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

Should you visit Portimao or Palma de Mallorca?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

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

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

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.

Portimao and Palma de Mallorca: Pros and Cons

How is Portimao different from Palma de Mallorca?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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.

Is Portimao or Palma de Mallorca Better for Nightlife?

Both Portimao and Palma de Mallorca are comparable when it comes to partying.

Portimao offers plenty to do in the evening. 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 has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. Head to Magaluf and Palma for the most popular places.

Is Portimao or Palma de Mallorca Better for Resorts?

There are resorts to choose from in both Portimao and Palma de Mallorca.

Vacationers flock to Portimao for its luxury resorts. 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.

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.

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

You'll find places where you can go scuba diving or snorkeling in Portimao and Palma de Mallorca.

There are many scuba diving and snorkeling spots near Portimao. 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.

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.

Is Portimao or Palma de Mallorca Better for Beaches?

Portimao and Palma de Mallorca both offer beautiful 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.

Is Portimao or Palma de Mallorca Better for Shopping?

Both Portimao and Palma de Mallorca are good 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.

Is Portimao or Palma de Mallorca Better for Families?

Both Portimao and Palma de Mallorca are family-friendly destinations.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Portimao is very family-friendly. 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 family-friendly destination. 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 Portimao or Palma de Mallorca Better for Couples?

While Palma de Mallorca and Portimao are both popular destinations, overall Portimao is considered to be a more popular choice.

Portimao is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. 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 is a nice destination for couples. With beautiful beaches and a fun Spanish flare, Mallorca makes for a memorable honeymoon.

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

Both Portimao and Palma de Mallorca are popular destinations for backpackers.

Portimao is a good coastal city to visit for backpackers. 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 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.

Is Portimao or Palma de Mallorca Better for Public Transit?

Both Portimao and Palma de Mallorca offer public transit options.

Public transit is generally limited in Portimao. There are local buses around town but many routes don't run on weekends.

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.

Is Portimao or Palma de Mallorca a more walkable city?

Portimao and Palma de Mallorca both are comparable when exploring on foot.

Portimao is generally not very walkable. 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.

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.

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

How long in Portimao or Palma de Mallorca?

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.

The ideal length of time for a trip to Portimao is 2-4 days, and the ideal length of time for a trip to Palma de Mallorca is 3-5 days.

One day in Portimao or 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.

A weekend in Portimao or Palma de Mallorca?

With scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the scenic 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.

Five days in Portimao or Palma de Mallorca?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the scenic 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.

A week in Portimao or Palma de Mallorca?

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.

When is the best time to visit Portimao or Palma de Mallorca?

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 Portimao or Palma de Mallorca in the Summer?

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 are around 25°C (78°F), and Palma de Mallorca is 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.

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

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. Temperatures in Portimao average around 19°C (67°F), and Palma de Mallorca stays 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.

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

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. 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 temperature in Portimao is usually 11°C (52°F) in January, and Palma de Mallorca stays 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.

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

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 are around 15°C (60°F), and Palma de Mallorca is 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.

Typical Weather for Palma de Mallorca and Portimao