A Travel Price Comparison for Spain Palma de Mallorca vs. Marbella for Nightlife, Resorts, Scuba Diving & Snorkeling, and Beaches

Should you visit Palma de Mallorca or Marbella?

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 Marbella, 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. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the nightlife, live music, and food.

Marbella

Marbella is a glamorous, fun-filled, and high energy resort town. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and shopping.

Palma de Mallorca and Marbella: Pros and Cons

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

Tourists will generally find more to do in Palma de Mallorca than Marbella. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Palma de Mallorca is very popular for its food and hiking, while Marbella attracts visitors for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and shopping. Palma de Mallorca is more touristy than Marbella and is known 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. Marbella is famous for its luxury hotels, beautiful beaches, and lively nightlife.

The turquoise water and white sand beaches

How is Palma de Mallorca different from Marbella?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Palma de Mallorca is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Marbella is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Palma de Mallorca has a huge number of terrific 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.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Marbella area. The area is filled with tourists, so finding an authentic dining experience can be difficult. Several favorite dishes include croquetas, boquerones, and pulpo.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Marbella Better for Nightlife?

Both Palma de Mallorca and Marbella have amazing vibes after the sun sets.

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

Marbella is a must-see party destination. European tourists flock to the town for its beaches and resorts. The town has a glamorous nightlife scene with exclusive clubs and ritzy cocktail bars, particularly in Puerto Banus and along the Golden Mile.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Marbella Better for Music?

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

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.

Marbella has become a hotbed of musicians and artists. Some of the best music venues include Starlite, Kitch Social Club, and Momento.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Marbella Better for Resorts?

Marbella is a must-visit destination for its luxury resorts. Also, Palma de Mallorca is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its resorts.

Marbella offers an unforgettable resort vacation. From luxury to family-friendly, this area has plenty of resorts to choose from. Popular resorts in the area include Marbella Club Hotel, Puente Romano Marbella, and Don Carlos Resort and Spa.

In Palma de Mallorca, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. Top resorts on the island include The St Regis Mardavall, Viva Cala Mesquida Resort and Spa, and Nixe Palace Hotel.

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

Marbella is a must-visit destination for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. Also, Palma de Mallorca is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its diving and snorkeling.

People travel to Marbella specifically to enjoy its famous scuba diving and snorkeling areas. There are more than 100 dive sights and endless snorkeling opportunities in the area. There are deep offshore reefs that you can explore as well as shallower wrecks and caves.

It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life 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.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Marbella Better for Beaches?

Both Palma de Mallorca and Marbella have amazing beaches worth visiting.

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.

Marbella is considered to be a world-class beach destination. The area boasts some of the best beaches in Europe. They are hubs of activity with lots of energy, and there are more than 18 miles of sandy beach in the area. Popular options include Guadalmina Beach, San Pedro de Alcántara Beach, and Nueva Andalucía Beach.

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

Palma de Mallorca and Marbella both have nice historical old towns that attract visitors.

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.

Many people head to Marbella to see the old town. Head into the old town to explore a quaint area with small, meandering streets, churches, restaurants, shops, and cafes.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Marbella Better for Hiking?

Palma de Mallorca is a nice place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Marbella 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.

Marbella is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Palma de Mallorca or Marbella?

Marbella is a must-visit destination for shopping. Also, Palma de Mallorca is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Marbella. This area attracts vacationers from around Europe and the shopping is some of the best in Europe.

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

Is Palma de Mallorca or Marbella Better for Families?

Palma de Mallorca and Marbella 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.

Marbella is a very kid-friendly island. The area has beautiful, family-friendly beaches and many resorts with pools that are great for kids.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Marbella Better for Couples?

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

Marbella has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. The area has luxury resorts, nice beaches, water sports, golf, and water activities that are perfect for a honeymoon or a romantic weekend or a honeymoon.

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 Marbella Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Palma de Mallorca is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Marbella is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many 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.

Marbella is a good island to visit for backpackers. There are a few good hostels in the area for backpackers who want to enjoy this part of Spain's cost. There's also a lively nightlife scene and plenty of opportunities to meet others.

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

Palma de Mallorca is a nice place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Marbella is lacking in good options for its public transit.

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.

Public transit is generally limited in Marbella. There is a bus system through the area, but most visitors prefer to get around by car.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Marbella a more walkable city?

Marbella 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.

Marbella is very walkable. The old town is particularly walkable and there are a number of hotels and nice resorts within a short walk of the town along a nice promenade.

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 Marbella Worth Visiting?.

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

How long in Palma de Mallorca or Marbella?

In either Palma de Mallorca or Marbella, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. In our opinion, Marbella has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Marbella 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 Marbella.

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

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

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

The beautiful island of Palma de Mallorca offers shopping and nightlife. Most people come for the beaches. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

With scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the destination of Marbella, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. 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 Marbella?

Palma de Mallorca is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

With shopping and nightlife around the ritzy resort town of Marbella, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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 Marbella?

Palma de Mallorca is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Palma de Mallorca, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

With nightlife and live music around the ritzy destination of Marbella, there's plenty to do. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. If you have five days, this resort 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 Marbella?

Palma de Mallorca is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This island offers something for everyone.

Marbella is a popular choice for travelers. It's also a relaxing resort destination. This resort 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 Bicycle Tours in Spain, and The Best Adventure Tours to Spain.

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

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 Marbella Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Palma de Mallorca or Marbella?

Palma de Mallorca has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Marbella. When comparing the sizes of Palma de Mallorca and Marbella, 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 Marbella?

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 Marbella in the Summer?

Both Marbella and Palma de Mallorca are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. 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 beaches, snorkeling, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Marbella this time of year.

In the summer, Palma de Mallorca is around the same temperature as Marbella. Typically, the summer temperatures in Palma de Mallorca in July average around 24°C (76°F), and Marbella averages at about 25°C (77°F).

It's quite sunny in Marbella. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Palma de Mallorca. Palma de Mallorca usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Marbella during summer. Palma de Mallorca gets 334 hours of sunny skies, while Marbella receives 348 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Palma de Mallorca usually receives more rain than Marbella. Palma de Mallorca gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Marbella receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

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

Both Marbella and Palma de Mallorca during the autumn are popular places to visit. 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. Furthermore, many travelers come to Marbella for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Palma de Mallorca is generally around the same temperature as Marbella. Daily temperatures in Palma de Mallorca average around 19°C (66°F), and Marbella fluctuates around 19°C (67°F).

In Marbella, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Palma de Mallorca. In the autumn, Palma de Mallorca often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Marbella. Palma de Mallorca gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marbella receives 213 hours of full sun.

Palma de Mallorca usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Marbella. Palma de Mallorca gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Marbella receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Palma de Mallorca and Marbella. Many travelers come to Palma de Mallorca for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Marbella in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Palma de Mallorca is cooler than Marbella in the winter. The daily temperature in Palma de Mallorca averages around 11°C (52°F) in January, and Marbella fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Palma de Mallorca usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Marbella during winter. Palma de Mallorca gets 164 hours of sunny skies, while Marbella receives 171 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Palma de Mallorca usually receives less rain than Marbella. Palma de Mallorca gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Marbella receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

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

The spring brings many poeple to Palma de Mallorca as well as Marbella. Many visitors come to Palma de Mallorca in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Additionally, most visitors come to Marbella for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Palma de Mallorca is cooler than Marbella. Typically, the spring temperatures in Palma de Mallorca in April average around 14°C (57°F), and Marbella averages at about 16°C (60°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marbella. 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 around the same amount of sunshine as Marbella. Palma de Mallorca gets 210 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marbella receives 220 hours of full sun.

Palma de Mallorca usually gets more rain in April than Marbella. Palma de Mallorca gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Marbella receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Marbella and Palma de Mallorca