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

Should you visit Palma de Mallorca or Zadar?

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 Zadar, 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. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, nightlife, and live music.

Zadar

Zadar is a relaxed, coastal, and vibrant town. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include beaches, shopping, and museums.

Palma de Mallorca and Zadar: Pros and Cons

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

Tourists will generally find more to do in Palma de Mallorca than Zadar. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Palma de Mallorca is very popular for its nightlife, music, beaches, and hiking, while Zadar attracts visitors for its museums and historical sights. Palma de Mallorca is more touristy than Zadar and is popular for its strikingly blue waters, sandy beaches, all-inclusive resorts, and vibrant towns. It is also well known for the turquoise water and white sand beaches. Zadar is famous for its historical sights and waterfront setting.

The turquoise water and white sand beaches

How is Palma de Mallorca different from Zadar?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Zadar is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The old town is like a living museum, with city walls and a historic gate. The Church of St. Donatus, Zadar Cathedral, and the Zadar Archaeological Museum are all fascinating places to visit in town, but if you're looking for the most unique sight, make sure you check out The Sea Organ and The Sun Salutation.

Palma de Mallorca does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Both Palma de Mallorca and Zadar 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 Zadar. The town is filled with outdoor cafes that serve up a healthy and delicious selection of recipes. The ingredients are fresh and local with olive oil and seafood making frequent appearances on the menus. Prices are also reasonable.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Zadar Better for Nightlife?

Palma de Mallorca is an amazing island to visit for nightlife and partying. Also, Zadar is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its evening party scene.

Palma de Mallorca has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. Head to Magaluf and Palma for the most popular places.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Zadar. The town comes to life at night when the bars and restaurants fill with people chatting and socializing. This is an easy place to enjoy the evening as almost all of the nightlife venues are within a five minute walk of each other.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Zadar Better for Music?

Palma de Mallorca is a well-known place for its live music scene. However, Zadar 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.

Zadar is not a live music destination.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Zadar Better for Resorts?

With a similar set of options, very good resorts can be found in both Palma de Mallorca and Zadar.

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 Zadar, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. If you want a beachfront resort, there are a number of nice options outside of town.

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

You'll find nice snorkeling or scuba diving in both Palma de Mallorca and Zadar.

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.

It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life in Zadar. This is an easy place to snorkel because the water is so clear. There are also half and full day snorkeling trips that take you to some of the best spots.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Zadar Better for Beaches?

Palma de Mallorca is an amazing island to visit for the beache. Also, Zadar is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for the beach.

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.

Zadar is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. There are some nice beaches outside of town with one of the most famous being Sakarun Beach, which is part of the Zadar archipelago. There are a handful of beaches nearby that are pebbly and popular with the locals. These include Puntamika Beach and Beach Borik.

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

Zadar 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 Zadar to see the historical old town. The small old town is filled with charm and character. It's a walled medieval town that can easily be explored in a few hours.

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 Zadar Better for Hiking?

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

Zadar is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Palma de Mallorca or Zadar?

Shoppers can find a variety of nice stores in both Palma de Mallorca and Zadar.

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

Zadar offers some nice shopping areas. There are small, boutique shops around the old town that sell designer merchandise. There are also shopping malls on the outskirts of town.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Zadar Better for Families?

Palma de Mallorca is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Zadar is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

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.

Zadar is a family-friendly island. It's fun to explore the small medieval old town, but the kids will also appreciate getting out of town and enjoying the nearby activities. It's definitely worth visiting Pag Island or any of the other natural settings that are nearby. There are also several beaches near town. In town, make sure you hear the Sea Organ and dance at the Sun Salutation.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Zadar Better for Couples?

Zadar 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.

Zadar makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. This charming seaside town is fun to explore as a couple. There's a walled medieval town that is small and easy to wander around. There are also nearby beaches and great restaurants to explore. A highlight of a visit is watching the stunning sunsets by the water.

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 Zadar Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Palma de Mallorca and Zadar 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.

Zadar is a great island to visit for backpackers. There's no shortage of hostels in town and you'll find backpackers, students, and budget travelers everywhere.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Zadar Better for Students?

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

Zadar is a great town to visit as a student. The laid back lifestyle and low cost of living make this a great place to be a student. It's a relaxed environment with many nearby places to explore.

Palma de Mallorca is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Palma de Mallorca and Zadar.

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 Zadar, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are 11 bus lines that travel around town.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Zadar a more walkable city?

Zadar 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.

Zadar is very walkable. The old town is particularly walkable and can easily be explored on foot in a few hours.

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 Zadar Worth Visiting?.

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

How long in Palma de Mallorca or Zadar?

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

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

One day in Palma de Mallorca or Zadar?

In Palma de Mallorca, many people enjoy the live music and food that this cultural destination offers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

With shopping and museums around the destination of Zadar, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. One day is often enough time to do most activities. It offers something for everyone.

A weekend in Palma de Mallorca or Zadar?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Palma de Mallorca. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

With museums and nightlife around the relaxed town of Zadar, 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 Zadar?

Palma de Mallorca is a fun place to experience. In Palma de Mallorca, many people enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping that this destination offers. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the laid back destination of Zadar. 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 Zadar?

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the beautiful destination of Palma de Mallorca. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Zadar 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 Tours for Seniors to Croatia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Croatia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Palma de Mallorca and Zadar, we can see that Palma de Mallorca is more expensive. And not only is Zadar much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Zadar would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Zadar 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 Zadar.

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 Zadar Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Palma de Mallorca or Zadar?

Palma de Mallorca has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Zadar. When comparing the sizes of Palma de Mallorca and Zadar, 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 Zadar?

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 Zadar in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Palma de Mallorca as well as Zadar. 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 Zadar for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Palma de Mallorca is around the same temperature as Zadar. Typically, the summer temperatures in Palma de Mallorca in July average around 24°C (76°F), and Zadar averages at about 26°C (80°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Zadar. 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 around the same amount of sunshine as Zadar. Palma de Mallorca gets 334 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zadar receives 345 hours of full sun.

Palma de Mallorca usually gets less rain in July than Zadar. Palma de Mallorca gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Zadar receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Zadar 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 Zadar because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Palma de Mallorca is generally around the same temperature as Zadar. Daily temperatures in Palma de Mallorca average around 19°C (66°F), and Zadar fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

It's quite sunny in Zadar. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Palma de Mallorca. Palma de Mallorca usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Zadar during autumn. Palma de Mallorca gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while Zadar receives 200 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Palma de Mallorca usually receives less rain than Zadar. Palma de Mallorca gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Zadar receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

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

Both Zadar 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 Zadar this time of year.

Palma de Mallorca is a little warmer than Zadar in the winter. The daily temperature in Palma de Mallorca averages around 11°C (52°F) in January, and Zadar fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Palma de Mallorca often gets more sunshine than Zadar. Palma de Mallorca gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zadar receives 128 hours of full sun.

Palma de Mallorca usually gets less rain in January than Zadar. Palma de Mallorca gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Zadar receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Palma de Mallorca and Zadar. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Palma de Mallorca this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Zadar for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Palma de Mallorca is around the same temperature as Zadar. Typically, the spring temperatures in Palma de Mallorca in April average around 14°C (57°F), and Zadar averages at about 15°C (59°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Zadar 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 Zadar during spring. Palma de Mallorca gets 210 hours of sunny skies, while Zadar receives 212 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Palma de Mallorca usually receives less rain than Zadar. Palma de Mallorca gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Zadar receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Zadar and Palma de Mallorca