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

Should you visit Palma de Mallorca or Ghent?

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 Ghent, 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 live music, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Ghent

Ghent is a cultural, historic, and under-rated city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Palma de Mallorca and Ghent: Pros and Cons

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

Travelers will usually find more to do in Palma de Mallorca than Ghent, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Palma de Mallorca is more popular for its music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and hiking, while Ghent is known for its museums, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty. Palma de Mallorca is more touristy than Ghent 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. Ghent is popular for its medieval buildings, large squares, and weekly markets

The turquoise water and white sand beaches

How is Palma de Mallorca different from Ghent?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Ghent 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 Ghent can be an interesting and educational experience. The city has many different sights that are concentrated in a compact area. Make sure you check out the Cathedral of St. Bavo, The Fortress of Gravensteen, and The Belfry. The audio tour at Gravensteen really brings the history to life and makes for an enjoyable activity.

Palma de Mallorca does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Both Palma de Mallorca and Ghent offer a number of great 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 Ghent. The food scene is diverse and international, but there are also many local dishes and flavors that you should try. Pas de Rouge is a local cheese and mastel is a local bread. Ganda ham is also a popular meat that is dried and salted. In additional to traditional restaurants, you'll find almost any international cuisine that you could want.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Ghent Better for Nightlife?

Both Palma de Mallorca and Ghent have world-class vibes after the sun sets.

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

Ghent is a must-see party destination. With its young student population, you'll find plenty of lively bars and clubs around town. There are many places where you can party or dance into the early hours of the morning and some of the best places are around Oude Beestenmarkt, De Overpoort, and De Vlasmarkt. There's also the famous Ghent Festival every July.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Ghent Better for Music?

Palma de Mallorca is a well-known place for live music. However, Ghent is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Palma de Mallorca is very popular with diverse venues. Live concerts, international DJs, and a diverse range of styles have put the island's music scene on the map.

Ghent is not a live music destination.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Ghent Better for Resorts?

Palma de Mallorca is a well-known place for its resorts. However, Ghent is not a resort destination.

There are plenty of resorts in Palma de Mallorca to choose from. Top resorts on the island include The St Regis Mardavall, Viva Cala Mesquida Resort and Spa, and Nixe Palace Hotel.

Ghent is not a resort destination.

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

Palma de Mallorca is a good destination for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Ghent is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery 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.

Ghent is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Ghent Better for Beaches?

Palma de Mallorca is a world-class destination for its beaches. However, Ghent is not a beach destination.

Palma de Mallorca offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around 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.

Ghent is not a beach destination.

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

Ghent 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 Ghent to see the historical old town. The medieval old town follows along the canal and offers great architecture and a unique atmosphere.

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 Ghent Better for Hiking?

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

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

Ghent is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Palma de Mallorca or Ghent?

Ghent 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 Ghent. The city has the largest pedestrian shopping area in Belgium, making it a great place to explore on foot. The city has several different shopping areas which each have their own style and personality. You'll find everything from major European brands to local boutiques and street markets.

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

Is Palma de Mallorca or Ghent Better for Families?

Palma de Mallorca is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Ghent 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.

Ghent is a family-friendly island. The city has a fun atmosphere with kid-friendly restaurants and a number of attractions that appeal to all ages. Kids and adults alike will enjoy exploring Gravensteen, which is the "Castle of Counts". You can also take a boat tour, rent bikes, or head to one of the town's playgrounds so the kids can burn off some energy.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Ghent Better for Couples?

Ghent 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.

Ghent makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It makes a great weekend getaway with a diverse restaurant scene, nice hotels, and plenty of historic attractions that you can explore.

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 Ghent Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Palma de Mallorca is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Ghent 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 budget travelers visit Ghent. The city has a number of hostels to choose from as well as a young vibe with a large student population. Many people overlook Ghent, but it feels more genuine than nearby Bruges, which attracts the larger tourist crowds.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Ghent Better for Students?

Ghent is a must-visit destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Palma de Mallorca is not popular with students.

Ghent is a great destination for students. The city is very popular with international students so it has a young and energetic vibe with plenty to do throughout the year.

Palma de Mallorca is not popular with students.

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

Ghent 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.

Ghent has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. Buses and trams travel to most parts of the city and are convenient and efficient.

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 Ghent a more walkable city?

Ghent 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.

Ghent is very walkable. The area's with the most tourist attractions are generally 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 Ghent Worth Visiting?.

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

How long in Palma de Mallorca or Ghent?

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Palma de Mallorca than Ghent 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 Ghent?

In Palma de Mallorca, many people enjoy the live music and food that this stunning destination offers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

With shopping and museums around the destination of Ghent, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. One day is often enough time to do most activities. It offers something for everyone.

A weekend in Palma de Mallorca or Ghent?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Palma de Mallorca. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

With museums and nightlife around the historic city of Ghent, 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 Ghent?

Palma de Mallorca is a fun place to experience. In Palma de Mallorca, many people enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping that this destination offers. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the high energy destination of Ghent. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 Ghent?

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the historic destination of Palma de Mallorca. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Ghent 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 Cultural Tours in Belgium, and The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium.

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

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 Ghent Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Palma de Mallorca or Ghent?

Palma de Mallorca has a larger population, and is about 62% larger than the population of Ghent. When comparing the sizes of Palma de Mallorca and Ghent, 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 Ghent?

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 Ghent in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Palma de Mallorca as well as Ghent. Many travelers come to Palma de Mallorca for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Ghent in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

Palma de Mallorca is a little warmer than Ghent in the summer. The daily temperature in Palma de Mallorca averages around 24°C (76°F) in July, and Ghent fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ghent. 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 Ghent. Palma de Mallorca gets 334 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ghent receives 202 hours of full sun.

Palma de Mallorca usually gets less rain in July than Ghent. Palma de Mallorca gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Ghent receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Ghent and Palma de Mallorca are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Palma de Mallorca in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Ghent for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Palma de Mallorca is much warmer than Ghent. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Palma de Mallorca in October average around 19°C (66°F), and Ghent averages at about 12°C (54°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Palma de Mallorca. Palma de Mallorca usually receives more sunshine than Ghent during autumn. Palma de Mallorca gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while Ghent receives 105 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Palma de Mallorca usually receives less rain than Ghent. Palma de Mallorca gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Ghent receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

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

Both Ghent and Palma de Mallorca during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Palma de Mallorca for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Ghent because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Ghent can be very cold. In January, Palma de Mallorca is generally much warmer than Ghent. Daily temperatures in Palma de Mallorca average around 11°C (52°F), and Ghent fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Palma de Mallorca often gets more sunshine than Ghent. Palma de Mallorca gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ghent receives 47 hours of full sun.

Palma de Mallorca usually gets less rain in January than Ghent. Palma de Mallorca gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Ghent receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Palma de Mallorca and Ghent. The spring months attract visitors to Palma de Mallorca because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Furthermore, the natural beauty are the main draw to Ghent this time of year.

Palma de Mallorca is much warmer than Ghent in the spring. The daily temperature in Palma de Mallorca averages around 14°C (57°F) in April, and Ghent fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In Palma de Mallorca, it's very sunny this time of the year. Palma de Mallorca usually receives more sunshine than Ghent during spring. Palma de Mallorca gets 210 hours of sunny skies, while Ghent receives 158 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Palma de Mallorca usually receives around the same amount of rain as Ghent. Palma de Mallorca gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Ghent receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Ghent and Palma de Mallorca