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

Should you visit Palma de Mallorca or Carcassonne?

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 Carcassonne, 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 nightlife, live music, and food.

Carcassonne

Carcassonne is a medieval, historical, and fairytale town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include food and museums.

Palma de Mallorca and Carcassonne: Pros and Cons

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

Tourists will generally find more to do in Palma de Mallorca. Although Palma de Mallorca and Carcassonne are both popular with visitors, Palma de Mallorca has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Palma de Mallorca is more popular for its nightlife, music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Carcassonne is known for its museums and small town charm. Palma de Mallorca is more touristy than Carcassonne 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. Carcassonne is popular for its medieval history, walled fortifications, and well-known castle.

The turquoise water and white sand beaches

How is Palma de Mallorca different from Carcassonne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Carcassonne 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 Carcassonne can be an interesting and educational experience. The town is filled with medieval sights including the Château Comtal, the Basilica of Saints Nazarius and Celsus, and the Carcassonne Cathedral.

Palma de Mallorca does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Both Palma de Mallorca and Carcassonne 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 Carcassonne. There are a number of local restaurants that serve regional specialties such as cassoulet. You can spend a few hours exploring the castle and then grab a delicious bite to eat.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Carcassonne Better for Nightlife?

Palma de Mallorca is very popular for nightlife. However, Carcassonne is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Palma de Mallorca is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. Head to Magaluf and Palma for the most popular places.

Carcassonne is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Carcassonne Better for Music?

Palma de Mallorca is a very popular place for live music. However, Carcassonne 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.

Carcassonne is not a live music destination.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Carcassonne Better for Resorts?

Palma de Mallorca is a very popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Carcassonne 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.

Carcassonne is not a resort destination.

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

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

Carcassonne is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Carcassonne Better for Beaches?

Palma de Mallorca is very popular for its beaches. However, Carcassonne 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.

Carcassonne is not a beach destination.

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

Palma de Mallorca and Carcassonne both have good historical old towns that attract visitors.

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.

Many people head to Carcassonne to see the old town. The medieval walled city is seeped in history and filled with atmosphere. Cars are not allowed in town.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Carcassonne Better for Hiking?

Palma de Mallorca is a good destination for its hiking trails. However, Carcassonne 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.

Carcassonne is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Palma de Mallorca or Carcassonne?

Palma de Mallorca is a good destination for shopping. However, Carcassonne 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.

Carcassonne is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Carcassonne Better for Families?

Palma de Mallorca is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Carcassonne 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 Carcassonne. Kids who love castles will enjoy wandering the maze of rooms and getting lost in the medieval atmosphere.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Carcassonne Better for Couples?

Palma de Mallorca and Carcassonne 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.

Carcassonne makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's a medieval city with an impressive castle and walled fortifications. It's a uniquely European sight that is great for couples who enjoy history.

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

Palma de Mallorca and Carcassonne are both great destinations 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.

Carcassonne is a great island to visit for backpackers. There are interesting hostels in the area including a converted 17th century convent.

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

Visitors will find good public transit in both Palma de Mallorca and Carcassonne.

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 Carcassonne, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. You can reach the town by train from Dijon, Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, or Bordeaux and many people visit the town as a day trip.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Carcassonne a more walkable city?

Carcassonne is a must-visit destination for its walkability. Also, Palma de Mallorca is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Carcassonne. Cars aren't allowed in the medieval city so it's best 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 Carcassonne Worth Visiting?.

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

How long in Palma de Mallorca or Carcassonne?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Palma de Mallorca or Carcassonne to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Palma de Mallorca than Carcassonne 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 Carcassonne.

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

Visitors enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the historic island of Palma de Mallorca. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

With food and museums around the destination of Carcassonne, 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 Carcassonne?

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the historic destination of Palma de Mallorca. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This island offers something for everyone. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

With museums and food around the fairytale town of Carcassonne, 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 Carcassonne?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the cultural island of Palma de Mallorca. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the medieval destination of Carcassonne. 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 Carcassonne?

Many people enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting Palma de Mallorca. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Carcassonne is a popular choice for travelers. 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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in France, and The Best Historical Tours in France.

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

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 Carcassonne Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Palma de Mallorca or Carcassonne?

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

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 Carcassonne in the Summer?

Both Carcassonne 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 Carcassonne in the summer for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

Palma de Mallorca is around the same temperature as Carcassonne in the summer. The daily temperature in Palma de Mallorca averages around 24°C (76°F) in July, and Carcassonne fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

It's quite sunny in Carcassonne. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Palma de Mallorca. Palma de Mallorca usually receives more sunshine than Carcassonne during summer. Palma de Mallorca gets 334 hours of sunny skies, while Carcassonne receives 275 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Palma de Mallorca usually receives less rain than Carcassonne. Palma de Mallorca gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

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

Both Carcassonne 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 Carcassonne for the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Palma de Mallorca is a little warmer than Carcassonne. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Palma de Mallorca in October average around 19°C (66°F), and Carcassonne averages at about 17°C (62°F).

It's quite sunny in Palma de Mallorca. In the autumn, Palma de Mallorca often gets more sunshine than Carcassonne. Palma de Mallorca gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Carcassonne receives 161 hours of full sun.

Palma de Mallorca usually gets less rain in October than Carcassonne. Palma de Mallorca gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

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

In January, Palma de Mallorca is generally a little warmer than Carcassonne. Daily temperatures in Palma de Mallorca average around 11°C (52°F), and Carcassonne fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Palma de Mallorca usually receives more sunshine than Carcassonne during winter. Palma de Mallorca gets 164 hours of sunny skies, while Carcassonne receives 88 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Palma de Mallorca usually receives less rain than Carcassonne. Palma de Mallorca gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

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

The spring brings many poeple to Palma de Mallorca as well as Carcassonne. The spring months attract visitors to Palma de Mallorca because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Additionally, the small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Carcassonne this time of year.

Palma de Mallorca is around the same temperature as Carcassonne in the spring. The daily temperature in Palma de Mallorca averages around 14°C (57°F) in April, and Carcassonne 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 spring, Palma de Mallorca often gets more sunshine than Carcassonne. Palma de Mallorca gets 210 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Carcassonne receives 178 hours of full sun.

Palma de Mallorca usually gets less rain in April than Carcassonne. Palma de Mallorca gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Carcassonne and Palma de Mallorca