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

Should you visit Palma de Mallorca or Lyon?

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 Lyon, 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 shopping, nightlife, and live music.

Lyon

Lyon is a authentic, historic, and beautiful city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Palma de Mallorca and Lyon: Pros and Cons

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

Tourists will generally find more to do in Lyon than Palma de Mallorca. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Lyon is very popular for its museums, food, historical sights, shopping, big city activities, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Palma de Mallorca attracts visitors for its nightlife, music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and hiking. Palma de Mallorca is more touristy than Lyon and is popular for its strikingly blue waters, sandy beaches, all-inclusive resorts, and vibrant towns. Lyon is famous for its world-renowned cuisine, charming old town, and vibrant new town. It is also well known for The Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière.

How is Palma de Mallorca different from Lyon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Travelers visit Lyon from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. There are many world class museums and historic landmarks in the city including Musée des Beaux Arts, Musée de la Civilisation Gallo-Romaine, and Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière.

Palma de Mallorca does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Lyon is a must-visit destination for its restaurants. Also, Palma de Mallorca is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Lyon is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. Known as "the Gastronomic Capital of the World" this city stands above the rest when it comes to Michelin star restaurants (there are 17!), fresh ingredients, and unique local flavors. Favorite local dishes include pâté en croûte, rosette de Lyon, and saucisson brioché.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit 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.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Lyon Better for Nightlife?

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

Palma de Mallorca has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. Head to Magaluf and Palma for the most popular places.

Lyon has a large number of nightlife venues. The city has enough diverse neighborhoods that you'll find a scene that is great for everyone. There are dance clubs, cocktail bars, and wine bars that meet every personality and style.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Lyon Better for Music?

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

Lyon is not a live music destination.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Lyon Better for Resorts?

Palma de Mallorca is a well-known place for its resorts. However, Lyon is not a resort destination.

Palma de Mallorca is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. Top resorts on the island include The St Regis Mardavall, Viva Cala Mesquida Resort and Spa, and Nixe Palace Hotel.

Lyon is not a resort destination.

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

Palma de Mallorca is a nice place to visit for its diving and snorkeling. However, Lyon is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

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.

Lyon is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Lyon Better for Beaches?

Palma de Mallorca is an amazing island to visit for the beache. However, Lyon is not a beach destination.

The beaches in Palma de Mallorca are among the best in 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.

Lyon is not a beach destination.

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

Lyon 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 Lyon can be explored in its historical center. This impressive old town climbs from the river into Fourvière Hill. It's a Renaissance era district with beautiful buildings and plenty of character. You can spend days wandering the quaint streets and popping in the world class restaurants.

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 Lyon Better for Hiking?

Palma de Mallorca is a nice place to visit for the nearby hiking options. However, Lyon is not a hiking destination.

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.

Lyon is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Palma de Mallorca or Lyon?

Lyon 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 Lyon. The city has many trendy markets, pedestrian shopping areas, and character-filled boutiques. From the charming shops in old town to the chic shopping streets, there are plenty of places to splurge around town.

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

Is Palma de Mallorca or Lyon Better for Families?

Palma de Mallorca and Lyon are both superb 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.

Lyon is a very kid-friendly island. The city has many kid-friendly museums including Musée des Confluences and the Cinema and Miniature Museum. There are also playgrounds, patisseries, and river cruises that you can enjoy as a family. Puppet shows are also fun, but do note that they're usually in French. While the restaurants are amazing for adults, it can be tricky to find a kid-friendly option with early opening hours that are convenient for little ones.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Lyon Better for Couples?

Lyon 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.

Lyon makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples can enjoy wandering the beautiful Old Town, taking a river cruise, and dining on some of the best food in France.

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 Lyon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Palma de Mallorca and Lyon are both superb 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.

Lyon is a great island to visit for backpackers. The city has several hostels and a number of activities that are fun for budget travelers and backpackers.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Lyon Better for Students?

Lyon is a must-visit destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Palma de Mallorca is not popular with students.

Lyon is a great destination for students. It is a very livable city with many fun cultural activities for students. There are many different entertainment options during the day, and during the evening there are plenty of places to hang out.

Palma de Mallorca is not popular with students.

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

Lyon is a must-visit destination 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.

Lyon has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. The city has a metro, trams, and buses, that make it easy to get around.

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 Lyon a more walkable city?

Lyon 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.

Lyon is very walkable. The old town is particularly walkable, but the hills can make things a bit challenging. There are also a number of pedestrian streets around town.

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 Lyon Worth Visiting?.

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

How long in Palma de Mallorca or Lyon?

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

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

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

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

One day in Palma de Mallorca or Lyon?

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.

When visiting Lyon, people usually allow for lots of time. 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 Lyon?

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.

When visiting Lyon, people usually allow for lots of time. 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 Lyon?

Visitors enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the stunning 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.

When visiting Lyon, people usually allow for lots of time. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. If you have five days, this city 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 Lyon?

The historic 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.

Lyon 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 10-Day Tours from Paris, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris.

When comparing the travel costs between Palma de Mallorca and Lyon, 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 Lyon Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Palma de Mallorca or Lyon?

Lyon has a larger population, and is about 26% larger than the population of Palma de Mallorca. When comparing the sizes of Palma de Mallorca and Lyon, 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 Lyon?

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 Lyon in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Palma de Mallorca as well as Lyon. The summer months attract visitors to Palma de Mallorca because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Lyon this time of year.

In the summer, Palma de Mallorca is a little warmer than Lyon. Typically, the summer temperatures in Palma de Mallorca in July average around 24°C (76°F), and Lyon averages at about 22°C (71°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lyon. 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 Lyon. Palma de Mallorca gets 334 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lyon receives 285 hours of full sun.

Palma de Mallorca usually gets less rain in July than Lyon. Palma de Mallorca gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Lyon and Palma de Mallorca are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Palma de Mallorca this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Lyon for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Palma de Mallorca is generally a little warmer than Lyon. Daily temperatures in Palma de Mallorca average around 19°C (66°F), and Lyon fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Palma de Mallorca. Palma de Mallorca usually receives more sunshine than Lyon during autumn. Palma de Mallorca gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while Lyon receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Palma de Mallorca usually receives less rain than Lyon. Palma de Mallorca gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

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

Both Lyon and Palma de Mallorca during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Palma de Mallorca for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Lyon in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Lyon can get quite cold in the winter. Palma de Mallorca is much warmer than Lyon in the winter. The daily temperature in Palma de Mallorca averages around 11°C (52°F) in January, and Lyon fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

In the winter, Palma de Mallorca often gets more sunshine than Lyon. Palma de Mallorca gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lyon receives 62 hours of full sun.

Palma de Mallorca usually gets less rain in January than Lyon. Palma de Mallorca gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Palma de Mallorca and Lyon. Many visitors come to Palma de Mallorca in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Lyon for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Palma de Mallorca is a little warmer than Lyon. Typically, the spring temperatures in Palma de Mallorca in April average around 14°C (57°F), and Lyon averages at about 11°C (53°F).

In Palma de Mallorca, it's very sunny this time of the year. Palma de Mallorca usually receives more sunshine than Lyon during spring. Palma de Mallorca gets 210 hours of sunny skies, while Lyon receives 174 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Palma de Mallorca usually receives less rain than Lyon. Palma de Mallorca gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Lyon and Palma de Mallorca