A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Palma de Mallorca vs. San Remo for Nightlife, Beaches, Food, and Old Town

Should you visit Palma de Mallorca or San Remo?

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 Remo, 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 stunning, cultural, and historic island. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the beaches, hiking, and shopping.

San Remo

San Remo is a scenic, authentic, and historic coastal city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food, beaches, and shopping.

Palma de Mallorca and San Remo: Pros and Cons

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

You'll generally find more things to do in Palma de Mallorca than San Remo. Palma de Mallorca is bigger than San Remo, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Palma de Mallorca is better known for its nightlife, music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and hiking, while San Remo is more popular for its historical sights. Palma de Mallorca is more touristy than San Remo 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. San Remo is well known for its olives, lemons, and flower market.

The turquoise water and white sand beaches

How is Palma de Mallorca different from San Remo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between San Remo and Palma de Mallorca. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

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

Both Palma de Mallorca and San Remo offer a number of very good 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 San Remo. The local restaurants are charming and sell a number of local specialties. Many traditional dishes are made with rabbit or chicken. There are also vegetable pies and sardenaira, which is a type of pizza that's made with tomatoes, garlic, and anchovies. Also make sure you pick up Baci di Sanremo, which are soft chocolate biscuits that are available in local bakeries.

Is Palma de Mallorca or San Remo Better for Nightlife?

Palma de Mallorca is terrific for its evening party scene. Also, San Remo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

Palma de Mallorca is a must-see party destination. Head to Magaluf and Palma for the most popular places.

San Remo has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The city has a number of clubs and bars where you can enjoy a drink or hang out late into the evening. It's a pretty mellow nightlife scene, but there's still plenty of places to go as well as a local vibe that doesn't have the influx of tourists that you find in many of other Italian cities.

Is Palma de Mallorca or San Remo Better for Music?

Palma de Mallorca is a very popular place for its music scene. However, San Remo is not a live music destination.

It's worth checking out the music scene in Palma de Mallorca while you're in town. Live concerts, international DJs, and a diverse range of styles have put the island's music scene on the map.

San Remo is not a live music destination.

Is Palma de Mallorca or San Remo Better for Resorts?

Palma de Mallorca is a very popular place for its luxury resorts. However, San Remo is not a resort destination.

Palma de Mallorca is known as a popular and fun resort destination. Top resorts on the island include The St Regis Mardavall, Viva Cala Mesquida Resort and Spa, and Nixe Palace Hotel.

San Remo is not a resort destination.

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

Palma de Mallorca is a popular place for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, San Remo is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Palma de Mallorca has a few good snorkeling spots. 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 Remo is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Palma de Mallorca or San Remo Better for Beaches?

Palma de Mallorca is terrific for the beach. Also, San Remo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its beaches.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Palma de Mallorca. 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 Remo is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. The beautiful sandy beaches are nice to visit and it's possible to rent chairs and umbrellas in many places. The main beach in town is Spiaggia dei Porti. Other popular nearby beaches include Spiaggia dei tre ponti, which is a large public beach, and Cala degli Orsi, which is one of the most beautiful public beaches in the area.

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

San Remo is an excellent place to visit for its historic old town. Also, Palma de Mallorca is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its old town.

Many visitors go to San Remo to see the historical old town. The old quarter of Pigna is a Medieval area with narrow streets that feel as if they're frozen in time. The hills offer impressive city views and the area has a unique historic character.

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.

Is Palma de Mallorca or San Remo Better for Hiking?

Palma de Mallorca is a popular place for its hiking trails. However, San Remo is not a hiking destination.

Palma de Mallorca is a good destination for hiking. There are many beautiful hikes along the water and through the countryside that offer beautiful views and pass by quaint towns.

San Remo is not a hiking destination.

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

Shoppers can find a variety of notable stores in both Palma de Mallorca and San Remo.

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

San Remo offers some nice shopping areas. There are local and international brands as well as a shopping mall and outlets where you can enjoy shopping.

Is Palma de Mallorca or San Remo Better for Families?

Palma de Mallorca and San Remo are both very good 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.

San Remo is a very kid-friendly island. The area offers plenty of outdoor activities that the whole family will enjoy. There's horseback riding, hiking, rowing, snorkeling, cooking classes, farm tours and more. There are also a number of hotels in the area that have kid-friendly activities.

Is Palma de Mallorca or San Remo Better for Couples?

San Remo 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 Remo makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's known as the city of flowers, and the many beautiful gardens make this a truly romantic place to visit. Couples will enjoy soaking up the city's history and enjoy the vibrant culture and outdoor activities that are available.

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 Remo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Palma de Mallorca is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, San Remo is lacking in good options 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.

San Remo is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There aren't many hostels in town, and most backpackers head to more popular Italian destinations. If you're looking for a more off-the-beaten path destination, then this may be your style.

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

Visitors will find notable public transit in both Palma de Mallorca and San Remo.

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 San Remo, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are local buses around town.

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

San Remo 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 Remo is very walkable. The old quarter is fun to explore on foot and there are a number of walking tours through town.

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 Remo Worth Visiting?.

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

How long in Palma de Mallorca or San Remo?

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

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

The beautiful island of Palma de Mallorca offers shopping and nightlife. Most people come for the beaches. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

With nightlife and food around the destination of San Remo, there's plenty to do. It's also a great beach destination, too. One day is often enough time to do most activities. It offers something for everyone.

A weekend in Palma de Mallorca or San Remo?

Palma de Mallorca is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

With food and shopping around the authentic coastal city of San Remo, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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 San Remo?

Palma de Mallorca is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Palma de Mallorca, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the authentic destination of San Remo. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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 San Remo?

Palma de Mallorca is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This island offers something for everyone.

San Remo 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 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 Sightseeing Tours in Italy, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Palma de Mallorca or San Remo?

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

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 Remo in the Summer?

Both San Remo and Palma de Mallorca are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Palma de Mallorca in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to San Remo for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Palma de Mallorca is generally around the same temperature as San Remo. Daily temperatures in Palma de Mallorca average around 24°C (76°F), and San Remo fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

It's quite sunny in San Remo. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Palma de Mallorca. Palma de Mallorca usually receives more sunshine than San Remo during summer. Palma de Mallorca gets 334 hours of sunny skies, while San Remo receives 295 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Palma de Mallorca usually receives less rain than San Remo. Palma de Mallorca gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while San Remo receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

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

Both San Remo and Palma de Mallorca during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Palma de Mallorca for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to San Remo because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Palma de Mallorca is a little warmer than San Remo in the autumn. The daily temperature in Palma de Mallorca averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and San Remo fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

It's quite sunny in Palma de Mallorca. In the autumn, Palma de Mallorca often gets more sunshine than San Remo. Palma de Mallorca gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Remo receives 183 hours of full sun.

San Remo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Palma de Mallorca usually gets less rain in October than San Remo. Palma de Mallorca gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while San Remo receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Palma de Mallorca and San Remo. The winter months attract visitors to Palma de Mallorca because of the shopping scene and the cuisine. Furthermore, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to San Remo this time of year.

In the winter, Palma de Mallorca is a little warmer than San Remo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Palma de Mallorca in January average around 11°C (52°F), and San Remo averages at about 9°C (48°F).

Palma de Mallorca usually receives more sunshine than San Remo during winter. Palma de Mallorca gets 164 hours of sunny skies, while San Remo receives 127 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Palma de Mallorca usually receives less rain than San Remo. Palma de Mallorca gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while San Remo receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

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

The spring brings many poeple to Palma de Mallorca as well as San Remo. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Palma de Mallorca this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to San Remo for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Palma de Mallorca is generally around the same temperature as San Remo. Daily temperatures in Palma de Mallorca average around 14°C (57°F), and San Remo fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Palma de Mallorca this time of the year. In the spring, Palma de Mallorca often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Remo. Palma de Mallorca gets 210 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Remo receives 198 hours of full sun.

Palma de Mallorca usually gets less rain in April than San Remo. Palma de Mallorca gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while San Remo receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for San Remo and Palma de Mallorca