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

Should you visit Palma de Mallorca or Inverness?

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 Inverness, 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 beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Inverness

Inverness is a traditional, local, and historic city. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Palma de Mallorca and Inverness: Pros and Cons

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

Travelers will usually find more to do in Palma de Mallorca. Although Palma de Mallorca and Inverness are popular destinations, Palma de Mallorca has more sights and attractions for tourists. Palma de Mallorca is very popular for its nightlife, music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Inverness attracts visitors for its museums, shopping, and small town charm. Palma de Mallorca is more touristy than Inverness 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. Inverness is famous for its surrounding countryside, but also its regional heritage, local festivals and proximity to the famous Loch Ness.

The turquoise water and white sand beaches

How is Palma de Mallorca different from Inverness?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Inverness 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 Inverness can be an interesting and educational experience. As a city rich in culture and heritage, you'll find a number of sights and museums in town. Check out the Highland House of Fraser, Culloden Moor, and Clava Cairns.

Palma de Mallorca does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Both Palma de Mallorca and Inverness 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 Inverness. The city makes a great spot to fill your belly after a few days exploring the Scottish Highlands. You'll find local restaurants that serve up regional specialties, and when the weather's nice, there are some spots with outdoor seating.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Inverness Better for Nightlife?

Palma de Mallorca is terrific for nightlife and partying. Also, Inverness is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

Palma de Mallorca is a must-see party destination. Head to Magaluf and Palma for the most popular places.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Inverness. Nightlife isn't the first thing that comes to mind with this town, but there are actually lots of distilleries in the area and there's a surprising number of high quality bars and pubs that make for a fun evening.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Inverness Better for Music?

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

Inverness is not a live music destination.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Inverness Better for Resorts?

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

Inverness is not a resort destination.

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

Palma de Mallorca is very good for its diving and snorkeling. However, Inverness 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.

Inverness is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Inverness Better for Beaches?

Palma de Mallorca is terrific for the beache. However, Inverness 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.

Inverness is not a beach destination.

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

Palma de Mallorca is very good for its old town. However, Inverness 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.

Inverness does not have a historic old town.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Inverness Better for Hiking?

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

Many people include a hike when visiting Palma de Mallorca. There are many beautiful hikes along the water and through the countryside that offer beautiful views and pass by quaint towns.

Inverness is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Palma de Mallorca or Inverness?

Inverness 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 Inverness. The town is at the cultural heart of the Scottish Highlands you'll find plenty of local shops where you can pick up local products. Make sure you check out the Inverness Victorian Market.

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

Is Palma de Mallorca or Inverness Better for Families?

Palma de Mallorca is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Inverness is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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.

Inverness is a family-friendly island. The city has some parks and activities that are great for kids. Make sure you explore Inverness Castle and the Inverness Mystery Treasure Trail.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Inverness Better for Couples?

Palma de Mallorca and Inverness are both nice to visit as a couple.

Palma de Mallorca is a nice destination for couples. With beautiful beaches and a fun Spanish flare, Mallorca makes for a memorable honeymoon.

Inverness makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Located in the Scottish Highlands, there ae many scenic spots and nice activities that couples can enjoy in the area.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Inverness Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Palma de Mallorca is a well-known place for backpackers. However, Inverness is not a good city 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.

Inverness is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There a some hostels and student hotels, but this isn't one of the major backpacker spots in the UK.

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

Palma de Mallorca is very good for its public transit. However, Inverness is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

Palma de Mallorca has a few 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.

Public transit is mostly limited in Inverness. There are local buses that pass through the town.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Inverness a more walkable city?

Inverness 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.

Inverness is very walkable. It's compact enough that you can explore much of the town on foot.

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 Inverness Worth Visiting?.

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

How long in Palma de Mallorca or Inverness?

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

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

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

You'll find nightlife and live music around the island of Palma de Mallorca. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

With shopping and museums around the destination of Inverness, there's plenty to do. One day is often enough time to do most activities. It offers something for everyone.

A weekend in Palma de Mallorca or Inverness?

You'll find live music and food around the historic destination of Palma de Mallorca. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from.

With museums and nightlife around the traditional city of Inverness, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. 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 Inverness?

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the beautiful island of Palma de Mallorca. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this island makes for a great vacation. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this island has to offer.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the local destination of Inverness. 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 Inverness?

Palma de Mallorca is a popular choice for travelers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Inverness is a popular choice for travelers. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from London, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Edinburgh.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Palma de Mallorca and Inverness, we can see that Inverness 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 Inverness would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Inverness 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 Inverness Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Palma de Mallorca or Inverness?

Palma de Mallorca has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Inverness. When comparing the sizes of Palma de Mallorca and Inverness, 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 Inverness?

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 Inverness in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Palma de Mallorca as well as Inverness. 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 Inverness because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Palma de Mallorca is much warmer than Inverness. Typically, the summer temperatures in Palma de Mallorca in July average around 24°C (76°F), and Inverness averages at about 14°C (58°F).

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 Inverness. Palma de Mallorca gets 334 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Inverness receives 147 hours of full sun.

Palma de Mallorca usually gets less rain in July than Inverness. Palma de Mallorca gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Inverness receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Inverness and Palma de Mallorca are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. 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 shopping scene and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to Inverness this time of year.

In October, Palma de Mallorca is generally much warmer than Inverness. Daily temperatures in Palma de Mallorca average around 19°C (66°F), and Inverness fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Palma de Mallorca. Palma de Mallorca usually receives more sunshine than Inverness during autumn. Palma de Mallorca gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while Inverness receives 84 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Palma de Mallorca usually receives around the same amount of rain as Inverness. Palma de Mallorca gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Inverness receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

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

Both Inverness and Palma de Mallorca during the winter are popular places to visit. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Palma de Mallorca this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Inverness for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Inverness. Palma de Mallorca is much warmer than Inverness in the winter. The daily temperature in Palma de Mallorca averages around 11°C (52°F) in January, and Inverness fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Palma de Mallorca often gets more sunshine than Inverness. Palma de Mallorca gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Inverness receives 42 hours of full sun.

Palma de Mallorca usually gets less rain in January than Inverness. Palma de Mallorca gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Inverness receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Palma de Mallorca and Inverness. Many travelers come to Palma de Mallorca for the beaches and the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Inverness in the spring for the small town charm.

In the spring, Palma de Mallorca is much warmer than Inverness. Typically, the spring temperatures in Palma de Mallorca in April average around 14°C (57°F), and Inverness averages at about 7°C (44°F).

In Palma de Mallorca, it's very sunny this time of the year. Palma de Mallorca usually receives more sunshine than Inverness during spring. Palma de Mallorca gets 210 hours of sunny skies, while Inverness receives 136 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Palma de Mallorca usually receives more rain than Inverness. Palma de Mallorca gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Inverness receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Inverness and Palma de Mallorca