turkey vs mallorca

[tannedjulie]

This will be our first time to icmeler also turkey as well, we usually go to mallorca for our holiday but really liked the look off icmeler as anyone been to both and can compare, i love scenery so thats what drew me to this place for this years holiday we are staying in the old village but the apartments we are staying in were dropped as far as i can see by icr so wont mention them but really looking forward to bring my 3 children here.

[JonnyH]

Based on my trip to Majorca about 5 years ago, I'd say;

Warmer in the core months (June, July & August). Usually in Majorca there's a chance of rain and there isn't really in Turkey during them months.

The scenerys better.

It's cheaper by a country mile simply because it has a much better exchange rate compared to Euro's. Therefore, it offers better value for money.

The locals are a lot more hospitable. You may have only knew them for one day but they'll do all they can for you. I wouldn't say this is the same in Majorca.

Personally, I don't like German people and the way they act on holiday, so this applies to me! This might not apply to you and I'm not aiming to offend anybody. But there isn't really that many Germans in the vacinity of Icmeler or Marmaris. Closest you'll come across are perhaps Russians.

The airport transfer I would say is a lot shorter in Majorca. Although it's getting cut down year after year with the improvement of roads and motorways on the way to Icmeler.

Lastly, I'd say Icmeler is safer than Majorca by a long way.

If anyone agrees/disagrees or wants to add anything; feel free.

[blondie]

Been to Majorca several times, and I'd choose Icmeler any day! Turkey itself is such a lovely country, but it is the people who really make your holiday special. As jonny has said, you can meet someone once and they will remember you. Their hospitality is second to none and the friendship and warmth of their welcome really genuine.

[JT]

Which apartments

[tannedjulie]

thanks for your replies we spent xmas in a hotel full off germans we made friends with a couple but to everyone else we felt like alieens, we are staying in the moonlight apartments their is pics on here on the rental page but no prices looks like they dont rent them out anymore.

[john G]

We used to have our holidays in Palmanova but after visiting icmeler 4 years ago we wouldn't go back to majorca. The Turkish food is brilliant, the people are friendlier, its a hell of a lot cheaper and the scenery is far better.

Cheers John

[Hector]

We've been to Palma Nova a couple of times and loved it. We'll probably go back sometime.
This is our first trip to Icmeler and Turkey and if it's as good as Palma Nova I'll be happy.

[bill atkinson]

been to both places.. for me ICMELER is top of my totum pole, i agree with whats been said,a big plus is my wife feels much safer about the town at night,she even leaves me in the bar ,and quite happily goes back to the hotel.. that never happens any place else in the world,at home or abroad.so i keep going back[25 times now] long may it last BILL ATKINSON

[fin54]

Been going to Turkey for years, but last year we were fortunate enough to have two holidays and went to Majorca for a week. Never again would I go back to Majorca, its expensive (16Euro for sun bed on beach for two per day where Turkey is about a £1.00 a day) there is no comparison with the food or the scenery so give me Turkey any day

[Dannii_89]

would choose turkey over anywhere is spain everytime. To me spain is just like being in england but with better weather...seems like you can't walk down any street without seeing a mcdonalds or burger king or an 'english bar'

Turkey is a beautiful country with a great culture and such friendly welcoming locals

[rachel06]

Icmeler wins hands down every time. Been to Mallorca 3 times, stayed in Palma Nova, Magaluf and Cala D'Or. Turkey is cheaper, the locals have much more time for you, it's hotter, the scenery is better.

[viking pete]

On my 2nd visit to Icmeler in May and love it . Been to Majorca several times resorts like Alcudia too big . Found a nice resort called Santa Ponsa just afew kms from Magaluf but a different world. Still cant compete with Icmeler - roll on May and September - twice this year lucky boy !!

[mark]

Icmeler wins by a mile for me.Been to Alcudia 5 times before i found Icmeler in 2002.Have been to Icmeler 10 times now and still love it as much as the 1st time i came.

[Katiehutchinson_1991]

never been to mallora but been to Spain many times and Icmeler and turkey always win hands down
best by a mile
cheaper, hotter and turkish people are much more friendly
xxxxx

[andytaj]

Not been to Mallora either, or Mallorca

But we do have nice little breaks in Cabo Roig and San Pedro Del Pinatar at the northern end of the Mar Menor.

Yes, lots of ex-pats but we have Spanish neighbours too, when we stay at my sisters house.

We love Icmeler, but Spain is good too, if you make an effort to go off the strip and go local.

However, don't get me wrong. We go to Spain because we can get a weeks holiday for the cost of flights and transfers.

If we had to pay the same price for Spain as we do for Turkey, it would be Icmeler every time

Cheers

Andy

[sophia]

Icmeler is ten times better in my opinion - it is much prettier, the scenery is just beautiful. Always find myself sitting on the beach looking out at the mountains and sea & I think how lucky the people that live there are to be able to see that every day!

Also the food is much, much better. I've been to Icmeler ten times and only ever had one dodgy meal. Every other meal has been great. Can't wait to have a turkish breakfast in June.

Don't get me wrong, Majorca is good, especially as it's so conveinent and you can get some mega cheap flights, went there last year, stayed in Magaluf though as wanted a clubbing girly holiday and had one of the best holidays but that was more to do with the people I was with than the place - we ended up siting on the towels on the beach as the sun beds were ridiculously expensive for the day and we refused to pay that! Have been to other, nicer places in Majorca but still can't compare to Turkey.

The main reason Turkey is better is the people - they really make the holiday, friendly and smiling constantly. 80% of the time they remember your name even though you may only have been to the restuarant once or twice or maybe not even been in there but just spoken to them! The people are what makes Turkey unique!

[tannedjulie]

thanks for all your replies me and husband are going for a long weekend in mallorca in two weeks time, but really looking forward to coming to icmeler in june, been reading lots off things about trips and things to do so just counting the weeks down know.

[truth]

WE are going to Cala Millor on Fri just for a spring break But so so looking forward to going back to Icmeler in June
reason to going back Majorca short flight get break away from this weather .Cheers

[sheepy]

Hmm know both pretty well.

Mallorca weather is (despite the popular opinion) not something you can guarantee in summer. I know people who have LOST suntans built up in the UK by staying in the Balearics in July/August. Few years ago I was in Menorca in August and it was a total washout with cold driving rain and we even saw a twister over the sea.
You can't guarantee the weather in Turkey of course, but it is a much much safer bet.
If we ignore the freak weather and look just at normal sunny conditions - the Balearics have hot summers, but not baking hot. Turkey is hotter, both are dry heat. I'd go as far to say Turkey isn't as bad as Greece for heat though - personal opinion. If you can't stand really hot weather though, you would be better off in Mallorca in summer.

Scenery - there's no question about it. Icmeler wins absolutely hands down over Mallorca. If you haven't been there before, you will be taken aback by just how beautiful the mountains are. Even the man made "scenery" - the houses and buildings - well the centre of Icmeler isn't really going to win too many awards (That isn't to say a lot of it is charming in it's own sense), but get out into the old village area, and the new houses where normal people live, brimming over with flowers and gardens, and the rustic shack like houses in the really old area - it's a world away from Mallorca which I have always found to be frankly concrete, ugly and dusty.

If anyone wants to go to Mallorca however, Porto Cristo is quite quaint, and one of the more laid back and almost friendly resorts to visit - try Silliot. Must agree, Alcudia feels quite run down and frankly tacky. Places like Magaluf - great if you're in you're early 20's and looking for a party, but perhaps not the safest place on earth.

Locals - Turkey wins hands down. Some of the friendliest people you'll ever meet (And of course, some of them are just out to rip you off like any society - good and bad let's not pretend otherwise). Mallorca I'm afraid to say I've found are pretty unfriendly, and people I know who have lived there have confirmed a good many of them actually dislike you. Strangely enough, nearby Menorca is a bit different, and you I've found the locals don't necessarily hate you. Perhaps that's because with the exception of Cala n Forcat maybe, that place doesn't get mass tourism of boozed up brits looking for trouble - it's just about all families.

Beaches - Mallorca wins easily with soft sand. Icmeler beach is shingle and there is for my reckoning too much hassle by far down there. I'm really not a beach person.

Cost of living - no surprise Turkey wins - nuff said.

Food - surprisingly to some (not on here though) Turkey wins hands down. Maybe going to an AI hotel you'll get the usual buffet stuff again (yawn), but visit the small restaurants which are all over Icmeler, and it's a bit hard to find a bad meal, in fact the food I've found is usually outstanding and freshly made (Don't come here if you want fast service, though there is a McDonalds in Marmaris if you really want to eat sickly crud)

I know a lot of places in Mallorca off the tourist run, hiring a car opens these out (and needs good nerves), but in the end, it just feels like a dusty disappointing place IMO. I'd fully recommend nearby Menorca as long as you aren't looking for party central. It's a dream to drive around with uncluttered roads, and many secluded places you can reach within an hour. Anyone ever want to go there, I'd recommend without hesitation the Casa del Lago in Cala n Bosch, and visiting El Pato for dinner.
Not as good as Icmeler though

[John V]

Hi sheepy,

Thank you for giving your review, I enjoyed reading it ever so much and I agree 100% with you.