A Travel Price Comparison for Spain Palma de Mallorca vs. Alicante for Nightlife, Beaches, Food, and Families

Should you visit Palma de Mallorca or Alicante?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Palma de Mallorca or Alicante, 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.

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 beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Alicante

Alicante is a cultural, colorful, and authentic city. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Palma de Mallorca and Alicante: Pros and Cons

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

Tourists will generally find more to do in Palma de Mallorca than Alicante. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Palma de Mallorca is very popular for its nightlife, music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Alicante attracts visitors for its museums. Palma de Mallorca is more touristy than Alicante 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. Alicante is famous for its sandy beaches, vibrant nightlife, and authentic restaurants.

The turquoise water and white sand beaches

How is Palma de Mallorca different from Alicante?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Alicante 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 Alicante can be an interesting and educational experience. This port city has a number of cultural and historical sights that are worth checking out. Castillo de Santa Bárbara, Museo Arqueológico Provincial de Alicante, and Basilica de Santa María are among the most well known.

Palma de Mallorca does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Both Palma de Mallorca and Alicante offer a number of excellent restaurants to choose from.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in 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.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Alicante. It's by the sea, so you'll find plenty of seafood. Rice is the main staple for many dishes in town. This is also a vegetable growing region, so many recipes incorporate fresh vegetables. Popular dishes include arroz a banda, arroz con costra, and olleta alicantina.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Alicante Better for Nightlife?

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

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

If you're looking for night time activities Alicante has a few options to choose from. For the city's best nightlife, head to El Barrio Antiguo, which is the old district. This is where you'll find the highest concentration of bars and clubs, many of them having live music.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Alicante Better for Music?

Palma de Mallorca is well known for its live music scene. However, Alicante is not a live music destination.

Music is a popular form of entertainment in Palma de Mallorca. Live concerts, international DJs, and a diverse range of styles have put the island's music scene on the map.

Alicante is not a live music destination.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Alicante Better for Resorts?

Palma de Mallorca is well known for its resorts. However, Alicante is not a resort destination.

Vacationers can choose from a number of terrific resorts in Palma de Mallorca. Top resorts on the island include The St Regis Mardavall, Viva Cala Mesquida Resort and Spa, and Nixe Palace Hotel.

Alicante is not a resort destination.

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

Palma de Mallorca is very good for its diving and snorkeling. However, Alicante is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's worth going snorkeling or scuba diving 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.

Alicante is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Alicante Better for Beaches?

Palma de Mallorca is terrific for the beache. Also, Alicante is still popular, but not quite as popular for the beach.

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.

Alicante has a beach worth visiting. If you step away from the touristy areas, you'll find some nice sandy beaches with blue water. Playa la Fustera is northeast of the city and popular with families and couples. If you have a car you can drive to the town of Moraira, which is near several nice beaches as well.

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

Palma de Mallorca and Alicante both have nice historical old towns that attract visitors.

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.

Many people head to Alicante to see the old town. The old district is filled with charming streets and some interesting museums. There are also a number of good restaurants in the area.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Alicante Better for Hiking?

Palma de Mallorca is very good for its hiking experiences. However, Alicante 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.

Alicante is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Palma de Mallorca or Alicante?

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

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Palma de Mallorca. Head to Palma for some of the areas best shopping.

Alicante offers some nice shopping areas. The city is known for its leather goods, but you'll also find international brands and shopping streets with fashion and different European names.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Alicante Better for Families?

Palma de Mallorca and Alicante are both excellent destinations for the whole family.

Palma de Mallorca is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

Alicante is a very kid-friendly island. This seaside city has many kid-friendly resorts, long sandy beaches, and adrenaline-filled theme parks. There's the Terra Mitica Park as well as a waterpark - Aqua Natura. Tabarca Island is also well worth a visit.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Alicante Better for Couples?

Alicante 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.

Alicante makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Nice resorts, long sandy beaches, and nearby vineyard tours make this a wonderful place for a couple's getaway. There are good restaurants and nice places where couples can take a stroll, hand in hand.

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

Palma de Mallorca is well known for backpackers. Also, Alicante is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Palma de Mallorca is a great island 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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Alicante. There are hostels around town, as well as many budget-friendly hotels, so this is an affordable oceanfront destination for the budget-minded.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Alicante Better for Students?

Alicante is a nice place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Palma de Mallorca is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Alicante. It's by the water and it's an affordable city, making it a good option for students. The beaches and active nightlife will keep you entertained when you take a break from your studies.

Palma de Mallorca is not popular with students.

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

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

Palma de Mallorca has some 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.

You'll find some public transit in Alicante, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There's a comprehensive bus system through the city and region.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Alicante a more walkable city?

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

Palma de Mallorca is somewhat walkable. 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.

Alicante is a somewhat walkable place. There are many parts of the city that can be explored on foot.

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

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

How long in Palma de Mallorca or Alicante?

It's fun to spend time in either Palma de Mallorca or Alicante. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Palma de Mallorca due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Palma de Mallorca, and 2-4 days is enough time in Alicante.

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

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.

With shopping and museums around the destination of Alicante, 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.

A weekend in Palma de Mallorca or Alicante?

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.

With museums and nightlife around the cultural city of Alicante, 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.

Five days in Palma de Mallorca or Alicante?

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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the authentic destination of Alicante. 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.

A week in Palma de Mallorca or Alicante?

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.

Alicante 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Spain, The Best 3-Week Tours in Spain, The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain, and The Best Adventure Tours to Spain.

When comparing the travel costs between Palma de Mallorca and Alicante, 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. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Palma de Mallorca or Alicante?

Palma de Mallorca has a larger population, and is about 19% larger than the population of Alicante. When comparing the sizes of Palma de Mallorca and Alicante, 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 Palma de Mallorca or Alicante?

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 Palma de Mallorca or Alicante in the Summer?

Both Alicante and Palma de Mallorca during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Palma de Mallorca for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Alicante because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Palma de Mallorca is around the same temperature as Alicante. Typically, the summer temperatures in Palma de Mallorca in July average around 24°C (76°F), and Alicante averages at about 25°C (77°F).

In Alicante, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Palma de Mallorca. In the summer, Palma de Mallorca often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Alicante. Palma de Mallorca gets 334 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Alicante receives 341 hours of full sun.

Palma de Mallorca usually gets more rain in July than Alicante. Palma de Mallorca gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Alicante receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Palma de Mallorca and Alicante. 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. Furthermore, the shopping scene are the main draw to Alicante this time of year.

In October, Palma de Mallorca is generally around the same temperature as Alicante. Daily temperatures in Palma de Mallorca average around 19°C (66°F), and Alicante fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Alicante this time of the year. In Palma de Mallorca, it's very sunny this time of the year. Palma de Mallorca usually receives less sunshine than Alicante during autumn. Palma de Mallorca gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while Alicante receives 225 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Palma de Mallorca usually receives less rain than Alicante. Palma de Mallorca gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Alicante receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

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

The winter brings many poeple to Palma de Mallorca as well as Alicante. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Palma de Mallorca this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Alicante for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Palma de Mallorca is around the same temperature as Alicante in the winter. The daily temperature in Palma de Mallorca averages around 11°C (52°F) in January, and Alicante fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In the winter, Palma de Mallorca often gets less sunshine than Alicante. Palma de Mallorca gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Alicante receives 178 hours of full sun.

Palma de Mallorca usually gets more rain in January than Alicante. Palma de Mallorca gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Alicante receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Alicante and Palma de Mallorca are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Palma de Mallorca for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Alicante in the spring for the beaches.

In the spring, Palma de Mallorca is cooler than Alicante. Typically, the spring temperatures in Palma de Mallorca in April average around 14°C (57°F), and Alicante averages at about 16°C (60°F).

It's quite sunny in Alicante. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Palma de Mallorca. Palma de Mallorca usually receives less sunshine than Alicante during spring. Palma de Mallorca gets 210 hours of sunny skies, while Alicante receives 243 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Palma de Mallorca usually receives more rain than Alicante. Palma de Mallorca gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Alicante receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Alicante and Palma de Mallorca