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

Should you visit Palma de Mallorca or Dublin?

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 Dublin, 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. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Dublin

Dublin is a welcoming, fun, and laid-back city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and live music.

Palma de Mallorca and Dublin: Pros and Cons

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

Tourists will generally find more to do in Dublin than Palma de Mallorca. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Dublin is very popular for its museums, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Palma de Mallorca attracts visitors for its food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Palma de Mallorca is more touristy than Dublin and is popular for its strikingly blue waters, sandy beaches, all-inclusive resorts, and vibrant towns. Dublin is famous for its friendly and social nightlife, its local pubs, and its role as the birthplace of Guinness. It is also well known for The Guinness Storehouse.

How is Palma de Mallorca different from Dublin?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Dublin 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 Dublin can be an interesting and educational experience. There are a number of museums around town including the National Museum of Ireland, the Little Museum of Dublin, and the National Gallery of Ireland.

Palma de Mallorca does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Palma de Mallorca is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Dublin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

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.

Dublin is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Seafood has become popular around town, but you can also try traditional favorites like stew, pancakes, or coddle.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Dublin Better for Nightlife?

Both Palma de Mallorca and Dublin have amazing vibes after the sun sets.

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

Dublin is a must-see party destination. Temple Bar is where you'll find the greatest concentration of pubs and nightlife. The city is among the friendliest and most welcoming, and this is seen even in the vibe around town at night.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Dublin Better for Music?

It can be fun to see live music in either Palma de Mallorca and Dublin.

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.

Dublin has become a hotbed of musicians and artists. The best places to hear live music around town are the back street pubs that feature local groups.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Dublin Better for Resorts?

Palma de Mallorca is a great destination for its resorts. However, Dublin 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.

Dublin is not a resort destination.

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

Palma de Mallorca is a nice place to visit for its diving and snorkeling. However, Dublin 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.

Dublin is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Dublin Better for Beaches?

Palma de Mallorca is terrific for the beache. However, Dublin is not a beach destination.

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.

Dublin is not a beach destination.

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

Dublin is an excellent place to visit for its historic old town. Also, Palma de Mallorca is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its old town.

Many visitors go to Dublin to see the historical old town. On the south side of the River Liffey are three different historic parts to the city. The Medieval Quarter is the oldest. To the east is Temple Bar, and further east is the Georgian Quarter.

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

Is Palma de Mallorca or Dublin Better for Hiking?

Palma de Mallorca is a nice place to visit for its hiking experiences. However, Dublin is not a hiking destination.

Palma de Mallorca has hiking trails worth exploring. There are many beautiful hikes along the water and through the countryside that offer beautiful views and pass by quaint towns.

Dublin is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Palma de Mallorca or Dublin?

Dublin 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 Dublin. Head to Grafton Street to see a number of brand name and local shops. It's a pedestrian street that is fun to wander around.

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

Is Palma de Mallorca or Dublin Better for Families?

Palma de Mallorca and Dublin 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.

Dublin is a very kid-friendly island. Explore the waterways with the viking splash, learn about the vikings at the museum Dublina, or visit any of the other kid-friendly museums around town, or see a show at The Gaiety.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Dublin Better for Couples?

Dublin 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.

Dublin makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's laid-back vibe and countless pubs make it a fun weekend getaway for couples.

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 Dublin Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Palma de Mallorca and Dublin 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.

Dublin is a great island to visit for backpackers. There are a number of popular backpacker hostels around town. The pub scene is also popular with the young crowd.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Dublin Better for Students?

Dublin is a nice place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Palma de Mallorca is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Dublin. While student accommodation can be a bit expensive in town, the nightlife and social aspect of living in the city center makes it well worth it.

Palma de Mallorca is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Palma de Mallorca and Dublin.

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 Dublin, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a comprehensive bus system around town.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Dublin a more walkable city?

Dublin 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 Dublin. Because it is so compact and flat, it is easy to explore the city center 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 Dublin Worth Visiting?.

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

How long in Palma de Mallorca or Dublin?

In either Palma de Mallorca or Dublin, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. In our opinion, Dublin has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Dublin than Palma de Mallorca. In general, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Palma de Mallorca, and 2-5 days is enough time in Dublin.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Dublin than Palma de Mallorca 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 Dublin.

One day in Palma de Mallorca or Dublin?

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 Dublin, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town 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 Dublin?

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 fun city of Dublin, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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 Dublin?

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.

With nightlife and live music around the welcoming destination of Dublin, there's plenty to do. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here.

A week in Palma de Mallorca or Dublin?

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

Dublin is a popular choice for travelers. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One of the main draws to the area is the nightlife. 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 Walking Tours in Ireland, and The Best Luxury Tours to Ireland.

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

Which is Bigger, Palma de Mallorca or Dublin?

Dublin 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 Dublin, 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 Dublin?

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 Dublin in the Summer?

Both Dublin and Palma de Mallorca during the summer are popular places to visit. 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 city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Dublin this time of year.

In the summer, Palma de Mallorca is much warmer than Dublin. Typically, the summer temperatures in Palma de Mallorca in July average around 24°C (76°F), and Dublin averages at about 16°C (60°F).

It's quite sunny in Palma de Mallorca. In the summer, Palma de Mallorca often gets more sunshine than Dublin. Palma de Mallorca gets 334 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dublin receives 166 hours of full sun.

Palma de Mallorca usually gets less rain in July than Dublin. Palma de Mallorca gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Palma de Mallorca and Dublin. 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 Dublin for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

In October, Palma de Mallorca is generally much warmer than Dublin. Daily temperatures in Palma de Mallorca average around 19°C (66°F), and Dublin fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In Palma de Mallorca, it's very sunny this time of the year. Palma de Mallorca usually receives more sunshine than Dublin during autumn. Palma de Mallorca gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while Dublin receives 97 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Palma de Mallorca usually receives less rain than Dublin. Palma de Mallorca gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 70 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

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

The winter brings many poeple to Palma de Mallorca as well as Dublin. Many travelers come to Palma de Mallorca for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Dublin in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Palma de Mallorca is much warmer than Dublin in the winter. The daily temperature in Palma de Mallorca averages around 11°C (52°F) in January, and Dublin fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

In the winter, Palma de Mallorca often gets more sunshine than Dublin. Palma de Mallorca gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dublin receives 56 hours of full sun.

Palma de Mallorca usually gets less rain in January than Dublin. Palma de Mallorca gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Dublin and Palma de Mallorca are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Palma de Mallorca in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Dublin for the activities around the city during these months.

In the spring, Palma de Mallorca is much warmer than Dublin. Typically, the spring temperatures in Palma de Mallorca in April average around 14°C (57°F), and Dublin averages at about 8°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 Dublin during spring. Palma de Mallorca gets 210 hours of sunny skies, while Dublin receives 157 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Palma de Mallorca usually receives less rain than Dublin. Palma de Mallorca gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Dublin receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Dublin and Palma de Mallorca