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

Should you visit Palma de Mallorca or Zagreb?

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 Zagreb, 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 cultural, historic, and beautiful island. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking.

Zagreb

Zagreb is a beautiful, authentic, and under-rated city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Palma de Mallorca and Zagreb: Pros and Cons

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

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Palma de Mallorca than Zagreb. While Zagreb is larger than Palma de Mallorca, Palma de Mallorca has more sights and attractions for tourists. Palma de Mallorca is very popular for its nightlife, music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Zagreb attracts visitors for its museums, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities. Palma de Mallorca is more touristy than Zagreb 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. Zagreb is famous for its museums, parks, and convenient transportation options.

The turquoise water and white sand beaches

How is Palma de Mallorca different from Zagreb?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Zagreb 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 Zagreb can be an interesting and educational experience. There are many historical sights around town, particularly in the historic Upper Town. Make sure you visit the Zagreb Cathedral, the Museum of Broken Relationships, Lotrscak Tower, and the historic Stone Gate.

Palma de Mallorca does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Both Palma de Mallorca and Zagreb offer a number of great 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 Zagreb. The food is heartier than you might expect with many recipes that involve stew or dumplings. Cheese and meat are common ingredients as well, with far less seafood than you'll find in the coastal cities. Popular dishes include Zagrebački odrezak (a rolled up ham, cheese, and veal sandwich), Štrukli (dough filled with cheese), and Ajngemahtec (vegetarian stew).

Is Palma de Mallorca or Zagreb Better for Nightlife?

Palma de Mallorca is a must-visit destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Zagreb is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

Palma de Mallorca is a world class party destination. Head to Magaluf and Palma for the most popular places.

The nightlife in Zagreb has something for everybody. There are a huge number of live music venues, clubs, and bars around town where locals hang out late into the evening. The city's nightlife has a more local vibe than other Croatian cities, so you can party with the students and residents and get a true feel for the Croatian culture.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Zagreb Better for Music?

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

Palma de Mallorca has become a hotbed of musicians and artists. Live concerts, international DJs, and a diverse range of styles have put the island's music scene on the map.

Zagreb is not a live music destination.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Zagreb Better for Resorts?

Palma de Mallorca is a great destination for its resorts. However, Zagreb is not a resort destination.

There are plenty of resorts in Palma de Mallorca to choose from. Top resorts on the island include The St Regis Mardavall, Viva Cala Mesquida Resort and Spa, and Nixe Palace Hotel.

Zagreb is not a resort destination.

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

Palma de Mallorca is a good destination for its diving and snorkeling. However, Zagreb is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery 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.

Zagreb is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Zagreb Better for Beaches?

Palma de Mallorca is a must-visit destination for the beache. However, Zagreb is not a beach destination.

Palma de Mallorca offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. The island is lined with sandy beaches and rocky coves, which have contributed to it becoming one of Europe's most popular beach destinations.

Zagreb is not a beach destination.

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

Zagreb 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 Zagreb to see the historical old town. The upper town is filled with charm, cafes, and historical landmarks such as St. Mark Church, Kamenita Vrata (the Stone Gate), and the cathedral.

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 Zagreb Better for Hiking?

Palma de Mallorca is a good destination for its hiking experiences. However, Zagreb is not a hiking destination.

Palma de Mallorca offers some nice hiking trails. There are many beautiful hikes along the water and through the countryside that offer beautiful views and pass by quaint towns.

Zagreb is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Palma de Mallorca or Zagreb?

Zagreb is an excellent place to visit for shopping. Also, Palma de Mallorca is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Zagreb. The city has a huge number of shopping centers where you'll find retail shops selling international brands, clothing, jewelry, sporting goods, and more.

Palma de Mallorca offers some nice shopping areas. Head to Palma for some of the areas best shopping.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Zagreb Better for Families?

Palma de Mallorca is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Zagreb is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

Zagreb offers lots of family activities. The city is filled with parks where kids can run around. There are also kid-friendly museums like the Museum of Illusions and markets that are fun for the whole family. While it doesn't have the coastal activities that many Croatian towns offer, this is a unique city in its own way.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Zagreb Better for Couples?

Palma de Mallorca and Zagreb are both nice 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.

Zagreb makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Filled with history and beautiful parks, this often overlooked Croatian city actually has a lot that couples can enjoy. The historical monuments offer a glimpse into the country's past and the markets let you experience a more authentic side to what has become a very touristy country.

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

Palma de Mallorca and Zagreb are both great 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.

Zagreb is a great island to visit for backpackers. Because it's not the most touristy city, prices are reasonable. There are also a wide range of hostels in town where you can meet other backpackers and enjoy the fun environment.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Zagreb Better for Students?

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

Zagreb is a great city to visit as a student. There's an endless supply of bars and cafes where students hang out. This is a great student city that offers access to many beautiful parts of Croatia and Europe in general.

Palma de Mallorca is not popular with students.

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

Zagreb is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Palma de Mallorca is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Visitors to Zagreb can move around easily with public transportation. The system includes trams, buses, and a funicular.

You'll find some public transit in Palma de Mallorca, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. 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.

Is Palma de Mallorca or Zagreb a more walkable city?

Zagreb 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.

Zagreb is very walkable. It's a city that lives outdoors. It's very walkable with many outdoor cafes and parks where you can take a stroll.

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 Zagreb Worth Visiting?.

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

How long in Palma de Mallorca or Zagreb?

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

Families should spend more time in Palma de Mallorca than Zagreb. 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 Zagreb. 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 Zagreb than Palma de Mallorca 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 Zagreb.

One day in Palma de Mallorca or Zagreb?

Many travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the destination of Palma de Mallorca. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

With shopping and museums around the destination of Zagreb, 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 Zagreb?

Palma de Mallorca is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

With museums and nightlife around the authentic city of Zagreb, 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 Zagreb?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Palma de Mallorca. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Most people come for the beaches. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the local destination of Zagreb. 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 Zagreb?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the historic destination of Palma de Mallorca. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Zagreb is a popular choice for travelers. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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 2-Week Tours from Dubrovnik, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Split.

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

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 Zagreb Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Palma de Mallorca or Zagreb?

Zagreb has a larger population, and is about 86% larger than the population of Palma de Mallorca. When comparing the sizes of Palma de Mallorca and Zagreb, 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 Zagreb?

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 Zagreb in the Summer?

Both Zagreb and Palma de Mallorca during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Palma de Mallorca for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Zagreb in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Palma de Mallorca is around the same temperature as Zagreb. Typically, the summer temperatures in Palma de Mallorca in July average around 24°C (76°F), and Zagreb averages at about 22°C (72°F).

In Zagreb, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Palma de Mallorca. In the summer, Palma de Mallorca often gets more sunshine than Zagreb. Palma de Mallorca gets 334 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zagreb receives 266 hours of full sun.

Palma de Mallorca usually gets less rain in July than Zagreb. Palma de Mallorca gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Palma de Mallorca and Zagreb. Many visitors come to Palma de Mallorca in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Zagreb for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

In October, Palma de Mallorca is generally a little warmer than Zagreb. Daily temperatures in Palma de Mallorca average around 19°C (66°F), and Zagreb fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In Palma de Mallorca, it's very sunny this time of the year. Palma de Mallorca usually receives more sunshine than Zagreb during autumn. Palma de Mallorca gets 204 hours of sunny skies, while Zagreb receives 133 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Palma de Mallorca usually receives less rain than Zagreb. Palma de Mallorca gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

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

The winter brings many poeple to Palma de Mallorca as well as Zagreb. Most visitors come to Palma de Mallorca for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Zagreb because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Zagreb can be very cold. Palma de Mallorca is much warmer than Zagreb in the winter. The daily temperature in Palma de Mallorca averages around 11°C (52°F) in January, and Zagreb fluctuates around 1°C (35°F).

In the winter, Palma de Mallorca often gets more sunshine than Zagreb. Palma de Mallorca gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zagreb receives 54 hours of full sun.

Palma de Mallorca usually gets less rain in January than Zagreb. Palma de Mallorca gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Zagreb and Palma de Mallorca are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Palma de Mallorca because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Zagreb this time of year.

In the spring, Palma de Mallorca is around the same temperature as Zagreb. Typically, the spring temperatures in Palma de Mallorca in April average around 14°C (57°F), and Zagreb averages at about 13°C (55°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Palma de Mallorca. Palma de Mallorca usually receives more sunshine than Zagreb during spring. Palma de Mallorca gets 210 hours of sunny skies, while Zagreb receives 163 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Palma de Mallorca usually receives less rain than Zagreb. Palma de Mallorca gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Zagreb and Palma de Mallorca