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

Should you visit Palma de Mallorca or Calais?

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 Calais, 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.

Calais

Calais is a authentic, undiscovered, and coastal city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Palma de Mallorca and Calais: Pros and Cons

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

You'll generally find more things to do in Palma de Mallorca than Calais. Palma de Mallorca is bigger than Calais, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Palma de Mallorca is better known for its food, nightlife, music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Calais is more popular for its museums and big city activities. Palma de Mallorca is more touristy than Calais 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. Calais is well known for being a gateway for travelers to France.

The turquoise water and white sand beaches

How is Palma de Mallorca different from Calais?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Calais is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. It's a port city with a few good museums and landmarks to see. Check out the Town Hall, Burghers of Calais, La Cité de la Dentelle et de la Mode, and Musée de la Guerre de Calais, as well as the Calais Lighthouse.

Palma de Mallorca does not have museums and landmarks.

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

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

Dining out in Palma de Mallorca is an experience not to be missed. 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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Calais. The region is known for its mackerel, andouillette sausage, and endive and ham gratin. If you're passing through, this is also a good place to stock up on wine and cheese.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Calais Better for Nightlife?

Palma de Mallorca is a must-visit destination for its evening party scene. Also, Calais 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 Calais has a few options to choose from. You'll find bars and pubs around town as well as a few clubs. Places range from trendy and high end to local dive bars.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Calais Better for Music?

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

Calais is not a live music destination.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Calais Better for Resorts?

Palma de Mallorca is well known for its resorts. However, Calais is not a resort destination.

Palma de Mallorca is known as a popular and fun resort destination. Top resorts on the island include The St Regis Mardavall, Viva Cala Mesquida Resort and Spa, and Nixe Palace Hotel.

Calais is not a resort destination.

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

Palma de Mallorca is a popular place for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Calais is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Palma de Mallorca has a few good snorkeling spots. 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.

Calais is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Calais Better for Beaches?

Palma de Mallorca is a must-visit destination for the beach. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its beaches.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Palma de Mallorca. The island is lined with sandy beaches and rocky coves, which have contributed to it becoming one of Europe's most popular beach destinations.

Many people head to Calais to enjoy the beach. There are some sandy beaches near town that have nice stretches of sand and plenty of sand dunes. Many locals enjoy sunbathing at the beaches.

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

Palma de Mallorca is a popular place for its historic old town charm. However, Calais does not have a historic old town.

Palma de Mallorca offers a nice historic old town area. Alcudia is the best old town on the island. It has cobblestone streets and historic walls that give it charm and history.

Calais does not have a historic old town.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Calais Better for Hiking?

Palma de Mallorca is a popular place for its hiking experiences. However, Calais is not a hiking destination.

Palma de Mallorca is a good destination for hiking. There are many beautiful hikes along the water and through the countryside that offer beautiful views and pass by quaint towns.

Calais is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Palma de Mallorca or Calais?

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

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

Calais offers some nice shopping areas. Many visitors stock up on wine and cheese when they're passing through. It's common to head straight to Auchan or Carrefour to stock up on some items.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Calais Better for Families?

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

Calais offers lots of family activities. There's the Nausicaa Aquarium, the Museum of the Atlantic Wall, and the Second World War Museum. There are also beaches and parks to explore as well as some nice playgrounds.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Calais Better for Couples?

Palma de Mallorca and Calais are both notable 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.

Calais makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples can picnic with wine and cheese or eat their way through the town's great restaurants. There are also some nice beaches where people enjoy sunbathing or relaxing.

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

Palma de Mallorca is well known for backpackers. However, Calais 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.

Calais is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. This part of France is often overlooked by tourists so you won't find many backpackers or hostels in the area. It does offer a glimpse into an authentic side of France.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Calais 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 Calais.

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 Calais, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The city has 13 bus lines that run through town and into the surrounding areas. If you're arriving by ferry from the UK, there are shuttle buses that connect the ferry terminal to the train station.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Calais a more walkable city?

Palma de Mallorca and Calais are notable 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.

Calais is a somewhat walkable place. Parts of the town are more walkable than others.

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

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

How long in Palma de Mallorca or Calais?

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

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

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.

With shopping and museums around the destination of Calais, there's plenty to do. One day is often enough time to do most activities. It offers something for everyone.

A weekend in Palma de Mallorca or Calais?

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.

With museums and nightlife around the coastal city of Calais, 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 Calais?

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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the coastal destination of Calais. 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 Calais?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the beautiful 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.

Calais 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 Budget Tours to France, and The Best Tours for Seniors to France.

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

Which is Bigger, Palma de Mallorca or Calais?

Palma de Mallorca has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Calais. When comparing the sizes of Palma de Mallorca and Calais, 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 Calais?

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 Calais in the Summer?

Both Calais and Palma de Mallorca during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Palma de Mallorca in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Calais for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Palma de Mallorca is generally a little warmer than Calais. Daily temperatures in Palma de Mallorca average around 24°C (76°F), and Calais fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In Calais, 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 Calais. Palma de Mallorca gets 334 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 212 hours of full sun.

Palma de Mallorca usually gets less rain in July than Calais. Palma de Mallorca gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Calais receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Palma de Mallorca and Calais. Most visitors come to Palma de Mallorca for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Calais because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Palma de Mallorca is much warmer than Calais in the autumn. The daily temperature in Palma de Mallorca averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Calais 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 Calais during autumn. Palma de Mallorca gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 119 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Palma de Mallorca usually receives around the same amount of rain as Calais. Palma de Mallorca gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Calais receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

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

The winter brings many poeple to Palma de Mallorca as well as Calais. The winter months attract visitors to Palma de Mallorca because of the shopping scene and the cuisine. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Calais this time of year.

It's quite cold in Calais in the winter. In the winter, Palma de Mallorca is much warmer than Calais. Typically, the winter temperatures in Palma de Mallorca in January average around 11°C (52°F), and Calais averages at about 4°C (40°F).

In the winter, Palma de Mallorca often gets more sunshine than Calais. Palma de Mallorca gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 57 hours of full sun.

Palma de Mallorca usually gets less rain in January than Calais. Palma de Mallorca gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Calais receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Calais and Palma de Mallorca are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Palma de Mallorca this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Calais for the beaches and the activities around the city.

In April, Palma de Mallorca is generally much warmer than Calais. Daily temperatures in Palma de Mallorca average around 14°C (57°F), and Calais fluctuates around 9°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 Calais during spring. Palma de Mallorca gets 210 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 162 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Palma de Mallorca usually receives more rain than Calais. Palma de Mallorca gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Calais receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Calais and Palma de Mallorca