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

Should you visit Riga or Palma de Mallorca?

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

Should I visit Riga or Palma de Mallorca? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Riga

Riga is a high energy, off-the-beaten-path, and charming city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

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 scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking.

Riga and Palma de Mallorca: Pros and Cons

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

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Palma de Mallorca than Riga. While Riga is larger than Palma de Mallorca, Palma de Mallorca has more sights and attractions for tourists. Palma de Mallorca is very popular for its music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and hiking, while Riga attracts visitors for its museums, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities. Palma de Mallorca is more touristy than Riga 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. Riga is famous for its vibrant nightlife scene, busy old town, and beautiful architecture.

The turquoise water and white sand beaches

How is Riga 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 Riga. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Riga or Palma de Mallorca?

Riga 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 Riga can be an interesting and educational experience. As a capital city with a diverse history, you'll find a number of museums and landmarks in the area. Visitors frequently visit The Freedom Monument, St. Peters Church, the Riga Cathedral, The House of the Black Heads, and any of the many museums around town.

Palma de Mallorca does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Both Riga and Palma de Mallorca offer a number of very good restaurants to choose from.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Riga. The city offers a great opportunity to try many Latvian specialties including rasol (a potato salad), pelmeni (a Latvian dumpling), and karbonade (kind of like schnitzel). The cuisine is hearty and filling with lots of bread, dumpling, and meats. Riga is also where you'll find the largest food market in Europe, which is the perfect place to wander and pick up some local items.

Palma de Mallorca has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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 Riga or Palma de Mallorca Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are fantastic in both Riga and Palma de Mallorca.

Riga is a world class party destination. Despite being a small city, this capital has gained a reputation for its party atmosphere. The historic center comes to life in the evenings, particularly between Wednesdays and Saturdays. The area is compact enough that you can walk from club to club and prices are reasonable.

Palma de Mallorca is a must-see party destination. Head to Magaluf and Palma for the most popular places.

Is Riga or Palma de Mallorca Better for Music?

Palma de Mallorca is notable for its live music scene. However, Riga is not a live music destination.

If you love music, you'll find something to enjoy in Palma de Mallorca. Live concerts, international DJs, and a diverse range of styles have put the island's music scene on the map.

Riga is not a live music destination.

Is Riga or Palma de Mallorca Better for Resorts?

Palma de Mallorca is notable for its resorts. However, Riga 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.

Riga is not a resort destination.

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

Palma de Mallorca is a popular place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Riga 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.

Riga is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Riga or Palma de Mallorca Better for Beaches?

Palma de Mallorca is a must-visit destination for the beache. However, Riga 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.

Riga is not a beach destination.

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

Riga 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 Riga to see the historical old town. The old town is filled with cobblestone streets and charming architecture. The city is less touristy than many places in Europe so you can usually avoid the large crowds and enjoy a peaceful walk. During the evening you'll find the area turns into an entertainment district with many clubs and bars.

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 Riga or Palma de Mallorca Better for Hiking?

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

Riga is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Riga or Palma de Mallorca?

Riga 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 Riga. Some of the most interesting shopping in the city is in the old town. Prices might be a little more expensive than you expect but it's possible to find some unique items. The city also has many markets, including the largest food market in Europe, which is a must-see.

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

Is Riga or Palma de Mallorca Better for Families?

Palma de Mallorca is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Riga is not as famous, but is still a good city 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.

Riga is a family-friendly city. During the winter months, there are a number of museums that are fun to explore with kids including the Nature Museum, the Railroad Museum, the Aviation Technology Museum, and the Riga Firefighter Museum. There are also several indoor play areas. When the weather is warmer there are a number of outdoor parks and playgrounds to explore.

Is Riga or Palma de Mallorca Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Riga and Palma de Mallorca make for a nice place to visit.

Riga makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The city has a charming old town that you can explore, taking time to relax in the city squares or sip coffee at a cafe. There are also many nice restaurants that will make for a romantic date night.

Palma de Mallorca is a good city for couples to visit. With beautiful beaches and a fun Spanish flare, Mallorca makes for a memorable honeymoon.

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

Riga is a must-visit destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Palma de Mallorca is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many backpackers frequent Riga. There are many affordable hostels around town as well as restaurants where you can grab a cheap meal. The city offers a great European experience at a fraction of the price of many cities.

Palma de Mallorca is a great city to visit for backpackers. 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 Riga or Palma de Mallorca Better for Students?

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

Riga is a great city to visit as a student. The city's affordability and vibrant atmosphere make it a great spot for international students. There are many places to hang out and a lively nightlife scene that appeals to young travelers.

Palma de Mallorca is not popular with students.

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

Riga 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 Riga can move around easily with public transportation. Transportation options include buses, trolleybuses, and trams.

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 Riga or Palma de Mallorca a more walkable city?

Riga 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.

Riga is very walkable. The city is small enough that most areas can be explored on foot.

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 Riga Worth Visiting? and Is Palma de Mallorca Worth Visiting?.

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

How long in Riga or Palma de Mallorca?

In either Riga 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 Riga because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Riga, and 3-5 days is enough time in Palma de Mallorca.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Riga 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 Riga.

One day in Riga or Palma de Mallorca?

With shopping and museums around the destination of Riga, 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.

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.

A weekend in Riga or Palma de Mallorca?

With museums and nightlife around the charming city of Riga, 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.

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.

Five days in Riga or Palma de Mallorca?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the charming destination of Riga. 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.

Visitors enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the historic 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.

A week in Riga or Palma de Mallorca?

Riga is a popular choice for travelers. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One of the main draws to the area is the nightlife. 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.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Spain, and The Best 3-Week Tours in Spain.

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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Riga Expensive? and Is Palma de Mallorca Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Riga or Palma de Mallorca?

Riga has a larger population, and is about 98% larger than the population of Palma de Mallorca. When comparing the sizes of Riga 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.

When is the best time to visit Riga 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 Riga or Palma de Mallorca in the Summer?

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

In July, Riga is generally cooler than Palma de Mallorca. Daily temperatures in Riga average around 17°C (63°F), and Palma de Mallorca fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).

Riga usually gets more rain in July than Palma de Mallorca. Riga gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Palma de Mallorca receives 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Riga and Palma de Mallorca. Many visitors come to Riga in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, 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.

Riga is much colder than Palma de Mallorca in the autumn. The daily temperature in Riga averages around 7°C (45°F) in October, and Palma de Mallorca fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

In October, Riga usually receives around the same amount of rain as Palma de Mallorca. Riga gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Palma de Mallorca receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

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

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

Riga can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Riga is much colder than Palma de Mallorca. Typically, the winter temperatures in Riga in January average around -5°C (23°F), and Palma de Mallorca averages at about 11°C (52°F).

Riga usually gets less rain in January than Palma de Mallorca. Riga gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Palma de Mallorca receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

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

In April, Riga is generally much colder than Palma de Mallorca. Daily temperatures in Riga average around 5°C (42°F), and Palma de Mallorca fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

In April, Riga usually receives less rain than Palma de Mallorca. Riga gets 39 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 Riga