Marbella vs Mallorca: A Travel Comparison
Marbella vs Mallorca, which is better?
Whether you’re planning a beach holiday or a short city break, both destinations are good options. However, if you’re wondering which one is better, I’ve got you covered.
Being a local from the Marbella area, I know the city well, and I’ve visited Mallorca before, so I can understand why you might struggle to make a decision. I love both places!
Marbella and Mallorca are known for their beautiful beaches, picturesque old towns and vibrant nightlife. So, what’s the difference between them?
Let’s dive into a travel comparison between Mallorca and Marbella. I’ve covered which one is best for attractions, beaches, food, transportation and more.
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Attractions
Marbella
Marbella has beautiful things to see; however, it isn’t home to many historical buildings and museums.
One of Marbella’s best things to do is wander its old town. Here is where you’ll find Marbella’s main attractions, picturesque streets and squares and a lovely atmosphere.
Within the old town, you can visit the Encarnación church and the Spanish Engraving Museum or shop at independent bohemian stores.
The old town is doubtless one of my favourite places in Marbella, and I highly recommend spending a few hours exploring it and soaking up its atmosphere.
Apart from the old town, there are some beautiful green spaces like Parque de la Alameda, home to impressive tiled benches and tall trees that make you escape from the heat in the summer.
Another must-see place is Puerto Banús, Marbella luxury port, where you can treat yourself to expensive jewellery, bags and more.
Overall, the variety of activities in Marbella is good, but if you prefer a sightseeing city break, I’d choose Malaga over Marbella. There are many more things to do and see in Malaga.
Best tours and activities in Marbella
From Marbella: Costa del Sol Group Sailboat Cruise & Drinks
From Malaga and Costa del Sol: Gibraltar Tour
From Costa del Sol: Granada, Alhambra + Nasrid Palaces Tour
Mallorca
Palma de Mallorca, the capital of the island, is where you’ll find most attractions, such as historical buildings, museums, and monuments.
The most emblematic building is Palma Cathedral. It’s one of the most beautiful cathedrals in Spain. Its Gothic architecture, sand tones and surroundings make it a special place to visit in Palma.
Although you can visit it on your own if you’re a history buff, it’s worth checking out a guided tour to learn everything about this architectural gem and its interesting legends.
In addition to Palma Cathedral, one of the best things to do in Mallorca is to explore its historic centre. Head to Plaza Mayor, the liveliest square in the city, with restaurants, street singers and more. Within the centre, you can also visit Fundación Juan March Museum and shop for gifts and souvenirs, among other things.
Best tours and activities in Palma de Mallorca
Palma de Mallorca: 5-Hour Catamaran Cruise with Lunch & Swim
Mallorca: Skip the Line Palma Cathedral Entry Ticket
Mallorca Multi-Experience Adventure
Marbella vs Mallorca, which has better attractions? Mallorca has more things to see, especially if you love visiting museums, cathedrals and other historical buildings.
Beaches
Marbella
Besides Nerja, Marbella is the best place to enjoy a beach holiday in Costa del Sol.
It’s home to many fantastic beaches, including blue flag-awarded ones.
If you stay in the centre of Marbella, you’re a footstep from beaches like Playa del Faro and Playa de Venus. Both have good facilities, and their beach promenade has plenty of restaurants and shops.
Other fantastic beaches near the Puerto Banus area are Playa Puerto Banús and Playa Nueva Andalucia.
However, the best beach in Marbella has to be Cabopino. The beach is probably the least developed, so it’s surrounded by nature and sand dunes. Cabopino also has a hiking trail perfect for all levels and ages.
Camping Cabopino is great and a short distance from the beach if you love camping. I loved their cosy cabins and the communal pool. I once stayed there with friends. It was a while ago, but it was a good stay.
Mallorca
Mallorca is a paradise for beach lovers. I’ve never seen beaches as beautiful as the one in Mallorca.
However, it’s fair to say that the most idyllic beaches are outside the city.
Beaches, such as Caló des Moro and Cala Pi Beach in the south of the island, have turquoise waters and stunning natural surroundings.
Also, if you love catching sunsets, watch one at the beach. I absolutely loved the pink colours against the beautiful clear water.
Which has better beaches? The beaches in Mallorca are really difficult to beat. They’re incredibly beautiful.
Food
Marbella
The food scene in Marbella is fantastic, from traditional tapa bars and chiringuitos (beach bars) to international fine-dining cuisine.
Marbella also has numerous Michelin-star restaurants serving exclusive dishes that combine local products and the latest kitchen techniques.
SKINA, located in the old town, is a popular option if you want a top-notch culinary experience.
If you want to try authentic dishes during your time in Marbella, you need to add the following dishes:
- Espeto de sardinas. They are sardine skewers which are slowly cooked in a barbecue made in a small boat.
- Ajoblanco. It is a soup whose main ingredient is garlic. It is topped with green grapes.
- Ensalada Malagueña. Malaga-style salad is made with potatoes, oranges, and cod.
Mallorca
There is no visit to Mallorca without trying its traditional dishes. There are many delicious dishes that aren’t only typical in Mallorca island but in the other Balearic Islands too.
Mallorcan gastronomy is highly influenced by Valencian and Catalan cuisine, so you’ll come across some similarities.
Some of the dishes to try in Mallorca are:
- Arròs brut. A typical soupy rice that contains chicken, pork, rabbit, green beans, tomato, onion and saffron.
- Tumbet. A vegetarian dish made with aubergine, peppers, courgettes, potatoes and tomato sauce.
- Sepia a la mallorquina. It is a stew that has squid, tomatoes, onions, garlic and chilli peppers.
If you have a sweet tooth, don’t leave Palma without trying ensaimadas. These Mallorcan pastries are packed with flavour.
I highly recommend having them at Ca’n Joan de s’Aigo. They serve the best ensaimadas and delicious hot chocolate.
Which has better food? Marbella is the winner for me. There are many good restaurants in Marbella, and I prefer Andalusian cuisine to Majorcan cuisine, which is more rice and meat-based.
Location
Marbella
Marbella is only an hour from Malaga, and it’s in a great location to explore the province’s coastal towns and other Andalusian cities like Cadiz, Granada, and Gibraltar.
It’s a good location for road-tripping around Southern Spain. However, you can also travel to Malaga and take a train to large cities like Seville and Madrid.
Mallorca
Palma de Mallorca is on the island of Mallorca, one of the four islands in the Balearic Islands.
It’s a good location for island hopping. You can easily travel by ferry from Palma to the other islands.
It’s also possible to travel by ferry from Spain’s mainland, from cities like Valencia, to Mallorca, but it takes too long (about 8 hours).
If you want to travel around Spain, you might want to choose another destination where you can drive or take a train.
Which has a better location? If you love island life, Mallorca is your option. But if you prefer to explore other cities, Marbella is better.
Accommodation
Marbella
Marbella is famous for its 5-star resorts and luxury holiday homes. As a local in Costa del Sol, I can tell you Marbella is more expensive than other coastal towns in Malaga.
However, that doesn’t mean you can’t find affordable accommodation.
Here are some hotel recommendations that range from high to low.
- Best luxury hotel: Nobu Hotel Marbella
- Best mid-range hotel: Linda Boutique Hotel
- Best accommodation on a budget: Benabola Hotel & Suites
My top recommendation in the old town of Marbella: Casa Aduar 10
* Book your stay at Casa Aduar 10 through their website. Fill in the form, email or ring the owners. Mention MYLITTLEWORLDOFTRAVELLING to get a special discount!
Mallorca
The hotel price range is going to vary a lot depending on the area you stay and the type of accommodation (hostel, Airbnb, hotel, etc.)
During my stay in Mallorca, I didn’t stay in Palma de Mallorca, but just outside the city. This wasn’t a good idea as my friend and I had to rely on public transport, so if you don’t plan to rent a car, I’d recommend paying more money for accommodation to stay closer.
Here are some hotel recommendations for Mallorca:
- Best luxury hotel: Puro Grand Hotel
- Best mid-range hotel: INNSiDE by Meliá Palma Bosque
- Best accommodation on a budget: Hotel Ilusion Calma & Spa
Which has better accommodation? This is very even. Both destinations have beautiful boutique hotels, but if you prefer a hotel with a luxury touch, Marbella is the winner.
Prices
Marbella
Is Marbella expensive? Yes, it is compared to other coastal towns in Malaga. However, it isn’t when you take a look at other popular European destinations.
These are some price examples:
Meal at a restaurant per person: 15.00 €
One-way bus ticket: 1.25 €
Taxi (normal tariff): 3.38 €
Mallorca
I wouldn’t say Mallorca is a cheap island, but it won’t break your bank if you choose your restaurants and hotels wisely.
Here are some price examples:
Meal at a restaurant per person: 12.50 €
One-way bus ticket: 2.00 €
Taxi (normal tariff): 3.50 €
Which is more affordable? Mallorca is cheaper than Marbella.
Transport
Marbella
When it comes to transportation, if you stay in the centre of Marbella, you’re well-connected.
You can either take a bus or taxi to other parts of the city, like Puerto Banus.
However, if you stay outside the old town, driving is the easiest way to move around, even more so if you want to explore its neighbouring towns.
There are better Costa del Sol towns regarding transport as they offer more options like trains.
From Marbella coach station, you can also travel to several destinations like Estepona and Algeciras.
Mallorca
You won’t need a car if you plan to stay in Palma de Mallorca for a short city break.
You can walk to most places or take a taxi or bus. But if you’d like to explore the best beaches in Mallorca, you’ll need to rent a car.
Which has better transport? Marbella has better transport options. If you plan to explore Mallorca, you’ll definitely need a rental car.
Nightlife
Marbella
Nightlife in Marbella is lively and vibrant, and it’s even much better in the summer when you can expect big concerts, festivals and beach parties.
There are luxury parties in Marbella, and places like beach clubs tend to be more expensive than other towns near Marbella. However, you can still find not-so-expensive options in the city.
Mallorca
Mallorca, alongside Ibiza, is one of the most well-known islands for hosting the best nightlife, parties and music festivals.
If you love partying, choosing Mallorca is always a good option. Palma de Mallorca nightlife is good, but there are other places on the island which are more targeted towards partygoers. For example, Magaluf.
Magaluf is always on the news when it comes to parties. However, it has a bit of a reputation, like it’s tacky. I personally haven’t visited Magaluf, but I’ve heard many things regarding this.
Which has better nightlife? There isn’t a clear winner for me. Both have similar nightlife.
Expat life
Marbella
Although I am a local from the Marbella area, I have many friends who are expats in Marbella, and they absolutely love the town. They even moved from bigger cities like Madrid and Barcelona to Marbella and preferred the quieter atmosphere.
You can experience the authentic Spanish lifestyle in Marbella despite being a popular choice for expats. There are expats from around the world, especially from the UK and Northern European countries.
There are many reasons to move to Marbella – from the sunny weather almost all year round, beautiful beaches and friendly locals to more job opportunities for foreigners.
Mallorca
Similarly, Mallorca is a good destination for expats looking to move to Spain.
The food is fantastic, the beaches are out of this world, the expat community is big, and, of course, the weather is amazing if you love the heat and sun and crave them in the winter months.
In addition, Mallorca is inexpensive compared to other European cities, so it works well if you have a budget.
However, living in Mallorca isn’t for everyone. If you prefer the city lifestyle, I’d choose another place to move to in Spain, like Malaga, Valencia or Barcelona.
Which is better for expats? The expat community in Marbella and Mallorca are big, so it depends on the lifestyle you prefer.
Day trips
Marbella
If you’re staying in Marbella longer than two days, you probably want to explore its surroundings, and the great thing is that there are fantastic day trips from Marbella.
One of the best day trips from Marbella is to Malaga, the main city in the province. One day in Malaga is perfect for visiting the main attractions, such as Castillo de Gibralfaro, Alcazaba de Malaga and the Cathedral. They are all very close to each other, so it’s super easy to visit them all in a day.
If you’d love to see the authentic Andalusian whitewashed villages, you’re also a short distance from many of them by staying in Marbella. You can visit the picturesque town of Mijas Pueblo and Ronda, known for its wine production and the birth of bullfighting.
In addition to this, one of my favourite trips from Marbella is to Gibraltar. It’s only 1-hour drive, and you have the opportunity to explore a new country.
You can contemplate breathtaking views of Africa, Spain and Gibraltar from the Top of the Rock, see the Barbary macaques (aka monkeys), and learn everything about this interesting country, which is a melting pot of cultures.
Mallorca
Palma de Mallorca also offers a good variety of day trips to quaint towns and incredible beaches.
One of the most popular day trips from Mallorca is Sóller. You don’t necessarily need to have a rental car to go there; you can take the picturesque old tram from Palma.
Once in Sóller, you can explore its cobblestone streets and see its historical buildings like the neogothic church called San Bartomeu, have a Mallorcan meal at the Port of Sóller and relax at its nearby beaches.
Other picturesque small towns in Mallorca include Valldemossa and Pollença.
If you prefer to immerse yourself in nature, the best day trips are to Cap de Formentor and Sa Calobra.
Which has better day trips? Marbella offers more unique day trips for travellers with different interests, but Mallorca is great for nature lovers.
Frequently asked questions about Marbella vs Mallorca
Is Mallorca better or Marbella?
Mallorca is better for a beach holiday. Marbella is better for food, shopping and day trips.
Is Majorca cheaper than Marbella?
Mallorca is generally cheaper than Marbella. However, prices vary depending on the area you stay and the activities you want to do.
Is Marbella or Mallorca better for couples?
Marbella is a top destination for couples. There are many romantic things to do and excellent adult-only hotels.
Conclusion on Mallorca vs Marbella
Both destinations have fantastic things to offer, and there isn’t a clear winner.
It really depends on the type of holiday you want. If you want a beach holiday, I’d choose Mallorca over Marbella as there are more beautiful beaches. When it comes to attractions, Mallorca also has more.
However, if you love food, shopping and prefer a more laid-back vibe, Marbella is the place to go. Marbella also has a wider selection of excursions and day trips.
Do you have any questions about Mallorca or Marbella? Drop them in the comments below, and I’ll be happy to help you.
Enjoy your holidays!
Cristina xx
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