A Travel Price Comparison for Spain Tenerife vs. Palma de Mallorca for Nightlife, Beaches, Hiking, and Families

Should you visit Tenerife or Palma de Mallorca?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Tenerife or Palma de Mallorca, 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.

Tenerife

Tenerife is a adventure-filled, beautiful, and volcanic island. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Palma de Mallorca

Palma de Mallorca is a stunning, cultural, and historic island. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, live music, and food.

Tenerife and Palma de Mallorca: Pros and Cons

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

Tourists will generally find more to do in Palma de Mallorca. Although Tenerife and Palma de Mallorca are both popular with visitors, Palma de Mallorca has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Palma de Mallorca is more popular for its food, music, beaches, and historical sights, while Tenerife is known for its museums, scuba diving & snorkeling, hiking, and shopping. Tenerife is popular for its volcanic landscapes, built-up resorts, and fun-filled beaches. Palma de Mallorca is popular for its strikingly blue waters, sandy beaches, all-inclusive resorts, and vibrant towns. It is also home to the turquoise water and white sand beaches.

The turquoise water and white sand beaches

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

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

Tenerife is not a good area for its museums and history. However, Palma de Mallorca does not have museums and landmarks.

If you're looking to pass the time, head to a museum or historic sight in Tenerife. The island is filled with national parks, beautiful landscapes, and stunning beaches, but if you're not into outdoor activities, then you won't find many museums or other historical sights to visit.

Palma de Mallorca does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Palma de Mallorca is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Tenerife is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

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.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Tenerife. Many visitors stick to the major touristy areas, eating in their resorts or other nearby restaurants. If you want to try a bit of the island's authentic Canarian cuisine, you'll need to do a little research. Head into the local areas near the markets for the best chance of finding something a little more authentic. Local dishes often include fish and seafood as well as local meats, but you'll rarely find beef as there isn't a lot of land for cows to graze on the island.

Is Tenerife or Palma de Mallorca Better for Nightlife?

The amazing nightlife scene is relatively similar in Tenerife and Palma de Mallorca.

Tenerife is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. The island has a variety of nightclubs that range in style and personality. There are all night wild beach parties as well as laid back beach clubs and hole-in-the-wall pubs. Many bars have happy hours where you can relax with a drink and many nightclubs host famous DJs that keep the party going into the early morning hours.

People head to Palma de Mallorca just to party. Head to Magaluf and Palma for the most popular places.

Is Tenerife or Palma de Mallorca Better for Music?

Palma de Mallorca is a very popular place for live music. However, Tenerife is not a live music destination.

It's worth checking out the music scene in Palma de Mallorca while you're in town. Live concerts, international DJs, and a diverse range of styles have put the island's music scene on the map.

Tenerife is not a live music destination.

Is Tenerife or Palma de Mallorca Better for Resorts?

With a similar set of options, superb resorts can be found in both Tenerife and Palma de Mallorca.

Tenerife is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. You'll find everything from world-class resorts like the Ritz to more budget-friendly hotels and even some hostels around the island. You'll find most of the resorts on the south side of the island, which is also where you'll find the best weather.

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.

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

Tenerife 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 Tenerife to enjoy scuba diving and snorkeling. A highlight of snorkeling in this area is the opportunity to swim with sea turtles. Some of the best snorkeling is in El Puertito, which is known for its many turtles and there is no shortage of organized snorkeling trips to the area. The island also has excellent scuba diving trips with a variety of shipwrecks and marine species.

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.

Is Tenerife or Palma de Mallorca Better for Beaches?

Palma de Mallorca is very popular for its beaches. Also, Tenerife is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for the beache.

The beaches in Palma de Mallorca are among the best in 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.

The beaches at Tenerife attract visitors from all over. The island has a large number of beaches that attract tourists, particularly during the peak winter months. The island's volcanic nature means that many of its natural beaches have black sand. The golden sand from the more developed beaches typically comes from the Sahara Desert. A favorite beach on the island is the 2 kilometer long Playa de las Teresitas.

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

Palma de Mallorca is a nice place to visit for its historic old town. However, Tenerife does not have a historic old town.

Palma de Mallorca is a good destination for visiting its old town. Alcudia is the best old town on the island. It has cobblestone streets and historic walls that give it charm and history.

Tenerife does not have a historic old town.

Is Tenerife or Palma de Mallorca Better for Hiking?

Tenerife is a must-visit destination for its hiking trails. Also, Palma de Mallorca is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

Known for its hiking, Tenerife draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. The island's volcanic landscapes mean that there are dramatic and breathtaking hikes throughout the island. Some of the best hikes are found in the Anaga Rural Park, Teide National Park, and the Teno Mountains.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Palma de Mallorca. There are many beautiful hikes along the water and through the countryside that offer beautiful views and pass by quaint towns.

Is the Shopping Better in Tenerife or Palma de Mallorca?

Tenerife 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 Tenerife. The island's low tax rates make it a popular shopping destination for tourists. The are shopping streets, local markets, and luxury malls that you can explore.

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

Is Tenerife or Palma de Mallorca Better for Families?

Tenerife 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.

Tenerife is an amazing family-friendly island to visit. The island has many great waterparks for kids, with one of the best being Siam Park. Other family-friendly destinations include Aqualand, Loro Parque, Jungle Park, and Monkey Park. There are whale watching trips, outdoor adventures, and kid-friendly beaches as well.

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.

Is Tenerife or Palma de Mallorca Better for Couples?

Tenerife 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.

Tenerife makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The natural beauty, great landscapes, and lively beaches make this a great island for a romantic getaway. There's hiking and outdoor adventures as well as swimming, boat rides, and even whale watching.

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 Tenerife or Palma de Mallorca Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Palma de Mallorca is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Tenerife is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Tenerife is a good island to visit for backpackers. The island is large enough that there are a decent number of hostels and budget-friendly places to stay for backpackers.

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

Visitors will find good public transit in both Tenerife and Palma de Mallorca.

Tenerife has some public transit options. The island has a decent bus service that is operated by a company called "TITSA".

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 Tenerife or Palma de Mallorca a more walkable city?

Tenerife and Palma de Mallorca are good when it comes to walkability.

Tenerife is somewhat walkable. There are many walks on the island that make for a fun way to explore the setting.

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

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

How long in Tenerife or Palma de Mallorca?

In either Tenerife or Palma de Mallorca, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Tenerife than Palma de Mallorca because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Tenerife, and 3-5 days is enough time in Palma de Mallorca.

Families should spend more time in Tenerife than Palma de Mallorca. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Tenerife, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Palma de Mallorca than Tenerife 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.

One day in Tenerife or Palma de Mallorca?

With scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the destination of Tenerife, 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 Tenerife or Palma de Mallorca?

With shopping and nightlife around the scenic island of Tenerife, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

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 Tenerife or Palma de Mallorca?

With nightlife and food around the vibrant destination of Tenerife, there's plenty to do. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. If you have five days, this island makes for a great vacation. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here.

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 Tenerife or Palma de Mallorca?

Tenerife is a popular choice for travelers. It's also a relaxing resort destination. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. One week here is typical. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Spain, The Best 10-Day Tours in Spain, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Spain, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Spain.

When comparing the travel costs between Tenerife and Palma de Mallorca, we can see that Palma de Mallorca 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 Tenerife Expensive? and Is Palma de Mallorca Expensive?.

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

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Tenerife or Palma de Mallorca in the Summer?

Both Palma de Mallorca and Tenerife are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Tenerife because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Palma de Mallorca this time of year.

Tenerife is around the same temperature as Palma de Mallorca in the summer. The daily temperature in Tenerife averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Palma de Mallorca fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).

It's quite sunny in Palma de Mallorca. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tenerife. Tenerife usually receives less sunshine than Palma de Mallorca during summer. Tenerife gets 268 hours of sunny skies, while Palma de Mallorca receives 334 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Tenerife usually receives less rain than Palma de Mallorca. Tenerife gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Palma de Mallorca receives 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

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

Both Palma de Mallorca and Tenerife during the autumn are popular places to visit. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Tenerife this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Palma de Mallorca for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Tenerife is a little warmer than Palma de Mallorca. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Tenerife in October average around 22°C (72°F), and Palma de Mallorca averages at about 19°C (66°F).

In Palma de Mallorca, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Tenerife. In the autumn, Tenerife often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Palma de Mallorca. Tenerife gets 200 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Palma de Mallorca receives 204 hours of full sun.

Tenerife usually gets less rain in October than Palma de Mallorca. Tenerife gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Palma de Mallorca receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Tenerife and Palma de Mallorca. Many travelers come to Tenerife for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Palma de Mallorca in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

In January, Tenerife is generally much warmer than Palma de Mallorca. Daily temperatures in Tenerife average around 17°C (63°F), and Palma de Mallorca fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Tenerife usually receives more sunshine than Palma de Mallorca during winter. Tenerife gets 191 hours of sunny skies, while Palma de Mallorca receives 164 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Tenerife usually receives around the same amount of rain as Palma de Mallorca. Tenerife gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Palma de Mallorca receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

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

The spring brings many poeple to Tenerife as well as Palma de Mallorca. Many visitors come to Tenerife in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Additionally, most visitors come to Palma de Mallorca for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

Tenerife is a little warmer than Palma de Mallorca in the spring. The daily temperature in Tenerife averages around 18°C (64°F) in April, and Palma de Mallorca fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Palma de Mallorca. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tenerife this time of the year. In the spring, Tenerife often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Palma de Mallorca. Tenerife gets 205 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Palma de Mallorca receives 210 hours of full sun.

Tenerife usually gets less rain in April than Palma de Mallorca. Tenerife gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Palma de Mallorca receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Palma de Mallorca and Tenerife