A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Marbella vs. Palermo for Nightlife, Scuba Diving & Snorkeling, Beaches, and Couples

Should you visit Marbella or Palermo?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Marbella or Palermo, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Marbella

Marbella is a ritzy, glamorous, and fun-filled resort town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Palermo

Palermo is a diverse, dynamic, and fun city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Marbella and Palermo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Marbella or Palermo?

Both Palermo and Marbella have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Marbella is more popular for its nightlife, music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Palermo is known for its museums, food, and big city activities. Marbella is more touristy than Palermo and is popular for its luxury hotels, beautiful beaches, and lively nightlife. Palermo is popular for its mild climate, beautiful architecture, fun atmosphere, and fascinating culture.

How is Marbella different from Palermo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Palermo and Marbella. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Marbella or Palermo?

Palermo is a nice place to visit for its museums and history. However, Marbella does not have museums and landmarks.

Palermo offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are a number of grand buildings and impressive architectural buildings that you should visit. The cathedral, the Norman Palace, and Cappella Palatina are among the best.

Marbella does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Marbella or Palermo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Palermo is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Marbella is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Palermo has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The islands long history and occupation by a range of different groups means that the cuisine is heavily influenced by many different cultures. You'll see influences from Phonecians, Greeks, Arabs and Normans. Local dishes include Pasta alla Norma (pasta and vegetables), Arancine (rice balls), and Cannoli.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Marbella area. The area is filled with tourists, so finding an authentic dining experience can be difficult. Several favorite dishes include croquetas, boquerones, and pulpo.

Is Marbella or Palermo Better for Nightlife?

Marbella is very popular for its evening party scene. Also, Palermo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.

Marbella is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. European tourists flock to the town for its beaches and resorts. The town has a glamorous nightlife scene with exclusive clubs and ritzy cocktail bars, particularly in Puerto Banus and along the Golden Mile.

Palermo has a large number of nightlife venues. The nightlife scene is surprisingly varied with everything from wine bars by the ocean to dance parties that flood into the street. Some of the most popular areas for nightlife include the old town, Politeama, and Mondello.

Is Marbella or Palermo Better for Music?

Marbella is a well-known place for its music scene. However, Palermo is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Marbella is very popular with diverse venues. Some of the best music venues include Starlite, Kitch Social Club, and Momento.

Palermo is not a live music destination.

Is Marbella or Palermo Better for Resorts?

Marbella is very popular for its resorts. However, Palermo is not a resort destination.

Marbella is a world class resort vacation destination. From luxury to family-friendly, this area has plenty of resorts to choose from. Popular resorts in the area include Marbella Club Hotel, Puente Romano Marbella, and Don Carlos Resort and Spa.

Palermo is not a resort destination.

Is Marbella or Palermo Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Marbella is very popular for snorkeling and scuba diving. Also, Palermo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling.

Marbella is a world class destination for scuba diving and snorkeling. There are more than 100 dive sights and endless snorkeling opportunities in the area. There are deep offshore reefs that you can explore as well as shallower wrecks and caves.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery in Palermo. The dive season lasts most of the year and there are many beautiful dive spots that are accessible from the city. The water is clear and there is a variety of flora and fauna to see.

Is Marbella or Palermo Better for Beaches?

Marbella is very popular for the beach. Also, Palermo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its beaches.

Marbella is considered to be a world-class beach destination. The area boasts some of the best beaches in Europe. They are hubs of activity with lots of energy, and there are more than 18 miles of sandy beach in the area. Popular options include Guadalmina Beach, San Pedro de Alcántara Beach, and Nueva Andalucía Beach.

Many people visit Palermo for it's beautiful beaches. The city has a number of beautiful beaches, some of which are accessible by public transit. Mondello is a popular option with beautiful views. Capo Gallo is a relaxing option on a nature reserve that is good for divers and nature lovers. Addaura is a lively beach with a number of clubs.

Is Marbella or Palermo Better for its Old Town?

Marbella is a resort town with good options for its historic old town charm. However, Palermo does not have a historic old town.

Marbella offers a nice historic old town area. Head into the old town to explore a quaint area with small, meandering streets, churches, restaurants, shops, and cafes.

Palermo does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Marbella or Palermo?

Marbella is very popular for its shopping areas. Also, Palermo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for shopping.

Marbella is a world class destination for shoppers. This area attracts vacationers from around Europe and the shopping is some of the best in Europe.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Palermo. The city offers a mix of high end shopping streets as well as colorful markets that have the feel of a traditional bazaar. Whether you're looking for European brands or local merchandise, this city has an eclectic mix with something for everyone.

Is Marbella or Palermo Better for Families?

Marbella and Palermo are both high quality destinations for the whole family.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Marbella is very family-friendly. The area has beautiful, family-friendly beaches and many resorts with pools that are great for kids.

Palermo is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has beaches where everyone can cool off and play in the relaxing waves. There's also a botanical garden and the fascinating Catacombs of the Capuchins. Kids will also enjoy exploring the many diverse markets throughout the city.

Is Marbella or Palermo Better for Couples?

Marbella is very popular for couples. Also, Palermo is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.

Marbella is a great resort town for couples, as it has plenty to offer. The area has luxury resorts, nice beaches, water sports, golf, and water activities that are perfect for a honeymoon or a romantic weekend or a honeymoon.

Palermo is a nice destination for couples. The city is filled with fun adventures, unique markets, and relaxing beaches. It makes a great city escape for couples who enjoy spending time outdoors but also having access to an urban setting.

Is Marbella or Palermo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Marbella and Palermo are both good destinations for backpackers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Marbella. There are a few good hostels in the area for backpackers who want to enjoy this part of Spain's cost. There's also a lively nightlife scene and plenty of opportunities to meet others.

Palermo is a good resort town to visit for backpackers. There are a decent number of affordable hostels around town as well as plenty of backpackers that keep the scene fun and social.

Is Marbella or Palermo Better for Students?

Palermo is a nice place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Marbella is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Palermo. It's an affordable student destination with a relaxing and laid back vibe. There's enough activity to keep it interesting without a high pressure setting.

Marbella is not popular with students.

Is Marbella or Palermo Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find decent public transit in both Marbella and Palermo.

Public transit is mostly limited in Marbella. There is a bus system through the area, but most visitors prefer to get around by car.

Public transit is generally limited in Palermo. If you stick to the main city center then you can get around by city bus, but if you're headed anywhere else, you'll likely want to take a taxi or Uber.

Is Marbella or Palermo a more walkable city?

Marbella and Palermo are high quality when it comes to walkability.

Marbella is a very walkable resort town. The old town is particularly walkable and there are a number of hotels and nice resorts within a short walk of the town along a nice promenade.

Palermo is a very walkable destination. The city is walkable with a number of streets closed to cars and pedestrian only.

For even more information, also check out Is Marbella Worth Visiting? and Is Palermo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Palermo or Marbella?

How long in Marbella or Palermo?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Marbella and Palermo. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Marbella than in Palermo. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Marbella, and 1-3 days is enough time in Palermo.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Marbella than Palermo 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 Marbella.

One day in Marbella or Palermo?

In Marbella, you'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This resort town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

The city of Palermo offers museums and nightlife. Most people come for the beaches. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Marbella or Palermo?

In Marbella, you'll find shopping and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Most people come for the beaches. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Marbella has to offer.

Palermo is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Palermo, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Marbella or Palermo?

Marbella is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Marbella has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Palermo is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Marbella or Palermo?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Marbella. Many people enjoy the live music and food when visiting Marbella. It's also a relaxing resort destination. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Palermo 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 city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain, The Best Luxury Tours to Italy, and The Best Budget Tours to Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Marbella and Palermo, we can see that Marbella is more expensive. And not only is Palermo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Palermo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Palermo 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 Marbella would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Marbella than you might in Palermo.

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

Which is Bigger, Marbella or Palermo?

Palermo has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Marbella. When comparing the sizes of Marbella and Palermo, 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 Marbella or Palermo?

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 Marbella or Palermo in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Marbella as well as Palermo. The beaches, snorkeling, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Marbella this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Palermo for the beaches, snorkeling, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Marbella is around the same temperature as Palermo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Marbella in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Palermo averages at about 25°C (76°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Palermo. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Marbella this time of the year. In the summer, Marbella often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Palermo. Marbella gets 348 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Palermo receives 347 hours of full sun.

Marbella usually gets less rain in July than Palermo. Marbella gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Palermo receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Marbella or Palermo in the Autumn?

Both Palermo and Marbella are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Marbella for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Palermo in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Marbella is generally around the same temperature as Palermo. Daily temperatures in Marbella average around 19°C (67°F), and Palermo fluctuates around 20°C (67°F).

It's quite sunny in Palermo. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marbella. Marbella usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Palermo during autumn. Marbella gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Palermo receives 204 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Marbella usually receives less rain than Palermo. Marbella gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Palermo receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Marbella or Palermo in the Winter?

Both Palermo and Marbella during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Marbella in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Palermo for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Marbella is around the same temperature as Palermo in the winter. The daily temperature in Marbella averages around 12°C (54°F) in January, and Palermo fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In the winter, Marbella often gets more sunshine than Palermo. Marbella gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Palermo receives 133 hours of full sun.

Marbella usually gets more rain in January than Palermo. Marbella gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Palermo receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Marbella or Palermo in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Marbella and Palermo. Most visitors come to Marbella for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Palermo because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Marbella is around the same temperature as Palermo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Marbella in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Palermo averages at about 15°C (58°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Palermo this time of the year. In Marbella, it's very sunny this time of the year. Marbella usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Palermo during spring. Marbella gets 220 hours of sunny skies, while Palermo receives 219 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Marbella usually receives more rain than Palermo. Marbella gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Palermo receives 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Palermo and Marbella