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

Should you visit Palma de Mallorca or Caen?

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 Caen, 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 stunning, cultural, and historic island. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and nightlife.

Caen

Caen is a historic, park-filled, and important city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, food, and museums.

Palma de Mallorca and Caen: Pros and Cons

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

Travelers will usually find more to do in Palma de Mallorca than Caen, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Palma de Mallorca is more popular for its nightlife, music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Caen is known for its museums and big city activities. Palma de Mallorca is more touristy than Caen and is known for its strikingly blue waters, sandy beaches, all-inclusive resorts, and vibrant towns. It is also home to the turquoise water and white sand beaches. Caen is popular for its role in World War II and its memorials and historical buildings.

The turquoise water and white sand beaches

How is Palma de Mallorca different from Caen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Caen 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 Caen can be an interesting and educational experience. There are many monuments around town commemorating the city's long history. You'll want to see Château de Caen, Pegasus Bridge, Mémorial de Caen, Musée de Normandie, and Musée des beaux-arts de Caen.

Palma de Mallorca does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Both Palma de Mallorca and Caen offer a number of great 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 Caen. There's a market that's at its best on Sundays where you'll find fresh produce and other local ingredients. There are also Michelin starred restaurants, seafood restaurants, and other traditional dishes. Head to the Vaugueux Quarter for traditional dishes.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Caen Better for Nightlife?

Palma de Mallorca is renowned for nightlife. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

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.

Caen has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The nightlife scene stays active thanks to the 30,000 students living in town. Head to the Rue Ecuyère for a pub crawl or hit up any of the other bars around town.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Caen Better for Music?

Palma de Mallorca is a very popular place for live music. However, Caen is not a live music destination.

It's worth checking out the music scene in Palma de Mallorca while you're in town. Live concerts, international DJs, and a diverse range of styles have put the island's music scene on the map.

Caen is not a live music destination.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Caen Better for Resorts?

Palma de Mallorca is a very popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Caen is not a resort destination.

There are plenty of resorts in Palma de Mallorca to choose from. Top resorts on the island include The St Regis Mardavall, Viva Cala Mesquida Resort and Spa, and Nixe Palace Hotel.

Caen is not a resort destination.

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

Palma de Mallorca is a good destination for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Caen 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.

Caen is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Caen Better for Beaches?

Palma de Mallorca is renowned for its beaches. However, Caen is not a beach destination.

Palma de Mallorca offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around 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.

Caen is not a beach destination.

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

Palma de Mallorca is a good destination for its historic old town. However, Caen does not have a historic old town.

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.

Caen does not have a historic old town.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Caen Better for Hiking?

Palma de Mallorca is a good destination for its hiking trails. However, Caen is not a hiking destination.

Palma de Mallorca offers some nice hiking trails. There are many beautiful hikes along the water and through the countryside that offer beautiful views and pass by quaint towns.

Caen is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Palma de Mallorca or Caen?

Palma de Mallorca is a good destination for shopping. However, Caen is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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

Caen is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Caen Better for Families?

Palma de Mallorca is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Caen. There are museums, parks, monasteries, and castles that kids and adults alike with enjoy visiting.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Caen Better for Couples?

Palma de Mallorca and Caen are both good 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.

Caen makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples that are fascinated by history will enjoy a visit to this town in Normandy. There are also abbeys, castles and parks.

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

Palma de Mallorca is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Caen. You'll find more apartments and bed and breakfasts than hostels in town, but backpackers still make their way here.

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

Caen is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Palma de Mallorca is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Visitors to Caen can move around easily with public transportation. There are buses and trams that travel throughout the city.

You'll find some public transit in Palma de Mallorca, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. 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.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Caen a more walkable city?

Palma de Mallorca and Caen are good 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.

Caen is a somewhat walkable place. The city center is best explored on foot.

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

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

How long in Palma de Mallorca or Caen?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Palma de Mallorca and Caen. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Palma de Mallorca than in Caen. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Palma de Mallorca, and 2-3 days is enough time in Caen.

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

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the destination of Palma de Mallorca. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Caen, 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 Caen?

Palma de Mallorca is a fun place to experience. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

With food and museums around the historic city of Caen, 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 Caen?

Visitors enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the stunning destination of Palma de Mallorca. This island offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

Travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the historic destination of Caen. 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 Caen?

The historic island of Palma de Mallorca offers scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

Caen 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 10-Day Tours in France, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France.

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

Which is Bigger, Palma de Mallorca or Caen?

Palma de Mallorca has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Caen. When comparing the sizes of Palma de Mallorca and Caen, 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 Caen?

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 Caen in the Summer?

Both Caen and Palma de Mallorca are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. 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 Caen in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Palma de Mallorca is a little warmer than Caen in the summer. The daily temperature in Palma de Mallorca averages around 24°C (76°F) in July, and Caen fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

It's quite sunny in Caen. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Palma de Mallorca. Palma de Mallorca usually receives more sunshine than Caen during summer. Palma de Mallorca gets 334 hours of sunny skies, while Caen receives 227 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Palma de Mallorca usually receives less rain than Caen. Palma de Mallorca gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Caen receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

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

Both Caen and Palma de Mallorca during the autumn are popular places to visit. 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. Furthermore, most visitors come to Caen for the city's sights and attractions during these months.

In the autumn, Palma de Mallorca is much warmer than Caen. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Palma de Mallorca in October average around 19°C (66°F), and Caen averages at about 12°C (54°F).

It's quite sunny in Palma de Mallorca. In the autumn, Palma de Mallorca often gets more sunshine than Caen. Palma de Mallorca gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Caen receives 128 hours of full sun.

Palma de Mallorca usually gets less rain in October than Caen. Palma de Mallorca gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Caen receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Palma de Mallorca and Caen. Most visitors come to Palma de Mallorca for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Caen because of the museums and the cuisine.

The weather in Caen can be very cold. In January, Palma de Mallorca is generally much warmer than Caen. Daily temperatures in Palma de Mallorca average around 11°C (52°F), and Caen fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Palma de Mallorca usually receives more sunshine than Caen during winter. Palma de Mallorca gets 164 hours of sunny skies, while Caen receives 70 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Palma de Mallorca usually receives less rain than Caen. Palma de Mallorca gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Caen receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

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

The spring brings many poeple to Palma de Mallorca as well as Caen. The spring months attract visitors to Palma de Mallorca because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Additionally, the activities around the city are the main draw to Caen this time of year.

Palma de Mallorca is much warmer than Caen in the spring. The daily temperature in Palma de Mallorca averages around 14°C (57°F) in April, and Caen fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Palma de Mallorca this time of the year. In the spring, Palma de Mallorca often gets more sunshine than Caen. Palma de Mallorca gets 210 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Caen receives 171 hours of full sun.

Palma de Mallorca usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Caen. Palma de Mallorca gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Caen receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Caen and Palma de Mallorca