Ibiza vs Mallorca: How to Choose Between These Two Beautiful Balearic Islands

What a decision to make – Ibiza vs Mallorca. Which of these two stunning Balearic Islands is the perfect destination for your next Spanish adventure?

Both are famed for their incredible beaches, crystal-clear waters, and great culinary options. The rugged coastlines on both islands are packed with secret coves, pine-covered bays, and winding paths leading to perfect snorkeling spots.

However, there are a couple of differences between these two popular Mediterranean islands. You might want to pick one over the other when it comes to landscape, nightlife, price, size, culture, and seasons.

To help your decision, I've put together a guide to these two amazing islands so that at the end you know exactly which one to pick!

Mallorca, Menorca, or Ibiza: At a Glance

	Mallorca	Menorca	Ibiza
Highlights	Palma Cathedral Drach Caves Tramuntana Mountains	Cala Mitjana Cala Galdana Naveta d'es Tudons	Dalt Vila (Ibiza's Old Town) Es Vedrà Sa Pedrera
Budget	$$	$$$	$$$
Best For	Historic Villages	Nature	Nightlife
Beaches	262	100+	80+
Popular Cities/Villages	Valldemossa/Denià Port de Sóller Palma	Mahón Ciutadella Binibeca	Ibiza Town Santa Eulalia Cala Llonga
How Many Days	3+	2+	2+
Family Friendly	Yes	Yes	Somewhat

Popular Highlights

• Mallorca: Tramuntana Mountain Range, Palma de Mallorca, Countless Beautiful Beaches, Hillside Towns, History

• Ibiza: Idylic Coves, Nightlife, Luxury Restaurants, Sunsets, Ibiza Old Town, High-End Accommodation

Best Time to Go

• Mallorca: An all-year-round holiday destination. Summer Season is May-September

• Ibiza: High Season is May-September, best for vibes and nightlife

Best Island For

• Mallorca: Families, Couples, Nature Lovers

• Ibiza: Couples, Nightlife, 5-Star Experiences

Best Places to Stay

• Mallorca: Palma de Mallorca, Cala d'Or, Sóller, Pollença, Sa Ràpita

• Ibiza: Ibiza Town, Santa Eulalia, Figueretas, San Antonio

Budget

• Mallorca: 70 EUR – 400 EUR per night

• Ibiza: 100 EUR – 700 EUR per night, harder to do on a tighter budget

1. Ibiza vs Mallorca: How to Get There

Both islands are easy to get to from most parts of Europe, especially during the summer months. There are hundreds of flights arriving at both Ibiza and Mallorca airports and you can find budget-friendly fares throughout the year.

You can also arrive at both islands via ferry from mainland Spain. Ferries leave from Dénia, Valencia, and Barcelona daily and take between 2-7 hours, depending on the city and boat.

1. Ibiza vs Mallorca: When to Visit

Both islands come alive during the summer months, although I'd say Mallorca is slightly less seasonal than Ibiza. Because Mallorca is much bigger and has a bigger population living in its lively cities, it's a great destination for some winter sun. The last time I went to Mallorca was in March and it was a wonderful way to explore the towns with fewer tourists and, although it wasn't warm enough to swim, we had most of the beaches to ourselves!

Ibiza on the other hand is a very summer-focused island with many businesses closing entirely in low season/winter. The Spanish island officially gets going during the club opening weekends which usually happen throughout April. It then winds down in September with the closing parties.

I personally think May or September are the best times to visit both islands. There aren't as many tourists, businesses are open and it's warm enough to enjoy the beaches.

2. Ibiza vs Mallorca: Sightseeing

Mallorca and Ibiza are famous for their laid-back beach resorts and pristine coasts. But that's not all there is to do. However, when it comes to sightseeing, Mallorca certainly trumps Ibiza. Because of its size, Mallorca has more cities, villages, and landscapes to explore, so you can easily spend a weekend there without going to the beach – although I don't know why you'd want to.

As well as Palma, you can explore Sóller, Deià, Fornalutx, and other stunning towns in the large Tramuntana Mountain Range. The area is perfect for mountain sports such as hiking, biking, and bouldering and it should definitely be on any Mallorca itinerary. There are lots of beautiful castles and fortified towns to visit too, such as Alcùdia.

Ibiza is much smaller than Mallorca which means there are naturally fewer towns to visit and cultural sights to see. Ibiza's old town is well worth visiting but, unlike Palma de Mallorca, there's not really enough to do in the town for just a weekend.

3. Ibiza vs Mallorca: Beaches

Ibiza and Mallorca are home to some of the best beaches in Spain. Think powdery white sand, vivid green pine trees, and crystal clear, turquoise waters. They really do give The Caribbean a run for its money.

Whether you decide to go to Ibiza or Mallorca, you'll be spoilt for hidden coves, large family-friendly beaches, and rocky bays.

Here are some of my favorite beaches on both islands:

Mallorca:

• Caló del Moro

• Platja des Trenc

• Cala Pi

• Cala d'Or

• Platja de Formentor

Ibiza:

• Aguas Blancas

• Cala Boix

• Cala Codolar

• Cala d'en Serra

• Cala Mastella

4. Ibiza vs Mallorca: Nightlife

There's no denying that Ibiza is one of the best places to go in the world if you're looking for top-tier DJs in incredible venues. Music lovers flock from many European cities to see their favorite performers in some of the world's most famous clubs, such as Amnesia, Pacha, Hï, and Ushuaïa.

And, even if you're not a fan of staying up all night, Ibiza offers some amazing private beach clubs, adult-only bars to watch the sunset, and luxury restaurants. Just be prepared to pay for the exclusivity in some of the more famous beach bars.

While perhaps not the infamous party destination that Ibiza is, there are still plenty of unforgettable events and wild partying in Mallorca. It's just a little different. In Ibiza, you're more likely to rub shoulders with the rich and famous, and in Magaluf – the party town of Mallorca – you're more likely to be surrounded by 18-year-olds who have just finished their exams. The island brings in a different crowd but that's not to say you can't escape it. There are lots of amazing beach bars across Mallorca that have a more chilled vibe.

If you want something in between, then Palma is one of the best party towns on the island with the Paseo Marítimo, an area that is popular to stay in in Palma, famous for its late-night bars and pubs.

5. Ibiza vs Mallorca: Food and Drink

Both islands are a foodie's paradise. They might not be known for their incredible food scene, especially compared to other Spanish cities such as Valencia, but there's so much to discover. Two of my favorite things from Mallorca are Tumbet and Ensaïmada – not necessarily together! Tumbet is a traditional vegetable dish with layers of potatoes, aubergines, and red peppers and it's often served with olive oil and bread. Ensaïmada is a sweet pastry covered in powdery sugar which is popular in both Menorca and Mallorca.

Of course, Mallorca is also full of excellent restaurants. Whether you're staying in one of the gorgeous coastal settlements or inner villages, you'll be spoilt for choice for excellent local and international dishes.

Food in Ibiza is also incredible. Because both are islands, you can expect amazing seafood – a lot of which comes in the form of paella. One of my favorite places for eating paella in Ibiza was Casa Manolo, in Platja d'en Bossa. You can find all the different types of food in Ibiza, ranging from luxury seafood to grab-and-go.

6. Ibiza vs Mallorca: Cost

If money isn't a problem, both islands can be as expensive as you like. Several hotels in Mallorca and Ibiza can cost thousands per night and endless bars are willing to serve you chilled champagne and lobsters whenever you want.

But, overall, Ibiza tends to be more expensive. This is because it still has an air of exclusivity and a lot of the main attractions don't shy away from asking for expensive entrance fees. You can expect to pay upwards of 80 EUR to get into some of the biggest clubs and you don't even want to know how expensive drinks are once you get in…

If you're heading to Ibiza on a budget, you can still find some great hostels to stay in, such as Hostal Ferrer in San Antonio. There are plenty of cheaper restaurants and bars too, you might just have to miss out on the world-renowned ones.

7. Ibiza vs Mallorca: Travelling Around

Mallorca is a seasoned holiday destination but it's not exactly the easiest island to get around. I'd recommend hiring a car to explore Mallorca, especially if you want to go to different towns and see some of the best and most secluded beaches. There are buses but they can take a while and aren't always direct.

Ibiza is smaller but I'd still recommend renting a car. Not only is it the perfect way to see the beautiful natural scenery but it also gives you much more freedom to explore the island.

If you're going from main town to main town, water taxis are a great way to get around Ibiza too. They're cheaper than you might think and are pretty direct.

8. Ibiza vs Mallorca: Travelling with Kids

Both islands can be great family holiday destinations. There are plenty of family-friendly resorts and waterparks and kids will love playing in the crystal clear water. If you don't fancy traveling around the islands with kids, there are lots of amazing towns that offer everything you need.

I can recommend Cala d'Or or Pollença in Mallorca and Santa Eulalia in Ibiza. You could also think about renting a finca, a traditional rural villa, as many have a pool and you'll hardly need to leave. There tend to be more affordable fincas in Mallorca than in Ibiza.

9. Ibiza vs Mallorca: Accomodation

You can find almost any accommodation on both islands. Everything from family-friendly resorts and hostels to 5-star hotels is for a celebrity. Here are some of my favorites in both Ibiza and Mallorca.

Best Hotels in Ibiza

($$$) 7 Pines Resort

($$) Hotel Rural Can Partit

($) Hostal Marí

Best Hotels in Mallorca

($$$) Hospes Maricel y Spa

($$) Es Figueral Nou Hotel Rural & Spa

($) Hotel Playa Sol

Ibiza vs Mallorca – Final Words

Ibiza and Mallorca are incredible and, if you can, you won't regret visiting them both. They're easy to get to and you'll find some of the world's best beaches dotted along the coastlines of whichever island you go to.

If you really want the clubbing experience, then Ibiza is the one to go to but if you're happy with casual music and sunset drinks, then you can find that on both. There are certainly more affordable options in Mallorca, so, if you're on a budget, head to the biggest Balearic Island for your next trip.