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

Should you visit Palma de Mallorca or Almeria?

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 Almeria, 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. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking.

Almeria

Almeria is a breathtaking, pristine, and cultural region. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include food, beaches, and hiking.

Palma de Mallorca and Almeria: Pros and Cons

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

You'll generally find more things to do in Palma de Mallorca than Almeria. Palma de Mallorca is bigger than Almeria, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Palma de Mallorca is better known for its nightlife, music, scuba diving & snorkeling, and shopping, while Almeria is more popular for its food, resorts, historical sights, hiking, and impressive beauty. Palma de Mallorca is more touristy than Almeria and is popular for its strikingly blue waters, sandy beaches, all-inclusive resorts, and vibrant towns. Also, Palma de Mallorca is famous for the turquoise water and white sand beaches. Almeria is well known for its stunning beaches that feel pristine despite their popularity.

The turquoise water and white sand beaches

How is Palma de Mallorca different from Almeria?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Almeria 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, Almeria is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The food is focused on local, fresh ingredients with many traditional recipes that have been passed down for centuries. Popular dishes change with the seasons because they rely so heavily on local produce. Particularly during the winter months you'll find hearty stews like patatas en ajopollo and gurullos con conejo, which is prepared with rabbit. Sardines are also popular year round.

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 Palma de Mallorca or Almeria Better for Nightlife?

Palma de Mallorca is a must-visit destination for its evening party scene. Also, Almeria is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

Palma de Mallorca is a world class party destination. Head to Magaluf and Palma for the most popular places.

If you're looking for night time activities Almeria has a few options to choose from. The city's nightlife vibe is about enjoying a cold beer on a terrace with friends. The city has a laid back Mediterranean atmosphere and plenty of terraced bars along the main streets, particularly in old town. With mild temperatures year around, you'll find yourself spending time outside most evenings while you enjoy tapas and drinks with friends. Flamenco and bullfighting are also popular in the evenings.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Almeria Better for Music?

Palma de Mallorca is a great destination for its music scene. However, Almeria 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.

Almeria is not a live music destination.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Almeria Better for Resorts?

Almeria 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.

Almeria offers an unforgettable resort vacation. Stretched along the coastline you'll find many high end resorts with pools and nice atmospheres. There are all inclusive resorts as well as family-friendly and romantic options to choose from.

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

Palma de Mallorca is a good destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Almeria 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.

Almeria is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Almeria Better for Beaches?

Both Palma de Mallorca and Almeria have world-class beaches worth visiting.

The beaches in Palma de Mallorca are among the best in 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.

Almeria is considered to be a world-class beach destination. Outside of town you'll find kilometers of stunning coastline and beaches. There are pristine natural beaches that still feel undiscovered with beautiful long stretches of sand. One of the biggest resort areas is Roquetas de Mar.

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

Almeria is an excellent place to visit for its historic old town. Also, Palma de Mallorca is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its old town.

Many visitors go to Almeria to see the historical old town. The old town is at the cultural heart of the city. It has the most energy during the evenings, as well as many museums and sights worth visiting.

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 Palma de Mallorca or Almeria Better for Hiking?

Almeria is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. Also, Palma de Mallorca is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Almeria. The area has stunning hikes that run along the coastline or into the beautiful interior countryside. For some of the area's best hikes head into Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Palma de Mallorca or Almeria?

Palma de Mallorca is a good destination for its shopping areas. However, Almeria is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Many visitors go to Palma de Mallorca to go shopping. Head to Palma for some of the areas best shopping.

Almeria is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Almeria Better for Families?

Palma de Mallorca and Almeria are both great 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.

Almeria is a very kid-friendly island. The area has many beautiful beaches as well as waterparks, amusement parks, and fun activities like sailing and water sports. There's also a very impressive fort that the kids will enjoy exploring.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Almeria Better for Couples?

Almeria 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.

Almeria makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Nature lovers and beach enthusiasts will find this to be the perfect romantic getaway. There are many outdoor activities and places to immerse yourself in nature. A highlight of a trip is a visit to Crystal Cave.

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 Almeria Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Palma de Mallorca and Almeria are both great destinations for backpackers.

Palma de Mallorca is very popular with the backpacker crowd. 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.

Almeria is a great island to visit for backpackers. There's plenty of affordable accommodation to choose from as well as all kinds of activities that backpackers will enjoy. If you like nature and enjoy spending time outside, then this is your place.

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

Visitors will find notable public transit in both Palma de Mallorca and Almeria.

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 Almeria, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are a number of bus lines that run through Almeria city and to Cabo de Gata.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Almeria a more walkable city?

Palma de Mallorca is a good destination for its ease of walking around. However, Almeria is a region with minimal options 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.

Almeria is generally not a very walkable island. While there are many beautiful walks in the area, if you want to truly explore, you'll likely want to have access to a car.

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

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

How long in Palma de Mallorca or Almeria?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Palma de Mallorca than Almeria 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 Almeria?

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

With nightlife and food around the destination of Almeria, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. One day is often enough time to do most activities. It offers something for everyone.

A weekend in Palma de Mallorca or Almeria?

In Palma de Mallorca, you'll find shopping and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Most people come for the beaches. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

With food and nightlife around the pristine region of Almeria, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 Almeria?

Palma de Mallorca 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 Palma de Mallorca has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historic destination of Almeria. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. 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 Almeria?

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

Almeria is a popular choice for travelers. It's also a relaxing resort destination. This region 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 Budget Tours to Spain, The Best Tours for Seniors to Spain, The Best Contiki Tours to Spain, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Spain.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Palma de Mallorca and Almeria, we can see that Palma de Mallorca is more expensive. And not only is Almeria much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Almeria would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Almeria 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 Almeria.

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 Almeria Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Palma de Mallorca or Almeria?

Palma de Mallorca has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Almeria. When comparing the sizes of Palma de Mallorca and Almeria, 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 Almeria?

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 Almeria in the Summer?

Both Almeria and Palma de Mallorca during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Palma de Mallorca for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Almeria in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Palma de Mallorca is generally around the same temperature as Almeria. Daily temperatures in Palma de Mallorca average around 24°C (76°F), and Almeria fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

In Almeria, 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 Almeria. Palma de Mallorca gets 334 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Almeria receives 343 hours of full sun.

Palma de Mallorca usually gets more rain in July than Almeria. Palma de Mallorca gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Almeria receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Palma de Mallorca and Almeria. 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. Also, most visitors come to Almeria for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Palma de Mallorca is around the same temperature as Almeria in the autumn. The daily temperature in Palma de Mallorca averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Almeria fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Almeria 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 Almeria during autumn. Palma de Mallorca gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while Almeria receives 220 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Palma de Mallorca usually receives more rain than Almeria. Palma de Mallorca gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Almeria receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

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

The winter brings many poeple to Palma de Mallorca as well as Almeria. Most visitors come to Palma de Mallorca for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Almeria because of the cuisine.

In the winter, Palma de Mallorca is cooler than Almeria. Typically, the winter temperatures in Palma de Mallorca in January average around 11°C (52°F), and Almeria averages at about 13°C (55°F).

In the winter, Palma de Mallorca often gets less sunshine than Almeria. Palma de Mallorca gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Almeria receives 186 hours of full sun.

Palma de Mallorca usually gets more rain in January than Almeria. Palma de Mallorca gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Almeria receives 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Almeria and Palma de Mallorca are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Palma de Mallorca because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Almeria this time of year.

In April, Palma de Mallorca is generally cooler than Almeria. Daily temperatures in Palma de Mallorca average around 14°C (57°F), and Almeria fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

It's quite sunny in Almeria. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Palma de Mallorca. Palma de Mallorca usually receives less sunshine than Almeria during spring. Palma de Mallorca gets 210 hours of sunny skies, while Almeria receives 235 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Palma de Mallorca usually receives more rain than Almeria. Palma de Mallorca gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Almeria receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Almeria and Palma de Mallorca