

Palma de Mallorca has a larger population, and is about 15% larger than the population of Canberra. When comparing the sizes of Canberra 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 Canberra or Palma de Mallorca?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Canberra is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Palma de Mallorca has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

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

Both Palma de Mallorca and Canberra are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Canberra for the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Palma de Mallorca in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In January, Canberra is generally cooler than Palma de Mallorcain July. Daily temperatures in Canberra average around 20°C (68°F), and Palma de Mallorca fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).

In January, Canberra usually receives more rain than Palma de Mallorcain July. Canberra gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Palma de Mallorca receives 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

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

Both Palma de Mallorca and Canberra during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Canberra in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Palma de Mallorca for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Canberra is cooler than Palma de Mallorca in the autumn. The daily temperature in Canberra averages around 17°C (63°F) in April, and Palma de Mallorca fluctuates around 19°C (66°F)in October.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Canberra. Canberra usually gets more rain in April than Palma de Mallorcain October. Canberra gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Palma de Mallorca receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Canberra and Palma de Mallorca. Most visitors come to Canberra for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Palma de Mallorca because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.

In the winter, Canberra is around the same temperature as Palma de Mallorca. Typically, the winter temperatures in Canberra in July average around 11°C (52°F), and Palma de Mallorca averages at about 11°C (52°F)in January.

In July, Canberra usually receives around the same amount of rain as Palma de Mallorcain January. Canberra gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Palma de Mallorca receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

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

The spring brings many poeple to Canberra as well as Palma de Mallorca. The spring months attract visitors to Canberra because of the activities around the city. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Palma de Mallorca this time of year.

In October, Canberra is generally around the same temperature as Palma de Mallorcain April. Daily temperatures in Canberra average around 15°C (60°F), and Palma de Mallorca fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

Canberra usually gets more rain in October than Palma de Mallorcain April. Canberra gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Palma de Mallorca receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Palma de Mallorca and Canberra