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

Should you visit Palma de Mallorca or Rome?

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 Rome, 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 cultural, historic, and beautiful island. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Rome

Rome is a popular, ancient, and archeological city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and live music.

Palma de Mallorca and Rome: Pros and Cons

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

You'll generally find more things to do in Rome than Palma de Mallorca. Rome is bigger than Palma de Mallorca, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Rome is better known for its museums, food, music, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Palma de Mallorca is more popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, and hiking. Palma de Mallorca is well known for its strikingly blue waters, sandy beaches, all-inclusive resorts, and vibrant towns. Rome is well known for its iconic archaeological sites such as the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, as well as its gelato, Italian cuisine, and strong religious roots. Also, Rome is famous for The Colosseum.

The Colosseum

How is Palma de Mallorca different from Rome?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Rome is a must-visit destination for its museums and history. However, Palma de Mallorca does not have museums and landmarks.

Travelers visit Rome from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. The historical sights around the city are among the most impressive in the world. Almost anywhere you look you'll find a notable landmark but some of the most famous include the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, the Vatican, and the Roman Forum.

Palma de Mallorca does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Rome 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, Rome is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. Homemade pasta, fresh sauces, and fine wine all make the food scene among the best. Also make sure you try the gelato.

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 Rome Better for Nightlife?

Both Palma de Mallorca and Rome 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.

Rome is a must-see party destination. You'll find a huge concentration of bars and clubs in the Testaccio area. There are late night clubs with salsa dancing, merengue, and live DJ's spinning every type of music.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Rome Better for Music?

Rome is a must-visit destination for live music. Also, Palma de Mallorca is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its live music scene.

Rome is known as a music capital around the world. Popular music venues include Live Alcazar, Atlantico Live, and Beba do Samba.

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

Is Palma de Mallorca or Rome Better for Resorts?

Palma de Mallorca is a great destination for its resorts. However, Rome 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.

Rome is not a resort destination.

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

Palma de Mallorca is a island with good options for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Rome 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.

Rome is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Rome Better for Beaches?

Palma de Mallorca is an unbeatable place for the beach. However, Rome 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.

Rome is not a beach destination.

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

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

Palma de Mallorca offers a nice historic old town area. Alcudia is the best old town on the island. It has cobblestone streets and historic walls that give it charm and history.

Rome does not have a historic old town.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Rome Better for Hiking?

Palma de Mallorca is a island with good options for its hiking experiences. However, Rome 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.

Rome is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Palma de Mallorca or Rome?

Rome 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 Rome. For the biggest brand names, head to Via del Corso, which is near the Spanish Steps. Popular items to buy include Italian ceramics, shoes, leather goods, and jewelry.

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

Is Palma de Mallorca or Rome Better for Families?

Palma de Mallorca and Rome are both high quality 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.

Rome is a very kid-friendly island. What kid wouldn't be thrilled to be surrounded by pizza and spaghetti restaurants? In addition to kid-friendly food options, there are also a number of great activities that the whole family can enjoy including exploring the Colosseum, taking a gladiator class, and eating gelato.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Rome Better for Couples?

Rome is an excellent place to visit for romance. Also, Palma de Mallorca is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Rome makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. With many beautiful buildings, world class restaurants, and world renowned sights, this city makes a great romantic destination.

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 Rome Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Rome is a must-visit destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Palma de Mallorca is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many backpackers frequent Rome. Backpackers will find no shortage of hostels where they can stay, particularly near the main train station where accommodation is particularly cheap (but not always the best quality).

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.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Rome Better for Students?

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

Rome is a great destination for students. The city is a popular study abroad destination and you'll find plenty of international students here.

Palma de Mallorca is not popular with students.

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

Rome is a must-visit destination 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.

Rome has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. There's a metro system, trams, and a comprehensive bus system that goes around the city.

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 Rome a more walkable city?

Rome 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 Rome. You'll find many of the most popular sights in a compact area that's easily explored on foot. Do watch out for traffic, which can be a bit chaotic at times.

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 Rome Worth Visiting?.

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

How long in Palma de Mallorca or Rome?

Both Palma de Mallorca and Rome have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Rome than in Palma de Mallorca. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Palma de Mallorca, and 3-7 days is enough time in Rome.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Rome than Palma de Mallorca 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 Rome.

One day in Palma de Mallorca or Rome?

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.

When visiting Rome, people usually allow for lots of time. 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 Rome?

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.

When visiting Rome, people usually allow for lots of time. Your budget might influence how long you stay. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Five days in Palma de Mallorca or Rome?

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.

When visiting Rome, people usually allow for lots of time. If you have five days, this city 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 Rome?

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.

Rome is a popular choice for travelers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. One week here is typical. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Spain, The Best 3-Week Tours in Spain, The Best Luxury Tours to Italy, and The Best Budget Tours to Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Palma de Mallorca and Rome, we can see that Rome is more expensive. And not only is Palma de Mallorca much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Rome would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rome 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 Rome Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Palma de Mallorca or Rome?

Rome has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Palma de Mallorca. When comparing the sizes of Palma de Mallorca and Rome, 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 Rome?

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 Rome in the Summer?

Both Rome and Palma de Mallorca during the summer are popular places to visit. 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 Rome for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Palma de Mallorca is generally around the same temperature as Rome. Daily temperatures in Palma de Mallorca average around 24°C (76°F), and Rome fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

In Rome, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Palma de Mallorca. In the summer, Palma de Mallorca often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Rome. Palma de Mallorca gets 334 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rome receives 338 hours of full sun.

Palma de Mallorca usually gets less rain in July than Rome. Palma de Mallorca gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Rome receives 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Palma de Mallorca and Rome. 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 Rome in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Palma de Mallorca is around the same temperature as Rome in the autumn. The daily temperature in Palma de Mallorca averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Rome fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

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 Rome during autumn. Palma de Mallorca gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while Rome receives 198 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Palma de Mallorca usually receives less rain than Rome. Palma de Mallorca gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Rome receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

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

The winter brings many poeple to Palma de Mallorca as well as Rome. Many visitors come to Palma de Mallorca in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Rome for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Palma de Mallorca is a little warmer than Rome. Typically, the winter temperatures in Palma de Mallorca in January average around 11°C (52°F), and Rome averages at about 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Palma de Mallorca often gets more sunshine than Rome. Palma de Mallorca gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rome receives 127 hours of full sun.

Palma de Mallorca usually gets less rain in January than Rome. Palma de Mallorca gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Rome receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Rome and Palma de Mallorca are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Palma de Mallorca for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Rome because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In April, Palma de Mallorca is generally around the same temperature as Rome. Daily temperatures in Palma de Mallorca average around 14°C (57°F), and Rome fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

It's quite sunny in Rome. 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 Rome during spring. Palma de Mallorca gets 210 hours of sunny skies, while Rome receives 204 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Palma de Mallorca usually receives less rain than Rome. Palma de Mallorca gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Rome receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Rome and Palma de Mallorca