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

Should you visit Palma de Mallorca or York?

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 York, 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 beautiful, stunning, and cultural island. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for live music, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

York

York is a historic, medieval, and fanciful city. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Palma de Mallorca and York: Pros and Cons

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

Travelers will usually find more to do in Palma de Mallorca than York, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Palma de Mallorca is more popular for its nightlife, music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while York is known for its museums, food, and historical sights. Palma de Mallorca is more touristy than York and is popular for its strikingly blue waters, sandy beaches, all-inclusive resorts, and vibrant towns. It is also home to the turquoise water and white sand beaches. York is popular for its markets, old town, and its many ghost tours.

The turquoise water and white sand beaches

How is Palma de Mallorca different from York?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

York 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 York can be an interesting and educational experience. Popular museums include the York Castle Museum, the National Railway Museum, Castle Howard, and JORVIK Viking Centre.

Palma de Mallorca does not have museums and landmarks.

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

York 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, York is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. Meat pies, fudge, and fish and chips are just some of the culinary experiences you'll find here. The Shambles Market has vendors that sell a wide variety of cuisines. There are also food trucks throughout town that offer affordable and delicious meal options.

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 York Better for Nightlife?

Palma de Mallorca is a world-class destination for nightlife. Also, York is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

People head to Palma de Mallorca just to party. Head to Magaluf and Palma for the most popular places.

York has a large number of nightlife venues. The young population and thriving tourist scene means there's no shortage of nightlife around town. Check out a pub or music venue to experience everything that city has to offer.

Is Palma de Mallorca or York Better for Music?

Palma de Mallorca is a well-known place for live music. However, York is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Palma de Mallorca is very popular with diverse venues. Live concerts, international DJs, and a diverse range of styles have put the island's music scene on the map.

York is not a live music destination.

Is Palma de Mallorca or York Better for Resorts?

Palma de Mallorca is a well-known place for its resorts. However, York 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.

York is not a resort destination.

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

Palma de Mallorca is a popular place for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, York 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.

York is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Palma de Mallorca or York Better for Beaches?

Palma de Mallorca is a world-class destination for its beaches. However, York is not a beach destination.

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.

York is not a beach destination.

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

York is a must-visit destination for its historic old town. Also, Palma de Mallorca is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its old town.

The rich history of York can be explored in its historical center. The charming old town is filled with shops and restaurants. There are street performers, fudge shops, and all of the Harry Potter merchandise that a person could need.

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 York Better for Hiking?

Palma de Mallorca is a popular place for the nearby hiking options. However, York 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.

York is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Palma de Mallorca or York?

Shoppers can find a variety of good stores in both Palma de Mallorca and York.

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

York offers some nice shopping areas. The old town has many great candy stores that sell fudge and other local specialties. There are also Harry Potter stores that sell potions, t-shirts, games, and more.

Is Palma de Mallorca or York Better for Families?

York 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.

York is an amazing family-friendly city to visit. The city does an amazing job bringing history to life in a way that kids will enjoy. The JORVIK Viking Centre transports visitors back in time and introduces them to a fully immersive viking experience. The York Dungeon is great for older kids as long as they don't scare easily. Actors and special effects offer a terrifying and entertaining visit through a York dungeon. Harry Potter fans will enjoy exploring the potion shops and broomstick stores along the iconic Shambles, which is said to be an inspiration for J.K. Rowling's Diagon Alley.

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 York Better for Couples?

York 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.

York makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples can explore the history and entertainment venues that make York an enjoyable destination. There are museums, restaurants, and outdoor markets that make this a great weekend getaway.

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 York Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Palma de Mallorca and York are both very good 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.

York is a great island to visit for backpackers. There are a few hostels around town as well as nightlife venues and entertainment spots that appeal to backpackers and younger travelers. For great and affordable food, grab a meal at one of the many food trucks around town.

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

Visitors will find good public transit in both Palma de Mallorca and York.

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 York, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a reliable and efficient bus system around town.

Is Palma de Mallorca or York a more walkable city?

Palma de Mallorca and York are good 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.

York is a somewhat walkable place. The old town has many pedestrian streets that are easily explored on food.

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

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

How long in Palma de Mallorca or York?

It's fun to spend time in either Palma de Mallorca or York. 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 York.

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

Couples should spend more time in York than Palma de Mallorca. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in York 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 York 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 York?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the destination of Palma de Mallorca. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

With shopping and museums around the destination of York, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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 York?

Palma de Mallorca is a fun place to experience. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

With museums and nightlife around the fanciful city of York, 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 York?

Visitors enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the beautiful destination of Palma de Mallorca. This island offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the medieval destination of York. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 York?

The stunning island of Palma de Mallorca offers scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

York is a popular choice for travelers. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One of the main draws to the area is the food. This 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 10-Day Tours from London, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Edinburgh.

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

Which is Bigger, Palma de Mallorca or York?

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

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Palma de Mallorca or York in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Palma de Mallorca as well as York. 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 York for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Palma de Mallorca is a little warmer than York in the summer. The daily temperature in Palma de Mallorca averages around 24°C (76°F) in July, and York fluctuates around 16°C (62°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Palma de Mallorca this time of the year. In the summer, Palma de Mallorca often gets more sunshine than York. Palma de Mallorca gets 334 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while York receives 196 hours of full sun.

Palma de Mallorca usually gets less rain in July than York. Palma de Mallorca gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while York receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both York and Palma de Mallorca are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. 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. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to York because of the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Palma de Mallorca is much warmer than York. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Palma de Mallorca in October average around 19°C (66°F), and York averages at about 11°C (52°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Palma de Mallorca. Palma de Mallorca usually receives more sunshine than York during autumn. Palma de Mallorca gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while York receives 112 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Palma de Mallorca usually receives more rain than York. Palma de Mallorca gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while York receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

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

Both York and Palma de Mallorca during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Palma de Mallorca because of the shopping scene and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to York this time of year.

It's quite cold in York in the winter. In January, Palma de Mallorca is generally much warmer than York. Daily temperatures in Palma de Mallorca average around 11°C (52°F), and York fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

In the winter, Palma de Mallorca often gets more sunshine than York. Palma de Mallorca gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while York receives 61 hours of full sun.

Palma de Mallorca usually gets less rain in January than York. Palma de Mallorca gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while York receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Palma de Mallorca and York. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Palma de Mallorca this time of year.

Palma de Mallorca is much warmer than York in the spring. The daily temperature in Palma de Mallorca averages around 14°C (57°F) in April, and York fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

In Palma de Mallorca, it's very sunny this time of the year. Palma de Mallorca usually receives more sunshine than York during spring. Palma de Mallorca gets 210 hours of sunny skies, while York receives 151 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Palma de Mallorca usually receives around the same amount of rain as York. Palma de Mallorca gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while York receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for York and Palma de Mallorca