How much does it cost to travel to Malaga?
You should plan to spend around $152 (€140) per day on your vacation in Malaga. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $38 (€35) on meals
- $33 (€31) on local transportation
- $162 (€149) on hotels
A one week trip to Malaga for two people costs, on average, $2,132 (€1,958). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
Independent Travel
Traveling Independently to Malaga has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.
All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.
Is Malaga expensive to visit?
Prices in Malaga are reasonable and comparable to your average travel destination. Hotels, food, and sightseeing are generally within normal price ranges.
Within Europe, which is known to be an expensive region, Malaga is a moderately priced destination compared to other places. The overall cost of travel here is fair for the region and comparable to Helsinki or Cinque Terre.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Malaga Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Malaga?
The average Malaga trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Malaga travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.
Category
|
Cost
|
Accommodation 1
(Double Occupancy)
|
€149
($162)
|
Local Transportation 1
|
€31
($33)
|
Food 2
|
€35
($38)
|
Entertainment 1
|
€31
($34)
|
Tips and Handouts 1
|
€6 -
18
($6 - 19)
|
Alcohol 2
|
€11 -
33
($12 - 36)
|
Accommodation Budget in Malaga
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Malaga is $81 (€75). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Malaga is $162 (€149). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Malaga? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Transportation Budget in Malaga
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The cost of a taxi ride in Malaga is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $33 (€31) per person, per day, on local transportation in Malaga.
-
Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$33
€31
How much does it cost to go to Malaga? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Malaga will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Food Budget in Malaga
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While meal prices in Malaga can vary, the average cost of food in Malaga is $38 (€35) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Malaga should cost around $15 (€14) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Malaga is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$38
€35
Typical prices for Food in Malaga are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Malaga, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
-
Dinner for 2
€30
-
Dinner for 2
€44
-
Breakfast for 2
€8.00
Entertainment Budget in Malaga
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Entertainment and activities in Malaga typically cost an average of $34 (€31) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$34
€31
Typical prices for Entertainment in Malaga are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Malaga, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
-
Entrance to Castillos
€7.10
-
Concert
€31
Tips and Handouts Budget in Malaga
Calculated from travelers like you
Alcohol Budget in Malaga
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $24 (€22) on alcoholic beverages in Malaga per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$24
€22
Water Budget in Malaga
Calculated from travelers like you
-
On average, people spend $1.27 (€1.17) on bottled water in Malaga per day. The public water in Malaga is considered safe to drink.
-
Water2
Bottled water for one day
$1.27
€1.17
Last Updated: Mar 31, 2023
Malaga On a Budget
Malaga, Andalusia, Spain
Malaga is a port city in the southern part of Spain. It is the 6th largest city in Spain and the southernmost large city in Europe. Malaga lies on the Mediterranean on the Costa del Sol, only 62 miles east of the Strait of Gibraltar, and 80 miles north of Africa. Malaga's history dates back about 2,800 years, which makes it one of the oldest cities in the world. The archaeological remains and monuments from the Phoenician, Roman, Arabic and Christian eras make the historic center of the city an "open museum", displaying its history of more than 3,000 years. Because of its important cultural infrastructure and the artistic heritage, Malaga has been nominated for the European Capital of Culture. Malaga's most important economic contributors include tourism, technology, and construction, but transportation and logistics are becoming increasingly important factors as well.
Sights
One sight that is definitely worth a stop in the area is Alzcaba, a palace-fortress that has been extensively restored. It dates from the 11th-century Moorish period; the caliphal horseshoe arches, courtyards and fountains are suggestive of this influential period in Malaga's history. There is also a small archaeological museum located in the former servants' quarters of the Nazari palace, with its exhibits of Moorish ceramics and pottery.
The Museo de Picasso is a great stop for Picasso fans. It is a museum with more than 200 works all of which are donated or loaned by the wife of Pablo Picasso's eldest son. Another place worth stopping to see is the Catedral de Malaga. The stricter was started in the 16th century. Inside, the domed ceiling soar 40m into the air, while the vast colonnaded houses a cedar-wood choir. Aisles lead to 15 chapels with gorgeous 18th-century retables and religious art. Climb the tower (200 steps) to enjoy stunning panoramic views of the city skyline and coast.
Neighborhoods
Much of life in Malaga is centers around the Old Town area, where you will find a range of historical buildings, shops and a thriving street-cafe culture.
The Los Montes neighborhood of Malaga is a very popular part of the city, and features a number of spectacular views and a high concentration of both restaurants and accommodation.
Malaga's many beaches are also a neighborhood or district area in themselves, with many popular attractions and entertainment venues to explore and experience.
Activities
Malaga has a few large festivals that are big attractions to the area. One of which is The Feria de Malaga celebration, which takes place in the month of August. During this festival the streets are transformed into traditional symbols of Spanish culture and history, with sweet wine, tapas, and live flamenco shows. The day events consist of dancing, live music (like Flamenco or Verdiales, traditional music from Malaga) and bullfights at La Malagueta, while the night fair is moved to the Recinto Ferial, consisting of restaurants, clubs, and an entire fair ground with rides and games. Two of the other large festivals include The Holy Week Festival, which runs from Palm Sunday through Easter Sunday, and the Malaga Film Festival, which is held annually for one week in March or April.
There are many other activities to be found in Malaga. Spend a day on the beach area of the Costal del Sol, take a Segway tour of the city, visit one of the many museums, or take one of the many tours offered. Since Malaga is a port city, it is often a place where cruise ships dock and there are many tours offered from this area, including an exciting tapas tour and flamenco dance.
Food and Dining
Malaga is a great place to enjoy food and dining. It is an area full of diverse local foods including fish, olives, almonds, grapes, raisins, wine, and many seasonal vegetables. The selection makes this some of the freshest and tastiest food you can imagine.
A few local dishes to look out for include: Gazpachuelo Malagueno, which is a locally made soup originally created by fishermen in the area, Plato de los Montes de Malaga, which is the "dish of the mountains of Malaga" and is their take on a combination plate, and Fritura Malaguena, which is the Malagan fried fish. A few restaurants worth checking out are La Recova, Casa Aranda, and Antigua Casa de Guardia.
Transportation
The easiest way into Malaga is by flight into the Malaga Costa Del Sol Airport. This airport is the oldest airport in Spain still in operation and is the fourth busiest in Spain. There are several options of direct transport into the city area from the airport including trains and buses, but hiring a car is another option if that is the preferred method of transportation. Malaga is a large city, so the public transportation options are good, including a couple of extensive bus systems as well as some light rail systems. Malaga also has train connections to many other major cities both within Spain and around Europe. Malaga also has a hop on/hop off bus option, which allows you to see the top sights of the city at your own pace.
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We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.