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

Should you visit Palma de Mallorca or Como?

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 Como, 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. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the hiking, shopping, and nightlife.

Como

Como is a trendy, fun, and vibrant lake area. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include shopping, nightlife, and food.

Palma de Mallorca and Como: Pros and Cons

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

You'll generally find more things to do in Palma de Mallorca than Como. Palma de Mallorca is bigger than Como, 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 historical sights, while Como is more popular for its museums, food, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty. Palma de Mallorca is well known 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. Como is well known for its long-running history as a resort retreat for upscale travelers.

The turquoise water and white sand beaches

How is Palma de Mallorca different from Como?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

While most people don't head to Como specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. Most people visit for the lakeside setting, but there's history throughout, with notable buildings including the Duomo, Museo Civico, and Basilica di Sant'Abbondio.

Palma de Mallorca does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Como is a must-visit destination for its restaurants. Also, Palma de Mallorca is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Como is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The area has its own style of Italian food. Polenta is one of the most popular dishes and it's usually served with meat, fish, or cheese. You can also enjoy several different types of fish such as misultitt (dried fish), salmon trout, pike, bleak, lavarello, and perch.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit 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.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Como Better for Nightlife?

Palma de Mallorca is renowned for its evening party scene. Also, Como is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

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.

Como has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. It is more known for its glamour and sophistication than its raging party scene. There are fine dining restaurants where you can sip wine and enjoy the view. There are also theaters and jazz clubs that offer a relaxing vibe and a nice night out.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Como Better for Music?

Palma de Mallorca is an excellent place to visit for its music scene. However, Como is not a live music destination.

Whether you like big venues or smaller artists, Palma de Mallorca has diverse options. Live concerts, international DJs, and a diverse range of styles have put the island's music scene on the map.

Como is not a live music destination.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Como Better for Resorts?

Palma de Mallorca is an excellent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Como is not a resort destination.

Palma de Mallorca is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. Top resorts on the island include The St Regis Mardavall, Viva Cala Mesquida Resort and Spa, and Nixe Palace Hotel.

Como is not a resort destination.

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

Palma de Mallorca is a nice place to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Como is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Palma de Mallorca has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. 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.

Como is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Como Better for Beaches?

Palma de Mallorca is renowned for the beach. Also, Como is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its beaches.

The beaches in Palma de Mallorca are among the best in 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Como. You'll find lakeside beaches where you can relax, sunbath, or swim. Many are affiliated with clubs and the atmosphere is often trendy and upscale. Don't expect a secluded and natural setting, but there are often nice restaurants nearby.

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

Palma de Mallorca is a nice place to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Como does not have a historic old town.

Palma de Mallorca has an old town worth visiting. Alcudia is the best old town on the island. It has cobblestone streets and historic walls that give it charm and history.

Como does not have a historic old town.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Como Better for Hiking?

Como is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. Also, Palma de Mallorca is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Como. There's a wide variety of hiking trails in the area that take you through the mountains or along the water's edge. One of the most popular trails is the Greenway del Lago di Como.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Palma de Mallorca. There are many beautiful hikes along the water and through the countryside that offer beautiful views and pass by quaint towns.

Is the Shopping Better in Palma de Mallorca or Como?

Como is a must-visit destination for shopping. Also, Palma de Mallorca is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Como. The shopping is comparable to major cities, with everything from high end boutiques to outlets and local markets. There are clothing shops, jewelry stores, and places to pick up local souvenirs. Shopping is a favorite activity for many visitors to Lake Como.

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

Is Palma de Mallorca or Como Better for Families?

Palma de Mallorca and Como are both superb 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.

Como is a very kid-friendly island. It has parks and gardens to explore, as well as Vezio Castle and many nice walking trails. A highlight for many kids is a visit to Lake Como Adventure Park.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Como Better for Couples?

Como is a must-visit destination for romance. Also, Palma de Mallorca is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Como has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. Its beautiful walks, charming towns, and surrounding natural setting make this a great honeymoon and couple's getaway destination. Dine on Italian cuisine as you sip wine and look out on the pristine waters of Lake Como.

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 Como Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Palma de Mallorca and Como are both superb 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.

Como is a great island to visit for backpackers. It's a popular destination with all types of travelers, so you'll find a decent selection of hostels to choose from, and a number of other backpackers around to hang out with.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Como 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 Como.

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 Como, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses, ferries, and a funicular that travel to different towns around the lake.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Como a more walkable city?

Como 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.

Como is very walkable. The entire area is very walkable and you'll enjoy many great views during your stroll.

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 Como Worth Visiting?.

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

How long in Palma de Mallorca or Como?

It's fun to spend time in either Palma de Mallorca or Como. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Palma de Mallorca due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Palma de Mallorca, and 2-4 days is enough time in Como.

Families should spend more time in Palma de Mallorca than Como. 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 Como than Palma de Mallorca. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Como that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

One day in Palma de Mallorca or Como?

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 Como, there's plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. 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 Como?

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 shopping around the trendy lake area of Como, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 Como?

Visitors enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the historic 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 shopping and nightlife when visiting the fun destination of Como. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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 Como?

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.

Como is a popular choice for travelers. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This lake area 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Rome, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Rome.

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

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 Como Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Palma de Mallorca or Como?

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

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 Como in the Summer?

Both Como and Palma de Mallorca are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Palma de Mallorca because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Como this time of year.

In July, Palma de Mallorca is generally around the same temperature as Como. Daily temperatures in Palma de Mallorca average around 24°C (76°F), and Como fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

It's quite sunny in Como. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Palma de Mallorca. Palma de Mallorca usually receives more sunshine than Como during summer. Palma de Mallorca gets 334 hours of sunny skies, while Como receives 250 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Palma de Mallorca usually receives less rain than Como. Palma de Mallorca gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Como receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

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

Both Como and Palma de Mallorca during the autumn are popular places to visit. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Palma de Mallorca this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Como for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Palma de Mallorca is a little warmer than Como in the autumn. The daily temperature in Palma de Mallorca averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Como fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

It's quite sunny in Palma de Mallorca. In the autumn, Palma de Mallorca often gets more sunshine than Como. Palma de Mallorca gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Como receives 152 hours of full sun.

Como gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Palma de Mallorca usually gets less rain in October than Como. Palma de Mallorca gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Como receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Palma de Mallorca and Como. Many travelers come to Palma de Mallorca for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Como in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Como can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Palma de Mallorca is much warmer than Como. Typically, the winter temperatures in Palma de Mallorca in January average around 11°C (52°F), and Como averages at about 5°C (41°F).

Palma de Mallorca usually receives more sunshine than Como during winter. Palma de Mallorca gets 164 hours of sunny skies, while Como receives 119 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Palma de Mallorca usually receives less rain than Como. Palma de Mallorca gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Como receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

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

The spring brings many poeple to Palma de Mallorca as well as Como. Many visitors come to Palma de Mallorca in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Como for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Palma de Mallorca is generally around the same temperature as Como. Daily temperatures in Palma de Mallorca average around 14°C (57°F), and Como fluctuates around 13°C (55°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 Como. Palma de Mallorca gets 210 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Como receives 176 hours of full sun.

Palma de Mallorca usually gets less rain in April than Como. Palma de Mallorca gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Como receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Como and Palma de Mallorca