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

Should you visit Palma de Mallorca or Annecy?

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 Annecy, 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 historic, beautiful, and stunning island. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the hiking, shopping, and nightlife.

Annecy

Annecy is a charming, stunning, and breathtaking alpine town. Since it offers so much small town charm with a variety of activities, it attracts plenty of visitors, too. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Palma de Mallorca and Annecy: Pros and Cons

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

Travelers will usually find more to do in Palma de Mallorca. Although Palma de Mallorca and Annecy are popular destinations, Palma de Mallorca has more sights and attractions for tourists. Palma de Mallorca is very popular for its nightlife, music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches, while Annecy attracts visitors for its museums, food, historical sights, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Palma de Mallorca is famous 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. Annecy is famous for its charming old town and its beautiful, lakefront, alpine setting.

The turquoise water and white sand beaches

How is Palma de Mallorca different from Annecy?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Annecy 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 Annecy?

Annecy is a nice place to visit for its museums and history. However, Palma de Mallorca does not have museums and landmarks.

Annecy is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The old town and lakefront setting is what brings the tourists, but there are several unique landmarks around town as well. Palais de l'Île is the most photographed spot in the old town. Also worth visiting are Musée-Château d'Annecy, Eglise Saint-Maurice, and Cathédrale Saint-Pierre.

Palma de Mallorca does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Annecy 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, Annecy is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. Fresh caught fish and local French specialties make this town a wonderful culinary destination. The old town is filled with restaurants, cafes, and markets where you can enjoy local ingredients. There are many local dishes to try with some of the most popular being Tartiflette, Raclette, and Gratin de crozets. Fondue is also popular. You'll find cheese is a common component in many dishes.

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 Annecy Better for Nightlife?

Palma de Mallorca is renowned for nightlife and partying. Also, Annecy is not as popular, but is still a nice alpine town 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Annecy. There are bars and pubs to visit with one of the most popular bar-hopping streets being Rue Sainte-Claire.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Annecy Better for Music?

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

Palma de Mallorca has a thriving music scene. Live concerts, international DJs, and a diverse range of styles have put the island's music scene on the map.

Annecy is not a live music destination.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Annecy Better for Resorts?

Palma de Mallorca is a great island for its luxury resorts. However, Annecy 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.

Annecy is not a resort destination.

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

Palma de Mallorca is very good for its diving and snorkeling. However, Annecy 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.

Annecy is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Annecy Better for Beaches?

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

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.

Annecy is not a beach destination.

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

Annecy 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 Annecy can be explored in its historical center. This is among the most beautiful old towns in Europe. It sits along the banks of Lake Annecy and the water integrates beautifully into the setting.

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 Annecy Better for Hiking?

Annecy 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 Annecy. There are a range of hikes just out of town that cover all ability levels. There are flat, waterfront strolls as well as more strenuous mountain treks. La Tournette is one of the most famous hikes in the area. Other options include Circuit des 3 Croix de Sevrier and Gorges du Fier.

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 Annecy?

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

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

Annecy offers some nice shopping areas. Three times a week you can check out the Old Town Market. Another popular shopping street is Rue Royale.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Annecy Better for Families?

Palma de Mallorca and Annecy 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.

Annecy is a very kid-friendly island. Families can enjoy getting out on the lake by renting a boat or going for a swim. Check out Wibit Water Park or let the kids play at Leisure Center Orange Montisel. There's also a great playground for kids right by the waterfront. Hiking and exploring are also fun for the whole family.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Annecy Better for Couples?

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

Annecy has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. It's a romantic French mountain town with beautiful scenery and a wonderful lake. Couples can enjoy outdoor activities or wandering through one of the best old towns in the region. The beauty and natural setting make this a wonderful couples destination.

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 Annecy Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Palma de Mallorca is a great island for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Annecy is not as popular, but is still a nice alpine town for backpackers.

Many 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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Annecy. It's a world class mountain destination that attracts families and vacationers, but there aren't as many hostels around town as backpackers would like.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Annecy 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 Annecy.

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 Annecy, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The Sibra public transport system offers buses that travel through Annecy and around the lake, stopping at many towns along the way.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Annecy a more walkable city?

Annecy 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.

Annecy is very walkable. The old town is filled with pedestrian streets that are perfect to explore on foot.

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 Palma de Mallorca Worth Visiting? and Is Annecy Worth Visiting?.

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

How long in Palma de Mallorca or Annecy?

It's fun to spend time in either Palma de Mallorca or Annecy. 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 Annecy.

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

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

Many travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the destination of Palma de Mallorca. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Even though Annecy is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. 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.

A weekend in Palma de Mallorca or Annecy?

Palma de Mallorca is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Annecy is a small town where visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife. 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 Annecy?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Palma de Mallorca. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Most people come for the beaches. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Annecy is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. 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.

A week in Palma de Mallorca or Annecy?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the stunning destination of Palma de Mallorca. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Annecy is a popular choice for travelers. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One of the main draws to the area is the food. This alpine town 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 Historical Tours in France, and The Best 10-Day Tours in France.

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

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 Annecy Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Palma de Mallorca or Annecy?

Palma de Mallorca has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Annecy. When comparing the sizes of Palma de Mallorca and Annecy, 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 Annecy?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Palma de Mallorca or Annecy in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Palma de Mallorca and Annecy. Most visitors come to Palma de Mallorca for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Annecy because of the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Palma de Mallorca is a little warmer than Annecy. Typically, the summer temperatures in Palma de Mallorca in July average around 24°C (76°F), and Annecy averages at about 22°C (71°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Annecy this time of the year. In Palma de Mallorca, it's very sunny this time of the year. Palma de Mallorca usually receives more sunshine than Annecy during summer. Palma de Mallorca gets 334 hours of sunny skies, while Annecy receives 285 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Palma de Mallorca usually receives less rain than Annecy. Palma de Mallorca gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Annecy receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

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

The autumn brings many poeple to Palma de Mallorca as well as Annecy. 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. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Annecy this time of year.

In October, Palma de Mallorca is generally a little warmer than Annecy. Daily temperatures in Palma de Mallorca average around 19°C (66°F), and Annecy fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Palma de Mallorca this time of the year. In the autumn, Palma de Mallorca often gets more sunshine than Annecy. Palma de Mallorca gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Annecy receives 127 hours of full sun.

Palma de Mallorca usually gets less rain in October than Annecy. Palma de Mallorca gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Annecy receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Annecy and Palma de Mallorca are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Palma de Mallorca this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Annecy for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Annecy. Palma de Mallorca is much warmer than Annecy in the winter. The daily temperature in Palma de Mallorca averages around 11°C (52°F) in January, and Annecy fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

Palma de Mallorca usually receives more sunshine than Annecy during winter. Palma de Mallorca gets 164 hours of sunny skies, while Annecy receives 62 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Palma de Mallorca usually receives less rain than Annecy. Palma de Mallorca gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Annecy receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

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

Both Annecy and Palma de Mallorca during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Palma de Mallorca for the beaches and the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Annecy in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Palma de Mallorca is a little warmer than Annecy. Typically, the spring temperatures in Palma de Mallorca in April average around 14°C (57°F), and Annecy averages at about 11°C (53°F).

It's quite sunny in Palma de Mallorca. In the spring, Palma de Mallorca often gets more sunshine than Annecy. Palma de Mallorca gets 210 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Annecy receives 174 hours of full sun.

Palma de Mallorca usually gets less rain in April than Annecy. Palma de Mallorca gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Annecy receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Annecy and Palma de Mallorca