Is Mallorca worth it? How to Visit on a Budget

Mallorca Budget Guide:
What to Expect and How to Save Money

One of Spain’s popular Balearic Islands, Mallorca (also known as Majorca) is known for its beautiful beaches, historic architecture, culinary scene, vineyards and glorious weather. Mallorca is known for being one of the most affordable places in Europe, but in terms of the rest of Spain it can be a little more on the pricey side, which is why we’ve created this guide on budgeting, average costs and where to stay. Thanks to its popularity, hotels are in abundance in Mallorca, so you certainly won’t struggle to find somewhere to stay, but we’ve created this guide on how to explore this beautiful island on a budget.

A Breakdown of Average Travel Costs in Mallorca

How Much Do Things Cost in Mallorca

Where to Stay in Mallorca on a Budget

Across Mallorca, you’ll find budget areas to stay including its capital Palma, which is thought to be fairly affordable compared to other capital cities in Europe. For tips and advice on where in Mallorca you should stay that’ll ensure you remain within budget, continue reading:

Palma: Mallorca’s capital is filled with lots of things to do and see, and has an abundance of hotels and accommodation options to choose from. While Palma is a resort city and therefore extremely popular with tourists and holidaymakers, it still features some budget and affordable accommodation amongst the resorts and expensive hotels you’re probably used to. Hotel Bari and Hotel Balanguera are great options for affordable hotels in Palma.

Airport Hotels: Airport hotels are known for being more affordable than inner city hotels, and Palma’s resident airport has many hotels within its vicinity that are perfect for just a short trip, business trip or if you’re in Palma during a layover or have time to kill before your flight. Some affordable airport hotel options near Palma de Mallorca Airport include Hotel THB and Alua Leo.

Smaller cities: When thinking of Mallorca, you probably initially gravitate towards Palma– as the capital, it will naturally be more expensive than other cities in Mallorca. If you want to avoid large tourist crowds but still experience beautiful sights and superb weather, head to cities or towns like Pollenca, Alcúdia or Valldemossa.

The Best Options for Finding Cheap Accommodation in Mallorca

Mallorca’s most popular cities/towns are of course its capital Palma and Pollença. Despite these areas being popular, you can still find affordable accommodation options if you know where to look. It’s a good idea to book in advance to ensure your hotel stays cheap and you can avoid large crowds of tourists who inevitably will cause prices to skyrocket. You should also consider staying in hostels or holiday rentals, as these can work out much cheaper than hotels in the long run. Subscribing to newsletters for certain hotels can also help keep you updated about any new deals or offers available.

What to Expect from Staying in Mallorca and How to Book a Cheap Room

Although there are low-cost alternatives and cheaper hotels in the most popular areas in Mallorca, there are certain things you can consider that’ll make sure that no matter where you look or are staying, you’ll always find the best deals on accommodation:

Travel at different times of the year: June to August, when the weather is hottest, tend to be the most popular and most expensive months of the year. Although you may be travelling to Mallorca for its hot weather, consider travelling during the spring months, when the weather may be milder but still pleasant and you can still find an abundance of exciting attractions and activities to partake in.

Book in advance: Booking in advance is important as it can help you secure your hotel before the influx of tourists that may cause your hotel to sell out or increase its nightly rates in accordance with the large crowds. Try to book your hotel around 2-3 months in advance of your trip dates for the best chance of success in securing your hotel.

How to Get Around Mallorca Easily and Cheaply

Mallorca’s main form of transportation is its bus system, of which the fare is reasonably low for a single ticket. Mallorca’s cities and towns are also very walkable, with many people choosing to walk or cycle around to see the sights. While there are forms of public transport, have you ever considered hiring a car? With Palma Airport and the city centre being popular areas for car hire, as well as numerous trusted car hire suppliers operating across the island, hiring a car in Mallorca is the perfect way to see everything the island has to offer.

To truly make the most of your Mallorca holiday, why not consider a road trip around the island? Many of the suppliers that offer car hire in Mallorca offer one-way rentals, meaning you can drop your car off at a different location from where you picked it up.

How to Eat Well in Mallorca Without Spending a Fortune

Generally, for eating out in restaurants across Mallorca, you should try to budget around €20-€30 per meal. Inexpensive or independent restaurants are your best option for lower prices on food, as well as markets or street food stalls. Markets are great for low-cost and high-quality produce, and if you’re staying in a holiday rental that is self-catered, this will benefit you a lot more. You can haggle in markets to try and get the price even lower, and some market stalls may offer deals on goods.

Another good option for ensuring you don’t go overboard with food prices is to book hotels that offer dinner or breakfast included in the price. As breakfast is the most important meal of the day and some hotels allow for unlimited breakfast buffets, you can go all out and fuel your day ahead, meaning you can opt for something a little lighter and less expensive for lunch.

Our Top Picks for Free and Cheap Activities in Mallorca

Mallorca has its fair share of cheaper and free activities amongst the more expensive tourist attractions. After all, if you intend to just sunbathe or spend most of your day on the beach, your holiday will be cheap as beaches don’t cost anything. However, if you’re looking for activities to do or more cultural places to visit, you may be wondering how much you’ll need to spend. Let’s take a look at some of the cheapest activities to do in Mallorca:

Drach Caves: The experience and beauty of these caves justify the price at around €18 for adults to enter. In the grand scheme of things, €18 isn’t too unreasonable, and Drach Caves is one of Mallorca’s prime attractions.

Calo del Moro: One of the best beaches on the island, complete with glistening turquoise water. If you want to make your experience of this beach more fulfilling, you can book a boat tour, however this will cost money. Otherwise, entry to this beach is free.

Castel de Bellver: With entry costing around €2-€5 per person, this is one of the cheapest places you can visit in Mallorca. The unique circular shape of this castle and its centuries of history dating back to the 15th century is what makes it so appealing.

The Best Places to Find Live Music, Shows and Events in Mallorca

Auditorium de Palma: One of the best places on the island to see a variety of live events, performing arts and shows. The auditorium has a capacity of around 2,000.

Teatro Principal de Palma: This is one of the main theatres. Here, you can see opera performances, shows and other performances.

Mallorca Son Moix: The home stadium of RCD Mallorca, a professional football team. This stadium is one of the most popular stadiums on the island, and the biggest in the Balearic Islands, with a capacity of around 25,000 spectators.

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Tourist Board Info For Mallorca