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

Should you visit Palma de Mallorca or Taormina?

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 Taormina, 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 nightlife, live music, and food.

Taormina

Taormina is a opulent, historic, and beautiful 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 museums, nightlife, and food.

Palma de Mallorca and Taormina: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Palma de Mallorca or Taormina?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Palma de Mallorca than Taormina, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Palma de Mallorca is better known for its nightlife, music, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, and hiking, while Taormina is more popular for its museums and small town charm. Palma de Mallorca is more touristy than Taormina 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. Taormina is well known for its long history as a seaside resort town with luxury accommodation and beautiful views.

The turquoise water and white sand beaches

How is Palma de Mallorca different from Taormina?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Taormina is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The main landmark in town is the Greek Theater which dates back to the 3rd century BC. Also visit Madonna della Rocca as well as Castello di Taormina, which is perched above the sea.

Palma de Mallorca does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Both Palma de Mallorca and Taormina 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 Taormina. The local dishes draw on traditional Italian flavors such as pasta, tomato sauce, and vegetables, but they're also heavily influenced by the island's many historical invaders. You'll find a variety of ingredients in recipes including red chilies, tuna, swordfish, sardines, pine nuts, capers, and olives.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Taormina Better for Nightlife?

Palma de Mallorca is very popular for its evening party scene. Also, Taormina is not as popular, but is still a nice town for nightlife.

Palma de Mallorca is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. Head to Magaluf and Palma for the most popular places.

Taormina offers plenty to do in the evening. The town has a bit of an exclusive vibe and that's felt in the nightlife scene as well. There are lounges and exclusive clubs that serve fine wine and cocktails. You'll also find some late night dance clubs around town.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Taormina Better for Music?

Palma de Mallorca is a great island for its music scene. However, Taormina is not a live music destination.

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.

Taormina is not a live music destination.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Taormina Better for Resorts?

With a similar set of options, high quality resorts can be found in both Palma de Mallorca and Taormina.

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.

In Taormina, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. There are a number of high end resorts and hotels in and near town that have pools and five star facilities.

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

Palma de Mallorca is a island with good options for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Taormina 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.

Taormina is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Taormina Better for Beaches?

Palma de Mallorca is very popular for the beach. Also, Taormina is not as popular, but is still a nice 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.

Taormina offers a nice beach destination. The easiest beaches to access from town are Mazzaro Beach and Isola Bella Beach. The beaches are near hotels and there are restaurants as well as beach umbrellas and chairs that you can rent.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Taormina Better for its Old Town?

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

Taormina does not have a historic old town.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Taormina Better for Hiking?

Palma de Mallorca is a island with good options for hiking. However, Taormina 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.

Taormina is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Palma de Mallorca or Taormina?

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

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

Taormina offers some nice shopping areas. It's a fashion-conscious town and you'll find boutiques and shops that carry high end Italian brands. There are also shops that sell local pottery and other items.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Taormina Better for Families?

Palma de Mallorca is a great island for its kid-friendly activities. However, Taormina is not known 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.

Taormina is not the most family-friendly destination. Kids may not appreciate everything that the adults enjoy about this town, but they will likely have fun taking a ride on the cable car and visiting the Greek Theater. There are also wonderful desserts that kids will enjoy.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Taormina Better for Couples?

Taormina 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.

Taormina makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's a truly beautiful town with impressive views and a great atmosphere. It makes a wonderful stop off for couples or honeymooners who want to soak up the region's 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 Taormina Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Palma de Mallorca is a great island for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Taormina is not known 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.

Taormina is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. There aren't many hostels around town and you won't find a large backpacker crowd here. The town has the feel of an exclusive resort community with high end resorts more common than anything else.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Taormina 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 Taormina.

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 Taormina, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are minibuses that travel to the more far-reaching parts of the town.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Taormina a more walkable city?

Taormina 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.

Taormina is very walkable. Walking is one of the best ways to explore the 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 Taormina Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Taormina or Palma de Mallorca?

How long in Palma de Mallorca or Taormina?

It's fun to spend time in either Palma de Mallorca or Taormina. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Palma de Mallorca due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Palma de Mallorca, and 2-4 days is enough time in Taormina.

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

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.

Even though Taormina is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. 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 Taormina?

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.

Taormina is a small town where visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife. Your budget might influence how long you stay. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. 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 Taormina?

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.

Taormina is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. 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 Taormina?

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.

Taormina is a popular choice for travelers. It's also a relaxing resort destination. This 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy, and The Best Walking Tours in Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Palma de Mallorca and Taormina, we can see that Palma de Mallorca is more expensive. And not only is Taormina much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Taormina would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Taormina 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 Palma de Mallorca would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Palma de Mallorca than you might in Taormina.

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 Taormina Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Palma de Mallorca or Taormina?

Palma de Mallorca has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Taormina. When comparing the sizes of Palma de Mallorca and Taormina, 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 Taormina?

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 Taormina in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Palma de Mallorca and Taormina. The beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Palma de Mallorca this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Taormina for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Palma de Mallorca is generally around the same temperature as Taormina. Daily temperatures in Palma de Mallorca average around 24°C (76°F), and Taormina fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Taormina this time of the year. In Palma de Mallorca, it's very sunny this time of the year. Palma de Mallorca usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Taormina during summer. Palma de Mallorca gets 334 hours of sunny skies, while Taormina receives 332 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Palma de Mallorca usually receives more rain than Taormina. Palma de Mallorca gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Taormina receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Palma de Mallorca or Taormina in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Palma de Mallorca as well as Taormina. Many travelers come to Palma de Mallorca for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Taormina in the autumn for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

Palma de Mallorca is around the same temperature as Taormina in the autumn. The daily temperature in Palma de Mallorca averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Taormina fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).

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 more sunshine than Taormina. Palma de Mallorca gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Taormina receives 189 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Taormina. Palma de Mallorca usually gets less rain in October than Taormina. Palma de Mallorca gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Taormina receives 128 mm (5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Palma de Mallorca or Taormina in the Winter?

Both Taormina and Palma de Mallorca are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Palma de Mallorca in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Taormina for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Palma de Mallorca is cooler than Taormina. Typically, the winter temperatures in Palma de Mallorca in January average around 11°C (52°F), and Taormina averages at about 13°C (55°F).

Palma de Mallorca usually receives more sunshine than Taormina during winter. Palma de Mallorca gets 164 hours of sunny skies, while Taormina receives 115 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Palma de Mallorca usually receives less rain than Taormina. Palma de Mallorca gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Taormina receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Palma de Mallorca or Taormina in the Spring?

Both Taormina and Palma de Mallorca during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Palma de Mallorca for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Taormina because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

In April, Palma de Mallorca is generally cooler than Taormina. Daily temperatures in Palma de Mallorca average around 14°C (57°F), and Taormina fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

In Taormina, 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 around the same amount of sunshine as Taormina. Palma de Mallorca gets 210 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Taormina receives 207 hours of full sun.

Palma de Mallorca usually gets more rain in April than Taormina. Palma de Mallorca gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Taormina receives 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Taormina and Palma de Mallorca