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

Should you visit Palma de Mallorca or Nice?

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 Nice, 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 hiking, shopping, and nightlife.

Nice

Nice is a trendy, chic, and glamourous seaside destination. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Because of its quaint atmosphere, it draws plenty of visitors, too. Other reasons to visit include shopping, nightlife, and food.

Palma de Mallorca and Nice: Pros and Cons

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

Travelers will usually find more to do in Palma de Mallorca. Although Palma de Mallorca and Nice are roughly the same size, Palma de Mallorca has more sights and attractions for tourists. Palma de Mallorca is very popular for its music, beaches, and hiking, while Nice attracts visitors for its food, resorts, historical sights, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Palma de Mallorca is famous 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. Nice is famous for its beachfront setting in the French Riviera as well as its popularity with A-list celebrities.

The turquoise water and white sand beaches

How is Palma de Mallorca different from Nice?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Nice 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 Nice? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Nice 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, Nice is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The cuisine brings together fresh regional ingredients and mixes Provençal and Niçoise flavors. You'll find a lot of Italian influence as well. Fresh seafood is the thing to try while you're in town, but other local favorites include socca, Ratatouille, and Salade niçoise.

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 Nice Better for Nightlife?

Both Palma de Mallorca and Nice have first-rate vibes after the sun sets.

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

Nice is a must-see party destination. The city has some of the best nightlife on the Cote d'Azur. You'll find a number of nightclubs along the seaside as well a bars and pubs in the Old Town. Some of the best clubs are along Promenade des Anglais.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Nice Better for Music?

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

Nice is not a live music destination.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Nice Better for Resorts?

Nice 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.

Nice offers an unforgettable resort vacation. The city has boutique hotels as well high end luxury resorts. Popular options include Hyatt Regency Nice Palais de la Méditerranée, Hôtel Suisse, and AC Hotel by Marriott.

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 Nice Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

You'll find nice snorkeling or scuba diving in both Palma de Mallorca and Nice.

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.

It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life in Nice. There are some places where you can arrange a snorkeling or dive trip to explore the underwater setting.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Nice Better for Beaches?

Palma de Mallorca is renowned for the beache. Also, Nice is not as famous, but is still a good seaside destination to visit for the beach.

Palma de Mallorca is considered to be a world-class beach 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.

Many people visit Nice for it's beautiful beaches. The city has about 4 miles of beach along its coastline and there are both public and private beaches available. La Réserve is a public beach with a laid back and fun vibe. Plage Beau Rivage is a private beach with many amenities, making it a favorite for visitors. Blue Beach is another private beach that is very family-friendly.

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

Nice 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 Nice to see the historical old town. Wandering around the charming old town is a quintessential part of visiting this city. There are many historic churches and squares, as well as great restaurants and shops that you can pop in.

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 Nice Better for Hiking?

Palma de Mallorca is a island with good options for the nearby hiking options. However, Nice is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Palma de Mallorca. There are many beautiful hikes along the water and through the countryside that offer beautiful views and pass by quaint towns.

Nice is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Palma de Mallorca or Nice?

Nice 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 Nice. The city has long been a favorite for the rich and famous, so you'll find plenty of shopping opportunities around town. The boutique shops are chic, trendy, and fashionable, but for those on a budget, you can sometimes find a unique local purchase in your budget.

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

Is Palma de Mallorca or Nice Better for Families?

Palma de Mallorca is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Nice is not as famous, but is still a good seaside destination 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.

Nice is a family-friendly island. The town has many fun playgrounds, kid-friendly beaches, and unique cultural opportunities that kids can enjoy. It also makes a great base for exploring the French Riviera and everything that it has to offer.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Nice Better for Couples?

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

Nice has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. The old town is filled with romance and charm. You can also take a walk along the Promenade Des Anglais or soak up the romantic countryside that surrounds the town.

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 Nice Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Palma de Mallorca is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Nice is not as famous, but is still a good seaside destination to visit 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.

Plenty of backpackers visit Nice. Because it's one of the most popular tourist destinations in France, many backpackers make their way here. Nice is known for its high end vibe, so it can be challenging to find affordable options, but if you know where to look, they are around.

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

Nice is an excellent place to visit 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.

Visitors to Nice can move around easily with public transportation. There are both buses and trams.

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 Nice a more walkable city?

Nice is a must-visit destination for its walkability. Also, Palma de Mallorca is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Nice. You should definitely spend some time exploring the 7 kilometer long Promenade des Anglais.

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 Nice Worth Visiting?.

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

How long in Palma de Mallorca or Nice?

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

Families should spend more time in Palma de Mallorca than Nice. 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 Nice than Palma de Mallorca. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Nice 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 Nice 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 Nice?

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.

With scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the destination of Nice, 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 Nice?

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.

With shopping and nightlife around the chic seaside destination of Nice, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Five days in Palma de Mallorca or Nice?

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

With nightlife and food around the chic destination of Nice, there's plenty to do. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. If you have five days, this seaside destination 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 Nice?

The cultural 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.

Nice is a popular choice for travelers. It's also a relaxing resort destination. This seaside destination 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 in France, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France.

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

Which is Bigger, Palma de Mallorca or Nice?

Palma de Mallorca has a larger population, and is about 11% larger than the population of Nice. When comparing the sizes of Palma de Mallorca and Nice, 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 Nice?

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 Nice in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Palma de Mallorca as well as Nice. The beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Palma de Mallorca this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Nice for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Palma de Mallorca is around the same temperature as Nice. Typically, the summer temperatures in Palma de Mallorca in July average around 24°C (76°F), and Nice averages at about 23°C (73°F).

Palma de Mallorca usually gets less rain in July than Nice. Palma de Mallorca gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Nice receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Nice and Palma de Mallorca are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Palma de Mallorca for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Nice in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Palma de Mallorca is generally a little warmer than Nice. Daily temperatures in Palma de Mallorca average around 19°C (66°F), and Nice fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Nice. In October, Palma de Mallorca usually receives less rain than Nice. Palma de Mallorca gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Nice receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

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

Both Nice and Palma de Mallorca during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Palma de Mallorca in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Nice for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.

Palma de Mallorca is a little warmer than Nice in the winter. The daily temperature in Palma de Mallorca averages around 11°C (52°F) in January, and Nice fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Palma de Mallorca usually gets less rain in January than Nice. Palma de Mallorca gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Nice receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Palma de Mallorca and Nice. Most visitors come to Palma de Mallorca for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Nice because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Palma de Mallorca is around the same temperature as Nice. Typically, the spring temperatures in Palma de Mallorca in April average around 14°C (57°F), and Nice averages at about 13°C (56°F).

In April, Palma de Mallorca usually receives less rain than Nice. Palma de Mallorca gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Nice receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Nice and Palma de Mallorca