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

Should you visit Palma de Mallorca or Cork?

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 Cork, 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 beautiful, stunning, and cultural island. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking.

Cork

Cork is a energetic, cultural, and seaside city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Palma de Mallorca and Cork: Pros and Cons

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

Travelers will usually find more to do in Palma de Mallorca than Cork, 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, and impressive beauty, while Cork is known for its museums, shopping, and big city activities. Palma de Mallorca is more touristy than Cork and is popular 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. Cork is popular for its friendly personality, its thriving art scene and its local craft beer.

The turquoise water and white sand beaches

How is Palma de Mallorca different from Cork?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Cork 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 Cork can be an interesting and educational experience. The city is filled with historic sights and landmarks. Most notable is the Blarney Castle and Blarney Stone, but also make sure you check out St. Fin Barre's Cathedral, the Cork Public Museum, Cork City Gaol Heritage Centre, and St. Anne's Church.

Palma de Mallorca does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Both Palma de Mallorca and Cork offer a number of high quality 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 Cork. You'll find charming seaside cafes and award winning restaurants. Also make sure you check out the English Market, which is among the best in Ireland.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Cork Better for Nightlife?

Palma de Mallorca is a must-visit destination for nightlife. Also, Cork is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

Palma de Mallorca is a world class party destination. Head to Magaluf and Palma for the most popular places.

Cork has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. It's a university city, so you'll find plenty of students, bars, clubs, and cheap beer. Many pubs also have live music with everything from rock to Irish folk music.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Cork Better for Music?

Palma de Mallorca is notable for live music. However, Cork is not a live music destination.

If you love music, you'll find something to enjoy in Palma de Mallorca. Live concerts, international DJs, and a diverse range of styles have put the island's music scene on the map.

Cork is not a live music destination.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Cork Better for Resorts?

Palma de Mallorca is notable for its resorts. However, Cork is not a resort destination.

In Palma de Mallorca, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. Top resorts on the island include The St Regis Mardavall, Viva Cala Mesquida Resort and Spa, and Nixe Palace Hotel.

Cork is not a resort destination.

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

Palma de Mallorca is a island with good options for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Cork is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life 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.

Cork is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Cork Better for Beaches?

Palma de Mallorca is a must-visit destination for its beaches. However, Cork is not a beach destination.

Palma de Mallorca is considered to be a world-class beach destination. The island is lined with sandy beaches and rocky coves, which have contributed to it becoming one of Europe's most popular beach destinations.

Cork is not a beach destination.

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

Palma de Mallorca is a island with good options for its historic old town. However, Cork does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Palma de Mallorca to see the historical old town. Alcudia is the best old town on the island. It has cobblestone streets and historic walls that give it charm and history.

Cork does not have a historic old town.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Cork Better for Hiking?

Palma de Mallorca is a island with good options for the nearby hiking options. However, Cork is not a hiking destination.

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.

Cork is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Palma de Mallorca or Cork?

Cork 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 Cork. It offers a mix of high street shops and boutique vendors. Head to St. Patrick’s Street for some of the city's best shopping. Also check out Opera Lane and Oliver Plunkett Street.

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

Is Palma de Mallorca or Cork Better for Families?

Palma de Mallorca is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Cork is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Palma de Mallorca is 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.

Cork is a family-friendly island. For a bit of outside time, head to Fota Wildlife Park, Regional Park Ballincollig, or Inchydoney Beach. Kids will also enjoy exploring Cork City Gaol which is a heritage museum, or the Toy Soldier Factory. And of course, there's the Blarney Castle and the Blarney Stone.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Cork Better for Couples?

Cork is an excellent place to visit for romance. Also, Palma de Mallorca is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Cork makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Visiting Blarney Castle is a highlight, but you can also wander along the river or do the Ballycotton Cliff Walk. There are also several gardens to explore or small theaters where you can see a play.

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 Cork Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Palma de Mallorca is notable for backpackers. Also, Cork is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Palma de Mallorca. 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 backpackers visit Cork. There are plenty of hostels as well as a large student population and an active nightlife.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Cork Better for Students?

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

Cork is a great city to visit as a student. It's a university town with many students and plenty to do. The city plays host to many international students.

Palma de Mallorca is not popular with students.

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

Palma de Mallorca is a island with good options for its public transit. However, Cork is a mediocre city for times when you don't have a car.

Palma de Mallorca has a few 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.

Public transit is mostly limited in Cork. In town you'll find bus service but if you want to explore anywhere else in the county you really need your own vehicle.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Cork a more walkable city?

Palma de Mallorca and Cork 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.

Cork is a somewhat walkable place. The city center is compact and easy enough to explore on foot.

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

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

How long in Palma de Mallorca or Cork?

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

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

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 shopping and museums around the destination of Cork, 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 Cork?

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 museums and nightlife around the energetic city of Cork, 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 Cork?

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 nightlife and food when visiting the cultural destination of Cork. 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 Cork?

The beautiful 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.

Cork 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Ireland, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Ireland.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Palma de Mallorca and Cork, we can see that Palma de Mallorca is more expensive. And not only is Cork much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cork would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cork 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 Cork.

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 Cork Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Palma de Mallorca or Cork?

Palma de Mallorca has a larger population, and is about 99% larger than the population of Cork. When comparing the sizes of Palma de Mallorca and Cork, 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 Cork?

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 Cork in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Palma de Mallorca as well as Cork. The beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Palma de Mallorca this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Cork for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Palma de Mallorca is much warmer than Cork in the summer. The daily temperature in Palma de Mallorca averages around 24°C (76°F) in July, and Cork fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Palma de Mallorca this time of the year. In the summer, Palma de Mallorca often gets more sunshine than Cork. Palma de Mallorca gets 334 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cork receives 178 hours of full sun.

Palma de Mallorca usually gets less rain in July than Cork. Palma de Mallorca gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Cork receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Cork and Palma de Mallorca are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Palma de Mallorca for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Cork in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Palma de Mallorca is much warmer than Cork. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Palma de Mallorca in October average around 19°C (66°F), and Cork averages at about 11°C (52°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Palma de Mallorca. Palma de Mallorca usually receives more sunshine than Cork during autumn. Palma de Mallorca gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while Cork receives 90 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Palma de Mallorca usually receives less rain than Cork. Palma de Mallorca gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Cork receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

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

Both Cork and Palma de Mallorca during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Palma de Mallorca in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Cork for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In January, Palma de Mallorca is generally much warmer than Cork. Daily temperatures in Palma de Mallorca average around 11°C (52°F), and Cork fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).

In the winter, Palma de Mallorca often gets more sunshine than Cork. Palma de Mallorca gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cork receives 60 hours of full sun.

Cork gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Palma de Mallorca usually gets less rain in January than Cork. Palma de Mallorca gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Cork receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Palma de Mallorca and Cork. Most visitors come to Palma de Mallorca for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Cork because of the activities around the city.

Palma de Mallorca is much warmer than Cork in the spring. The daily temperature in Palma de Mallorca averages around 14°C (57°F) in April, and Cork fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In Palma de Mallorca, it's very sunny this time of the year. Palma de Mallorca usually receives more sunshine than Cork during spring. Palma de Mallorca gets 210 hours of sunny skies, while Cork receives 157 hours of full sun in the spring.

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

Typical Weather for Cork and Palma de Mallorca