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

Should you visit Palma de Mallorca or San Francisco?

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 Francisco, 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.

San Francisco

San Francisco is a scenic, beautiful, and outdoorsy coastal 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 shopping, museums, and theater.

Palma de Mallorca and San Francisco: Pros and Cons

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

You'll generally find more things to do in San Francisco than Palma de Mallorca. San Francisco is bigger than Palma de Mallorca, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. San Francisco is better known for its museums, theatre productions, food, hiking, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Palma de Mallorca is more popular for its nightlife, music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and historical sights. Palma de Mallorca is well known for its strikingly blue waters, sandy beaches, all-inclusive resorts, and vibrant towns. San Francisco is well known for its striking bayfront setting, stunning urban hikes, quirky personality, and reputation within the tech industry. Also, San Francisco is famous for The Golden Gate Bridge.

How is Palma de Mallorca different from San Francisco?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Travelers visit San Francisco from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. The city's landmarks are as diverse as the people who live there. The most recognizable landmark is the famous Golden Gate Bridge, but visitors also enjoy seeing Alcatraz Island, the Legion of Honor, the Palace of Fine Arts, as well as the small but fascinating Cable Car Museum.

Palma de Mallorca does not have museums and landmarks.

Is Palma de Mallorca or San Francisco Better for Theater?

San Francisco is a nice place to visit for theatre. However, Palma de Mallorca is not a theatre destination.

You'll find a nice selection of shows in San Francisco. The city has around a dozen theaters where you can enjoy musicals or plays.

Palma de Mallorca is not a theatre destination.

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

San Francisco 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, San Francisco is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. There are local dives as well as five star restaurants, with everything in between. Popular local dining experiences include sourdough bread bowls and Dungeness crab at Fisherman's Wharf, and dim sum in Chinatown. Head away from the touristy neighborhoods if you want to sample some of the more local restaurants around town.

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 San Francisco Better for Nightlife?

Palma de Mallorca is an amazing island to visit for its evening party scene. Also, San Francisco is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in San Francisco. It has a great nightlife with many local bars and trendy clubs. For the best nightlife away from the tourists, head to Valencia Street or Polk Street. If you want to be in a more touristy area, check out Union Square. Popular clubs in the city include Temple San Francisco, Monarch, and Audio Nightclub.

Is Palma de Mallorca or San Francisco Better for Music?

Palma de Mallorca is a great island for its music scene. Also, San Francisco is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for live music.

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.

You'll find some good live music in San Francisco. Well known music venues include the Great American Music Hall, Slim's, and The Chapel.

Is Palma de Mallorca or San Francisco Better for Resorts?

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

San Francisco is not a resort destination.

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

Palma de Mallorca is a nice place to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, San Francisco 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.

San Francisco is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Palma de Mallorca or San Francisco Better for Beaches?

Palma de Mallorca is an amazing island to visit for the beach. Also, San Francisco is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its beaches.

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.

The beaches at San Francisco attract visitors from all over. Whether you're interested in surfing or simply taking in the dramatic views, the beaches of San Francisco will take your breath away. Some of the best beaches include Ocean Beach, Baker Beach, and Muir Beach.

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

Palma de Mallorca is a nice place to visit for its historic old town charm. However, San Francisco 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.

San Francisco does not have a historic old town.

Is Palma de Mallorca or San Francisco Better for Hiking?

San Francisco is a must-visit destination for its hiking trails. Also, Palma de Mallorca is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

Known for its hiking, San Francisco draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. The city's hikes take in the dramatic views of the bay and city. Just outside of town there are also countless hikes through the Redwoods and along the coastline. Popular hikes in the area include Lands End, Tomales Point Trail at Point Reyes National Seashore, and Muir Woods.

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 Francisco?

San Francisco 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 San Francisco. The city has excellent shopping from local vendors to recognizable brands. Union Square, Embarcadero, Fillmore Street and Haight Street are some of the best neighborhoods for shopping.

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

Is Palma de Mallorca or San Francisco Better for Families?

San Francisco 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 Francisco is an amazing family-friendly coastal city to visit. With its many outdoor parks, hiking trails, beaches, and kid-friendly museums, this city makes a great family-friendly destination. There are also many amazing playgrounds with stunning views of the bay and city. Head to Chinatown for some unique and kid-friendly food, or down to Pier 39 for fun activities that the whole family can enjoy.

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 Francisco Better for Couples?

San Francisco 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.

San Francisco makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples enjoy the romantic backdrop of this beautiful city. There are world-class restaurants and plenty of spas that couples can enjoy during a honeymoon or romantic getaway. There are also many scenic walks and breathtaking views that couples can appreciate.

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 Francisco Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Palma de Mallorca and San Francisco are both superb 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.

San Francisco is a great island to visit for backpackers. The city is one of the more backpacker friendly cities in the United States. There are a handful of hostels throughout, many concentrated in the popular Union Square and Downtown neighborhoods of the city.

Is Palma de Mallorca or San Francisco Better for Students?

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

San Francisco is a great coastal city to visit as a student. As a large and dynamic city, the area is popular with international students who want to experience this unique side of the United States. Major universities in the area include University of San Francisco, San Francisco State University, and nearby, the University of California, Berkeley.

Palma de Mallorca is not popular with students.

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

San Francisco 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.

San Francisco has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. The transit network includes a subway (the BART), trams, cable cars, ferries, and buses.

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 San Francisco a more walkable city?

San Francisco 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.

San Francisco is very walkable. It is compact enough to explore on foot, but given the large hills, it's a bit of a challenge, even for the most fit among us.

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 San Francisco Worth Visiting?.

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

How long in Palma de Mallorca or San Francisco?

Both Palma de Mallorca and San Francisco have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in San Francisco 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 San Francisco.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in San Francisco 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 San Francisco.

One day in Palma de Mallorca or San Francisco?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the cultural 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.

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

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.

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

Many travelers enjoy the live music and food when visiting the cultural 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.

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

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.

San Francisco is a popular choice for travelers. Most people come for the beaches. This coastal 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 Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Palma de Mallorca or San Francisco?

San Francisco has a larger population, and is about 95% larger than the population of Palma de Mallorca. When comparing the sizes of Palma de Mallorca and San Francisco, 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 Francisco?

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 Francisco in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Palma de Mallorca and San Francisco. 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 city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to San Francisco this time of year.

In July, Palma de Mallorca is generally a little warmer than San Francisco. Daily temperatures in Palma de Mallorca average around 24°C (76°F), and San Francisco fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

In July, Palma de Mallorca usually receives more rain than San Francisco. Palma de Mallorca gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 0.1 inches (2 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

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

The autumn brings many poeple to Palma de Mallorca as well as San Francisco. 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 San Francisco for the hiking trails, 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 San Francisco in the autumn. The daily temperature in Palma de Mallorca averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and San Francisco fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

Palma de Mallorca usually gets more rain in October than San Francisco. Palma de Mallorca gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both San Francisco and Palma de Mallorca are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Palma de Mallorca for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to San Francisco in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Palma de Mallorca is around the same temperature as San Francisco. Typically, the winter temperatures in Palma de Mallorca in January average around 11°C (52°F), and San Francisco averages at about 50°F (10°C).

In January, Palma de Mallorca usually receives less rain than San Francisco. Palma de Mallorca gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

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

Both San Francisco and Palma de Mallorca during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Palma de Mallorca in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to San Francisco for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Palma de Mallorca is generally around the same temperature as San Francisco. Daily temperatures in Palma de Mallorca average around 14°C (57°F), and San Francisco fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

Palma de Mallorca usually gets more rain in April than San Francisco. Palma de Mallorca gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for San Francisco and Palma de Mallorca