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

Should you visit Palma de Mallorca or Lucerne?

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 Lucerne, 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 historic, beautiful, and stunning island. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the nightlife, live music, and food.

Lucerne

Lucerne is a cultural, historic, and vibrant city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Palma de Mallorca and Lucerne: Pros and Cons

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

You'll generally find more things to do in Palma de Mallorca than Lucerne. Palma de Mallorca is bigger than Lucerne, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Palma de Mallorca is better known for its food, nightlife, music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and hiking, while Lucerne is more popular for its museums, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities. Palma de Mallorca is more touristy than Lucerne and is known for its strikingly blue waters, sandy beaches, all-inclusive resorts, and vibrant towns. Also, Palma de Mallorca is famous for the turquoise water and white sand beaches. Lucerne is well known for it's wooden bridge, its waterfront setting, and the many nearby alpine day trips.

The turquoise water and white sand beaches

How is Palma de Mallorca different from Lucerne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Lucerne 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 Lucerne can be an interesting and educational experience. Top sights in town include the famous Chapel Bridge, the Lion Monument and the town walls and towers. There are also a number of museums including the Swiss Transport Museum and Museum Sammlung Rosengart.

Palma de Mallorca does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Palma de Mallorca is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Lucerne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Palma de Mallorca has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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.

Lucerne offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. Food is expensive around town, but there are some unique specialties like fondue, brätwurst, and of course, chocolate. It's nice to sit out by the river and enjoy a hearty meal while you soak up the view.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Lucerne Better for Nightlife?

Palma de Mallorca is very popular for its evening party scene. Also, Lucerne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

Palma de Mallorca is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. Head to Magaluf and Palma for the most popular places.

Lucerne has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The city has some of the best nightlife in Switzerland, with many lively clubs, bars, and pubs. There are also many local events that are hosted in town and bring in a crowd.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Lucerne Better for Music?

Palma de Mallorca is great for its music scene. However, Lucerne is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Palma de Mallorca draws a good crowd. Live concerts, international DJs, and a diverse range of styles have put the island's music scene on the map.

Lucerne is not a live music destination.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Lucerne Better for Resorts?

Palma de Mallorca is great for its luxury resorts. However, Lucerne 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.

Lucerne is not a resort destination.

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

Palma de Mallorca is a good destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Lucerne 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.

Lucerne is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Lucerne Better for Beaches?

Palma de Mallorca is very popular for the beach. However, Lucerne 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.

Lucerne is not a beach destination.

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

Lucerne is an excellent place to visit for its historic old town. Also, Palma de Mallorca is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its old town.

Many visitors go to Lucerne to see the historical old town. Sitting on the water's edge, this old town has a number of historic buildings and the beautiful Chapel Bridge.

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 Lucerne Better for Hiking?

Palma de Mallorca is a good destination for hiking. However, Lucerne 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.

Lucerne is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Palma de Mallorca or Lucerne?

Lucerne 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 Lucerne. The city is filled with high end shopping opportunities with everything from boutique shops to major chains. Popular items to purchase in town include chocolate, watches, jewelry, and Swiss army knives.

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

Is Palma de Mallorca or Lucerne Better for Families?

Palma de Mallorca is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Lucerne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Palma de Mallorca. 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.

Lucerne is a family-friendly place to visit. The city is filled with history and there are a number of playgrounds around town. Also make sure you pop in a chocolate shop so that everyone can enjoy a sweet treat. If the weather's warm, you can also take a swim in Lake Lucerne. Many kids enjoy escaping the city and doing a day trip to the amazing Mt. Titlis, or other peaks that are nearby.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Lucerne Better for Couples?

Lucerne 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.

Lucerne makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The city has many pleasant squares, excellent restaurants, and a romantic atmosphere that makes for a great couple's getaway. There are a number of nice hotels to choose from as well.

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 Lucerne Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Palma de Mallorca is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Lucerne is not a good destination for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Palma de Mallorca. 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.

Lucerne is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Prices are high everywhere in the area but there are a few hostels that attract backpackers. It's also possible to find free activities like swimming in the lake or simply wandering around town. Prices at restaurants are very high, so you'll do best to pick up food at supermarkets and prepare your own meals. Because it's a larger city, there are options that you might not find in smaller towns around Switzerland.

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

Visitors will find notable public transit in both Palma de Mallorca and Lucerne.

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 Lucerne, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There's a comprehensive system of buses around town.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Lucerne a more walkable city?

Palma de Mallorca and Lucerne are notable 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.

Lucerne is a somewhat walkable place. The major tourist areas are fairly walkable if your hotel is in a convenient location.

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

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

How long in Palma de Mallorca or Lucerne?

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

Families should spend more time in Palma de Mallorca than Lucerne. 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.

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

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 Lucerne, 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 Lucerne?

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 vibrant city of Lucerne, 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 Lucerne?

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 active destination of Lucerne. 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 Lucerne?

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.

Lucerne 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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Switzerland, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Switzerland.

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

Which is Bigger, Palma de Mallorca or Lucerne?

Palma de Mallorca has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Lucerne. When comparing the sizes of Palma de Mallorca and Lucerne, 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 Lucerne?

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 Lucerne in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Palma de Mallorca and Lucerne. Many travelers come to Palma de Mallorca for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Lucerne in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Palma de Mallorca is generally a little warmer than Lucerne. Daily temperatures in Palma de Mallorca average around 24°C (76°F), and Lucerne fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lucerne this time of the year. In Palma de Mallorca, it's very sunny this time of the year. Palma de Mallorca usually receives more sunshine than Lucerne during summer. Palma de Mallorca gets 334 hours of sunny skies, while Lucerne receives 241 hours of full sun in the summer.

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

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

The autumn brings many poeple to Palma de Mallorca as well as Lucerne. 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. Additionally, most visitors come to Lucerne for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Palma de Mallorca is a little warmer than Lucerne in the autumn. The daily temperature in Palma de Mallorca averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Lucerne fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Palma de Mallorca this time of the year. In the autumn, Palma de Mallorca often gets more sunshine than Lucerne. Palma de Mallorca gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lucerne receives 120 hours of full sun.

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

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

Both Lucerne and Palma de Mallorca are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Palma de Mallorca for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Lucerne because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Lucerne can be very cold. In the winter, Palma de Mallorca is much warmer than Lucerne. Typically, the winter temperatures in Palma de Mallorca in January average around 11°C (52°F), and Lucerne averages at about 3°C (37°F).

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

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

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

Both Lucerne and Palma de Mallorca during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Palma de Mallorca because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Lucerne this time of year.

In April, Palma de Mallorca is generally a little warmer than Lucerne. Daily temperatures in Palma de Mallorca average around 14°C (57°F), and Lucerne fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

It's quite sunny in Palma de Mallorca. In the spring, Palma de Mallorca often gets more sunshine than Lucerne. Palma de Mallorca gets 210 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lucerne receives 150 hours of full sun.

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

Typical Weather for Lucerne and Palma de Mallorca