Which place is cheaper, Palma de Mallorca or Portimao?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Portimao and Palma de Mallorca. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Portimao is a dramatic, active, and scenic coastal city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and shopping.
Palma de Mallorca is a beautiful, stunning, and cultural island. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include hiking, shopping, and nightlife.
Visitors will usually find more to do in Palma de Mallorca than Portimao, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Palma de Mallorca is better known for its food, nightlife, music, historical sights, and hiking, while Portimao is more popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and impressive beauty. Portimao is well known for it's dramatic and beautiful beaches and its many activities. Palma de Mallorca is well 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.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Palma de Mallorca and Portimao. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Palma de Mallorca is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Portimao is not a good coastal city for its restaurants.
Dining out in Palma de Mallorca is an experience not to be missed. 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.
Portimao offers some easy restaurants to choose from. Many resorts have attached restaurants where visitors often find themselves dining. For a slightly more local vibe, you can check out one of the many restaurants around town. Much of the restaurant scene is centered around the Alvor District where you'll find unique options that serve local dishes mixed in with some international choices. The city is most famous for its grilled sardines, which are considered a local specialty.
Palma de Mallorca is renowned for its evening party scene. Also, Portimao is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit 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.
Portimao has a large number of nightlife venues. The city's nightlife scene is mostly found around Praia da Rocha. It's a compact area that makes it easy to hop from bar to bar on foot. Particularly during the summer months you'll find plenty of parties and all night activities that draw a crowd. Sunset boat parties are also a popular activity in the area.
Palma de Mallorca is a well-known place for its music scene. However, Portimao 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.
Portimao is not a live music destination.
Portimao is a must-visit destination for its luxury resorts. Also, Palma de Mallorca is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its resorts.
Portimao offers an unforgettable resort vacation. The area has all types of resorts, from all-inclusive options to luxury or more family-friendly. Many of the resorts are surprisingly affordable and offer easy access to the beach.
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.
Portimao is an excellent place to visit for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. Also, Palma de Mallorca is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its diving and snorkeling.
Many visitors go to Portimao to enjoy scuba diving and snorkeling. The best water conditions are during the summer months but this is also when the beaches are crowded and swimmers can kick up a lot of sand. There are a variety of vendors where you can book snorkeling or diving trips in the area.
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.
Portimao and Palma de Mallorca both offer world-class beaches.
Portimao offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. The stunning beaches are a major draw to the area. They are sandy and feature a backdrop of dramatic red cliffs. The most popular beach in town is Praia da Rocha, which can get crowded during the summer months, but it is quite large so you should still be able to find a spot. The strip behind the beach is lined with shops, bars, restaurants, and a casino. If you want to avoid some of the crowds you can make the walk down to Praia do Vau. Families often enjoy Praia de Alvor, which has a boardwalk that leads to Ria de Alvor nature reserve.
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.
Palma de Mallorca is a good destination for its historic old town charm. However, Portimao does not have a historic old town.
Palma de Mallorca offers a nice historic old town area. Alcudia is the best old town on the island. It has cobblestone streets and historic walls that give it charm and history.
Portimao does not have a historic old town.
Palma de Mallorca is a good destination for the nearby hiking options. However, Portimao 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.
Portimao is not a hiking destination.
Both Portimao and Palma de Mallorca are notable shopping destinations.
Many visitors go to Portimao to go shopping. It's the second largest city in the Algarve so you'll find several large and modern shopping centers including Aqua Portimão.
Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Palma de Mallorca. Head to Palma for some of the areas best shopping.
Portimao 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.
Portimao is an amazing family-friendly coastal city to visit. Kids will love the wide range of activities available near Portimao. They can kayak through caves, see an underwater world snorkeling, learn to surf, visit waterparks, explore nature parks, and more. There are activities that the whole family can enjoy, making this stretch of coastline the perfect option for those traveling with kids.
Palma de Mallorca is a very kid-friendly coastal city. 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.
Portimao is a must-visit destination for romance. Also, Palma de Mallorca is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.
Portimao has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. This beautiful stretch of coastline offers unique beaches and stunning outdoor activities. It makes a wonderful honeymoon destination for couples who enjoy adventure, pampering, and romantic resorts. There are great restaurants as well as places to relax or activities for thrill seekers.
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.
Palma de Mallorca is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Portimao is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.
Palma de Mallorca is a very popular island for backpackers and budget travelers. 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.
Plenty of budget travelers visit Portimao. Most people think of high end resorts when they think of the Mediterranean coast, but there are a couple of hostels available for backpackers. You should also consider transportation options. While buses are available, many visitors prefer to have access to a car so they can experience the outlying regions. The good news is the area in general is not particularly expensive so you can enjoy a touch of luxury at a lower cost.
Palma de Mallorca is a good destination for its public transit. However, Portimao is not a good coastal city for times when you don't have a car.
Palma de Mallorca has a few 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.
Public transit is mostly limited in Portimao. There are local buses around town but many routes don't run on weekends.
Palma de Mallorca is a good destination for its ease of walking around. However, Portimao is not a good coastal city for its walkability.
Palma de Mallorca is a somewhat walkable island. 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.
Portimao is generally not a very walkable coastal city. While there are some nice walks along the coastline, the city is fairly large and spread out with many resorts located far from the center of town.
For even more information, also check out Is Portimao Worth Visiting? and Is Palma de Mallorca Worth Visiting?.
In either Portimao or Palma de Mallorca, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Palma de Mallorca than Portimao because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Portimao, and 3-5 days is enough time in Palma de Mallorca.
Families should spend more time in Portimao than Palma de Mallorca. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Portimao, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Palma de Mallorca than Portimao. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Palma de Mallorca 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 Portimao 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.
With nightlife and scuba diving and snorkeling around the destination of Portimao, there's plenty to do. 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.
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.
With scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the vibrant coastal city of Portimao, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.
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.
Travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the active destination of Portimao. 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.
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.
Portimao is a popular choice for travelers. It's also a relaxing resort destination. One of the main draws to the area is the beaches. This coastal 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.
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.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Portimao is €152, while the average daily cost in Palma de Mallorca is €139. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Portimao and Palma de Mallorca in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Portimao or Palma de Mallorca? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Portimao:
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Palma de Mallorca are as follows:
Also for Palma de Mallorca, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Palma de Mallorca and Portimao change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Portimao.
For Palma de Mallorca, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
For Palma de Mallorca, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Portimao are as follows:
For Palma de Mallorca, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Portimao:
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Palma de Mallorca are as follows:
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Palma de Mallorca:
When comparing the travel costs between Portimao and Palma de Mallorca, we can see that Portimao 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 Portimao Expensive? and Is Palma de Mallorca Expensive?.
Palma de Mallorca has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Portimao. When comparing the sizes of Portimao and Palma de Mallorca, 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.
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.
Both Palma de Mallorca and Portimao during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Portimao in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Palma de Mallorca for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Portimao is around the same temperature as Palma de Mallorca. Typically, the summer temperatures in Portimao in July average around 25°C (78°F), and Palma de Mallorca averages at about 24°C (76°F).
Portimao usually gets less rain in July than Palma de Mallorca. Portimao gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Palma de Mallorca receives 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Portimao and Palma de Mallorca. Most visitors come to Portimao for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Palma de Mallorca because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Portimao is generally around the same temperature as Palma de Mallorca. Daily temperatures in Portimao average around 19°C (67°F), and Palma de Mallorca fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
In October, Portimao usually receives more rain than Palma de Mallorca. Portimao gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Palma de Mallorca receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
The winter brings many poeple to Portimao as well as Palma de Mallorca. The winter months attract visitors to Portimao because of the shopping scene and the cuisine. Additionally, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Palma de Mallorca this time of year.
Portimao is around the same temperature as Palma de Mallorca in the winter. The daily temperature in Portimao averages around 11°C (52°F) in January, and Palma de Mallorca fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
Portimao usually gets more rain in January than Palma de Mallorca. Portimao gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Palma de Mallorca receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Palma de Mallorca and Portimao are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Portimao this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Palma de Mallorca for the beaches and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Portimao is around the same temperature as Palma de Mallorca. Typically, the spring temperatures in Portimao in April average around 15°C (60°F), and Palma de Mallorca averages at about 14°C (57°F).
In April, Portimao usually receives less rain than Palma de Mallorca. Portimao gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Palma de Mallorca receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Portimao | Palma de Mallorca | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 11°C (52°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
Feb | 12°C (54°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
Mar | 14°C (56°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
Apr | 15°C (60°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
May | 19°C (65°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
Jun | 23°C (73°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
Jul | 25°C (78°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) |
Aug | 26°C (78°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) |
Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
Oct | 19°C (67°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
Nov | 15°C (58°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
Dec | 12°C (53°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |