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

Should you visit Palma de Mallorca or Galway?

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 Galway, 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 food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Galway

Galway is a friendly, cultural, and historical 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 Galway: Pros and Cons

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

Travelers will usually find more to do in Palma de Mallorca than Galway, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Palma de Mallorca is more popular for its food, nightlife, music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Galway is known for its museums and big city activities. Palma de Mallorca is more touristy than Galway 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. Galway is popular for its many festivals, its traditional pubs, and its live Irish folk music.

The turquoise water and white sand beaches

How is Palma de Mallorca different from Galway?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Galway is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Popular landmarks and sights in town include Eyre Square, St. Nicholas' Church, the Galway Cathedral, and the Galway City Museum.

Palma de Mallorca does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Palma de Mallorca is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Palma de Mallorca makes for a great culinary experience. 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.

Galway has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are local pubs and traditional restaurants offering authentic Irish dishes. Popular options include Irish Stew, Cockles and Mussels, and Galway Oysters.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Galway Better for Nightlife?

Palma de Mallorca is an unbeatable place for nightlife. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

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.

Galway has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The nightlife scene is among the best in Ireland. The city embraces the friendly Irish hospitality and there are laid back pubs and bars around town as well as a few trendy nightclubs.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Galway Better for Music?

Palma de Mallorca is notable for live music. However, Galway 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.

Galway is not a live music destination.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Galway Better for Resorts?

Palma de Mallorca is notable for its resorts. However, Galway 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.

Galway is not a resort destination.

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

Palma de Mallorca is a island with good options for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Galway 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.

Galway is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Galway Better for Beaches?

Palma de Mallorca is an unbeatable place for its beaches. However, Galway 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.

Galway is not a beach destination.

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

Palma de Mallorca is a island with good options for its historic old town. However, Galway 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.

Galway does not have a historic old town.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Galway Better for Hiking?

Palma de Mallorca is a island with good options for the nearby hiking options. However, Galway 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.

Galway is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Palma de Mallorca or Galway?

Shoppers can find a variety of good stores in both Palma de Mallorca and Galway.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Palma de Mallorca. Head to Palma for some of the areas best shopping.

Galway offers some nice shopping areas. You'll find shopping both in the city center as well as at suburban shopping malls. For some of the best shopping head to The Latin Quarter, The Westend or the outdoor market which is found in Church lane by St Nicholas' Church.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Galway Better for Families?

Palma de Mallorca is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Galway 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.

Galway is a family-friendly island. Kids will enjoy the National Aquarium Galway or simply wandering around the Latin Quarter. About 15 minutes outside of the city is the Wildlands Adventure Park which has ziplines, ropes courses, and other adrenaline filled activities. Brigit's Garden is another fun place to let kids stretch their legs.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Galway Better for Couples?

Palma de Mallorca and Galway 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.

Galway makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are nice restaurants, beautiful walks, and a few parks to explore. There are also several romantic places just outside of town that make for a great day trip.

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

Palma de Mallorca and Galway are both high quality 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.

Galway is a great island to visit for backpackers. There are plenty of hostels in the area and it's easy to meet other travelers.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Galway Better for Students?

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

Plenty of students visit Galway. The city has a solid student population with a number of activities and entertainment options.

Palma de Mallorca is not popular with students.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Galway 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 Galway.

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 Galway, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are two bus companies in Galway, Bus Eireann and City Direct.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Galway a more walkable city?

Galway 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.

Galway is very walkable. If you stay in central Galway, the area is generally compact and walkable.

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 Galway Worth Visiting?.

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

How long in Palma de Mallorca or Galway?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Palma de Mallorca and Galway. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Palma de Mallorca than in Galway. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Palma de Mallorca, and 2-3 days is enough time in Galway.

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

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 Galway, there's plenty to do. 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 Galway?

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 vibrant city of Galway, 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 Galway?

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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the friendly destination of Galway. 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 Galway?

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.

Galway 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 Budget Tours to Ireland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Ireland.

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

Which is Bigger, Palma de Mallorca or Galway?

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

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 Galway in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Palma de Mallorca as well as Galway. 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 Galway for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Palma de Mallorca is much warmer than Galway in the summer. The daily temperature in Palma de Mallorca averages around 24°C (76°F) in July, and Galway 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 Galway. Palma de Mallorca gets 334 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Galway receives 142 hours of full sun.

Palma de Mallorca usually gets less rain in July than Galway. Palma de Mallorca gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Galway receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Galway 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 Galway in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Palma de Mallorca is much warmer than Galway. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Palma de Mallorca in October average around 19°C (66°F), and Galway 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 Galway during autumn. Palma de Mallorca gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while Galway receives 96 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Galway. In October, Palma de Mallorca usually receives less rain than Galway. Palma de Mallorca gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Galway receives 142 mm (5.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

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

Both Galway 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 Galway for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In January, Palma de Mallorca is generally much warmer than Galway. Daily temperatures in Palma de Mallorca average around 11°C (52°F), and Galway fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

In the winter, Palma de Mallorca often gets more sunshine than Galway. Palma de Mallorca gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Galway receives 59 hours of full sun.

Galway gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Palma de Mallorca usually gets less rain in January than Galway. Palma de Mallorca gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Galway receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

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

Palma de Mallorca is much warmer than Galway in the spring. The daily temperature in Palma de Mallorca averages around 14°C (57°F) in April, and Galway 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 Galway during spring. Palma de Mallorca gets 210 hours of sunny skies, while Galway receives 153 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Palma de Mallorca usually receives less rain than Galway. Palma de Mallorca gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Galway receives 52 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Galway and Palma de Mallorca