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

Should you visit Kyoto or Palma de Mallorca?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Kyoto and Palma de Mallorca can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Kyoto

Kyoto is a cultural, fascinating, and traditional city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Palma de Mallorca

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

Kyoto and Palma de Mallorca: Pros and Cons

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

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Palma de Mallorca than Kyoto. While Kyoto is larger than Palma de Mallorca, Palma de Mallorca has more sights and attractions for tourists. Palma de Mallorca is very popular for its nightlife, music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and hiking, while Kyoto attracts visitors for its museums, historical sights, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty. Palma de Mallorca is more touristy than Kyoto and is popular 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. Kyoto is famous for its Buddhist temples, cultural activities, and rich history.

The turquoise water and white sand beaches

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

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

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

Travelers visit Kyoto from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. With its long-running history, there are many traditional buildings and temples in town. Nijo Castle is stunning to explore, but also make sure you visit the Fushimi-Inari Taisha Shrine, the Golden Pavilion, and Kiyomizu-dera Temple.

Palma de Mallorca does not have museums and landmarks.

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at high quality restaurants in both Kyoto and Palma de Mallorca.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Kyoto. The local cuisine is as beautiful as it is delicious. There is a long running history to many of the dishes, and the recipes are expertly prepared by world class chefs at many of the restaurants. You can enjoy everything from a tea ceremony to multi-course meals, referred to as kyo kaiseki.

Palma de Mallorca has a number of nationally recognized food spots and 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 Kyoto or Palma de Mallorca Better for Nightlife?

Palma de Mallorca is renowned for nightlife and partying. Also, Kyoto is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

Palma de Mallorca is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. Head to Magaluf and Palma for the most popular places.

If you're looking for night time activities Kyoto has a few options to choose from. While it isn't known for its wild nightlife scene, there is a relaxed and active energy in the evenings here. You can visit the beautiful Arashiyama Kimono Forest or explore some of the riverfront areas such as Kamo Riverside.

Is Kyoto or Palma de Mallorca Better for Music?

Palma de Mallorca is a great destination for its live music scene. However, Kyoto is not a live music destination.

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.

Kyoto is not a live music destination.

Is Kyoto or Palma de Mallorca Better for Resorts?

Palma de Mallorca is a great destination for its resorts. However, Kyoto is not a resort destination.

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.

Kyoto is not a resort destination.

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

Palma de Mallorca is a island with good options for its diving and snorkeling. However, Kyoto is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

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.

Kyoto is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Kyoto or Palma de Mallorca Better for Beaches?

Palma de Mallorca is renowned for the beache. However, Kyoto is not a beach destination.

Palma de Mallorca is considered to be a world-class beach 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.

Kyoto is not a beach destination.

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

Kyoto is a must-visit destination for its historic old town. Also, Palma de Mallorca is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its old town.

The rich history of Kyoto can be explored in its historical center. This is among the most historic cities in Japan and there are many traditional buildings and temples. Higashiyama is filled with interesting districts and it has many UNESCO World Heritage temples.

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 Kyoto or Palma de Mallorca Better for Hiking?

Palma de Mallorca is a island with good options for its hiking experiences. However, Kyoto is not a hiking destination.

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.

Kyoto is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Kyoto or Palma de Mallorca?

Kyoto 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 Kyoto. There's a mix of modern shopping venues and traditional boutiques. Shijo Street is a popular shopping area, as is the area around JR Kyoto Station.

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

Is Kyoto or Palma de Mallorca Better for Families?

Both Kyoto and Palma de Mallorca are high quality to visit with kids.

Kyoto is a very kid-friendly city. Kids will enjoy exploring Nijo Castle as much as adults. If the weather isn't great, you can head to the Kyoto International Manga Museum which is a bit like a library and is perfect for Manga fans. There are also markets to explore such as the Nishiki Markets, which are lined with shops and restaurants.

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 Kyoto or Palma de Mallorca Better for Couples?

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

Kyoto has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. This is one of the most historic cities in Japan, and it has many romantic neighborhoods where you can enjoy the atmosphere. Visit Sanneizaka Slope for its traditional shops and restaurants or take a ride on the Sagano Romantic Train. Other romantic highlights include Kimono Forest, which is an art exhibit, and Suzumushidera Temple.

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

Kyoto and Palma de Mallorca are high quality places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Kyoto is a great city to visit for backpackers. It's a popular destination in Japan and there are plenty of hostels and free activities that backpackers can enjoy.

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.

Is Kyoto or Palma de Mallorca Better for Students?

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

Kyoto is a great city to visit as a student. It's a great student city with world class universities and a large student population.

Palma de Mallorca is not popular with students.

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

Kyoto is an excellent place to visit 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.

Visitors to Kyoto can move around easily with public transportation. The city has an extensive system of trains, subways, and buses that make it easy to get around.

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 Kyoto or Palma de Mallorca a more walkable city?

Kyoto is a must-visit destination for its walkability. Also, Palma de Mallorca is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Kyoto. It's one of the most walkable cities in Japan and there are many sidewalks and pedestrian-friendly 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 Kyoto Worth Visiting? and Is Palma de Mallorca Worth Visiting?.

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

How long in Kyoto or Palma de Mallorca?

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Kyoto 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 Kyoto.

One day in Kyoto or Palma de Mallorca?

With shopping and museums around the destination of Kyoto, 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.

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 Kyoto or Palma de Mallorca?

With museums and nightlife around the fascinating city of Kyoto, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Visiting the old town is also a must. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.

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 Kyoto or Palma de Mallorca?

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

Kyoto is a popular choice for travelers. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One of the main draws to the area is the museums. 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.

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the historic 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 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo, 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 Kyoto and Palma de Mallorca, we can see that Palma de Mallorca is more expensive. And not only is Kyoto much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kyoto 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 Kyoto would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kyoto 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 Kyoto.

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

Which is Bigger, Kyoto or Palma de Mallorca?

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

The summer brings many poeple to Kyoto as well as Palma de Mallorca. Most visitors come to Kyoto for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Palma de Mallorca because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Kyoto is generally a little warmer than Palma de Mallorca. Daily temperatures in Kyoto average around 27°C (81°F), 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. In the summer, Kyoto often gets less sunshine than Palma de Mallorca. Kyoto gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Palma de Mallorca receives 334 hours of full sun.

Kyoto receives a lot of rain in the summer. Kyoto usually gets more rain in July than Palma de Mallorca. Kyoto gets 236 mm (9.3 in) of rain, while Palma de Mallorca receives 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Palma de Mallorca and Kyoto are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Kyoto because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Palma de Mallorca this time of year.

Kyoto is around the same temperature as Palma de Mallorca in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kyoto averages around 18°C (64°F) in October, and Palma de Mallorca fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

It's quite sunny in Palma de Mallorca. Kyoto usually receives less sunshine than Palma de Mallorca during autumn. Kyoto gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Palma de Mallorca receives 204 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Kyoto. In October, Kyoto usually receives more rain than Palma de Mallorca. Kyoto gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Palma de Mallorca receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

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

Both Palma de Mallorca and Kyoto during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Kyoto this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Palma de Mallorca for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Kyoto in the winter. In the winter, Kyoto is much colder than Palma de Mallorca. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kyoto in January average around 5°C (40°F), and Palma de Mallorca averages at about 11°C (52°F).

In the winter, Kyoto often gets less sunshine than Palma de Mallorca. Kyoto gets 140 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Palma de Mallorca receives 164 hours of full sun.

Kyoto usually gets more rain in January than Palma de Mallorca. Kyoto gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Palma de Mallorca receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kyoto and Palma de Mallorca. Many travelers come to Kyoto for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Palma de Mallorca in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Kyoto is generally around the same temperature as Palma de Mallorca. Daily temperatures in Kyoto average around 14°C (58°F), 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. Kyoto usually receives less sunshine than Palma de Mallorca during spring. Kyoto gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Palma de Mallorca receives 210 hours of full sun in the spring.

Kyoto gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Kyoto usually receives more rain than Palma de Mallorca. Kyoto gets 153 mm (6 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 Kyoto