A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Palma de Mallorca vs. Pisa for Nightlife, Beaches, Food, and Old Town

Should you visit Palma de Mallorca or Pisa?

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 Pisa, 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. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Pisa

Pisa is a charming, iconic, and world-famous city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Palma de Mallorca and Pisa: Pros and Cons

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

Tourists will generally find more to do in Palma de Mallorca than Pisa. 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 hiking, while Pisa attracts visitors for its museums, historical sights, and shopping. Palma de Mallorca is more touristy than Pisa 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. Pisa is famous for its iconic Leaning Tower, its beautiful squares, and its lively atmosphere.

The turquoise water and white sand beaches

How is Palma de Mallorca different from Pisa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Pisa is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Palma de Mallorca does not have museums and landmarks.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Pisa can be an interesting and educational experience. The city is more than a one hit wonder. In addition to the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa, you'll find many beautiful buildings and museums. Popular places to visit include the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, Campo Santo (Sacred Field), and Museo dell'Opera del Duomo.

Palma de Mallorca does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Both Palma de Mallorca and Pisa 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 Pisa. The local cuisine is heavily influenced by the city's maritime roots. You'll find many seafood dishes as well as local classic recipes that have been passed down through the generations. A quintessential local dish is Bordatino alla Pisana, which is made with beans, cabbage, and cornflour. Also popular are Pasta e Ceci (chickpea pasta), Palette (a local polenta), and Trippa alla Pisana.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Pisa Better for Nightlife?

Palma de Mallorca is terrific for nightlife and partying. Also, Pisa is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its evening party scene.

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

Pisa offers plenty to do in the evening. Head out to an aperitivo bar for an early drink, then head to one of the area's best nightlife neighborhoods. For the biggest party scene, go about 10 kilometers out of town to the Versilian coast. This area has the most popular clubs. If you decide to stay in town, there are still plenty of places to catch live music and dance.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Pisa Better for Music?

Palma de Mallorca is a great island for its live music scene. However, Pisa 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.

Pisa is not a live music destination.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Pisa Better for Resorts?

Palma de Mallorca is a great island for its luxury resorts. However, Pisa 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.

Pisa is not a resort destination.

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

Palma de Mallorca is a popular place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Pisa 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.

Pisa is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Pisa Better for Beaches?

Palma de Mallorca is terrific for the beache. Also, Pisa is not as popular, but is still a nice city for the beach.

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.

Many people head to Pisa to enjoy the beach. Many people forget that there are beaches near Pisa, but the city is close to the sea. Some of the closest beaches include Marina di Vecchiano and Marina di Pisa.

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

Pisa 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 Pisa to see the historical old town. The old town is where you'll find the city's classic charm and many of the best sights.

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 Pisa Better for Hiking?

Palma de Mallorca is a popular place for hiking. However, Pisa is not a hiking destination.

Palma de Mallorca is a good destination for hiking. There are many beautiful hikes along the water and through the countryside that offer beautiful views and pass by quaint towns.

Pisa is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Palma de Mallorca or Pisa?

Pisa 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 Pisa. There's a great mix of traditional markets, high end stores, and indoor shopping malls where you can find anything that you might need. Corso Italia is one of the most popular shopping areas, but also worth checking out are Centro Commerciale Pisanova, Borgo Stretto and Borgo Largo.

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

Is Palma de Mallorca or Pisa Better for Families?

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

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Palma de Mallorca is very family-friendly. 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.

Pisa is a family-friendly place to visit. It's a lively city with beautiful squares and the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa. Kids will enjoy hanging out in the city center, visiting Parco Don Bosco, Giardino Scotto Park, or Marina di Pisa. If you have a car and are willing to venture a bit further away, there's the Piccolo Mondo Amusement Park and Parco Preistorico Peccioli.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Pisa Better for Couples?

Palma de Mallorca and Pisa 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.

Pisa makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's an iconic Italian destination that offers so much more than its most famous landmark. The city is filled with charming squares, beautiful architecture, and plenty of fun activities that couples can enjoy.

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

Palma de Mallorca and Pisa 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.

Pisa is a great island to visit for backpackers. Most backpackers pass through on their way to other towns, but for those that linger, there are plenty of hostels and a lively social scene.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Pisa Better for Students?

Pisa is a must-visit destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Palma de Mallorca is not popular with students.

Pisa is a great destination for students. Many study abroad students flock to Italy for its beautiful culture, art, and architecture. Pisa makes a nice base for international students, and it offers easy access to other parts of Italy. It's also home to an internationally acclaimed university, Scuola Normale Superiore, which was founded in 1810.

Palma de Mallorca is not popular with students.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Pisa 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 Pisa.

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 Pisa, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are public buses through town with the most popular lines being the Red and Green Lines.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Pisa a more walkable city?

Pisa 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.

Pisa is very walkable. The city is a great place 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 Pisa Worth Visiting?.

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

How long in Palma de Mallorca or Pisa?

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

Families should spend more time in Palma de Mallorca than Pisa. 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 Pisa. 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 Pisa?

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 shopping and museums around the destination of Pisa, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town 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 Pisa?

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 museums and nightlife around the classic city of Pisa, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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 Pisa?

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

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the charming destination of Pisa. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 Pisa?

The stunning 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.

Pisa is a popular choice for travelers. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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 in Italy, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Palma de Mallorca or Pisa?

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

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 Pisa in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Palma de Mallorca and Pisa. 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 Pisa for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Pisa this time of the year. In Palma de Mallorca, it's very sunny this time of the year. Palma de Mallorca usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Pisa during summer. Palma de Mallorca gets 334 hours of sunny skies, while Pisa receives 316 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Palma de Mallorca usually receives less rain than Pisa. Palma de Mallorca gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

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

The autumn brings many poeple to Palma de Mallorca as well as Pisa. 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 Pisa because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

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

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 more sunshine than Pisa. Palma de Mallorca gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pisa receives 177 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Pisa. Palma de Mallorca usually gets less rain in October than Pisa. Palma de Mallorca gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Pisa and Palma de Mallorca are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Palma de Mallorca because of the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Pisa this time of year.

Palma de Mallorca is much warmer than Pisa in the winter. The daily temperature in Palma de Mallorca averages around 11°C (52°F) in January, and Pisa fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

Palma de Mallorca usually receives more sunshine than Pisa during winter. Palma de Mallorca gets 164 hours of sunny skies, while Pisa receives 105 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Palma de Mallorca usually receives less rain than Pisa. Palma de Mallorca gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

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

Both Pisa and Palma de Mallorca during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Palma de Mallorca this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Pisa for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Palma de Mallorca is around the same temperature as Pisa. Typically, the spring temperatures in Palma de Mallorca in April average around 14°C (57°F), and Pisa averages at about 13°C (55°F).

It's quite sunny in Palma de Mallorca. In the spring, Palma de Mallorca often gets more sunshine than Pisa. Palma de Mallorca gets 210 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pisa receives 192 hours of full sun.

Pisa gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Palma de Mallorca usually gets less rain in April than Pisa. Palma de Mallorca gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Pisa and Palma de Mallorca