A Travel Price Comparison for Spain Palma de Mallorca vs. Girona for Nightlife, Old Town, Food, and Families

Should you visit Palma de Mallorca or Girona?

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 Girona, 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. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Girona

Girona is a colorful, medieval, and ancient city. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Because of its quaint atmosphere, it draws plenty of visitors, too. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Palma de Mallorca and Girona: Pros and Cons

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

Tourists will generally find more to do in Palma de Mallorca than Girona. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Palma de Mallorca is very popular for its nightlife, music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and hiking, while Girona attracts visitors for its museums, historical sights, shopping, small town charm, and quaint atmosphere. Palma de Mallorca is more touristy than Girona and is popular for its strikingly blue waters, sandy beaches, all-inclusive resorts, and vibrant towns. It is also well known for the turquoise water and white sand beaches. Girona is famous for its ancient ruins, colorful old town, grand cathedral, and impressive local cuisine.

The turquoise water and white sand beaches

How is Palma de Mallorca different from Girona?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Girona 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 Girona can be an interesting and educational experience. Wander the ancient city walls, explore the beautiful Girona Cathedral, and learn about the Church of Sant Feliu. There are also some interesting museums in town including the Museum of Jewish History, the Archaeology Museum, and the Film Museum. Also make sure you walk across the famed Eiffel Bridge.

Palma de Mallorca does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Both Palma de Mallorca and Girona 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 Girona. The small city is filled with cafes and restaurants that spill out into the street. There are also markets such as El Lleó Marketplace where you can check out fresh, local items. Many restaurants also have Catalonian style tapas, seafood such as octopus, and garlic shrimp. For breakfast, there are many pastry shops where you can enjoy a European breakfast.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Girona Better for Nightlife?

Palma de Mallorca is an unbeatable place for nightlife and partying. However, Girona is not a good city for its evening party scene.

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.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Girona. It's a surprisingly quiet town, especially compared to other nearby party cities, but there are some nightclubs, bars, and music venues that are worth checking out.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Girona Better for Music?

Palma de Mallorca is a well-known place for its live music scene. However, Girona 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.

Girona is not a live music destination.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Girona Better for Resorts?

Palma de Mallorca is a well-known place for its resorts. However, Girona 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.

Girona is not a resort destination.

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

Palma de Mallorca is a good destination for its diving and snorkeling. However, Girona 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.

Girona is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Girona Better for Beaches?

Palma de Mallorca is an unbeatable place for the beache. However, Girona 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.

Girona is not a beach destination.

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

Girona is a must-visit destination for its historic old town. Also, Palma de Mallorca is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its old town.

The rich history of Girona can be explored in its historical center. It's a beautiful medieval old town with many wandering streets that are lined with storefronts and classic European cafes.

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 Girona Better for Hiking?

Palma de Mallorca is a good destination for the nearby hiking options. However, Girona 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.

Girona is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Palma de Mallorca or Girona?

Girona 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 Girona. In and around the old town you'll find modern shops, local eateries, charming markets, and anything you might need to purchase. There's also no shortage of souvenir and trinket shops, but they have a bit of personality and character to them.

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

Is Palma de Mallorca or Girona Better for Families?

Palma de Mallorca is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. However, Girona is not a good city for its kid-friendly activities.

Palma de Mallorca is a very kid-friendly island. 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.

Girona is not always a place people visit with their families. While the old town is beautiful, with charming colorful buildings, the city itself doesn't have a wide number of activities for kids. There are ice cream shops where they can enjoy a sweet treat. There are also several museums and many restaurants have kid-friendly menus.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Girona Better for Couples?

Girona 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.

Girona makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The setting is both beautiful and romantic. Couples can enjoy wandering the streets, popping in the many shops, and soaking up the atmosphere. There are also many great restaurants that make for a wonderful night out. Head up the hills towards the cathedral for the best viewpoints, or wander along the river and enjoy the colorful atmosphere.

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 Girona Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Palma de Mallorca is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Girona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Palma de Mallorca is a great island to visit for backpackers. 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 Girona. Prices aren't too crazy and it's not hard to find a place to stay for an affordable price, but you won't find the lively backpacker scene that is common in many nearby cities.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Girona Better for Students?

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

Plenty of students visit Girona. It's a smaller city with affordable accommodation and many great restaurants. It has a quintessential European atmosphere that makes it a fun place to spend some time as a student

Palma de Mallorca is not popular with students.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Girona 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 Girona.

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 Girona, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The town is small enough that you can likely walk anywhere you want to go, but if you need transit, there are 10 local bus routes.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Girona a more walkable city?

Girona 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 Girona. Everything is easily accessible on foot and its best not to bring a car into town.

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 Girona Worth Visiting?.

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

How long in Palma de Mallorca or Girona?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Palma de Mallorca or Girona to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Palma de Mallorca than Girona because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Palma de Mallorca, and 1-2 days is enough time in Girona.

Families should spend more time in Palma de Mallorca than Girona. 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 Girona than Palma de Mallorca. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Girona 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 Girona 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 Girona?

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 food and shopping around the destination of Girona, 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 Girona?

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 shopping and museums around the ancient city of Girona, 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 Girona?

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 museums and food when visiting the beautiful destination of Girona. 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 Girona?

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.

Girona is a popular choice for travelers. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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 Bicycle Tours in Spain, and The Best Adventure Tours to Spain.

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

Which is Bigger, Palma de Mallorca or Girona?

Palma de Mallorca has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Girona. When comparing the sizes of Palma de Mallorca and Girona, 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 Girona?

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 Girona in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Palma de Mallorca as well as Girona. 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 Girona in the summer for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Palma de Mallorca is around the same temperature as Girona. Typically, the summer temperatures in Palma de Mallorca in July average around 24°C (76°F), and Girona averages at about 24°C (75°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Girona. 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 Girona. Palma de Mallorca gets 334 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Girona receives 279 hours of full sun.

Palma de Mallorca usually gets less rain in July than Girona. Palma de Mallorca gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Girona receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Girona 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 Girona for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Palma de Mallorca is generally a little warmer than Girona. Daily temperatures in Palma de Mallorca average around 19°C (66°F), and Girona fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Palma de Mallorca. Palma de Mallorca usually receives more sunshine than Girona during autumn. Palma de Mallorca gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while Girona receives 170 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Palma de Mallorca usually receives less rain than Girona. Palma de Mallorca gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Girona receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

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

Both Girona 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 Girona because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Palma de Mallorca is a little warmer than Girona in the winter. The daily temperature in Palma de Mallorca averages around 11°C (52°F) in January, and Girona fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

In the winter, Palma de Mallorca often gets more sunshine than Girona. Palma de Mallorca gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Girona receives 148 hours of full sun.

Palma de Mallorca usually gets less rain in January than Girona. Palma de Mallorca gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Girona receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

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

In the spring, Palma de Mallorca is a little warmer than Girona. Typically, the spring temperatures in Palma de Mallorca in April average around 14°C (57°F), and Girona averages at about 13°C (55°F).

In Palma de Mallorca, it's very sunny this time of the year. Palma de Mallorca usually receives more sunshine than Girona during spring. Palma de Mallorca gets 210 hours of sunny skies, while Girona receives 177 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Palma de Mallorca usually receives less rain than Girona. Palma de Mallorca gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Girona receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Girona and Palma de Mallorca