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

Should you visit Palma de Mallorca or Phoenix?

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 Phoenix, 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. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Phoenix

Phoenix is a sprawling, desert, and laid back city. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Palma de Mallorca and Phoenix: Pros and Cons

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

Visitors will generally find more to do in Palma de Mallorca than Phoenix. While Phoenix is larger than Palma de Mallorca, Palma de Mallorca has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Palma de Mallorca is better known for its food, nightlife, music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, and impressive beauty, while Phoenix is more popular for its museums. Palma de Mallorca is more touristy than Phoenix and is known for its strikingly blue waters, sandy beaches, all-inclusive resorts, and vibrant towns. Also, Palma de Mallorca is famous for the turquoise water and white sand beaches. Phoenix is well known for its desert landscapes, high number of golf courses, and year round warm weather.

The turquoise water and white sand beaches

How is Palma de Mallorca different from Phoenix?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Phoenix is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. You'll find art, science, and cultural museums around town. Favorites include the Heard Museum, the Phoenix Art Museum, S'edav Va'aki Museum, and the Arizona Science Museum.

Palma de Mallorca does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Palma de Mallorca is a great island for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Palma de Mallorca has a number of nationally recognized food spots and 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.

Phoenix offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are many mom-and-pop shops around town that serve everything from casual meals to quality steaks. There's also a huge selection of Mexican restaurants, as well as other international options such as sushi, dim sum, and Italian.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Phoenix Better for Nightlife?

Palma de Mallorca is an unbeatable place for its evening party scene. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

The nightlife in Palma de Mallorca is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. Head to Magaluf and Palma for the most popular places.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Phoenix. The best nightlife scene is found in downtown and central Phoenix. There are bars, restaurants, and venues where you can catch a show. North Phoenix also has grown into a popular evening spot with cocktail bars and pubs.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Phoenix Better for Music?

Palma de Mallorca is a great island for its music scene. However, Phoenix is not a live music destination.

Palma de Mallorca has a thriving music scene. Live concerts, international DJs, and a diverse range of styles have put the island's music scene on the map.

Phoenix is not a live music destination.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Phoenix Better for Resorts?

Palma de Mallorca is a great island for its luxury resorts. However, Phoenix is not a resort destination.

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.

Phoenix is not a resort destination.

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

Palma de Mallorca is a island with good options for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Phoenix is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

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.

Phoenix is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Phoenix Better for Beaches?

Palma de Mallorca is an unbeatable place for the beach. However, Phoenix is not a beach destination.

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.

Phoenix is not a beach destination.

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

Palma de Mallorca is a island with good options for its historic old town charm. However, Phoenix does not have a historic old town.

Palma de Mallorca has an old town worth visiting. Alcudia is the best old town on the island. It has cobblestone streets and historic walls that give it charm and history.

Phoenix does not have a historic old town.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Phoenix Better for Hiking?

Palma de Mallorca and Phoenix are both places where visitors can find notable hiking trails.

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.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Phoenix. You don't have to head far out of town for impressive hiking opportunities. You'll find trails that range from easy to challenging, and many pass through other-worldly landscapes. You'll find popular trails in Usery Mountain Regional Park, Papago Park, White Tank Mountain Regional Park, South Mountain Park and many others.

Is the Shopping Better in Palma de Mallorca or Phoenix?

Shoppers can find a variety of notable stores in both Palma de Mallorca and Phoenix.

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

Phoenix offers some nice shopping areas. There are plenty of shopping centers, outlets, and malls where you'll find the standard chain stores. You'll also find farmer's markets around town.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Phoenix Better for Families?

Palma de Mallorca is a great island for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Palma de Mallorca. 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.

Phoenix is a family-friendly place to visit. Kids will love the Phoenix Zoo, the Arizona Science Center, the SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium, and the Bearizona Wildlife Park. There's also a number of parks and gardens as well as a children's museum and several other interactive museums for kids.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Phoenix Better for Couples?

Palma de Mallorca and Phoenix are both notable 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.

Phoenix makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are many parks and gardens in town as well as beautiful hikes and outdoor activities that couples will enjoy. In the evening, there's theater, shows, and many romantic restaurants.

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

Palma de Mallorca is a great island for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Phoenix is not known for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and 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.

Phoenix is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There is a hostel or two around town for budget travelers.

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

Palma de Mallorca is a island with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Phoenix is not known for its public transit.

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.

Public transit is generally limited in Phoenix. There's a bus and light rail system, but you really need your own vehicle to get around.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Phoenix a more walkable city?

Palma de Mallorca is a island with good options for its ease of walking around. However, Phoenix is not known for its walkability.

Palma de Mallorca is a somewhat walkable island. 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.

Phoenix is generally not very walkable. It's a sprawling city and the only real area that's walkable is the downtown.

For even more information, also check out Is Palma de Mallorca Worth Visiting? and Is Phoenix Worth Visiting?.

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

How long in Palma de Mallorca or Phoenix?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Palma de Mallorca and Phoenix. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Palma de Mallorca than in Phoenix. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Palma de Mallorca, and 1-3 days is enough time in Phoenix.

Families should spend more time in Palma de Mallorca than Phoenix. 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 Phoenix. 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.

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

In Palma de Mallorca, you'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This island offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

With shopping and museums around the destination of Phoenix, there's plenty to do. One day is often enough time to do most activities. It offers something for everyone.

A weekend in Palma de Mallorca or Phoenix?

In Palma de Mallorca, you'll find shopping and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Most people come for the beaches. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

With museums and nightlife around the laid back city of Phoenix, there's plenty to do. 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 Phoenix?

Palma de Mallorca is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Palma de Mallorca has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the laid back destination of Phoenix. 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 Phoenix?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Palma de Mallorca. Many people enjoy the live music and food when visiting Palma de Mallorca. It's also a relaxing resort destination. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Phoenix is a popular choice for travelers. 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 2-Week Tours from Anchorage, and The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Palma de Mallorca and Phoenix, we can see that Phoenix is more expensive. And not only is Palma de Mallorca much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Palma de Mallorca is in Europe and Phoenix is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Palma de Mallorca would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Palma de Mallorca 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 Phoenix would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Phoenix than you might in Palma de Mallorca.

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 Phoenix Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Palma de Mallorca or Phoenix?

Phoenix has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Palma de Mallorca. When comparing the sizes of Palma de Mallorca and Phoenix, 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 Phoenix?

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 Phoenix in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Palma de Mallorca and Phoenix. 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 Phoenix for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

It's very hot in Phoenix this time of the year. In July, Palma de Mallorca is generally cooler than Phoenix. Daily temperatures in Palma de Mallorca average around 24°C (76°F), and Phoenix fluctuates around 98°F (36°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Phoenix this time of the year. In Palma de Mallorca, it's very sunny this time of the year. Palma de Mallorca usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during summer. Palma de Mallorca gets 334 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 380 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Palma de Mallorca usually receives less rain than Phoenix. Palma de Mallorca gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

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

The autumn brings many poeple to Palma de Mallorca as well as Phoenix. 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 Phoenix in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

Palma de Mallorca is cooler than Phoenix in the autumn. The daily temperature in Palma de Mallorca averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Phoenix fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Phoenix. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Palma de Mallorca this time of the year. In the autumn, Palma de Mallorca often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. Palma de Mallorca gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 305 hours of full sun.

Palma de Mallorca usually gets more rain in October than Phoenix. Palma de Mallorca gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Phoenix and Palma de Mallorca are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Palma de Mallorca in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Phoenix for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Palma de Mallorca is cooler than Phoenix. Typically, the winter temperatures in Palma de Mallorca in January average around 11°C (52°F), and Phoenix averages at about 58°F (14°C).

It's quite sunny in Phoenix. Palma de Mallorca usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during winter. Palma de Mallorca gets 164 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 254 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Palma de Mallorca usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Palma de Mallorca gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

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

Both Phoenix and Palma de Mallorca during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Palma de Mallorca for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Palma de Mallorca is generally much colder than Phoenix. Daily temperatures in Palma de Mallorca average around 14°C (57°F), and Phoenix fluctuates around 74°F (23°C).

In Phoenix, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Palma de Mallorca. In the spring, Palma de Mallorca often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. Palma de Mallorca gets 210 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 355 hours of full sun.

Palma de Mallorca usually gets more rain in April than Phoenix. Palma de Mallorca gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Phoenix and Palma de Mallorca