A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Dubai vs. Palma de Mallorca for Nightlife, Music, Resorts, and Beaches

Should you visit Dubai 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 Dubai and Palma de Mallorca can help you decide which place is right for you.

Dubai

Dubai is a modern, glamorous, and opulent city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and shopping.

Palma de Mallorca

Palma de Mallorca is a historic, beautiful, and stunning island. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the live music, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Dubai and Palma de Mallorca: Pros and Cons

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

You'll generally find more things to do in Dubai than Palma de Mallorca. Dubai is bigger than Palma de Mallorca, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Dubai is better known for its skiing, museums, music, resorts, shopping, and big city activities, while Palma de Mallorca is more popular for its beaches, historical sights, and hiking. Palma de Mallorca is more touristy than Dubai and is known for its strikingly blue waters, sandy beaches, all-inclusive resorts, and vibrant towns. Dubai is well known for its luxury shopping, glamorous resorts, city beaches, and ultramodern development style. Also, Dubai is famous for Burj Khalifa.

Burj Khalifa

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

Is Dubai or Palma de Mallorca Better for Skiing?

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

Locals like to visit Dubai to take advantage of their winter sports. Despite being a desert city, Dubai became famous for its massive indoor ski complex that covers 22,500 square meters. It is located in the Mall of the Emirates.

Palma de Mallorca is not a skiing destination.

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

Dubai 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 Dubai can be an interesting and educational experience. The city's most famous landmark is the Burj Khalifa, which is the tallest building in the world. Head to the observation deck for stunning views.

Palma de Mallorca does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Foodies will find both Dubai and Palma de Mallorca both to be excellent destinations.

Dubai has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The national dish in the area is khuzi, or ghuzi, which is a meal of roasted lamb or mutton, prepared with rice vegetables and nuts.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Palma de Mallorca makes for a great culinary experience. 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 Dubai or Palma de Mallorca Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find terrific options in both Dubai and Palma de Mallorca.

People head to Dubai just to party. Frequented by the wealthy and opulent, the city has world class night clubs and DJs that travel from around to world to perform.

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.

Is Dubai or Palma de Mallorca Better for Music?

Dubai is a must-visit destination for live music. Also, Palma de Mallorca is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its live music scene.

Dubai is known as a music capital around the world. The city attracts world famous international DJs and musicians giving it one of the world's best music scenes.

Palma de Mallorca has become a hotbed of musicians and artists. Live concerts, international DJs, and a diverse range of styles have put the island's music scene on the map.

Is Dubai or Palma de Mallorca Better for Resorts?

Dubai 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.

Dubai offers an unforgettable resort vacation. Some of the most famous include Atlantis - The Palm, The Four Seasons, and Burj Al Arab Jumeirah.

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 Dubai or Palma de Mallorca Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Dubai and Palma de Mallorca both offer notable scuba diving or snorkeling spots.

It's worth going snorkeling or scuba diving in Dubai. One of the best scuba diving spots is Jumeirah Beach.

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.

Is Dubai or Palma de Mallorca Better for Beaches?

Palma de Mallorca is a world-class destination for the beach. Also, Dubai is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its beaches.

With world-famous beaches, Palma de Mallorca is a very popular vacation destination. The island is lined with sandy beaches and rocky coves, which have contributed to it becoming one of Europe's most popular beach destinations.

Dubai has a beach worth visiting. There are a number of both private and public beaches in the city. They are almost all man-made, so they are large, flat, and have soft sand. It's also generally safe to swim at most beaches.

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

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

Palma de Mallorca has an old town worth visiting. Alcudia is the best old town on the island. It has cobblestone streets and historic walls that give it charm and history.

Dubai does not have a historic old town.

Is Dubai or Palma de Mallorca Better for Hiking?

Palma de Mallorca is very good for hiking. However, Dubai is not a hiking destination.

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.

Dubai is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Dubai or Palma de Mallorca?

Dubai is a must-visit destination for shopping. Also, Palma de Mallorca is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Dubai. With its many malls, souks, and shopping areas, this is the place to go for luxury shopping. Popular items to purchase include gold and diamond jewelry, shawls, and Persian rugs.

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

Is Dubai or Palma de Mallorca Better for Families?

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

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Dubai. This city has family-friendly resorts, skyscrapers with spectacular views, and amusement parks that are fun for the whole family. There are also plenty of fountains that the kids can splash around in.

Palma de Mallorca is 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 Dubai or Palma de Mallorca Better for Couples?

Both Dubai and Palma de Mallorca are notable destinations to visit as a couple.

Dubai is a good city for couples to visit. From the spectacular views to the high end resorts, couples can enjoy a romantic retreat to the city.

Palma de Mallorca is a nice destination for couples. With beautiful beaches and a fun Spanish flare, Mallorca makes for a memorable honeymoon.

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

Palma de Mallorca is a great island for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Dubai is not known for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and 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.

Dubai is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. It is known to be an expensive and not so backpacker friendly city, but there are some hostels around that you can stay at.

Is Dubai or Palma de Mallorca Better for Students?

Dubai is a must-visit destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Palma de Mallorca is not popular with students.

Dubai is a great destination for students. Many major universities from around the world have campuses in this city, making this a top destination for international students.

Palma de Mallorca is not popular with students.

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

Dubai and Palma de Mallorca both offer notable public transit to get you around.

While Dubai offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The city's public transportation system includes buses, water buses, a monorail system, and a metro.

Palma de Mallorca has a few 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 Dubai or Palma de Mallorca a more walkable city?

Palma de Mallorca is very good for its ease of walking around. However, Dubai is not known for its walkability.

Palma de Mallorca is a somewhat walkable island. 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.

Dubai is generally not very walkable. It is one of the less pedestrian-friendly cities around the world. There is lots of road work, even in the more walkable areas, so getting around on foot can be challenging.

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

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

How long in Dubai or Palma de Mallorca?

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

Couples should spend more time in Dubai than Palma de Mallorca. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Dubai 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 Dubai 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 Dubai or Palma de Mallorca?

When visiting Dubai, people usually allow for lots of time. 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.

In Palma de Mallorca, many people enjoy the live music and food that this cultural destination offers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Dubai or Palma de Mallorca?

When visiting Dubai, people usually allow for lots of time. Your budget might influence how long you stay. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Palma de Mallorca. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Dubai or Palma de Mallorca?

When visiting Dubai, people usually allow for lots of time. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. If you have five days, this city 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.

Palma de Mallorca is a fun place to experience. In Palma de Mallorca, many people enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping that this destination offers. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A week in Dubai or Palma de Mallorca?

Dubai is a popular choice for travelers. It's also a relaxing resort destination. This city 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.

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the beautiful destination of Palma de Mallorca. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Day Tours from Dubai, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United Arab Emirates, 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 Dubai and Palma de Mallorca, we can see that Dubai is more expensive. And not only is Palma de Mallorca much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dubai is in Middle East 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 Palma de Mallorca would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Palma de Mallorca 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 Dubai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dubai than you might in Palma de Mallorca.

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

Which is Bigger, Dubai or Palma de Mallorca?

Dubai has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Palma de Mallorca. When comparing the sizes of Dubai 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 Dubai or Palma de Mallorca?

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

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

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Dubai and Palma de Mallorca. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dubai year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Palma de Mallorca for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

The heat can be very extreme in Dubai. In the summer, Dubai is a little warmer than Palma de Mallorca. Typically, the summer temperatures in Dubai in July average around 35°C (95°F), and Palma de Mallorca averages at about 24°C (76°F).

In July, Dubai usually receives more rain than Palma de Mallorca. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Palma de Mallorca receives 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the summer. June to August in Dubai is the dry season.

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

The autumn brings many poeple to Dubai as well as Palma de Mallorca. Dubai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, 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.

In October, Dubai is generally much warmer than Palma de Mallorca. Daily temperatures in Dubai average around 29°C (84°F), and Palma de Mallorca fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

Dubai usually gets less rain in October than Palma de Mallorca. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Palma de Mallorca receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Palma de Mallorca and Dubai are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Dubai throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Palma de Mallorca for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.

Dubai is much warmer than Palma de Mallorca in the winter. The daily temperature in Dubai averages around 19°C (66°F) in January, and Palma de Mallorca fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In January, Dubai usually receives less rain than Palma de Mallorca. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Palma de Mallorca receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the winter. The rainy season in Dubai is January to March.

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

Both Palma de Mallorca and Dubai during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Dubai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Palma de Mallorca because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Dubai is much warmer than Palma de Mallorca. Typically, the spring temperatures in Dubai in April average around 26°C (79°F), and Palma de Mallorca averages at about 14°C (57°F).

Dubai usually gets less rain in April than Palma de Mallorca. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Palma de Mallorca receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year. June to August is the dry season in Dubai.

Typical Weather for Palma de Mallorca and Dubai