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

Should you visit Palma de Mallorca or Arles?

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

Arles

Arles is a charming, compact, and quaint town. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Palma de Mallorca and Arles: Pros and Cons

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

You'll generally find more things to do in Palma de Mallorca than Arles. Palma de Mallorca is bigger than Arles, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Palma de Mallorca is better known for its nightlife, music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and hiking, while Arles is more popular for its museums and historical sights. Palma de Mallorca is more touristy than Arles 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. Arles is well known for its Roman history and its influence over Vincent van Gogh.

The turquoise water and white sand beaches

How is Palma de Mallorca different from Arles?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Arles is a must-visit destination for its museums and history. However, Palma de Mallorca does not have museums and landmarks.

Travelers visit Arles from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. It's a small town but it's filled with Roman ruins and remarkable landmarks. Popular sights include L'Amphithéâtre Romain, Les Alyscamps, Cloître Saint-Trophime, and Théâtre Antique.

Palma de Mallorca does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Both Palma de Mallorca and Arles 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 Arles. The cuisine is heavily influenced by the region's local agriculture. Popular dishes include agriade (beef stew), tellines soup, and fougasse (a local bread).

Is Palma de Mallorca or Arles Better for Nightlife?

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

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.

If you're looking for night time activities Arles has a few options to choose from. There are countless bars and pubs where you can enjoy a cold drink and a relaxing night out.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Arles Better for Music?

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

Arles is not a live music destination.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Arles Better for Resorts?

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

Arles is not a resort destination.

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

Palma de Mallorca is very good for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Arles 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.

Arles is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Arles Better for Beaches?

Palma de Mallorca is an unbeatable place for the beach. However, Arles 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.

Arles is not a beach destination.

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

Arles 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 Arles can be explored in its historical center. The large old town is filled with Roman ruins and historic sights. There are narrow streets and many interesting places to explore.

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 Arles Better for Hiking?

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

Arles is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Palma de Mallorca or Arles?

Shoppers can find a variety of notable stores in both Palma de Mallorca and Arles.

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

Arles offers some nice shopping areas. There are many boutiques that are filled with local art, crafts, and merchandise.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Arles Better for Families?

Palma de Mallorca is well known for its family-friendly activities. However, Arles is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

Palma de Mallorca is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

For families, Arles is not always the best place to visit. Filled with Roman ruins and beautiful art, this is a great town, but can make for a long day for younger kids.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Arles Better for Couples?

Arles 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.

Arles makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy history, roman ruins, and beautiful art will appreciate a weekend getaway to this town.

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 Arles Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Palma de Mallorca is well known for backpackers. However, Arles is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Palma de Mallorca is a very popular island for backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

Arles is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a couple of hostels and apartments in the area.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Arles 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 Arles.

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 Arles, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are shuttle buses that run between the city center and the train station, which is less than a kilometer out of town.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Arles a more walkable city?

Arles 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.

Arles is very walkable. It's a historic walled city that is very walkable.

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 Arles Worth Visiting?.

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

How long in Palma de Mallorca or Arles?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Palma de Mallorca or Arles to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Palma de Mallorca than Arles because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Palma de Mallorca, and 1-2 days is enough time in Arles.

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

In Palma de Mallorca, many people enjoy the live music and food that this beautiful destination offers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

With shopping and museums around the destination of Arles, 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 Arles?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Palma de Mallorca. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

With museums and nightlife around the compact town of Arles, 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 Arles?

Palma de Mallorca is a fun place to experience. In Palma de Mallorca, many people enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping that this destination offers. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historic destination of Arles. 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 Arles?

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the cultural destination of Palma de Mallorca. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Arles is a popular choice for travelers. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One of the main draws to the area is the museums. This 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 Contiki Tours to France, and The Best G Adventures Tours to France.

When comparing the travel costs between Palma de Mallorca and Arles, we can see that Arles 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 Arles Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Palma de Mallorca or Arles?

Palma de Mallorca has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Arles. When comparing the sizes of Palma de Mallorca and Arles, 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 Arles?

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 Arles in the Summer?

Both Arles 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 Arles because of the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Palma de Mallorca is generally around the same temperature as Arles. Daily temperatures in Palma de Mallorca average around 24°C (76°F), and Arles fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

In Arles, 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 Arles. Palma de Mallorca gets 334 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arles receives 354 hours of full sun.

Palma de Mallorca usually gets less rain in July than Arles. Palma de Mallorca gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Arles receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Palma de Mallorca and Arles. 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 and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Arles this time of year.

Palma de Mallorca is a little warmer than Arles in the autumn. The daily temperature in Palma de Mallorca averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Arles fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

In Palma de Mallorca, it's very sunny this time of the year. Palma de Mallorca usually receives more sunshine than Arles during autumn. Palma de Mallorca gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while Arles receives 178 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Arles receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Palma de Mallorca usually receives less rain than Arles. Palma de Mallorca gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Arles receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

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

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

In the winter, Palma de Mallorca is much warmer than Arles. Typically, the winter temperatures in Palma de Mallorca in January average around 11°C (52°F), and Arles averages at about 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Palma de Mallorca often gets more sunshine than Arles. Palma de Mallorca gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arles receives 146 hours of full sun.

Palma de Mallorca usually gets less rain in January than Arles. Palma de Mallorca gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Arles receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Arles 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 Arles in the spring for the natural beauty.

In April, Palma de Mallorca is generally around the same temperature as Arles. Daily temperatures in Palma de Mallorca average around 14°C (57°F), and Arles fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

It's quite sunny in Arles. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Palma de Mallorca. Palma de Mallorca usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Arles during spring. Palma de Mallorca gets 210 hours of sunny skies, while Arles receives 218 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Palma de Mallorca usually receives less rain than Arles. Palma de Mallorca gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Arles receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Arles and Palma de Mallorca