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

Should you visit Palma de Mallorca or Cologne?

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 Cologne, 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.

Cologne

Cologne is a colorful, fun, and accessible city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Palma de Mallorca and Cologne: Pros and Cons

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

You'll generally find more things to do in Cologne than Palma de Mallorca. Cologne is bigger than Palma de Mallorca, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Cologne is better known for its museums, shopping, christmas markets, and big city activities, while Palma de Mallorca is more popular for its food, nightlife, music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Palma de Mallorca is more touristy than Cologne and is popular for its strikingly blue waters, sandy beaches, all-inclusive resorts, and vibrant towns. Cologne is well known for its large and detailed cathedral, its festive Christmas markets, and its location along the Rhine River. Also, Cologne is famous for The Cologne Cathedral.

The Cologne Cathedral

How is Palma de Mallorca different from Cologne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Cologne 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 Cologne can be an interesting and educational experience. At the heart of the city is Cologne Cathedral, which is stunningly intricate and highlights High Gothic architecture. It is one of the largest cathedrals in Europe. Other famous sights around town include Cologne City Hall, the Wallraf-Richartz & Ludwig Museums, and Hohenzollern Bridge.

Palma de Mallorca does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Palma de Mallorca is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Cologne 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 Cologne. The food scene consists mostly of brewhouses and pubs, where you'll find local cuisine. There are also a number of international restaurants around town if you want something a little different. In particular, you'll find many Turkish kebab shops near the train station. Local dishes from Cologne include Halve Hahn (an open face sandwich), Hämmche (pork with sauerkraut or potatoes), and Mettbrütche (minced pork bread roll). For a sweet treat, there is no shortage of donut shops with decadently decorated toppings.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Cologne Better for Nightlife?

Palma de Mallorca is an unbeatable place for its evening party scene. Also, Cologne 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.

Many people head to Cologne for the nightlife scene. Head to one of the many beerhalls to check out the local nightlife scene. Make sure you try the local beer, Kölsch. Some of the most popular places for night include Ona Mor, Pepe, and Engel & Weiss.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Cologne Better for Music?

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

Cologne is not a live music destination.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Cologne Better for Resorts?

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

Cologne is not a resort destination.

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

Palma de Mallorca is a popular place for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Cologne 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.

Cologne is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Cologne Better for Beaches?

Palma de Mallorca is an unbeatable place for the beach. However, Cologne is not a beach destination.

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.

Cologne is not a beach destination.

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

Palma de Mallorca and Cologne both have notable 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 Cologne to see the old town. The Old Town is large, but its mostly been rebuilt with modern buildings. There are plenty of shopping areas where you can buy name brand clothing or sample sweets.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Cologne Better for Hiking?

Palma de Mallorca is a popular place for its hiking experiences. However, Cologne 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.

Cologne is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Palma de Mallorca or Cologne?

Cologne is an excellent place to visit for shopping. Also, Palma de Mallorca is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Cologne. There is no shortage of clothing shops around Cologne. You'll find all of the major European chains with many souvenir shops mixed in. Schildergasse is a major shopping street in town, but there are also many shopping malls to choose from. For local markets, head to Wilhemplatz.

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

Is Palma de Mallorca or Cologne Better for Christmas?

Cologne is a must-visit destination for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Palma de Mallorca does not offer Christmas activities.

Known for its popular Christmas activities, Cologne draws large crowds. Cologne is one of the top Christmas destinations in Germany. You'll find many different markets spread around town that offer ice skating, curling, warm drinks, and local dishes. Foodies will appreciate the many samplings of local holiday favorites while shoppers will be able to pick up gifts and Christmas decorations that are locally made.

Palma de Mallorca does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Cologne Better for Christmas Markets?

Cologne is a must-visit destination for visiting Christmas markets. However, Palma de Mallorca does not offer Christmas markets.

The active Christmas markets during the holiday season make Cologne very popular during this season. Cologne is one of the top Christmas market destinations in Germany. You'll find many different markets spread around town that offer ice skating, curling, warm drinks, and local dishes. Foodies will appreciate the many samplings of local holiday favorites while shoppers will be able to pick up gifts and Christmas decorations that are locally made.

Palma de Mallorca does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Cologne Better for Families?

Palma de Mallorca and Cologne are both very good destinations for the whole family.

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.

Cologne is a very kid-friendly island. In addition to the stunning cathedral and impressive bridge, this city has many great playgrounds including Rheinpark, right across the river from old town. Kids who like high places will enjoy the view from the top of KölnTriangle. Popular kid-friendly museums in town include Odysseum and the Chocolate Museum. And if you have a day to spare, head to the indoor waterpark at Aqualand.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Cologne Better for Couples?

Palma de Mallorca and Cologne 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.

Cologne makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The city has a number of activities that couples will enjoy such as walks along the river, dining at nice restaurants, and Rhein River cruises. Also make sure you put a lock on the Hohenzollern Bridge to declare your commitment to each other.

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

Palma de Mallorca is well known for backpackers. Also, Cologne is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Cologne is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a few good hostels around town and many free sights that make this a budget-friendly destination for backpackers.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Cologne Better for Students?

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

Cologne is a great city to visit as a student. The city is large enough to attract international students for all types of studies. It's also well connected to the German train system so it's easy to get out and explore the area.

Palma de Mallorca is not popular with students.

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

Cologne is a must-visit destination 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.

Cologne has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. KVB operates the system that includes trains, trams, and buses. The city is also easily connected to other nearby towns so it makes a great base for exploring the entire area.

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 Cologne a more walkable city?

Cologne 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.

Cologne is very walkable. If you stick to the Old Town and nearby neighborhoods, you'll be able to explore easily 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 Cologne Worth Visiting?.

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

How long in Palma de Mallorca or Cologne?

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

Couples should spend more time in Palma de Mallorca than Cologne. 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 Cologne 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 Cologne?

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.

When visiting Cologne, people usually allow for lots of time. One day is often enough time to do most activities. It offers something for everyone.

A weekend in Palma de Mallorca or Cologne?

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.

When visiting Cologne, people usually allow for lots of time. 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 Cologne?

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 vibrant big city of Cologne. 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 Cologne?

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.

Cologne 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 Luxury Tours to Germany, and The Best Budget Tours to Germany.

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

Which is Bigger, Palma de Mallorca or Cologne?

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

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 Cologne in the Summer?

Both Cologne 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 Cologne for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Palma de Mallorca is generally a little warmer than Cologne. Daily temperatures in Palma de Mallorca average around 24°C (76°F), and Cologne fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

It's quite sunny in Palma de Mallorca. In the summer, Palma de Mallorca often gets more sunshine than Cologne. Palma de Mallorca gets 334 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cologne receives 184 hours of full sun.

Palma de Mallorca usually gets less rain in July than Cologne. Palma de Mallorca gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Palma de Mallorca and Cologne. 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 Cologne because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Palma de Mallorca is much warmer than Cologne in the autumn. The daily temperature in Palma de Mallorca averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Cologne 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 Cologne during autumn. Palma de Mallorca gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while Cologne receives 104 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Palma de Mallorca usually receives around the same amount of rain as Cologne. Palma de Mallorca gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

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

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

It's quite cold in Cologne in the winter. In the winter, Palma de Mallorca is much warmer than Cologne. Typically, the winter temperatures in Palma de Mallorca in January average around 11°C (52°F), and Cologne averages at about 3°C (37°F).

In the winter, Palma de Mallorca often gets more sunshine than Cologne. Palma de Mallorca gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cologne receives 43 hours of full sun.

Palma de Mallorca usually gets less rain in January than Cologne. Palma de Mallorca gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Cologne 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 Cologne for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In April, Palma de Mallorca is generally a little warmer than Cologne. Daily temperatures in Palma de Mallorca average around 14°C (57°F), and Cologne fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Palma de Mallorca. Palma de Mallorca usually receives more sunshine than Cologne during spring. Palma de Mallorca gets 210 hours of sunny skies, while Cologne receives 152 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Palma de Mallorca usually receives less rain than Cologne. Palma de Mallorca gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Cologne and Palma de Mallorca