A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Palma de Mallorca vs. San Diego for Nightlife, Beaches, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Palma de Mallorca or San Diego?

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 San Diego, 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 hiking, shopping, and nightlife.

San Diego

San Diego is a hip, dynamic, and energetic coastal city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's a gorgeous place to visit. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums.

Palma de Mallorca and San Diego: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Palma de Mallorca or San Diego?

Tourists will generally find more to do in San Diego than Palma de Mallorca. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. San Diego is very popular for its museums, hiking, big city activities, and quaint atmosphere, while Palma de Mallorca attracts visitors for its food, nightlife, resorts, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Palma de Mallorca is famous for its strikingly blue waters, sandy beaches, all-inclusive resorts, and vibrant towns. San Diego is famous for its relaxed coastal atmosphere, its many kid-friendly sights, and its beautiful beaches with critter-filled tidal pools. It is also well known for The San Diego Zoo.

How is Palma de Mallorca different from San Diego?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

San Diego 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 San Diego can be an interesting and educational experience. While the city is famous for it's beaches, zoos, and aquariums, don't overlook the museums and other landmarks. Popular options include the Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum, the Old Town State Historic Park, and Point Loma and Cabrillo Monument.

Palma de Mallorca does not have museums and landmarks.

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

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

Palma de Mallorca has a huge number of terrific 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.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the San Diego area. The city has great seafood and a diversity of cuisines. There are many casual dining options that serve informal foods like burgers or salads, but there are also award-winning fine dining restaurants with elegant atmospheres. Popular local dishes include fish tacos and California burritos.

Is Palma de Mallorca or San Diego Better for Nightlife?

Palma de Mallorca is renowned for nightlife and partying. Also, San Diego is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its evening party scene.

Palma de Mallorca is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. Head to Magaluf and Palma for the most popular places.

San Diego has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The heart of the city's nightlife scene is in the Gaslamp District, which is filled with bars, clubs, and music venues. There's a young student population that keeps the nightlife scene casual and fun.

Is Palma de Mallorca or San Diego Better for Music?

It can be fun to see live music in either Palma de Mallorca and San Diego.

Whether you like big venues or smaller artists, Palma de Mallorca has diverse options. Live concerts, international DJs, and a diverse range of styles have put the island's music scene on the map.

San Diego has become a hotbed of musicians and artists. Popular venues include the House of Blues, The Belly Up, and The Shout House.

Is Palma de Mallorca or San Diego Better for Resorts?

Palma de Mallorca is great for its luxury resorts. Also, San Diego is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its resorts.

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.

San Diego has a few great resort options. Most people prefer to stay in hotels or VRBOs, but several popular resorts include Fairmont Grand Del Mar, Paradise Point, and the famous Hotel del Coronado.

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

You'll find nice snorkeling or scuba diving in both Palma de Mallorca and San Diego.

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.

It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life in San Diego. Popular snorkeling and diving spots include La Jolla Cove, Mission Bay, and Turtle Town. The water's a bit chili, but it's still worth going for a dive or popping on a mask and snorkeling around for a bit.

Is Palma de Mallorca or San Diego Better for Beaches?

Both Palma de Mallorca and San Diego have world-class beaches worth visiting.

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.

San Diego is considered to be a world-class beach destination. The city has great beaches with tidal pools and interesting sea life at low tide. Adults and kids alike will enjoy hitting the beach when the tides are out and looking for local critters in the tidal pools. Popular beaches in the area include La Jolla Cove Beach, Coronado Beach, and Pacific Beach.

Is Palma de Mallorca or San Diego Better for its Old Town?

Palma de Mallorca is a good destination for its old town. However, San Diego does not have a historic old town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Palma de Mallorca. Alcudia is the best old town on the island. It has cobblestone streets and historic walls that give it charm and history.

San Diego does not have a historic old town.

Is Palma de Mallorca or San Diego Better for Hiking?

San Diego is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. Also, Palma de Mallorca is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting San Diego. The city is filled with parks and has tons of natural beauty. There is plenty of urban hiking in town, or you can visit more natural areas just out of town. Head to Torrey Pines State Park or Los Penasquitos Canyon Trail for some nice hikes.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Palma de Mallorca or San Diego?

Shoppers can find a variety of nice stores in both Palma de Mallorca and San Diego.

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

San Diego offers some nice shopping areas. Head to Fashion Valley or Westfield UTC for some fun shopping. There are suburban shopping malls in the area as well as souvenir shops in the more touristy areas.

Is Palma de Mallorca or San Diego Better for Families?

San Diego is a must-visit destination for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Palma de Mallorca is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

San Diego is an amazing family-friendly coastal city to visit. The city is filled with kid-friendly activities that everyone can enjoy. There's the world-class zoo, several amusement parks, the beaches, aquariums, and more. The year-round warm weather makes it easy to spend plenty of time outdoors in parks, playgrounds, and beaches where kids can stretch their legs and run around.

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.

Is Palma de Mallorca or San Diego Better for Couples?

San Diego is a must-visit destination for romance. Also, Palma de Mallorca is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

San Diego has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. For adventurous couples, there are many outdoor activities that you can enjoy together. The beaches offer a great playground for adults who enjoy the water and warm weather. There are also restaurants and a great nightlife in San Diego.

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 San Diego Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Many 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 San Diego. Backpackers will enjoy the young vibe of the city. There are a few great hostels near the beach or in town.

Is Palma de Mallorca or San Diego Better for Students?

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

San Diego is a great destination for students. With its young population and many universities, international students will feel right at home in San Diego. There are also many great outdoor activities for the adventurous.

Palma de Mallorca is not popular with students.

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

Palma de Mallorca is a good destination for times when you don't have a car. However, San Diego is not a good destination 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 San Diego. The city has a trolley (light rail system) as well as a bus system. Most people depend on cars to get around, and you'll likely enjoy your trip a bit more if you have your own vehicle.

Is Palma de Mallorca or San Diego a more walkable city?

Palma de Mallorca and San Diego 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.

San Diego is a somewhat walkable place. The downtown area is walkable, but if you want to travel further, you'll need to find a different form of transportation.

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

Should I spend more time in San Diego or Palma de Mallorca?

How long in Palma de Mallorca or San Diego?

In either Palma de Mallorca or San Diego, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. In our opinion, Palma de Mallorca has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Palma de Mallorca than San Diego. However, 3-5 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in San Diego than Palma de Mallorca. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in San Diego, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

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

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

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.

With nightlife and live music around the destination of San Diego, there's plenty to do. It's also a great beach destination, too. 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 San Diego?

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.

With live music and food around the energetic coastal city of San Diego, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Five days in Palma de Mallorca or San Diego?

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the cultural 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.

With food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the hip destination of San Diego, there's plenty to do. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. If you have five days, this coastal 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 San Diego?

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.

San Diego is a popular choice for travelers. Most people come for the beaches. One of the main draws to the area is the beaches. This coastal 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 Tours for Seniors to United States of America, and The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Palma de Mallorca or San Diego?

San Diego has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Palma de Mallorca. When comparing the sizes of Palma de Mallorca and San Diego, 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 San Diego?

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 San Diego in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Palma de Mallorca and San Diego. 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 San Diego in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Palma de Mallorca is a little warmer than San Diego. Typically, the summer temperatures in Palma de Mallorca in July average around 24°C (76°F), and San Diego averages at about 71°F (22°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Diego 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 San Diego during summer. Palma de Mallorca gets 334 hours of sunny skies, while San Diego receives 306 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Palma de Mallorca usually receives more rain than San Diego. Palma de Mallorca gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Palma de Mallorca or San Diego in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Palma de Mallorca as well as San Diego. 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 San Diego for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Palma de Mallorca is generally around the same temperature as San Diego. Daily temperatures in Palma de Mallorca average around 19°C (66°F), and San Diego fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Diego. 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 San Diego. Palma de Mallorca gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Diego receives 244 hours of full sun.

Palma de Mallorca usually gets more rain in October than San Diego. Palma de Mallorca gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 0.4 inches (9 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Palma de Mallorca or San Diego in the Winter?

Both San Diego 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 San Diego because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Palma de Mallorca is cooler than San Diego in the winter. The daily temperature in Palma de Mallorca averages around 11°C (52°F) in January, and San Diego fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

It's quite sunny in San Diego. Palma de Mallorca usually receives less sunshine than San Diego during winter. Palma de Mallorca gets 164 hours of sunny skies, while San Diego receives 239 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Palma de Mallorca usually receives less rain than San Diego. Palma de Mallorca gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 1.8 inches (46 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Palma de Mallorca or San Diego in the Spring?

Both San Diego 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 beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to San Diego this time of year.

In the spring, Palma de Mallorca is cooler than San Diego. Typically, the spring temperatures in Palma de Mallorca in April average around 14°C (57°F), and San Diego averages at about 62°F (17°C).

In San Diego, 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 San Diego. Palma de Mallorca gets 210 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Diego receives 277 hours of full sun.

Palma de Mallorca usually gets more rain in April than San Diego. Palma de Mallorca gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while San Diego receives 0.8 inches (20 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for San Diego and Palma de Mallorca