Should you visit Antalya or Marbella?
Should I visit Antalya or Marbella? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Antalya
Antalya is the largest city along Turkey's Mediterranean coast and the eighth largest city in the country with over one million people in the metropolitan area. The city dates back to about 200 BC when it was settled by the Attalid Dynasty of Pergamon and soon conquered by the Romans. The city was ruled by several different groups and most recently was transferred to Italian suzerainty following World War I. It became part of Turkey following the War of Independence. The city has seen an influx of development in recent years and it has grown into a tourism mecca with more than 12 million visitors in 2014.
Marbella
Marbella is a city in southern Spain in the province of Malaga. It is part of the Costa del Sol (Coast of the Sun) and is located on the Mediterranean Sea between Malaga and the Strait of Gibraltar. It is one of the most important tourist cities in the area and receives many national and international tourists year round due to its climate and tourism structures. Marbella is a bit of a glamorous city due to its beauty and resort-type environment. The old town with its narrow cobbled streets and flower-filled plazas is packed with shops and art galleries selling boutique clothes and accessories, and handmade wares. The city has significant archaeological and historical heritage and many events and performances throughout the year.
Which city is cheaper, Marbella or Antalya?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Antalya is $53, while the average daily cost in Marbella is $111. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Antalya and Marbella in more detail.
Accommodation
An average hotel room with basic furnishings costs about $52 in Antalya For the most convenient locations and nicer amenities you can expect to pay a bit more.
The prices for places to stay in Marbella can vary by date, location, and type. Generally, the average cost for accommodation per person is $58, while a typical double-occupancy hotel room for two people will cost around $116.
Food
On average, meal and food prices in Antalya cost around $18 per person, per day. While this price can vary widely by location, the type of restaurant, and the amount of food ordered, a typical meal often costs around $7.20.
While meal prices in Marbella can vary, the average travelers spends about $36 per day on food. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out, an average meal in Marbella should cost around $14 per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Marbella is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
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Food
Meals for one day
Antalya $18
Marbella $36
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Antalya
For Antalya, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Giza Pyramids Sound and Light Show with Dinner:
$83
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Marbella
For Marbella, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Cooking courses at home & online:
$75
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Tapas & Paella Cooking Course:
$80
Local Transportation
Antalya's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $8.46 per person, per day on transportation in Antalya.
Public transportation tends to be much less expensive in Marbella than paying for a taxi or private car service, as is expected. Typically, people spend $23 on transportation in Marbella on average per day.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Antalya
Also for Antalya, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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olympos cable car with transfer from antalya:
$76
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fire of anatolia show ticket and transfer:
$75
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Vip Transfer (private Car ):
$53
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Transfers:
$5.00
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Skip the Line:Antalya Aquarium &Wildpark Reptile House Ticket w/Transfer Upgrade:
$52
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Skip the Line: Antalya Aquarium and XD Cinema Combo Ticket with Transfer Upgrade:
$53
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Skip the Line: Antalya Aquarium Ticket with Optional Transfer:
$39
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Skip the Line: Antalya Aquarium Full-Access Ticket with Transfer Upgrade:
$73
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Private transfer: Antalya to Antalya Airport (AYT):
$33
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Private Transfers Between Antalya Airport - Antalya City Centre:
$150
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Private Transfer from Antalya to Cappadocia:
$213
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Private Transfer from Antalya City, Lara-Kundu Areas to Antalya Airport:
$42
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Marbella
Also for Marbella, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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TRANSFER MALAGA AIRPORT from/to PUERTO BANUS-PRICE ALL INCUSIVE:
$106
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TRANSFER MALAGA AIRPORT from/to MARBELLA-PRICE ALL INCLUSIVE:
$106
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Private Transfer from Nueva Andalucía to Malaga (AGP) Airport:
$144
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Private Transfer from Marbesa to Malaga (AGP) Airport:
$111
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Private Transfer from Marbella to Malaga (AGP) airport:
$151
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Private Transfer from Los Monteros to Malaga (AGP) Airport:
$122
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Private Transfer from Lomas De Cabopino to Malaga (AGP) Airport:
$111
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Private Transfer from Las Chapas to Malaga (AGP) Airport:
$111
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Private Transfer from La Quinta Golf Resort to Malaga (AGP) Airport:
$151
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Private Transfer from Hotel Marbella Beach Resort to Malaga (AGP) Airport:
$111
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Private Transfer from Elviria to Malaga (AGP) Airport:
$111
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Private Transfer Marbella, Malaga, Gibraltar or Tarifa to Seville SVQ by Sedan:
$568
Entertainment
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Antalya can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $14 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Sightseeing expenses in Marbella, including the cost of admission tickets for day tours, museums, and attractions, usually cost an average of $18 per day, per person.
Tours and Activities in Antalya
For Antalya, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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3-Day Cappadocia Tour:
$151
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A Day at Kas Beach Tour:
$671
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Admission Ticket to Sandland Antalya:
$7.46
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Alanya: Horse Riding Adventure:
$59
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Alanya: Tandem Paragliding Experience:
$103
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Antalya 4x4 and White Water Rafting Adventure with Lunch:
$61
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Antalya Aquarium Tour from Kemer, Beldibi, Kiris, Camyuva, Goynuk, Tekirova:
$65
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Antalya City Tour:
$81
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Antalya City Tour - ANT2:
$122
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Antalya City Tour - Small group Tour:
$80
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Antalya City Tour Private Tour 1 to 6 peoples:
$300
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Antalya City Tour and Duden Waterfalls Visit with Boat Trip:
$67
Tours and Activities in Marbella
For Marbella, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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Alhambra Private Tour from with Transport and skip-the-line tickets:
$386
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Bike City Tour Marbella:
$32
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Can-am Route Experience:
$77
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Casares private half-day Tour from Marbella or Malaga:
$299
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E-Mountain Bike Explorer Tour departing from Marbella:
$93
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From Blue to Blue - Hiking tour in the Rif Mountains of Morocco:
$1,151
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Granada and Alhambra from Marbella and Costa del Sol: Vip Private Tour:
$862
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Half-day White Villages E-Mountain Bike Tour:
$148
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Marbella Gourmet Tapas Tour - Do Eat Better Experience:
$88
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Marbella Like a Local: Customized Private Tour:
$41
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Marbella Sailing Experience:
$124
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Marbella group walking tour:
$32
Alcohol
Typically, people visiting Antalya spend on average $7.86 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
Typically, people visiting Marbella spend on average $5.42 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
Sample the Local Flavors in Marbella
Also in Marbella, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
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E-Mountain Bike & Wine Tour from Marbella to Sierra Blanca:
$123
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Manilva & Gaucin Wine Tour from the Costa del Sol:
$160
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Ronda Full Day Wine Tour from Marbella:
$210
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VIP Wine Tour through the Guadalhorce Valley & Wolf Sanctuary Visit:
$360
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Ronda Private Wine Tour and Tapas from Marbella:
$406
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VIP Ronda Wine Tour and Tasting and Gourmet Lunch Experience with Winemaker:
$778
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Antalya and Marbella, we can see that Marbella is more expensive. And not only is Antalya much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Antalya would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Antalya and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Marbella would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Marbella than you might in Antalya.
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