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

Should you visit Palma de Mallorca or Rotterdam?

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 Rotterdam, 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 shopping, nightlife, and live music.

Rotterdam

Rotterdam is a modern, trendy, and high energy port city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Palma de Mallorca and Rotterdam: Pros and Cons

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

Visitors will generally find more to do in Palma de Mallorca than Rotterdam. While Rotterdam 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, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Rotterdam is more popular for its museums, shopping, and big city activities. Palma de Mallorca is more touristy than Rotterdam 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. Rotterdam is well known for its modern architecture, the cube houses, and the market hall.

The turquoise water and white sand beaches

How is Palma de Mallorca different from Rotterdam?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Rotterdam is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Although many of the historic buildings around town were destroyed during World War II, there are still a number of sights worth checking out. Head to the Old Harbor and Marine Museums, the Museum Boijmans-van Beuningen, or the Wereldmuseum to see some interesting places.

Palma de Mallorca does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Palma de Mallorca is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port 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.

Rotterdam offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The city's restaurant scene is diverse. There are ethnic restaurants, vegan restaurants, local restaurants, and some popular chains.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Rotterdam Better for Nightlife?

Palma de Mallorca is an amazing island to visit for its evening party scene. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for nightlife.

Palma de Mallorca has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. Head to Magaluf and Palma for the most popular places.

Rotterdam has plenty to do after the sun goes down. It is a trendy city with an active nightlife. You can relax with a beer or hit up one of the clubs around town. Popular options are Club Vibes, Toffler, and Club Vie.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Rotterdam Better for Music?

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

The music scene in Palma de Mallorca draws a good crowd. Live concerts, international DJs, and a diverse range of styles have put the island's music scene on the map.

Rotterdam is not a live music destination.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Rotterdam Better for Resorts?

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

There are plenty of resorts in Palma de Mallorca to choose from. Top resorts on the island include The St Regis Mardavall, Viva Cala Mesquida Resort and Spa, and Nixe Palace Hotel.

Rotterdam is not a resort destination.

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

Palma de Mallorca is a good destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Rotterdam is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery 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.

Rotterdam is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Rotterdam Better for Beaches?

Palma de Mallorca is an amazing island to visit for the beach. However, Rotterdam is not a beach destination.

Palma de Mallorca offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. The island is lined with sandy beaches and rocky coves, which have contributed to it becoming one of Europe's most popular beach destinations.

Rotterdam is not a beach destination.

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

Palma de Mallorca is a good destination for its historic old town charm. However, Rotterdam 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.

Rotterdam does not have a historic old town.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Rotterdam Better for Hiking?

Palma de Mallorca is a good destination for hiking. However, Rotterdam is not a hiking destination.

Palma de Mallorca offers some nice hiking trails. There are many beautiful hikes along the water and through the countryside that offer beautiful views and pass by quaint towns.

Rotterdam is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Palma de Mallorca or Rotterdam?

Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam. You'll find fashion and clothing shops in the area around Lijnbaan and Beurstraverse. This is also where you'll find the shopping mall of Bijenkorf.

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

Is Palma de Mallorca or Rotterdam Better for Families?

Palma de Mallorca and Rotterdam are both great 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.

Rotterdam is a very kid-friendly island. Fun activities for kids include Miniworld Rotterdam, the Kids Marina, and Fun Forest, which has ziplines and a ropes course.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Rotterdam Better for Couples?

Palma de Mallorca and Rotterdam 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.

Rotterdam makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It is a modern city with good restaurants and some fun activities.

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

Palma de Mallorca is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Rotterdam is not as popular, but is still a nice port city 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.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Rotterdam. There are a number of hostels around town as well as a good nightlife that appeals to backpackers.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Rotterdam Better for Students?

Rotterdam is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Palma de Mallorca is not popular with students.

Rotterdam is a great port city to visit as a student. The city has a great job market and a lot of activities that appeal to international students.

Palma de Mallorca is not popular with students.

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

Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam can move around easily with public transportation. There are trams, buses, metros, and even a ferry.

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 Rotterdam a more walkable city?

Rotterdam 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.

Rotterdam is very walkable. There are broad streets with wide sidewalks that are pedestrian friendly.

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 Rotterdam Worth Visiting?.

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

How long in Palma de Mallorca or Rotterdam?

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

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

You'll find nightlife and live music around the island of Palma de Mallorca. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

When visiting Rotterdam, people usually allow for lots of time. One day is often enough time to do most activities. It offers something for everyone.

A weekend in Palma de Mallorca or Rotterdam?

You'll find live music and food around the stunning destination of Palma de Mallorca. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from.

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

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the beautiful island of Palma de Mallorca. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this island makes for a great vacation. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this island has to offer.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the modern big city of Rotterdam. 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 Rotterdam?

Palma de Mallorca is a popular choice for travelers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Rotterdam is a popular choice for travelers. This port 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 River Cruises from Amsterdam, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Netherlands.

When comparing the travel costs between Palma de Mallorca and Rotterdam, we can see that Rotterdam 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 Rotterdam Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Palma de Mallorca or Rotterdam?

Rotterdam has a larger population, and is about 59% larger than the population of Palma de Mallorca. When comparing the sizes of Palma de Mallorca and Rotterdam, 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 Rotterdam?

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 Rotterdam in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Palma de Mallorca and Rotterdam. Many travelers come to Palma de Mallorca for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Rotterdam in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Palma de Mallorca is generally a little warmer than Rotterdam. Daily temperatures in Palma de Mallorca average around 24°C (76°F), and Rotterdam fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Rotterdam this time of the year. In Palma de Mallorca, it's very sunny this time of the year. Palma de Mallorca usually receives more sunshine than Rotterdam during summer. Palma de Mallorca gets 334 hours of sunny skies, while Rotterdam receives 202 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Palma de Mallorca usually receives less rain than Rotterdam. Palma de Mallorca gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Rotterdam receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

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

The autumn brings many poeple to Palma de Mallorca as well as Rotterdam. Many visitors come to Palma de Mallorca in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, most visitors come to Rotterdam for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

Palma de Mallorca is much warmer than Rotterdam in the autumn. The daily temperature in Palma de Mallorca averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Rotterdam fluctuates around 11°C (51°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 Rotterdam. Palma de Mallorca gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rotterdam receives 105 hours of full sun.

Palma de Mallorca usually gets less rain in October than Rotterdam. Palma de Mallorca gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Rotterdam receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

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

The weather in Rotterdam can be very cold. In the winter, Palma de Mallorca is much warmer than Rotterdam. Typically, the winter temperatures in Palma de Mallorca in January average around 11°C (52°F), and Rotterdam averages at about 2°C (36°F).

Palma de Mallorca usually receives more sunshine than Rotterdam during winter. Palma de Mallorca gets 164 hours of sunny skies, while Rotterdam receives 47 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Palma de Mallorca usually receives less rain than Rotterdam. Palma de Mallorca gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Rotterdam receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

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

Both Rotterdam and Palma de Mallorca during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Palma de Mallorca because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Rotterdam this time of year.

In April, Palma de Mallorca is generally much warmer than Rotterdam. Daily temperatures in Palma de Mallorca average around 14°C (57°F), and Rotterdam fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

It's quite sunny in Palma de Mallorca. In the spring, Palma de Mallorca often gets more sunshine than Rotterdam. Palma de Mallorca gets 210 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rotterdam receives 158 hours of full sun.

Palma de Mallorca usually gets less rain in April than Rotterdam. Palma de Mallorca gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Rotterdam receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Rotterdam and Palma de Mallorca