Malaga or Mallorca: My Opinion on Which Place is Better

Malaga or Mallorca? Both are great destinations, and choosing which one to visit is challenging. I definitely understand why.

Malaga is the city where I was born and raised, and Mallorca is one of my favourite islands. They make unforgettable summer destinations and good winter sun city breaks, too. 

I’d personally pick Malaga over Mallorca for a city break and Mallorca over Malaga for a beach holiday, but I’ll go into more detail in this article. 

I will compare different aspects of both destinations, not only as cities (Malaga versus Palma de Mallorca) but as the entire province of Malaga and Mallorca as an island. 

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Attractions

Malaga

While everyone thought Malaga was only a beach destination, I think the perception has completely changed, and I’m glad it has. 

Yes, Malaga has beaches, but it’s also rich in culture. We have incredible historical buildings and numerous museums for every age and interest. 

While visiting my hometown, some must-see attractions include the Alcazaba, Gibralfaro Castle, the Cathedral and the Picasso Museum. 

These attractions, combined with the city’s walkability and atmosphere, make it a fantastic city break. 

Mallorca

Palma de Mallorca, the capital of the island, is also a lovely city break and base for your Mallorca adventure. 

The old town is very picturesque, and some of the historical buildings must be included in any itinerary. For example, the cathedral. I think it’s the most impressive building in the city, not only from the outside but also from the inside. 

The Royal Palace of La Almudaina, next to the cathedral, is also a must-see. This former royal residence is a grand building where you can learn more about the royal family of Mallorca. 

Other places to see include the Arab Baths, the only one remaining in Mallorca, La Lonja and the local museum. 

Conclusion 

If I compare both cities, Malaga has much more to do than Palma de Mallorca. You can visit more museums and historical buildings. Having said so, Mallorca Cathedral is more impressive and larger than Malaga Cathedral. I experienced some rainy days on my trip to Palma, and I believe you will find more things to do in Malaga on a rainy day as well. 

Beaches 

Malaga

Malaga is known for its coast, referred to as the coast of the sun (Costa del Sol). The city has a few beaches, La Malagueta Beach being the most visited by travellers because of its proximity to the centre.

However, there are so many towns around Malaga with beaches, including Benalmadena, Marbella and Nerja.

I love the beaches between Benalmadena and Fuengirola. Some have beautiful waters, fantastic facilities, and beach clubs. 

Mallorca

From south to north, Mallorca is surrounded by golden sand beaches with crystal clear water and tiny coves that feel cosy and are simply stunning. 

While you don’t need to leave Palma to find a good beach, you have Palma Beach; there are better ones scattered across the island. 

Some of the best include Caló des Moro, Cala D’Or, Playa Formentor and Playa Ses Illetes. 

Conclusion

Palma city has more beautiful beaches than Malaga city. Beaches are smaller, but the golden sand and crystal clear waters make them more attractive.

Mallorca, as an island, also has more idyllic beaches than Malaga as a province. While Maro Beach in Nerja and Cabopino in Marbella are the best, Ses Illetes and other coves around the island make you feel like you’re in paradise. 

Food

Malaga

If you love fish and seafood, you’ll love Malaga, from the grilled sardines (espetos) to small clams and garlic prawns. 

However, as a local, I can tell you there’s more to our cuisine. Fish is a star ingredient, but you can also enjoy vegetarian dishes like ajoblanco (an almond and garlic soup) and fried aubergines, as well as meatballs and lamb.

If you’ve decided to go to Malaga and want to know my food recommendations, here is my guide on where to eat.  

Mallorca 

Majorcan cuisine is known for hearty dishes. Pork is such a staple of the local gastronomy. Think about sausages, pies and even sweet pastries that are made with lard. 

However, there are also vegetarian dishes such as tombet and bread spread with tomato and olive oil and or other vegetables. 

Conclusion 

I personally prefer the cuisine of my hometown. I feel like there’s more variety of dishes and products that, depending on the weather, are better than others. For example, a cold ajoblanco is perfect for summer while the berza malagueña stew goes down a treat in winter. 

Day trips 

Malaga

One of the best things about travelling to Malaga is that it’s a fantastic base to explore other towns and well-known Andalusian cities. 

There are plenty of day trips for everyone. For example, if you want to see the traditional whitewashed villages, I wouldn’t miss Mijas Pueblo and Frigiliana. However, there are many more, but they’re less accessible by public transport. 

Do you prefer to hike? El Caminito del Rey (the Little King Pathway) is without a doubt the most famous hike, but I can also recommend El Saltillo, which isn’t as popular. 

On top of these excursion options, you also have the option to visit larger cities like Sevilla, Granada and Cordoba. 

Many of these big cities deserve more than a day, but I’ve visited Cordoba and Granada for a day a few times, and you can cover the must-see attractions.

Mallorca

What I love the most about Mallorca is its beautiful small towns. They’re full of character, rich in culture and picturesque. 

It’s easy to travel to many of these towns by public transport, so you don’t need to rent a car. 

My favourite day trips from Palma are Soller and Valldemossa, but you should also check out the caves (Cuevas del Drach), Deia, and Bunyola. 

Personally, Valldemossa is among my top three most beautiful towns in Spain. If I were you, I wouldn’t miss it! Expect to walk on cobblestone streets lined with lovely boutiques and restaurants, see historic buildings, and take in the Tramuntana Mountain views.

Many of these towns also have stunning hiking trails. 

Conclusion 

Malaga is a better option for exploring not only the towns and villages inside the province but also other larger Spanish cities. You can easily start a road trip across Southern Spain from Malaga.

As Mallorca is an island, you’re limited to travelling within the islands, to other Balearic Islands or Eastern Spain by ferry or plane. 

If you love exploring the small towns in Spain, Malaga and Mallorca have plenty of options. 

I can’t decide between the whitewashed towns of Malaga and the mountainside towns of Mallorca. They both have their charm.

Prices

Malaga

While prices in Malaga have considerably increased in the last few years, I totally think it’s possible to have a great holiday without breaking the bank. 

There are different types of accommodations to pick from. Luxury hotels like Miramar and Only You, mid-range hotels like the SoHo hotel chain, or hostels with private rooms, such as Dulces Dreams Boutique Hostel. 

Food can be as cheap as you want. Tapas are about 3 euros, while a sitting-down menu in an average restaurant for two is 30 euros. 

Transport is affordable, and attraction entry tickets range from 3 euros to 12 euros. On top of that, you can enjoy many free activities in Malaga. 

Mallorca

Mallorca isn’t a cheap destination. Having travelled a couple of times to the island, I felt like some things were overpriced. 

Hotels, especially during peak season, have high rates, whether you prefer to stay in a boutique hotel or an all-inclusive resort. 

The food is slightly more expensive than in other Spanish destinations, too. You’ll usually pay about 40 to 50 euros for a meal for two. However, this can be higher if eating at the beachfront or a unique restaurant. 

Attraction tickets start from 10 euros, and some have vip or add-on experiences that can increase the price to nearly 20 euros. From my experience, there are barely any free things to do besides walking the old town, going to the beach or port. 

In contrast, public transport prices are reasonable and affordable. The only time you’ll pay more is if you take the vintage train and tram to Soller, which is an experience but quite expensive in my opinion. 

Conclusion 

Malaga is cheaper than Mallorca, even if you stay in other coastal towns. The only one I would probably say has similar prices to Mallorca is Marbella.

Transport

Malaga

The public transportation in Malaga is generally good, although I think the bus station could definitely use a renovation. In my opinion, it’s a bit outdated. 

If you plan to rely on public transport during your time in Malaga, the city is the best place to get around. The city centre is walkable, so you don’t even need transport, but you always have the option of taking the underground. 

If you want to travel to other towns or cities, you have buses and the short distance that travels from Malaga to Fuengirola. 

Mallorca

Despite being an island, it’s really well-connected. The first time I travelled to Mallorca, I thought I couldn’t travel much without renting a car, but the truth is that you don’t have to.

Palma has local buses (EMT) that travel around the city, as well as TIB buses that take you from the city to towns like Deià, Valldemossa, and many others.

Additionally, Palma has an underground system. I didn’t need to use it on my trips to Palma, but it doesn’t seem to have many routes, from what I have seen. 

Conclusion

Both cities have good transportation systems, and you don’t need to rent a car, but it does help to explore the off-the-beaten-track destinations.

Nightlife

Malaga

Malaga City has a vibrant nightlife all year round, whereas the coastal towns have a more seasonal party scene. For example, Marbella is renowned for its top-notch and lavish beach clubs that attract travellers from all around the world.

Mallorca

While you can find bars and clubs in Palma de Mallorca, the party scene is mainly on resorts like Magaluf and Palmanova, which you’ve probably heard of.

Conclusion

I’m not a party person, so it’s difficult to say which destination is better for partying, and everyone has a different party style. I prefer the more sophisticated and laid-back beach clubs in Marbella or the north of Mallorca.

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