A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Palma de Mallorca vs. Sestri Levante for Beaches, Food, Resorts, and Families

Should you visit Palma de Mallorca or Sestri Levante?

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 Sestri Levante, 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 hiking, shopping, and nightlife.

Sestri Levante

Sestri Levante is a quaint, relaxing, and quiet seaside town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include food and beaches.

Palma de Mallorca and Sestri Levante: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Palma de Mallorca or Sestri Levante?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Palma de Mallorca than Sestri Levante, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Palma de Mallorca is better known for its nightlife, music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, hiking, and shopping, while Sestri Levante is more popular for its small town charm and impressive beauty. Palma de Mallorca is more touristy than Sestri Levante 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. Sestri Levante is well known for its two bays and coastal setting.

The turquoise water and white sand beaches

How is Palma de Mallorca different from Sestri Levante?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Sestri Levante 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 Sestri Levante? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Palma de Mallorca and Sestri Levante offer a number of high quality 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 Sestri Levante. You'll find many restaurants along the central road in the old town, Via XXV Aprile. Seafood is popular, as are many other Italian favorites. If you're visiting during the summer months then it's best to make reservations as wait times can be long.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Sestri Levante Better for Nightlife?

Palma de Mallorca is renowned for its evening party scene. However, Sestri Levante is not a good destination for nightlife.

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.

People don't go to Sestri Levante for the nightlife. There are a few places to grab a drink, but if you're looking for nightlife, you'll really need to head out of town.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Sestri Levante Better for Music?

Palma de Mallorca is great for its music scene. However, Sestri Levante 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.

Sestri Levante is not a live music destination.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Sestri Levante Better for Resorts?

Palma de Mallorca is great for its luxury resorts. Also, Sestri Levante is not as popular, but is still a nice seaside town for its resorts.

In Palma de Mallorca, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. Top resorts on the island include The St Regis Mardavall, Viva Cala Mesquida Resort and Spa, and Nixe Palace Hotel.

Sestri Levante has a handful of resorts to choose from. There are a number of hotels in the old town or by the beach. You'll also find a decent selection of vacation rentals. During peak season you'll want to make your reservations early.

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

Palma de Mallorca is a island with good options for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Sestri Levante is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life 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.

Sestri Levante is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Sestri Levante Better for Beaches?

Palma de Mallorca is renowned for the beach. Also, Sestri Levante is not as popular, but is still a nice seaside town for its beaches.

Palma de Mallorca is considered to be a world-class beach destination. The island is lined with sandy beaches and rocky coves, which have contributed to it becoming one of Europe's most popular beach destinations.

Sestri Levante offers a nice beach destination. Home to two beaches, this makes a nice holiday spot if you're hoping to relax by the water. The beaches can get crowded with Italians during the summer months, but it still offers a charming seaside spot. Many people head to the beach by the the Bay of Silence in part because it's free. Make sure you arrive early. By the Bay of Fairytales you can rent chairs and umbrellas and enjoy a little more space.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Sestri Levante Better for its Old Town?

Palma de Mallorca is a island with good options for its historic old town charm. However, Sestri Levante 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.

Sestri Levante does not have a historic old town.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Sestri Levante Better for Hiking?

Palma de Mallorca is a island with good options for hiking. However, Sestri Levante is not a hiking destination.

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.

Sestri Levante is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Palma de Mallorca or Sestri Levante?

Palma de Mallorca is a island with good options for its shopping areas. However, Sestri Levante is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Palma de Mallorca has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Head to Palma for some of the areas best shopping.

Sestri Levante is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Sestri Levante Better for Families?

Palma de Mallorca is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Sestri Levante is not as popular, but is still a nice seaside town for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Palma de Mallorca. 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.

Sestri Levante is a family-friendly place to visit. This is a great spot for families that want a relaxing holiday with a small town vibe. The picturesque setting is said to have inspired fairytales, and today kids will enjoy playing on the playgrounds or exploring at the adventure park. There are also hikes, activities, and restaurants that are great for kids and adults alike.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Sestri Levante Better for Couples?

Palma de Mallorca and Sestri Levante 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.

Sestri Levante makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. This scenic setting offers a relaxing holiday for couples who want to enjoy quiet time together. There are plenty of outdoor activities and a cultural town with a lot of beauty to explore. It's one of the lesser known destinations in the area, so you will have a peaceful small town vibe that's great for a romantic getaway.

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

Palma de Mallorca is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Sestri Levante is not a good destination 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.

Sestri Levante is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are some dorm rooms in town, but most backpackers head to one of the more well known destinations in the area. The atmosphere and history makes for a unique experience for those who do make the trip.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Sestri Levante 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 Sestri Levante.

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 Sestri Levante, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The town can be explored on foot and there are buses and trains that can be used for day trips.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Sestri Levante a more walkable city?

Sestri Levante is a must-visit destination for its walkability. Also, Palma de Mallorca is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Sestri Levante. There are pedestrian promenades and charming streets through town that are best explored on foot.

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 Sestri Levante Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Sestri Levante or Palma de Mallorca?

How long in Palma de Mallorca or Sestri Levante?

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

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

In Palma de Mallorca, you'll find nightlife and live music. Most people come for the beaches. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Even though Sestri Levante 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 Sestri Levante?

Palma de Mallorca is a great place to explore. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Anyone can find something fun to do here. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Sestri Levante is a small town where visitors enjoy the food. 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 Sestri Levante?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Palma de Mallorca. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. It offers something for everyone. Because of this, five days is usually enough time for a trip here.

Sestri Levante 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 Sestri Levante?

Travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the island of Palma de Mallorca. It's also a great beach destination, too. Your budget might influence how long you stay. 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.

Sestri Levante is a popular choice for travelers. This seaside 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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in Italy, and The Best Historical Tours in Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Palma de Mallorca or Sestri Levante?

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