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

Should you visit Ephesus 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 Ephesus 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.

Ephesus

Ephesus is a ancient, world-renowned, and fascinating archeological site. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums. See Ephesus travel costs.

Palma de Mallorca

Palma de Mallorca is a historic, beautiful, and stunning island. The beauty of Palma de Mallorca is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the hiking, shopping, and nightlife. See Palma de Mallorca travel costs.

Ephesus and Palma de Mallorca: Pros and Cons

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

Tourists will generally find more to do in Palma de Mallorca than Ephesus. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Palma de Mallorca is very popular for its food, nightlife, music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Ephesus attracts visitors for its museums and attractions. Ephesus is famous for its well-preserved ruins and vast size Palma de Mallorca is famous 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.

The turquoise water and white sand beaches

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

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

Ephesus is a must-visit destination for its museums and history. However, Palma de Mallorca does not have museums and landmarks.

Travelers visit Ephesus from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. Of course, the iconic site is the ruins of Ephesus. There are also several fascinating museums in the area that offer deeper insights into the region's rich history and culture. The Ephesus Archaeological Museum in Selçuk is popular. It has an impressive collection of artifacts excavated from the ancient city, including statues, pottery, and inscriptions. Just outside the museum, the Temple of Artemis section displays remnants of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The Selçuk Museum of Ephesus is another excellent spot to explore, with exhibits that highlight both the daily life of ancient Ephesians and their religious practices. A short drive from Ephesus is the House of the Virgin Mary museum, a revered site believed to be the final home of Mary, mother of Jesus, with a chapel and peaceful surroundings. Lastly, the İsa Bey Mosque and Museum in Selçuk adds to the area's historical depth, offering a glimpse into the Seljuk architecture and Islamic heritage of the region.

Palma de Mallorca does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Palma de Mallorca is a great island for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Ephesus is not as popular, but is still a nice archeological site for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Palma de Mallorca has a huge number of terrific 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.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Ephesus area. Most of the food options are found in the nearby town of Selçuk. Popular dishes include kebabs, mezes, and pide (Turkish flatbread pizza). Many restaurants are casual and cater specifically to the tourist crowds.

Is Ephesus or Palma de Mallorca Better for Nightlife?

Palma de Mallorca is renowned for nightlife and partying. However, Ephesus is not known for its evening party scene.

Palma de Mallorca is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. Head to Magaluf and Palma for the most popular places.

Most people don't head to Ephesus specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. The there are a couple of bars and restaurants with live music in the town of Selçuk, but generally the nightlife is very low key.

Is Ephesus or Palma de Mallorca Better for Music?

Palma de Mallorca is a great island for its live music scene. However, Ephesus is not a live music destination.

Palma de Mallorca has a thriving music scene. Live concerts, international DJs, and a diverse range of styles have put the island's music scene on the map.

Ephesus is not a live music destination.

Is Ephesus or Palma de Mallorca Better for Resorts?

Palma de Mallorca is a great island for its luxury resorts. However, Ephesus is not a resort destination.

Palma de Mallorca is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. Top resorts on the island include The St Regis Mardavall, Viva Cala Mesquida Resort and Spa, and Nixe Palace Hotel.

Ephesus is not a resort destination.

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

Palma de Mallorca is a nice place to visit for its diving and snorkeling. However, Ephesus is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Palma de Mallorca has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. 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.

Ephesus is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Ephesus or Palma de Mallorca Better for Beaches?

Palma de Mallorca is renowned for the beach. However, Ephesus is not a beach destination.

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.

Ephesus is not a beach destination.

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

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

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Palma de Mallorca. Alcudia is the best old town on the island. It has cobblestone streets and historic walls that give it charm and history.

Ephesus does not have a historic old town.

Is Ephesus or Palma de Mallorca Better for Hiking?

Palma de Mallorca is a nice place to visit for hiking. However, Ephesus is not a hiking destination.

Palma de Mallorca has hiking trails worth exploring. There are many beautiful hikes along the water and through the countryside that offer beautiful views and pass by quaint towns.

Ephesus is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Ephesus or Palma de Mallorca?

If you're looking to go shopping, Ephesus and Palma de Mallorca both offer plenty of nice spots.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Ephesus. Selçuk has a variety of local shops and markets. Traditional handicrafts such as carpet and kilim weaving, ceramics, and leather goods are popular souvenirs. The Selçuk Market is held on Saturdays and offers fresh produce, spices, and other local products.

Many visitors go to Palma de Mallorca to go shopping. Head to Palma for some of the areas best shopping.

Is Ephesus or Palma de Mallorca More Beautiful?

Palma de Mallorca is a great island for its scenery and beauty. However, Ephesus is not a destination known for its beauty.

The beauty of Palma de Mallorca is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. With stunning blue water and beautiful countryside, Mallorca is a beautiful island to visit.

Ephesus is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Ephesus or Palma de Mallorca Better for Families?

Palma de Mallorca is a great island for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Ephesus is not as popular, but is still a nice archeological site for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Palma de Mallorca is very family-friendly. 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.

Ephesus is a family-friendly place to visit. Kids who are into history or archeology will enjoy a visit to the famed ruins of Ephesus. There's also the Ephesus Archaeological Museum where everyone can learn about ancient Greek and Roman cultures in an interactive setting. The nearby House of the Virgin Mary offers a peaceful stop where kids can learn about its historical and religious significance in a tranquil environment. For an active experience, families can enjoy a short hike to Pamucak Beach, where children can swim, build sandcastles, and enjoy the Mediterranean sun.

Is Ephesus or Palma de Mallorca Better for Couples?

Ephesus and Palma de Mallorca are both nice to visit as a couple.

Ephesus makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Many couples stop off at these ruins as part of a bigger tour of Turkey. The ruins are well preserved and impressive, but can get crowded if you visit during the peak times.

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

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

Palma de Mallorca is a great island for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Ephesus is not as popular, but is still a nice archeological site for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Palma de Mallorca. 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.

Ephesus is a good archeological site to visit for backpackers. Many backpackers stay in the nearby town of Selçuk, which has several hostels. This is also where you'll find a number of restaurants and shopping opportunities.

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

Ephesus 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 Ephesus can move around easily with public transportation. The town of Selçuk is well-connected by dolmuşes (shared minivans) that run frequently and offer affordable rides to nearby destinations, including Ephesus, the House of the Virgin Mary, and the Pamucak Beach area.

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 Ephesus or Palma de Mallorca a more walkable city?

Ephesus and Palma de Mallorca are nice when it comes to walkability.

Ephesus is a somewhat walkable place. The ruins are spread out over a large area, but most of the key sites, like the Library of Celsus and the Great Theater, are within walking distance of each other. From Selçuk, it's about a half hour walk to the entrance of the Ephesus ruins, but most visitors prefer to take a short taxi or dolmuş ride to the site. Within Selçuk, many of the sites can be reached on foot.

Palma de Mallorca is a somewhat walkable archeological site. 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 Ephesus Worth Visiting? and Is Palma de Mallorca Worth Visiting?.

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

How long in Ephesus or Palma de Mallorca?

In either Ephesus 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 Ephesus because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Ephesus, and 3-5 days is enough time in Palma de Mallorca.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Palma de Mallorca than Ephesus 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 Ephesus or Palma de Mallorca?

With food and shopping around the destination of Ephesus, there's plenty to do. One day is often enough time to do most activities. It offers something for everyone.

In Palma de Mallorca, you'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This island offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Ephesus or Palma de Mallorca?

With shopping and museums around the ancient archeological site of Ephesus, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.

In Palma de Mallorca, you'll find shopping and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Most people come for the beaches. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in Ephesus or Palma de Mallorca?

Travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the ancient destination of Ephesus. 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 great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Palma de Mallorca has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Ephesus or Palma de Mallorca?

Ephesus is a popular choice for travelers. One of the main draws to the area is the museums. This archeological site 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Palma de Mallorca. Many people enjoy the live music and food when visiting Palma de Mallorca. It's also a relaxing resort destination. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Turkey, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Turkey, The Best Budget Tours to Spain, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Spain.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Ephesus or Palma de Mallorca?

Palma de Mallorca has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Ephesus. When comparing the sizes of Ephesus 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 Ephesus 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 Ephesus or Palma de Mallorca in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Ephesus and Palma de Mallorca. The summer months attract visitors to Ephesus because of the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, 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.

In July, Ephesus is generally a little warmer than Palma de Mallorca. Daily temperatures in Ephesus average around 27°C (81°F), and Palma de Mallorca fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Palma de Mallorca this time of the year. In Ephesus, it's very sunny this time of the year. Ephesus usually receives more sunshine than Palma de Mallorca during summer. Ephesus gets 378 hours of sunny skies, while Palma de Mallorca receives 334 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Ephesus usually receives less rain than Palma de Mallorca. Ephesus gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Palma de Mallorca receives 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

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

The autumn brings many poeple to Ephesus as well as Palma de Mallorca. The shopping scene are the main draw to Ephesus this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Palma de Mallorca for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Ephesus is around the same temperature as Palma de Mallorca in the autumn. The daily temperature in Ephesus averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Palma de Mallorca fluctuates around 19°C (66°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 Ephesus this time of the year. In the autumn, Ephesus often gets more sunshine than Palma de Mallorca. Ephesus gets 232 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Palma de Mallorca receives 204 hours of full sun.

Ephesus usually gets less rain in October than Palma de Mallorca. Ephesus gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Palma de Mallorca receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

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

Both Palma de Mallorca and Ephesus are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Ephesus for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Palma de Mallorca in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

In the winter, Ephesus is around the same temperature as Palma de Mallorca. Typically, the winter temperatures in Ephesus in January average around 10°C (50°F), and Palma de Mallorca averages at about 11°C (52°F).

Ephesus usually receives less sunshine than Palma de Mallorca during winter. Ephesus gets 131 hours of sunny skies, while Palma de Mallorca receives 164 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Ephesus. In January, Ephesus usually receives more rain than Palma de Mallorca. Ephesus gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Palma de Mallorca receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

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

Both Palma de Mallorca and Ephesus during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Palma de Mallorca for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Ephesus is generally around the same temperature as Palma de Mallorca. Daily temperatures in Ephesus average around 15°C (59°F), and Palma de Mallorca fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

In Palma de Mallorca, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Ephesus. In the spring, Ephesus often gets more sunshine than Palma de Mallorca. Ephesus gets 231 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Palma de Mallorca receives 210 hours of full sun.

Ephesus usually gets less rain in April than Palma de Mallorca. Ephesus gets 32 mm (1.3 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 Ephesus