Choose Mallorca if…
- you want plenty of casual, inexpensive places to eat
- you want lots of private group options for friends to book together
- you love the setting: a lively capital, the Tramuntana mountains, stone villages and turquoise coves
Choose Santorini if…
- you want guests to manage without renting a car
- you love the setting: whitewashed villages on the caldera cliffs, volcanic beaches and famous sunsets
Side by side
| Mallorca | Santorini | |
|---|---|---|
| Best season | May to June, September to October | May to June, September to October |
| Getting there | Palma de Mallorca (PMI) is 15 minutes from Palma. Most of the island is within 1 hour. | Santorini airport (JTR) is 15 minutes from Fira. Ferries from Athens (Piraeus) take 5 to 8 hours. |
| Car needed? | Mostly yes | Not usually |
| Activity prices | Budget-friendly | Mid-range |
| Group-friendly activities | 11 of 12 | 9 of 12 |
| Relaxed activities | 5 | 5 |
| Foodie activities | 3 | 3 |
| Adventure activities | 4 | 5 |
| Full-day trips | 1 | 1 |
| Seasonal activities | 2 | 3 |
| Budget eats on our list | 3 | 2 |
| Currency | Euro (EUR) | Euro (EUR) |
| Tipping | Not expected. Leaving small change or up to 5 to 10% for very good service is common. | Around 5 to 10% in restaurants is customary for good service. Round up taxi fares. |
| Dinner time | Dinner is late: 9 to 10:30 pm is normal. Lunch is the main meal, around 2 to 3:30 pm. | Dinner starts late, often 9 to 10 pm in summer. |
Top group activities in Mallorca
- Sóller vintage train and tram. A 1912 wooden train through the mountains to Sóller, then a tram to the port.
- Catamaran cruise with swim stops. Sail the coast, swim in a cove and have lunch on board.
- Serra de Tramuntana guided hike. Old mule paths through olive terraces with sea views.
- Caves of Drach with lake concert. Huge caves with an underground lake and a short classical concert.
Top group activities in Santorini
- Sunset catamaran cruise with BBQ dinner. Sail past Red Beach and the hot springs, swim, then watch the sunset with dinner on deck.
- Santorini wine tasting at three wineries. Taste Assyrtiko and Vinsanto from vines grown in volcanic soil, with views over the caldera.
- Volcano and hot springs boat trip. Walk to the crater of Nea Kameni and swim in the warm springs.
- Fira to Oia caldera hike. Ten kilometers along the cliff edge through Imerovigli. Start early in summer.
Questions couples ask
Is Mallorca or Santorini better for a destination wedding?
Choose Mallorca if you want plenty of casual, inexpensive places to eat. Choose Santorini if you want guests to manage without renting a car.
When is the best time for a wedding in Mallorca and Santorini?
Mallorca: May to June, September to October. Santorini: May to June, September to October.
Which is easier for guests to reach, Mallorca or Santorini?
Mallorca: Palma de Mallorca (PMI) is 15 minutes from Palma. Most of the island is within 1 hour. Santorini: Santorini airport (JTR) is 15 minutes from Fira. Ferries from Athens (Piraeus) take 5 to 8 hours.
Made your choice?
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