A Travel Price Comparison for Spain Palma de Mallorca vs. Pamplona for Nightlife, Food, Hiking, and Families

Should you visit Palma de Mallorca or Pamplona?

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 Pamplona, 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 Palma de Mallorca is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the beaches, hiking, and shopping. See Palma de Mallorca travel costs.

Pamplona

Pamplona is a laid-back, historic, and elegant city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food. See Pamplona travel costs.

Palma de Mallorca and Pamplona: Pros and Cons

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

Tourists will generally find more to do in Palma de Mallorca than Pamplona. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Palma de Mallorca is very popular for its nightlife, music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty, while Pamplona attracts visitors for its museums and attractions, hiking, and big city activities. Palma de Mallorca is more touristy than Pamplona and is popular 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. Pamplona is famous for being the home of the Running of the Bulls Festival.

The turquoise water and white sand beaches

How is Palma de Mallorca different from Pamplona?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Pamplona is a nice place to visit for its museums and history. However, Palma de Mallorca does not have museums and landmarks.

Pamplona is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Although most people visit in July for the Running of the Bulls, throughout the year there are some interesting museums and sights around town. You can check out the Cathedral of Pamplona, the Museo de Navarra, and the main plaza in town, Plaza del Castillo.

Palma de Mallorca does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Both Palma de Mallorca and Pamplona offer a number of very good restaurants to choose from.

The food selection at local restaurants 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.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Pamplona. Local cuisine includes lots of fresh vegetables like mushrooms, artichokes, asparagus, and onion. You'll find many unique dishes in the area, and you shouldn't leave without trying the txistorra (sausage), revuelto de setas (eggs and mushrooms), and ajoarriero (cod).

Is Palma de Mallorca or Pamplona Better for Nightlife?

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

Palma de Mallorca is a must-see party destination. Head to Magaluf and Palma for the most popular places.

Pamplona has a large number of nightlife venues. There's a good sized university population that keeps the nightlife active around town. The Old Quarter is likely where you'll find the most going on, particularly around Calle San Nicolás and Calle Estafeta. Earlier in the evening the crowd is pretty young, but as the evening passes you'll find the crowd matures a bit.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Pamplona Better for Music?

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

Pamplona is not a live music destination.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Pamplona Better for Resorts?

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

Palma de Mallorca is known as a popular and fun resort destination. Top resorts on the island include The St Regis Mardavall, Viva Cala Mesquida Resort and Spa, and Nixe Palace Hotel.

Pamplona is not a resort destination.

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

Palma de Mallorca is a popular place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Pamplona is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Palma de Mallorca has a few good snorkeling spots. 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.

Pamplona is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Pamplona Better for Beaches?

Palma de Mallorca is terrific for the beach. However, Pamplona is not a beach destination.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Palma de Mallorca. The island is lined with sandy beaches and rocky coves, which have contributed to it becoming one of Europe's most popular beach destinations.

Pamplona is not a beach destination.

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

Palma de Mallorca and Pamplona 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 Pamplona to see the old town. You'll find elegant buildings and grand plazas around the Old Quarter.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Pamplona Better for Hiking?

Pamplona is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. Also, Palma de Mallorca is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Pamplona. It's a stop off on the famed Camino de Santiago, so if you want to walk part of the route, this is a nice place to explore.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Palma de Mallorca or Pamplona?

Shoppers can find a variety of nice stores in both Palma de Mallorca and Pamplona.

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

Pamplona offers some nice shopping areas. You'll find some good markets around town. It's also fun to shop for local handicrafts or souvenirs to remember your trip by.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Pamplona More Beautiful?

Palma de Mallorca is a well-known place for its scenery and beauty. However, Pamplona is not a destination known for its beauty.

The beauty of Palma de Mallorca is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. With stunning blue water and beautiful countryside, Mallorca is a beautiful island to visit.

Pamplona is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Pamplona Better for Families?

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

Pamplona is a family-friendly island. The city is very green, with many parks and gardens where kids can stretch their legs. There's also the Pamplona Planetarium and several museums that relate to environmental education.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Pamplona Better for Couples?

Palma de Mallorca and Pamplona are both nice 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.

Pamplona makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Although it's most known for the Running of the Bulls in July, the city also has some interesting sights at other times of the year. Couples can walk around the city walls, or explore the many parks in town. There are also some interesting museums.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Pamplona Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Palma de Mallorca and Pamplona are both very good 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.

Pamplona is a great island to visit for backpackers. Backpackers are drawn to this city during July for the Running of the Bulls festival. It's also a stop along the Camino de Santiago, which brings in a young, budget-oriented crowd.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Pamplona Better for Students?

Pamplona is a nice place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Palma de Mallorca is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Pamplona. This is a quiet city, which appeals to some students. The laid back atmosphere makes it a nice place to relax and learn.

Palma de Mallorca is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Palma de Mallorca and Pamplona.

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

Is Palma de Mallorca or Pamplona a more walkable city?

Pamplona 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.

Pamplona is very walkable. It's a stop off on the Camino de Santiago, so many people arrive on foot. It's also an easy city to explore on foot.

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 Pamplona Worth Visiting?.

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

How long in Palma de Mallorca or Pamplona?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Palma de Mallorca or Pamplona to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Palma de Mallorca than Pamplona because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Palma de Mallorca, and 1-2 days is enough time in Pamplona.

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

One day in Palma de Mallorca or Pamplona?

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 shopping and museums around the destination of Pamplona, there's plenty to do. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking 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 Pamplona?

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 museums and nightlife around the historic city of Pamplona, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 Pamplona?

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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the elegant destination of Pamplona. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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 Pamplona?

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.

Pamplona is a popular choice for travelers. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 Budget Tours to Spain, The Best Tours for Seniors to Spain, The Best Contiki Tours to Spain, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Spain.

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

Which is Bigger, Palma de Mallorca or Pamplona?

Palma de Mallorca has a larger population, and is about 95% larger than the population of Pamplona. When comparing the sizes of Palma de Mallorca and Pamplona, 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 Pamplona?

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 Pamplona in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Palma de Mallorca as well as Pamplona. Many visitors come to Palma de Mallorca in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Pamplona for the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Palma de Mallorca is a little warmer than Pamplona. Typically, the summer temperatures in Palma de Mallorca in July average around 24°C (76°F), and Pamplona averages at about 20°C (68°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pamplona. 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 Pamplona. Palma de Mallorca gets 334 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pamplona receives 209 hours of full sun.

Palma de Mallorca usually gets less rain in July than Pamplona. Palma de Mallorca gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Pamplona and Palma de Mallorca are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Palma de Mallorca for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Pamplona because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene.

In October, Palma de Mallorca is generally a little warmer than Pamplona. Daily temperatures in Palma de Mallorca average around 19°C (66°F), and Pamplona fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Palma de Mallorca. Palma de Mallorca usually receives more sunshine than Pamplona during autumn. Palma de Mallorca gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while Pamplona receives 144 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Pamplona. In October, Palma de Mallorca usually receives less rain than Pamplona. Palma de Mallorca gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

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

Both Pamplona and Palma de Mallorca during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Palma de Mallorca because of the shopping scene and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Pamplona this time of year.

Palma de Mallorca is a little warmer than Pamplona in the winter. The daily temperature in Palma de Mallorca averages around 11°C (52°F) in January, and Pamplona fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Palma de Mallorca often gets more sunshine than Pamplona. Palma de Mallorca gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pamplona receives 85 hours of full sun.

Pamplona gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Palma de Mallorca usually gets less rain in January than Pamplona. Palma de Mallorca gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Palma de Mallorca and Pamplona. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Palma de Mallorca this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Pamplona for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Palma de Mallorca is a little warmer than Pamplona. Typically, the spring temperatures in Palma de Mallorca in April average around 14°C (57°F), and Pamplona averages at about 12°C (54°F).

In Palma de Mallorca, it's very sunny this time of the year. Palma de Mallorca usually receives more sunshine than Pamplona during spring. Palma de Mallorca gets 210 hours of sunny skies, while Pamplona receives 141 hours of full sun in the spring.

Pamplona receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Palma de Mallorca usually receives less rain than Pamplona. Palma de Mallorca gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Pamplona receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Pamplona and Palma de Mallorca