What is the difference between Palma de Mallorca and Majorca?

Majorca (Mallorca) is the island. Palma de Mallorca is the capital city of the island. And Mallorca/Majorca, the island, is one of a group of islands called the Balearic Islands. Palma de Mallorca is the capital of the island of Mallorca/Majorca, the largest town/city and seat of government of the island.



The difference between Palma de Mallorca and Majorca is simply the difference between a specific city and the island it belongs to. Majorca (or Mallorca in Spanish and Catalan) is the largest island in the Balearic Islands archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea. Palma de Mallorca (often simply called Palma) is the capital city of the island of Majorca. Many people use the names interchangeably when talking about their vacation, but Palma refers to the urban, historic hub famous for its massive Gothic cathedral (La Seu), the royal palace, and its bustling port and nightlife. Majorca, the island, encompasses everything else, including the jagged Serra de Tramuntana mountains, the hidden turquoise "calas" (coves) of the east coast, the wine regions of the interior, and other towns like Sóller or Alcúdia. If you are staying in "Majorca," you could be anywhere on the 3,600 square kilometer island; if you are staying in "Palma," you are specifically in the city center. Geographically and politically, Palma is the heart of Majorca, serving as the seat of government for the entire autonomous community of the Balearic Islands.

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The name derives from Classical Latin insula maior, larger island. Later, in Medieval Latin, this became Maiorca, the larger one, in comparison to Menorca, the smaller one. This was then hypercorrected to Mallorca by central Catalan scribes, which later came to be accepted as the standard spelling.

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From its massive cathedral to its soft sand beaches to its delicious food specialties, there's no wonder why Palma is so popular today. The capital ? and only ? city of the Balearic Islands, Palma is settled in a large bay on the southwest coast of Mallorca, the largest island of the group.

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“Mallorca” is the Spanish spelling of the island, while “Majorca” is the most popular spelling in English, as well as other languages and countries. Officially, the name of the island is Mallorca, which is technically the correct spelling.

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Areas to avoid If you're after something more relaxed, do stay away from Magaluf and Palma Nova as these places are where you'll find a lot of the 18-30's groups, along with English-style pubs, a big drinking culture and all-night parties. They are also jam-packed during the peak tourism months of July and August.

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A visit to Palma's picturesque Old Town is always highly recommended. Known in Spanish as 'El Casco Antiguo', it's where the majority of must-see tourist attractions are located, such as the majestic 'La Seu' Cathedral, the Royal Palace of Almudaina and Es Baluard Contemporary Art Museum.

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Set on the north coast of Mallorca, in the bay of Pollensa, is one of the island's most beautiful towns: Puerto de Pollensa (also known as Port de Pollença, or Port de Pollenca). This tranquil destination is still lively without being excessive, and makes it a good resort town to stay in Mallorca for families.

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The best time to visit Mallorca is the shoulder season in April–May and September–October—days are warm and crowds are few. Most hotels and restaurants are open, and it's a prime time to enjoy outdoor activities like hiking and mountain biking.

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What is this? In fact, I'd go as far as saying that Palma is an ideal city break, which is quite surprising for an island destination ? yet, it ticks all the boxes; gastronomy, history, culture, and more than enough places to eat and drink in style.

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You should plan to spend around €139 ($146) per day on your vacation in Palma de Mallorca, which is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors. Past travelers have spent, on average, €45 ($47) on meals for one day and €25 ($26) on local transportation.

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Mallorca offers tons to see and do on the cheap, from sandy beaches and inviting markets to impressive natural features and historical sites on a fun-filled Mediterranean island. With such a diverse array of affordable activities, your trip to Mallorca can be packed full of fun while staying on budget.

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Ibiza offers more options for party-goers and nightlife enthusiasts, while Mallorca has a broader range of family-friendly and all-inclusive resorts. Make sure to book your accommodation in advance as it tends to be sold out, especially in summer. Check our guide to the best places to stay in Ibiza.

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Bar Street is Playa de Palma's version of the Strip in Magaluf, just substitute noisy Brits with noisy Germans. It is around 450m long and stretches from the intersection with Carrer del Llaüt to the intersection with Carrer de les Canyes.

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Magaluf is situated on the south-west coast of Mallorca, around a 25-minute drive from Palma Son Sant Joan airport and 15 minutes from the city centre. It is divided from the neighbouring resort of Palma Nova by a headland, although you can easily walk between the two in 10 minutes.

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Mallorca is known for its great collection of beaches which attract regular crowds, especially in the summer months of June through September. In other seasons though, hotel rates tend to be more competitive and there's plenty of action and adventure to enjoy without the sweltering heat of summer.

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Safety at night:Safe Overall, Palma is quite safe at night. Streets are well-lit and populated, in most areas, even in the evening hours. However, like anywhere in the world, it is still recommended to remain vigilant. Stick to main streets and avoid alone, isolated areas.

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What Not to Do in Mallorca on Your 1st Visit
  • Planning to visit only in summer.
  • Underestimating the heat.
  • Packing only for the beach.
  • Going for lunch or dinner too early.
  • Not carrying enough cash.
  • (Still) falling for timeshare scams.
  • Drinking in the streets of Magaluf.
  • Not exploring outside Palma.


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Safety at night:Safe Overall, Palma is quite safe at night. Streets are well-lit and populated, in most areas, even in the evening hours. However, like anywhere in the world, it is still recommended to remain vigilant. Stick to main streets and avoid alone, isolated areas.

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The most exclusive location on the island, now fairly densely populated with homes of the world's rich and famous, is undoubtedly Dei?. On the west coast of Mallorca, this scenic town has long been popular with artists since the 1950s.

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