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

Should you visit Palma de Mallorca or Interlaken?

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 Interlaken, 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.

Interlaken

Interlaken is a world-class, stunning, and adventurous town. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. Other reasons to visit include skiing, food, and hiking.

Palma de Mallorca and Interlaken: Pros and Cons

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

Tourists will generally find more to do in Palma de Mallorca. Although Palma de Mallorca and Interlaken are both popular with visitors, Palma de Mallorca has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Palma de Mallorca is more popular for its nightlife, music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, and shopping, while Interlaken is known for its skiing, hiking, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Palma de Mallorca 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. Interlaken is popular for its adventure sports, alpine setting, and beautiful lakes.

The turquoise water and white sand beaches

How is Palma de Mallorca different from Interlaken?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Interlaken and Palma de Mallorca. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Interlaken Better for Skiing?

Interlaken is a nice place to visit for skiing and snowboarding. However, Palma de Mallorca is not a skiing destination.

Interlaken is a great destination for skiing with plenty areas to explore. While the city itself has no skiing, there is access to several ski areas in Jungfrau. There are several different resorts in the area near Grindelwald, Wengen, and Mürren. You'll need to take a train or ski bus to get most places.

Palma de Mallorca is not a skiing destination.

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

Both Palma de Mallorca and Interlaken offer a number of excellent 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 Interlaken. Restaurants in the area serve local classics like fondue, local meats, cheeses, and chocolate. You can finish your meal off with strudel or head to a local bakery and try their samplings. Meals are expensive but the quality is good. You should also out into the countryside and enjoy a meal looking out over the mountains.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Interlaken Better for Nightlife?

Palma de Mallorca is a world-class destination for nightlife. However, Interlaken is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

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

Interlaken is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Interlaken Better for Music?

Palma de Mallorca is an excellent place to visit for live music. However, Interlaken 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.

Interlaken is not a live music destination.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Interlaken Better for Resorts?

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

Vacationers can choose from a number of terrific resorts in Palma de Mallorca. Top resorts on the island include The St Regis Mardavall, Viva Cala Mesquida Resort and Spa, and Nixe Palace Hotel.

Interlaken is not a resort destination.

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

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

It's worth going snorkeling or scuba diving 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.

Interlaken is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Interlaken Better for Beaches?

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

With world-famous beaches, Palma de Mallorca is a very popular vacation 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.

Interlaken is not a beach destination.

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

Palma de Mallorca is very good for its historic old town. However, Interlaken does not have a historic old town.

Palma de Mallorca is a good destination for visiting its old town. Alcudia is the best old town on the island. It has cobblestone streets and historic walls that give it charm and history.

Interlaken does not have a historic old town.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Interlaken Better for Hiking?

Interlaken is a must-visit destination for its hiking trails. Also, Palma de Mallorca is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

Known for its hiking, Interlaken draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. Hikes in the area range from easy to challenging with every option in between. You can experience beautiful waterfalls, breathtaking views, and dramatic ridge hikes. Several of the best hikes in the area include Schynige Platte Ridge Trail, Mt Niesen Panorama Trail, and Giessbach Waterfalls.

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 Interlaken?

Palma de Mallorca is very good for shopping. However, Interlaken is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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

Interlaken is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Interlaken Better for Families?

Interlaken is a must-visit destination for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Palma de Mallorca is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Interlaken is an amazing family-friendly town to visit. While the city is beautiful, it's really the surrounding areas that you and your family will enjoy. There are amazing hikes, stunning views, playgrounds, lakes, and more. There's also an impressive ropes course that adventurous kids will love, funiculars, gondolas, and so many water sports!

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.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Interlaken Better for Couples?

Interlaken is a must-visit destination for romance. Also, Palma de Mallorca is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Interlaken has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. The mountaintop views, breathtaking hikes, and beautiful lakes make this a top destination for couples. Make sure you head out of town and fully immerse yourself in everything that the area has to offer. Kayaking, canoeing, paragliding, and more will make this a trip of a lifetime.

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 Interlaken Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Palma de Mallorca is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Interlaken is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Interlaken. It's a world class destination with so many activities that backpackers will love, but it's also one of the most expensive areas in one of the most expensive countries. There are hostels in town as well as a few in the nearby towns and countryside, but prices are steep. Cook when you can and enjoy all of the free activities that the area has to offer.

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

Interlaken is an excellent place to visit 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.

Visitors to Interlaken can move around easily with public transportation. Buses travel around town, but to get into the mountains there are trains, cog railways, funiculars, and gondolas.

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 Interlaken a more walkable city?

Palma de Mallorca and Interlaken are good 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.

Interlaken is a somewhat walkable place. The old town is relatively walkable.

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

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

How long in Palma de Mallorca or Interlaken?

In either Palma de Mallorca or Interlaken, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. In our opinion, Palma de Mallorca has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Palma de Mallorca than Interlaken. In general, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Palma de Mallorca, and 2-5 days is enough time in Interlaken.

Families should spend more time in Interlaken than Palma de Mallorca. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Interlaken, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

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

With live music and food around the stunning island of Palma de Mallorca, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

With skiing and food around the destination of Interlaken, there's plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking 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 Interlaken?

With food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the destination of Palma de Mallorca, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

With food and skiing around the breathtaking town of Interlaken, 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 Interlaken?

Palma de Mallorca, a popular island, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this island. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

With skiing and food around the breathtaking destination of Interlaken, there's plenty to do. Hikers are also drawn to this area. If you have five days, this town makes for a great vacation. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here.

A week in Palma de Mallorca or Interlaken?

Palma de Mallorca is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Interlaken is a popular choice for travelers. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One of the main draws to the area is the hiking. This town 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 from Geneva, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Zurich.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Palma de Mallorca and Interlaken, we can see that Interlaken is more expensive. And not only is Palma de Mallorca much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Palma de Mallorca would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Palma de Mallorca 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 Interlaken would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Interlaken than you might in Palma de Mallorca.

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 Interlaken Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Palma de Mallorca or Interlaken?

Palma de Mallorca has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Interlaken. When comparing the sizes of Palma de Mallorca and Interlaken, 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 Interlaken?

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 Interlaken in the Summer?

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

Palma de Mallorca is a little warmer than Interlaken in the summer. The daily temperature in Palma de Mallorca averages around 24°C (76°F) in July, and Interlaken fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

It's quite sunny in Interlaken. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Palma de Mallorca. Palma de Mallorca usually receives more sunshine than Interlaken during summer. Palma de Mallorca gets 334 hours of sunny skies, while Interlaken receives 241 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Palma de Mallorca usually receives less rain than Interlaken. Palma de Mallorca gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

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

Both Interlaken and Palma de Mallorca during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Palma de Mallorca because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Interlaken this time of year.

In the autumn, Palma de Mallorca is a little warmer than Interlaken. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Palma de Mallorca in October average around 19°C (66°F), and Interlaken averages at about 13°C (56°F).

It's quite sunny in Palma de Mallorca. In the autumn, Palma de Mallorca often gets more sunshine than Interlaken. Palma de Mallorca gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Interlaken receives 120 hours of full sun.

Palma de Mallorca usually gets less rain in October than Interlaken. Palma de Mallorca gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Palma de Mallorca and Interlaken. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Palma de Mallorca this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Interlaken for the skiing and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Interlaken. In January, Palma de Mallorca is generally much warmer than Interlaken. Daily temperatures in Palma de Mallorca average around 11°C (52°F), and Interlaken fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

Palma de Mallorca usually receives more sunshine than Interlaken during winter. Palma de Mallorca gets 164 hours of sunny skies, while Interlaken receives 55 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Palma de Mallorca usually receives less rain than Interlaken. Palma de Mallorca gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

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

The spring brings many poeple to Palma de Mallorca as well as Interlaken. Many travelers come to Palma de Mallorca for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Interlaken in the spring for the natural beauty.

Palma de Mallorca is a little warmer than Interlaken in the spring. The daily temperature in Palma de Mallorca averages around 14°C (57°F) in April, and Interlaken fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

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 more sunshine than Interlaken. Palma de Mallorca gets 210 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Interlaken receives 150 hours of full sun.

Palma de Mallorca usually gets less rain in April than Interlaken. Palma de Mallorca gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Interlaken and Palma de Mallorca