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

Should you visit Palma de Mallorca or Hvar?

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 Hvar, 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 hiking, shopping, and nightlife.

Hvar

Hvar is a beautiful, vibrant, and energetic island. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Palma de Mallorca and Hvar: Pros and Cons

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

Travelers will usually find more to do in Palma de Mallorca. Although Palma de Mallorca and Hvar are popular destinations, Palma de Mallorca has more sights and attractions for tourists. Palma de Mallorca is very popular for its music, resorts, beaches, and historical sights, while Hvar attracts visitors for its museums. Palma de Mallorca is famous 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. Hvar is famous for its wild parties, beautiful buildings, and world class cuisine.

The turquoise water and white sand beaches

How is Palma de Mallorca different from Hvar?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Hvar is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Wandering around the old town you'll see many historic buildings such as the Cathedral of St. Stephen. You can also visit the nearby Hvar Fort or explore the Franciscan Monastery.

Palma de Mallorca does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Both Palma de Mallorca and Hvar offer a number of high quality 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 Hvar. It's an island, so you'll find no shortage of seafood in the restaurants. There's fish, crab, lobster, squid, and octopus on the menus around town. Many dishes are prepared with risotto or pasta and you'll find a lot of olive oil and wine.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Hvar Better for Nightlife?

Both Palma de Mallorca and Hvar have first-rate vibes after the sun sets.

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

Hvar is a must-see party destination. The island has a reputation as a party island, and it's well earned. Most of the activity is found in Hvar Town, particularly between the months of June and September. Young people flock to the island for the all night parties and wild beach bars and clubs.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Hvar Better for Music?

Palma de Mallorca is notable for its live music scene. However, Hvar 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.

Hvar is not a live music destination.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Hvar Better for Resorts?

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

Hvar is not a resort destination.

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

You'll find nice snorkeling or scuba diving in both Palma de Mallorca and Hvar.

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.

It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life in Hvar. The water is clear and there are snorkeling day trips that leave from town. This is a great way to get out on the water and glimpse the undersea world.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Hvar Better for Beaches?

Palma de Mallorca is renowned for the beache. Also, Hvar is not as famous, but is still a good island to visit for the beach.

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.

Many people visit Hvar for it's beautiful beaches. The island has hilly bays and coves that are fun to explore. The best beaches are found to the south and southwest of the island and many are pebbly or gravelly.

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

Palma de Mallorca is a island with good options for its old town. However, Hvar does not have a historic old town.

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.

Hvar does not have a historic old town.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Hvar Better for Hiking?

Palma de Mallorca and Hvar are both places where visitors can find nice hiking trails.

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.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Hvar. There are a number of hikes on the island that cater to every skill level and take you through natural areas or past historic sights.

Is the Shopping Better in Palma de Mallorca or Hvar?

Shoppers can find a variety of nice stores in both Palma de Mallorca and Hvar.

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

Hvar offers some nice shopping areas. In the town you'll find galleries, boutiques, jewelry shops and other beach stores. It's fun to pop in and look at the different items.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Hvar Better for Families?

Palma de Mallorca and Hvar are both high quality 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.

Hvar is a very kid-friendly island. There are adventure parks, water parks, and other fun activities for kids. There are also beaches where everyone can swim and sea kayaking trips. Hvar Observatory is also a unique and fun place to visit as a family.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Hvar Better for Couples?

Hvar 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.

Hvar makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are some romantic hotels and beautiful beaches that make this a wonderful destination for couples. Anyone who enjoys a coastal setting with clear waters and a variety of water sports will enjoy their time here.

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 Hvar Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Hvar is a must-visit destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Palma de Mallorca is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many backpackers frequent Hvar. The island has long been a popular stop with backpackers who enjoy the affordable prices, abundance of hostels, and active nightlife scene. You'll have no trouble meeting other travelers, particularly during the peak summer months.

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.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Hvar 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 Hvar.

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 Hvar, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Buses are operated by Cazmatrans Hva and they travel between the major municipalities.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Hvar a more walkable city?

Palma de Mallorca and Hvar are nice when it comes to walkability.

Palma de Mallorca is somewhat walkable. 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.

Hvar is a somewhat walkable place. Hvar Town can be explored on foot, but you'll need a vehicle to explore other parts of the island.

For even more information, also check out Is Palma de Mallorca Worth Visiting? and Is Hvar Worth Visiting?.

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

How long in Palma de Mallorca or Hvar?

It's fun to spend time in either Palma de Mallorca or Hvar. 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 Hvar.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Hvar 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 Hvar.

One day in Palma de Mallorca or Hvar?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the destination of Palma de Mallorca. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

With shopping and museums around the destination of Hvar, there's plenty to do. It's also a great beach destination, too. 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 Hvar?

Palma de Mallorca is a fun place to experience. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

With museums and nightlife around the beautiful island of Hvar, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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 Hvar?

Visitors enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the cultural destination of Palma de Mallorca. This island offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the party-oriented destination of Hvar. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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 Hvar?

The beautiful island of Palma de Mallorca offers scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

Hvar is a popular choice for travelers. Most people come for the beaches. One of the main draws to the area is the nightlife. This island 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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Croatia, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Croatia.

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

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 Hvar Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Palma de Mallorca or Hvar?

Palma de Mallorca has a larger population, and is about 100 times larger than the population of Hvar. When comparing the sizes of Palma de Mallorca and Hvar, 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 Hvar?

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 Hvar in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Palma de Mallorca as well as Hvar. 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 Hvar for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Palma de Mallorca is around the same temperature as Hvar. Typically, the summer temperatures in Palma de Mallorca in July average around 24°C (76°F), and Hvar averages at about 26°C (80°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hvar. 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 around the same amount of sunshine as Hvar. Palma de Mallorca gets 334 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hvar receives 345 hours of full sun.

Palma de Mallorca usually gets less rain in July than Hvar. Palma de Mallorca gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Hvar receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Hvar 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 Hvar in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Palma de Mallorca is generally around the same temperature as Hvar. Daily temperatures in Palma de Mallorca average around 19°C (66°F), and Hvar fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

It's quite sunny in Hvar. 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 Hvar during autumn. Palma de Mallorca gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while Hvar receives 200 hours of full sun in the autumn.

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

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

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

Palma de Mallorca is a little warmer than Hvar in the winter. The daily temperature in Palma de Mallorca averages around 11°C (52°F) in January, and Hvar fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Palma de Mallorca often gets more sunshine than Hvar. Palma de Mallorca gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hvar receives 128 hours of full sun.

Palma de Mallorca usually gets less rain in January than Hvar. Palma de Mallorca gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Hvar receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

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

In the spring, Palma de Mallorca is around the same temperature as Hvar. Typically, the spring temperatures in Palma de Mallorca in April average around 14°C (57°F), and Hvar averages at about 15°C (59°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hvar this time of the year. In Palma de Mallorca, it's very sunny this time of the year. Palma de Mallorca usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Hvar during spring. Palma de Mallorca gets 210 hours of sunny skies, while Hvar receives 212 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Palma de Mallorca usually receives less rain than Hvar. Palma de Mallorca gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Hvar receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Hvar and Palma de Mallorca