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

Should you visit Palma de Mallorca or Granada?

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 Granada, 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 stunning, cultural, and historic island. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include live music, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Granada

Granada is a beautiful, charming, and cultural city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Palma de Mallorca and Granada: Pros and Cons

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

Travelers will usually find more to do in Palma de Mallorca than Granada, 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, and beaches, while Granada is known for its museums, historical sights, hiking, and impressive beauty. Palma de Mallorca is more touristy than Granada and is known 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. Granada is popular for its Islamic architecture, charming old town, and the stunningly impressive Alhambra.

The turquoise water and white sand beaches

How is Palma de Mallorca different from Granada?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Granada is a must-visit destination for its museums and history. However, Palma de Mallorca does not have museums and landmarks.

Travelers visit Granada from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. Many visitors head to Granada specifically to visit the famed Alhambra. The palace and fortress complex will not disappoint. The gardens are beautifully maintained and the palace is filled with intricate details. It's easy to spend hours wandering around. In addition to The Alhambra, the Granada Cathedral is also impressive to visit. If you have kids or extra time to fill, head to Parque de las Ciencias, which is the city's Science Park.

Palma de Mallorca does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Palma de Mallorca is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. Also, Granada is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

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.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Granada. It's a very touristy city so restaurants can be hit or miss. There are some amazing local eateries, but you'll also find a number of places with lower quality, overpriced food. Classic local dishes include Churros, Plato Alpujarreño, and Habas con Jamón. Tapas are very popular and many restaurants provide free tapas with drink orders. There are also a number of Moroccan restaurants around town.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Granada Better for Nightlife?

Palma de Mallorca is a world-class destination for nightlife. Also, Granada is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

People head to Palma de Mallorca just to party. Head to Magaluf and Palma for the most popular places.

The people in Granada know how to have a good time. The nightlife scene kicks off around 11 pm, when most people have finished up a late dinner. There's a laid-back atmosphere with pubs, live music, and dance clubs that stay open late into the night. There are several popular streets at night including Calle Elvira, Calle Reyes Católicos, and the Realejo District.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Granada Better for Music?

Palma de Mallorca is an excellent place to visit for live music. However, Granada is not a live music destination.

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.

Granada is not a live music destination.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Granada Better for Resorts?

Palma de Mallorca is an excellent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Granada is not a resort destination.

Palma de Mallorca is known as a popular and fun resort destination. Top resorts on the island include The St Regis Mardavall, Viva Cala Mesquida Resort and Spa, and Nixe Palace Hotel.

Granada is not a resort destination.

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

Palma de Mallorca is a popular place for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Granada is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Palma de Mallorca has a few good snorkeling spots. 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.

Granada is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Granada Better for Beaches?

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

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Palma de Mallorca. The island is lined with sandy beaches and rocky coves, which have contributed to it becoming one of Europe's most popular beach destinations.

Granada is not a beach destination.

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

Granada 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 Granada can be explored in its historical center. The Old Town spills out around the Granada Cathedral and is filled with charming pedestrian streets, lively plazas, and many great shops.

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 Granada Better for Hiking?

Granada is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. Also, Palma de Mallorca is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Granada. Ruta de Los Cahorros is a great hike about 25 minutes outside of Granada that begins in the town of Monochil. It crosses many bridges and weaves through dramatic canyons. There are places where you can wade in the water or check out a hidden waterfall. It's well worth the time and can be reached by taxi or public bus.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Palma de Mallorca or Granada?

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

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

Granada offers some nice shopping areas. The town is filled with souvenir shops and places to buy local items. It's fun to wander through the old town and pop into the many different shops.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Granada Better for Families?

Palma de Mallorca is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Granada is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Granada. While the highlight of the city is the Alhambra, kids will likely enjoy exploring the shops or seeing a Flamenco show a bit more. Just outside of town is a wonderful hike, Ruta de Los Cahorros. It begins near the town of Monachil which is easily accessible by taxi or public bus. The hike goes through canyons and across bridges and its a wonderful activity for the whole family.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Granada Better for Couples?

Granada 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.

Granada makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It is a beautiful city that is filled with charm and history. Couples will enjoy exploring the Alhambra, taking in a Flamenco show, or sipping Sangria with tapas. The city is incredibly beautiful with stunning views and many great restaurants.

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 Granada Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Palma de Mallorca and Granada are both very good 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.

Granada is a great island to visit for backpackers. It's a touristy city and it's a popular destination for backpackers as well. There are plenty of hostels around town and the city has social atmosphere with many opportunities to meet other travelers.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Granada Better for Students?

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

Granada is a great city to visit as a student. It's a popular study abroad destination. Accommodation for students is usually affordable and this is also a great city for integrating into the local culture. You may even end up with a Spanish roommate.

Palma de Mallorca is not popular with students.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Granada 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 Granada.

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 Granada, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a comprehensive bus system around town that many tourists take advantage of. Taxis are also very affordable, so for many visitors, that is an easy option.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Granada a more walkable city?

Granada 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.

Granada is very walkable. Most of the touristy areas are easy to explore on foot, but there are some steep hills so put on your walking shoes.

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 Granada Worth Visiting?.

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

How long in Palma de Mallorca or Granada?

It's fun to spend time in either Palma de Mallorca or Granada. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Palma de Mallorca due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Palma de Mallorca, and 2-4 days is enough time in Granada.

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

One day in Palma de Mallorca or Granada?

In Palma de Mallorca, you'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This island offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

With shopping and museums around the destination of Granada, 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 Granada?

In Palma de Mallorca, you'll find shopping and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Most people come for the beaches. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

With museums and nightlife around the historic city of Granada, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 Granada?

Palma de Mallorca is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Palma de Mallorca has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the beautiful destination of Granada. 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 Granada?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Palma de Mallorca. Many people enjoy the live music and food when visiting Palma de Mallorca. It's also a relaxing resort destination. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Granada is a popular choice for travelers. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One of the main draws to the area is the museums. 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 Granada, 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 Granada Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Palma de Mallorca or Granada?

Palma de Mallorca has a larger population, and is about 58% larger than the population of Granada. When comparing the sizes of Palma de Mallorca and Granada, 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 Granada?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Palma de Mallorca or Granada in the Summer?

Both Granada and Palma de Mallorca are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Palma de Mallorca in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Granada for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Palma de Mallorca is around the same temperature as Granada in the summer. The daily temperature in Palma de Mallorca averages around 24°C (76°F) in July, and Granada fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

It's quite sunny in Granada. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Palma de Mallorca. Palma de Mallorca usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Granada during summer. Palma de Mallorca gets 334 hours of sunny skies, while Granada receives 348 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Palma de Mallorca usually receives more rain than Granada. Palma de Mallorca gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Granada receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

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

Both Granada and Palma de Mallorca during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Palma de Mallorca for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Granada because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Palma de Mallorca is around the same temperature as Granada. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Palma de Mallorca in October average around 19°C (66°F), and Granada averages at about 19°C (67°F).

In Granada, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Palma de Mallorca. In the autumn, Palma de Mallorca often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Granada. Palma de Mallorca gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Granada receives 213 hours of full sun.

Palma de Mallorca usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Granada. Palma de Mallorca gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Granada receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Palma de Mallorca and Granada. The winter months attract visitors to Palma de Mallorca because of the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Granada this time of year.

In January, Palma de Mallorca is generally cooler than Granada. Daily temperatures in Palma de Mallorca average around 11°C (52°F), and Granada fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Palma de Mallorca usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Granada during winter. Palma de Mallorca gets 164 hours of sunny skies, while Granada receives 171 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Palma de Mallorca usually receives less rain than Granada. Palma de Mallorca gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Granada receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

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

The spring brings many poeple to Palma de Mallorca as well as Granada. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Palma de Mallorca this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Granada for the natural beauty.

Palma de Mallorca is cooler than Granada in the spring. The daily temperature in Palma de Mallorca averages around 14°C (57°F) in April, and Granada fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Granada. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Palma de Mallorca this time of the year. In the spring, Palma de Mallorca often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Granada. Palma de Mallorca gets 210 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Granada receives 220 hours of full sun.

Palma de Mallorca usually gets more rain in April than Granada. Palma de Mallorca gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Granada receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Granada and Palma de Mallorca