A Travel Price Comparison for Spain Palma de Mallorca vs. Madrid for Food, Nightlife, Music, and Backpackers

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Should you visit Palma de Mallorca or Madrid?

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 Madrid, 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. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and nightlife.

Madrid

Madrid is a diverse, compact, and friendly city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and live music.

How is Palma de Mallorca different from Madrid?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Is Palma de Mallorca or Madrid better for Food?

Both Palma de Mallorca and Madrid offer a number of unique restaurants to choose from.

The food selection 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.

Many restaurants in Madrid have been singled out for their culinary prowess. The city has a mix of flavors that come from all of Spain. Local favorites include roast suckling pig, Spanish omelette, and meat and chickpea stew.


Is Palma de Mallorca or Madrid better for Nightlife?

Both Palma de Mallorca and Madrid have similar vibes after the sun sets.

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

Madrid is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. Many tourists and international students hang out in the Huertas area, while Malasaña has a bohemian, hipster vibe with small clubs that play indie music. Chueca is a fun area that's known for being gay-friendly with many good bars. Finally, you'll find that the area around Avenida de Brasil is where famous DJs often perform.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Madrid better for Music?

It can be fun to see live music in either Palma de Mallorca and Madrid.

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.

Madrid is known as a music capital around the world. Rock, jazz, and flamenco are all popular in the city. Some of the most well known music venues include Sala Caracol, Sala Clamores, and Costello Club.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Madrid better for Shopping?

Madrid usually beats out Palma de Mallorca for shopping.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Madrid. Gran Vía is a main thoroughfare in Madrid that is also popular for shopping. Calle Fuencarral is where you'll find the fashion shops and Calle Preciados is a fun pedestrian area to explore.

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

Is Palma de Mallorca or Madrid better for Families?

Palma de Mallorca and Madrid are both fun 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.

Madrid is a very family-friendly destination. Kids love splashing around at Madrid Río, taking a ride on the cable car (Teleférico), and exploring the city's many parks and playgrounds. There's even a maze at Sabatini Gardens. Restaurants around the city are also very kid-friendly.


Is Palma de Mallorca or Madrid better for Couples?

Palma de Mallorca and Madrid are both fun 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.

Madrid is a great island if you're traveling as a couple. Fun and romantic activities around town include taking a boat ride at Casa de Campo, riding a bike in one of the many parks, and enjoy dinner and show in the evening.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Madrid better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Palma de Mallorca and Madrid are both good destinations for backpackers.

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.

Madrid is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. The many hostels around town make it easy for backpackers to find affordable accommodation while also meeting other travelers.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Madrid better for Public Transit?

Madrid generally offers a better public transit system than Palma de Mallorca.

Madrid has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. The system includes the Madrid Metro, buses, and a light rail system.

While Palma de Mallorca offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. 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 Madrid a more walkable city?

Madrid is generally more walkable than Palma de Mallorca.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Madrid. Most tourists stay in the central part of Madrid where it's compact and relatively easy to walk to most tourist sights.

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.


Palma de Mallorca and Madrid: Pros and Cons

Palma de Mallorca
Pros
  • Good music scene
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Impressive beauty
Cons
  • Less popular for shopping
  • Public transit not as usable
  • Less walkable
Madrid
Pros
  • Good music scene
  • Good for shopping
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Good public transit
  • Very walkable
  • Big city activities


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

How long in Palma de Mallorca or Madrid?

In either Palma de Mallorca or Madrid, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. You can fill a similar amount of time in either place.

The ideal length of time for a trip to Palma de Mallorca is 3-5 days, and the ideal length of time for a trip to Madrid is 2-5 days.


  • How many days in Palma de Mallorca or Madrid? Ideal Length of Stay
    Palma de Mallorca 3-5 
    Madrid 2-5

One day in Palma de Mallorca or Madrid?

Many travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the destination of Palma de Mallorca. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

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

Palma de Mallorca is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Palma de Mallorca. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Most people come for the beaches. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

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

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the beautiful destination of Palma de Mallorca. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Madrid is a popular choice for travelers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. One week may feel like too much time here unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Which city is cheaper, Madrid or Palma de Mallorca?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Palma de Mallorca is €111, while the average daily cost in Madrid is €107. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Palma de Mallorca and Madrid in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Palma de Mallorca €56
    Madrid €59
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Palma de Mallorca €112
    Madrid €118

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Palma de Mallorca €20
    Madrid €15
Typical Local Transportation prices in Palma de Mallorca

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Palma de Mallorca are as follows:


  • Taxi Ride
    €6.80
  • Bus Ride
    €1.25

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Palma de Mallorca

Also for Palma de Mallorca, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Majorca Airport (PMI) Arrival Transfer (Airport to Cala Ratjada): $161
  • Arrival Private Transfers : Mallorca Airport PMI to Palma in Luxury Car: $160
  • Mallorca Airport Transfers to Formentor: $149
  • Mallorca Airport Transfers to or from Cala Lliteras: $149
  • Mallorca Airport Transfers to or from Cala Mesquida: $149
  • Palma de Mallorca Airport PMI Round-Trip Transfer in Private Van: $147
  • Palma de Mallorca Airport PMI Round-Trip Transfer in Private Car: $144
  • Private Transfers from Palma de Mallorca Airport PMI to Palma in Luxury Van: $141
  • Arrival Private Transfers : Mallorca Airport PMI to Palma in Luxury Van: $141
  • Private Departure Transfer from Palma de Mallorca City Center to Port d'Alcudia: $133
  • Private Transfer From Mallorca airport to Alcúdia: $133
  • Majorca Airport (PMI) Arrival Transfer (Airport to Pollensa Hotel or Address): $132

Typical Local Transportation prices in Madrid

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Madrid are as follows:


  • Taxi Ride
    €26

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Madrid

Also for Madrid, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Ultra - Madrid Private Airport Transfer from city centre to Madrid airport MAD: $9.41
  • Ultra - Madrid Private Airport Transfer from Madrid airport MAD to city centre: $9.41
  • Transfer to Lisbon from Madrid with stop in Évora (1hour): $658
  • Transfer to Lisbon from Madrid: $585
  • Transfer in private vehicle from Madrid City to Madrid Barajas Airport: $31
  • Transfer in private minivan from Madrid City to Madrid Barajas Airport: $50
  • Transfer in private minivan from Madrid Airport to City: $50
  • Transfer in Private Vehicle from Madrid Barajas Airport to City: $31
  • Transfer from/to Madrid Barajas Airport: $55
  • Transfer From Madrid To Lisbon Portugal: $485
  • Royal Palace and Prado Museum – With Transfer Included: $98
  • Round trip transfer in private vehicle from-to Madrid Barajas Airport in Madrid: $63

Is it cheaper to fly into Palma de Mallorca or Madrid?

Prices for flights to both Madrid and Palma de Mallorca change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Palma de Mallorca €36
    Madrid €27
Typical Food prices in Palma de Mallorca

For Palma de Mallorca, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Soda
    €2.50

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Palma de Mallorca

For Palma de Mallorca, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Palma: Walking Food Tour: $97
  • Show Cooking Paella: $124

Typical Food prices in Madrid

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Madrid:


  • Coffee
    €2.00
  • Ice Cream
    €3.00
  • Kebabs (for 2)
    €16
  • Croissant
    €1.50
  • Lunch at Airport (for 2)
    €16

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Madrid

For Madrid, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Virtual Cooking Class: The Spanish Paella Experience: $24
  • Florida Retiro Dinner Show: $38
  • Murder Mystery Dinner Experience: $49
  • Virtual cooking - spanish "tortilla de patatas": $50
  • Murder Mystery Dinner Experience: $50
  • Flamenco Workshop and Show with Dinner and Drinks: $51
  • Skip the Line: Flamenco Show with Dinner and Workshop in Madrid Ticket: $52
  • Homemade pasta cooking class and lunch in the heart of Madrid: $58
  • Mamaz Social Italian Dinner in Madrid: $60
  • 3-hour Virtual Spanish Cooking Class in Madrid: $62
  • Iberico Ham and Spanish Wine Small-Group Food Tour: $67
  • Authentic Italian Dinner in Madrid: $68

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Palma de Mallorca €27
    Madrid €27

Tours and Activities in Palma de Mallorca

For Palma de Mallorca, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Alcudia Open Bus City Tour in Mallorca: $21
  • Bellver Castle Private Tour and Surrounding Highlights: $158
  • Classic Mallorca, Self drive tour: $932
  • Classic Tour of Mallorca on Convertible Car: $118
  • Discover the major cultural attractions of Palma De Mallorca on a Private Tour: $574
  • El Arenal, Mallorca: Bay of Palma Boat Tour: $27
  • Express Tour to Drach Caves and Portocristo: $60
  • From 5-Hour Catamaran Cruise: $64
  • Majorca Winery Tour: $181
  • Mallorca Coasteering Adventure: $79
  • Mallorca: 2.5 or 4.5-Hour Formula Car Tour: $90
  • Mallorca: Bike Tour Off-the-Beaten-Track: $43

Tours and Activities in Madrid

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Madrid.

  • 10 Days Tour Heart of Spain: $1,592
  • 10-Day Andalusia and Morocco escorted tour from Madrid: $1,680
  • 10-Day Guided Tour Morocco and Andalusia from Madrid: $1,709
  • 11-Day Portugal and Andalucia Guided Tour from Madrid: $1,735
  • 12-Day Morocco and South of Spain Tour from Madrid: $1,722
  • 13-Day Mediterranean Capitals Guided Tour from Madrid: $2,114
  • 2 Hour Hidden Oasis Retiro Park Madrid Small Group Segway Tour: $33
  • 2 Hours Secrets of Madrid Retiro Park Tour: $11
  • 2-Day Guided Tour Cordoba and Seville from Madrid: $404
  • 2-Day guided tour Caceres & Sevilla from Madrid by Bus and High Speed Train: $361
  • 2-Hour Patisserie Experience for Dessert Lovers: $50
  • 2-Hour Tour of Prado Museum in Madrid: $72

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Palma de Mallorca €24
    Madrid €16
Typical Alcohol prices in Palma de Mallorca

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Palma de Mallorca are as follows:


  • Coffee
    €3.10

Sample the Local Flavors in Palma de Mallorca

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Palma de Mallorca:

  • Wine Tasting Tour: $111

Typical Alcohol prices in Madrid

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Madrid are as follows:


  • Beer
    €5.00
  • Drinks and Tapas (for 2)
    €13

Sample the Local Flavors in Madrid

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Madrid:

  • Pub Crawl in Madrid: $15
  • Pub Crawl Madrid by Madpartycrew: $19
  • Wine Tasting near Plaza Mayor: $20
  • Wine Tasting Experience: $32
  • Wine Tasting Experience: $43
  • Madrid Tapas and Mysteries Walking Tour with Private Option and Pub Crawl: $47
  • Wine Tasting and Flamenco Master Class in Madrid: $58
  • Segovia and Spanish Versailles Full-Day Tour with Wine Tasting: $62
  • Old Town Madrid Gourmet Tapas and Wine Tasting Walking Tour: $82
  • Gourmet Tapas & Wine Tasting Experience In Madrid: $91
  • Madrid Tapas and Wine Tasting Tour: $93
  • Madrid Tapas Diaries- A Premium Food & Wine Tour in the old city of Madrid: $123

About these numbers

When comparing the travel costs between Palma de Mallorca and Madrid, 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.

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Palma de Mallorca vs. Madrid Travel Comparison

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