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

Should you visit Kuala Lumpur or Palma de Mallorca?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Kuala Lumpur and Palma de Mallorca. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur is a colorful, historic, and modern 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 food, shopping, and museums.

Palma de Mallorca

Palma de Mallorca is a stunning, cultural, and historic island. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include live music, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Kuala Lumpur and Palma de Mallorca: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kuala Lumpur or Palma de Mallorca?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Kuala Lumpur than Palma de Mallorca, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Kuala Lumpur is more popular for its museums, food, shopping, and big city activities, while Palma de Mallorca is known for its nightlife, music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, and hiking. Palma de Mallorca is more touristy than Kuala Lumpur and is known for its strikingly blue waters, sandy beaches, all-inclusive resorts, and vibrant towns. Kuala Lumpur is popular for its blend of cultures and cuisines, its mix of modern and colonial, and its bustling neighborhoods with markets and restaurants. It is also home to The Petronas Twin Towers.

The Petronas Twin Towers

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

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

Kuala Lumpur is a must-visit destination for its museums and history. However, Palma de Mallorca does not have museums and landmarks.

Travelers visit Kuala Lumpur from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. The most notable landmark in the city is the famed Petronas Twin Towers, but other popular sights include Merdeka Square, Kuala Lumpur Tower, and the National Museum.

Palma de Mallorca does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Kuala Lumpur 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, Kuala Lumpur is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The food is influenced by the populations that live here and you'll find a lot of Malay, Chinese and Indian flavors. Spicy curries and noodle dishes are very common. Street food is also a mainstay in this city and it's an experience to wander the market streets and sample dishes from the different vendors.

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 Kuala Lumpur or Palma de Mallorca Better for Nightlife?

Palma de Mallorca is a world-class destination for nightlife. Also, Kuala Lumpur is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

People head to Palma de Mallorca just to party. Head to Magaluf and Palma for the most popular places.

Kuala Lumpur is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. Rooftop bars and lounges are popular hangout spots after the sun sets. For classy pubs and clubs head to the Golden Triangle district, but if drinking and partying isn't your thing, the city's night markets are not to be missed.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Palma de Mallorca Better for Music?

Palma de Mallorca is a very popular place for live music. However, Kuala Lumpur is not a live music destination.

It's worth checking out the music scene in Palma de Mallorca while you're in town. Live concerts, international DJs, and a diverse range of styles have put the island's music scene on the map.

Kuala Lumpur is not a live music destination.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Palma de Mallorca Better for Resorts?

Palma de Mallorca is a very popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Kuala Lumpur is not a resort destination.

There are plenty of resorts in Palma de Mallorca to choose from. Top resorts on the island include The St Regis Mardavall, Viva Cala Mesquida Resort and Spa, and Nixe Palace Hotel.

Kuala Lumpur is not a resort destination.

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

Palma de Mallorca is a good destination for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Kuala Lumpur is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery 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.

Kuala Lumpur is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Palma de Mallorca Better for Beaches?

Palma de Mallorca is a world-class destination for its beaches. However, Kuala Lumpur is not a beach destination.

Palma de Mallorca offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around 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.

Kuala Lumpur is not a beach destination.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Palma de Mallorca Better for its Old Town?

Palma de Mallorca is a good destination for its historic old town. However, Kuala Lumpur does not have a historic old town.

Palma de Mallorca is a good destination for visiting its old town. Alcudia is the best old town on the island. It has cobblestone streets and historic walls that give it charm and history.

Kuala Lumpur does not have a historic old town.

Is Kuala Lumpur or Palma de Mallorca Better for Hiking?

Palma de Mallorca is a good destination for its hiking trails. However, Kuala Lumpur is not a hiking destination.

Palma de Mallorca offers some nice hiking trails. There are many beautiful hikes along the water and through the countryside that offer beautiful views and pass by quaint towns.

Kuala Lumpur is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Kuala Lumpur or Palma de Mallorca?

Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur. The city is filled with shopping malls, and a big appeal of shopping in this city is the very affordable prices. Some of the most popular shopping malls are Suria KLCC at the base of the Petronas Towers as well as the malls in the Bukit Bintang/Jalan Imbi areas.

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

Is Kuala Lumpur or Palma de Mallorca Better for Families?

Both Kuala Lumpur and Palma de Mallorca are great family-friendly destinations.

Kuala Lumpur is a very family-friendly destination. This family-friendly city includes a surprising number of opportunities to experience wildlife. There's an aquarium, petting zoos, and places to see the wild monkeys. There are also large playgrounds including one by the Petronas Towers. Kids will also enjoy exploring the Botanical Gardens, Butterfly Park, and the Forest Eco Park.

Palma de Mallorca is a very kid-friendly city. 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 Kuala Lumpur or Palma de Mallorca Better for Couples?

Kuala Lumpur 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.

Kuala Lumpur makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. This city has diverse restaurants and a number of luxury hotels at affordable prices. For couples who enjoy romance on a budget, this is a good city.

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 Kuala Lumpur or Palma de Mallorca Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Kuala Lumpur and Palma de Mallorca are both great destinations for backpackers.

Kuala Lumpur is very popular with the backpacker crowd. This is a popular stop for backpackers on the Southeast Asia circuit. It's modern and comfortable but also affordable and diverse. The city has a number of affordable hostels, but it also has a more laid back and authentic vibe than you'll find in many other Southeast Asian cities. The city also isn't as touristy as some other cities, so the people are down to Earth and helpful without being jaded by all of the vacationers.

Palma de Mallorca is a great city 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 Kuala Lumpur or Palma de Mallorca Better for Students?

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

Kuala Lumpur is a great destination for students. It's affordability, diversity, and dynamic atmosphere make this a great city for international students.

Palma de Mallorca is not popular with students.

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

Kuala Lumpur is a must-visit destination for times when you don't have a car. Also, Palma de Mallorca is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Kuala Lumpur has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. The system is relatively easy to navigate with most signs in English. There are buses, a monorail, light rail transit and commuter trains.

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 Kuala Lumpur or Palma de Mallorca a more walkable city?

Kuala Lumpur is an excellent place to visit for its walkability. Also, Palma de Mallorca is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

Kuala Lumpur is very walkable. Traffic can be congested, but there are many wide sidewalks and pedestrian areas around town. The River of Life waterfront area offers nice paths that connect many tourist areas.

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 Kuala Lumpur Worth Visiting? and Is Palma de Mallorca Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Palma de Mallorca or Kuala Lumpur?

How long in Kuala Lumpur or Palma de Mallorca?

In either Kuala Lumpur or Palma de Mallorca, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. You can fill a similar amount of time in either place. In general, 1-5 days is a good amount of time for Kuala Lumpur, and 3-5 days is enough time in Palma de Mallorca.

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

One day in Kuala Lumpur or Palma de Mallorca?

When visiting Kuala Lumpur, people usually allow for lots of time. One day is often enough time to do most activities. It offers something for everyone.

In Palma de Mallorca, many people enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping that this historic island offers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Kuala Lumpur or Palma de Mallorca?

When visiting Kuala Lumpur, people usually allow for lots of time. 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 fun place to experience. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring.

Five days in Kuala Lumpur or Palma de Mallorca?

When visiting Kuala Lumpur, people usually allow for lots of time. 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.

In Palma de Mallorca, many people enjoy the nightlife and live music that this beautiful destination offers. Most people come for the beaches. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. So, five days is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A week in Kuala Lumpur or Palma de Mallorca?

Kuala Lumpur 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 popular place to visit. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Malaysia, 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 Kuala Lumpur and Palma de Mallorca, we can see that Palma de Mallorca is more expensive. And not only is Kuala Lumpur much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur.

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

Which is Bigger, Kuala Lumpur or Palma de Mallorca?

Kuala Lumpur has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Palma de Mallorca. When comparing the sizes of Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur or Palma de Mallorca?

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

Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Palma de Mallorca in the Summer?

Both Palma de Mallorca and Kuala Lumpur are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kuala Lumpur throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Palma de Mallorca for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Kuala Lumpur is a little warmer than Palma de Mallorca in the summer. The daily temperature in Kuala Lumpur averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Palma de Mallorca fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).

It's quite sunny in Palma de Mallorca. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kuala Lumpur. Kuala Lumpur usually receives less sunshine than Palma de Mallorca during summer. Kuala Lumpur gets 200 hours of sunny skies, while Palma de Mallorca receives 334 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Kuala Lumpur. In July, Kuala Lumpur usually receives more rain than Palma de Mallorca. Kuala Lumpur gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Palma de Mallorca receives 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Palma de Mallorca in the Autumn?

Both Palma de Mallorca and Kuala Lumpur during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Kuala Lumpur because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Palma de Mallorca because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Kuala Lumpur is a little warmer than Palma de Mallorca. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kuala Lumpur in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Palma de Mallorca averages at about 19°C (66°F).

In Palma de Mallorca, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Kuala Lumpur often gets less sunshine than Palma de Mallorca. Kuala Lumpur gets 169 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Palma de Mallorca receives 204 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kuala Lumpur. Kuala Lumpur usually gets more rain in October than Palma de Mallorca. Kuala Lumpur gets 280 mm (11 in) of rain, while Palma de Mallorca receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Palma de Mallorca in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kuala Lumpur and Palma de Mallorca. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kuala Lumpur year-round. Furthermore, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Palma de Mallorca this time of year.

In January, Kuala Lumpur is generally much warmer than Palma de Mallorca. Daily temperatures in Kuala Lumpur average around 27°C (81°F), and Palma de Mallorca fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Kuala Lumpur usually receives more sunshine than Palma de Mallorca during winter. Kuala Lumpur gets 185 hours of sunny skies, while Palma de Mallorca receives 164 hours of full sun in the winter.

Kuala Lumpur gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Kuala Lumpur usually receives more rain than Palma de Mallorca. Kuala Lumpur gets 239 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Palma de Mallorca receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Palma de Mallorca in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Kuala Lumpur as well as Palma de Mallorca. Kuala Lumpur attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Palma de Mallorca for the beaches and the natural beauty.

Kuala Lumpur is much warmer than Palma de Mallorca in the spring. The daily temperature in Kuala Lumpur averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Palma de Mallorca fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Palma de Mallorca. In the spring, Kuala Lumpur often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Palma de Mallorca. Kuala Lumpur gets 199 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Palma de Mallorca receives 210 hours of full sun.

Kuala Lumpur receives a lot of rain in the spring. Kuala Lumpur usually gets more rain in April than Palma de Mallorca. Kuala Lumpur gets 240 mm (9.4 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 Kuala Lumpur