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

Should you visit Palma de Mallorca or Antwerp?

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 Antwerp, 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 food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Antwerp

Antwerp is a vibrant, authentic, and genuine port city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Palma de Mallorca and Antwerp: Pros and Cons

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

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Palma de Mallorca than Antwerp. While Antwerp is larger than Palma de Mallorca, Palma de Mallorca has more sights and attractions for tourists. Palma de Mallorca is very popular for its food, nightlife, music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Antwerp attracts visitors for its museums, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities. Palma de Mallorca is more touristy than Antwerp 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. Antwerp is famous for its historic train station, festive chocolate shops, decadent waffle stands, and down-to-earth old town.

The turquoise water and white sand beaches

How is Palma de Mallorca different from Antwerp?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Antwerp 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 Antwerp can be an interesting and educational experience. The city has a number of cathedrals, museums, and art galleries that are fun to explore. The history and culture of the town is best experienced by wandering the streets and soaking up the architecture.

Palma de Mallorca does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Palma de Mallorca is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Antwerp is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

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.

Antwerp is becoming an appealing option for foodies. People with a sweet tooth will enjoy the chocolates and biscuits that make this city famous. You'll also find plenty of fries and casual dining options to choose from. Local favorites include mussels and fish and chips, and of course, you must try the beer!

Is Palma de Mallorca or Antwerp Better for Nightlife?

Palma de Mallorca is an unbeatable place for nightlife and partying. Also, Antwerp is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

The nightlife in Palma de Mallorca is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. Head to Magaluf and Palma for the most popular places.

Many people head to Antwerp for the nightlife scene. With its large student population and young vibe, you'll find an active nightlife scene around town. Many of the the clubs and bars are concentrated in the docklands, but you'll also find places to hang out everywhere around town.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Antwerp Better for Music?

Palma de Mallorca is well known for its live music scene. However, Antwerp 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.

Antwerp is not a live music destination.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Antwerp Better for Resorts?

Palma de Mallorca is well known for its resorts. However, Antwerp 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.

Antwerp is not a resort destination.

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

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

Antwerp is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Antwerp Better for Beaches?

Palma de Mallorca is an unbeatable place for the beache. However, Antwerp 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.

Antwerp is not a beach destination.

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

Antwerp 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 Antwerp to see the historical old town. The old city has a long running history and many unique spots to explore. At the heart of the old town is Grote Markt, which is surrounded by beautiful buildings and cobblestone streets. There are a diversity of restaurants including local cuisines, Italian restaurants, and a number of different ethnic food. You'll also find local chocolate shops, waffle vendors, and ice cream.

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 Antwerp Better for Hiking?

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

Antwerp is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Palma de Mallorca or Antwerp?

Antwerp is a must-visit destination for shopping. Also, Palma de Mallorca is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Antwerp. The city has become known for its fashion scene. The main shopping street is Meir, which is where you'll find a variety of European fashion chains. It's also fun to buy chocolates, art, or other souvenirs around town. You'll find both locals and tourists perusing the main shopping areas around town.

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

Is Palma de Mallorca or Antwerp Better for Families?

Palma de Mallorca is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Antwerp is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Palma de Mallorca is a very kid-friendly island. 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.

Antwerp offers lots of family activities. Favorite kid-friendly activities around town include taking a ride on the Ferris Wheel, going to the local zoo, or exploring the indoor play area Plopsa Station. Kids will also enjoy exploring the underground canals or taking a boat ride. Chocolate lovers will have fun checking out the many chocolate shops around town.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Antwerp Better for Couples?

Palma de Mallorca and Antwerp are both nice to visit as a couple.

Palma de Mallorca is a nice destination for couples. With beautiful beaches and a fun Spanish flare, Mallorca makes for a memorable honeymoon.

Antwerp makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The city has a wonderful café culture with great restaurants and beautiful neighborhoods to explore. There are many great restaurants as well as plenty of shopping opportunities.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Antwerp Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Palma de Mallorca is well known for backpackers. Also, Antwerp 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 Antwerp. With a handful of hostels and a variety of free activities, this is an affordable place to visit. It's often overlooked by backpackers so those that visit will be rewarded. It has a vibe of authenticity which is great for backpacker's who are a bit jaded from the tourism scene.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Antwerp Better for Students?

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

Antwerp is a great port city to visit as a student. There's a good student culture and a lot of activities that give the city a fun and youthful vibe. It's a relatively big city with a lot of transportation connections, so it makes a great base for exploring other areas.

Palma de Mallorca is not popular with students.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Antwerp 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 Antwerp.

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 Antwerp, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are both tram and bus lines around town. The city also has a large and impressive train station with many connections, making it a good base for exploring other areas.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Antwerp a more walkable city?

Antwerp 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.

Antwerp is very walkable. The old town can be comfortably explored on foot, particularly the area around Grote Markt.

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 Antwerp Worth Visiting?.

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

How long in Palma de Mallorca or Antwerp?

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

Families should spend more time in Palma de Mallorca than Antwerp. 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 Antwerp. 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 Antwerp 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 Antwerp?

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 shopping and museums around the destination of Antwerp, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. One day is often enough time to do most activities. It offers something for everyone.

A weekend in Palma de Mallorca or Antwerp?

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 museums and nightlife around the authentic port city of Antwerp, 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.

Five days in Palma de Mallorca or Antwerp?

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 historical destination of Antwerp. 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 Antwerp?

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.

Antwerp is a popular choice for travelers. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One of the main draws to the area is the shopping. This port 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 Tours for Seniors to Belgium, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Brussels.

When comparing the travel costs between Palma de Mallorca and Antwerp, 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 Antwerp Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Palma de Mallorca or Antwerp?

Antwerp has a larger population, and is about 22% larger than the population of Palma de Mallorca. When comparing the sizes of Palma de Mallorca and Antwerp, 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 Antwerp?

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 Antwerp in the Summer?

Both Antwerp 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 Antwerp because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Palma de Mallorca is a little warmer than Antwerp. Typically, the summer temperatures in Palma de Mallorca in July average around 24°C (76°F), and Antwerp averages at about 17°C (63°F).

In Antwerp, 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 more sunshine than Antwerp. Palma de Mallorca gets 334 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Antwerp receives 202 hours of full sun.

Palma de Mallorca usually gets less rain in July than Antwerp. Palma de Mallorca gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Antwerp receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Palma de Mallorca and Antwerp. 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 city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Antwerp this time of year.

In October, Palma de Mallorca is generally much warmer than Antwerp. Daily temperatures in Palma de Mallorca average around 19°C (66°F), and Antwerp fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In Palma de Mallorca, it's very sunny this time of the year. Palma de Mallorca usually receives more sunshine than Antwerp during autumn. Palma de Mallorca gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while Antwerp receives 105 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Palma de Mallorca usually receives less rain than Antwerp. Palma de Mallorca gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Antwerp receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

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

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

Be prepared for some very cold days in Antwerp. Palma de Mallorca is much warmer than Antwerp in the winter. The daily temperature in Palma de Mallorca averages around 11°C (52°F) in January, and Antwerp fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Palma de Mallorca often gets more sunshine than Antwerp. Palma de Mallorca gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Antwerp receives 47 hours of full sun.

Palma de Mallorca usually gets less rain in January than Antwerp. Palma de Mallorca gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Antwerp receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Antwerp 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 Antwerp in the spring for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Palma de Mallorca is much warmer than Antwerp. Typically, the spring temperatures in Palma de Mallorca in April average around 14°C (57°F), and Antwerp averages at about 8°C (47°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Palma de Mallorca. Palma de Mallorca usually receives more sunshine than Antwerp during spring. Palma de Mallorca gets 210 hours of sunny skies, while Antwerp receives 158 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Palma de Mallorca usually receives around the same amount of rain as Antwerp. Palma de Mallorca gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Antwerp receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Antwerp and Palma de Mallorca