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

Should you visit Palma de Mallorca or Saint Andrews?

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 Saint Andrews, 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 this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Saint Andrews

Saint Andrews is a quaint, peaceful, and historic university town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums.

Palma de Mallorca and Saint Andrews: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Palma de Mallorca or Saint Andrews?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Palma de Mallorca. Although Palma de Mallorca and Saint Andrews are popular destinations, Palma de Mallorca has more sights and attractions for tourists. Palma de Mallorca is very popular for its nightlife, music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and historical sights, while Saint Andrews attracts visitors for its museums, shopping, and small town charm. Palma de Mallorca is more touristy than Saint Andrews 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. Saint Andrews is famous for its reputation as the birthplace of golf.

The turquoise water and white sand beaches

How is Palma de Mallorca different from Saint Andrews?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Saint Andrews is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. For many, a highlight of their trip is to play a round of golf at St. Andrews Links Golf Courses. Golf enthusiasts will also appreciate a visit to the British Golf Museum. Other interesting sights in the area include a visit to the ruins of the Cathedral of St. Andrew, visiting the St. Andrews University Museums, or stopping by St. Andrews Castle.

Palma de Mallorca does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Both Palma de Mallorca and Saint Andrews offer a number of superb 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 Saint Andrews. The town holds on to its history and heritage, and that stands out with the restaurant selection. There are a range of of independent cafes and pubs and surprisingly few major chain restaurants and fast food joints.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Saint Andrews Better for Nightlife?

Palma de Mallorca is terrific for nightlife and partying. Also, Saint Andrews is not as famous, but is still a good university town 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Saint Andrews. There are a large number of pubs and bars throughout the town, and you'll find students hanging out and keeping things lively.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Saint Andrews Better for Music?

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

Saint Andrews is not a live music destination.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Saint Andrews Better for Resorts?

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

Palma de Mallorca is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. Top resorts on the island include The St Regis Mardavall, Viva Cala Mesquida Resort and Spa, and Nixe Palace Hotel.

Saint Andrews is not a resort destination.

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

Palma de Mallorca is a nice place to visit for its diving and snorkeling. However, Saint Andrews is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Palma de Mallorca has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. 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.

Saint Andrews is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Saint Andrews Better for Beaches?

Palma de Mallorca is terrific for the beache. Also, Saint Andrews is not as famous, but is still a good university town to visit for the beach.

The beaches in Palma de Mallorca are among the best in 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Saint Andrews. Adding to the natural beauty is the beautiful coastline around St. Andrews. Some of the best beaches include West Sands Beach, Kingsbarns Beach, Castle Sands, and Saint Andrews Beach.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Saint Andrews Better for its Old Town?

Palma de Mallorca is a nice place to visit for its old town. However, Saint Andrews does not have a historic old town.

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.

Saint Andrews does not have a historic old town.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Saint Andrews Better for Hiking?

Palma de Mallorca and Saint Andrews are both places where visitors can find nice 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 Saint Andrews. There are some beautiful hikes just outside of town. Check out the views from Chamcook Mountain or wander down the Van Horne Trail.

Is the Shopping Better in Palma de Mallorca or Saint Andrews?

Saint Andrews 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 Saint Andrews. The town is filled with boutique shops and local markets where you can buy unique items like artisan food, handmade crafts, or local art.

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

Is Palma de Mallorca or Saint Andrews Better for Families?

Palma de Mallorca is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Saint Andrews is not as famous, but is still a good university town 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.

Saint Andrews is a family-friendly island. There are some great playgrounds, parks, and gardens that kids will enjoy. Check out Kingbrae Gardens, Ministers Island, and Katy’s Cove. For museums, head to Ross Memorial Museum and Huntsman Fundy Discovery Aquarium.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Saint Andrews Better for Couples?

Saint Andrews 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.

Saint Andrews makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The scenic landscapes, stunning views, and quaint charm make this a perfect place for couples to escape to. You can enjoy boat rides, seafood restaurants, golfing, and spas all while you soak up the natural beauty.

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 Saint Andrews Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Palma de Mallorca is a well-known place for backpackers. However, Saint Andrews is not a good university town for backpackers and budget travelers.

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.

Saint Andrews is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not really a backpacker's destination, but there are some guesthouses and apartments that are more affordable.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Saint Andrews Better for Students?

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

Saint Andrews is a great destination for students. At its heart, this is a university town with a long standing history in teaching. You'll find the town's population doubles when students are in town.

Palma de Mallorca is not popular with students.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Saint Andrews 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 Saint Andrews.

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 Saint Andrews, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses through St. Andrews.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Saint Andrews a more walkable city?

Palma de Mallorca and Saint Andrews are nice when it comes to walkability.

Palma de Mallorca is somewhat walkable. 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.

Saint Andrews is a somewhat walkable place. Parts of the town are compact enough to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Saint Andrews or Palma de Mallorca?

How long in Palma de Mallorca or Saint Andrews?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Palma de Mallorca or Saint Andrews to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Palma de Mallorca than Saint Andrews 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 Saint Andrews.

Families should spend more time in Palma de Mallorca than Saint Andrews. 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.

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

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the historic destination of Palma de Mallorca. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

Even though Saint Andrews is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. One day is often enough time to do most activities. It offers something for everyone.

A weekend in Palma de Mallorca or Saint Andrews?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Palma de Mallorca. Most people come for the beaches. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Saint Andrews is a small town where visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife. 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 Saint Andrews?

Many travelers enjoy the live music and food when visiting the stunning destination of Palma de Mallorca. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have five days, this is a great place to go. Five days is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Saint Andrews is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. 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 Saint Andrews?

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the beautiful island of Palma de Mallorca. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Saint Andrews is a popular choice for travelers. This university town 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 Adventure Tours to United Kingdom, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in United Kingdom.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Palma de Mallorca and Saint Andrews, we can see that Saint Andrews 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 Saint Andrews would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint Andrews 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 Saint Andrews Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Palma de Mallorca or Saint Andrews?

Palma de Mallorca has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Saint Andrews. When comparing the sizes of Palma de Mallorca and Saint Andrews, 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 Saint Andrews?

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 Saint Andrews in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Palma de Mallorca as well as Saint Andrews. The summer months attract visitors to Palma de Mallorca because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Saint Andrews this time of year.

In the summer, Palma de Mallorca is much warmer than Saint Andrews. Typically, the summer temperatures in Palma de Mallorca in July average around 24°C (76°F), and Saint Andrews averages at about 14°C (58°F).

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 Saint Andrews. Palma de Mallorca gets 334 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Andrews receives 184 hours of full sun.

Palma de Mallorca usually gets less rain in July than Saint Andrews. Palma de Mallorca gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Saint Andrews receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Palma de Mallorca or Saint Andrews in the Autumn?

Both Saint Andrews and Palma de Mallorca are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Palma de Mallorca this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Saint Andrews for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Palma de Mallorca is generally much warmer than Saint Andrews. Daily temperatures in Palma de Mallorca average around 19°C (66°F), and Saint Andrews fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Palma de Mallorca. Palma de Mallorca usually receives more sunshine than Saint Andrews during autumn. Palma de Mallorca gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Andrews receives 100 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Palma de Mallorca usually receives around the same amount of rain as Saint Andrews. Palma de Mallorca gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Saint Andrews receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Palma de Mallorca or Saint Andrews in the Winter?

Both Saint Andrews and Palma de Mallorca during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Palma de Mallorca for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Saint Andrews in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Saint Andrews can get quite cold in the winter. Palma de Mallorca is much warmer than Saint Andrews in the winter. The daily temperature in Palma de Mallorca averages around 11°C (52°F) in January, and Saint Andrews fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Palma de Mallorca often gets more sunshine than Saint Andrews. Palma de Mallorca gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Andrews receives 58 hours of full sun.

Palma de Mallorca usually gets less rain in January than Saint Andrews. Palma de Mallorca gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Saint Andrews receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Palma de Mallorca or Saint Andrews in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Palma de Mallorca and Saint Andrews. Many visitors come to Palma de Mallorca in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Saint Andrews for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Palma de Mallorca is much warmer than Saint Andrews. Typically, the spring temperatures in Palma de Mallorca in April average around 14°C (57°F), and Saint Andrews averages at about 7°C (45°F).

In Palma de Mallorca, it's very sunny this time of the year. Palma de Mallorca usually receives more sunshine than Saint Andrews during spring. Palma de Mallorca gets 210 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Andrews receives 155 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Palma de Mallorca usually receives more rain than Saint Andrews. Palma de Mallorca gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Saint Andrews receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Saint Andrews and Palma de Mallorca