A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Athens vs. Malaga for Food, Nightlife, Old Town, and Backpackers

Should you visit Athens or Malaga?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Athens and Malaga. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Athens

Athens is a historic, ancient, and vibrant city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Malaga

Malaga is a beautiful, friendly, and welcoming port city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and live music.

Athens and Malaga: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Athens or Malaga?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Athens than Malaga, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Athens is more popular for its museums, food, historical sights, and big city activities, while Malaga is known for its music, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty. Athens is popular for its ancient temples and landmarks as well as its influence as the birthplace of democracy. It is also home to The Acropolis. Malaga is popular for its perfect blend of sandy beaches, beautiful culture, fascinating history, and a lively nightlife scene.

The Acropolis

How is Athens different from Malaga?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Malaga and Athens. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Athens or Malaga?

Athens is a must-visit destination for its sights and museums. However, Malaga does not have museums and landmarks.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Athens are among the most recognizable in the world. As a historical capital of the world, this city has countless museums and archeological sites including the famous Acropolis, the National Archaeology Museum, and the Ancient Agora.

Malaga does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Athens or Malaga? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Athens is a must-visit destination for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Malaga is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its restaurants.

Eat your way through Athens, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. Make sure you try the souvlaki, moussaka, and dolmades at any of the many local restaurants throughout the city.

Malaga has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Head to any of the local food markets and seafood shops to try local cuisine. Also make sure you try tapas and a filling Andalusian breakfast.

Is Athens or Malaga Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is terrific in both Athens and Malaga.

The nightlife in Athens is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. There are all-night dance clubs as well as local bars and chill live music venues.

Malaga is a world class party destination. The city has some of the most active nightlife in Europe. There are plenty of opportunities to party in Malaga and you'll find the most vibrant nightlife in the Centro Historico.

Is Athens or Malaga Better for Music?

Malaga is great for its music scene. However, Athens is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Malaga draws a good crowd. The city has venues that offer pop, rock, blues, soulful, and more. Some of the most popular include ZZ club, Clarence Jazz Club, and Velvet Club.

Athens is not a live music destination.

Is Athens or Malaga Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Malaga is a good destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Athens is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery in Malaga. Water temperatures are mild enough for diving or snorkeling near Malaga. For the best diving, head to Cala del Canuelo Beach. Closer by, Penon del Cuervo Beach offers diving and snorkeling as well.

Athens is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Athens or Malaga Better for Beaches?

Malaga is a good destination for the beach. However, Athens is not a beach destination.

Malaga offers a nice beach destination. There are some nice beaches around Malaga, but for the best options you'll have to travel further outside of the city.

Athens is not a beach destination.

Is Athens or Malaga Better for its Old Town?

Athens is a must-visit destination for its old town. Also, Malaga is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its historic old town charm.

The rich history of Athens can be explored in its historical center. The city's "historic triangle" is between Syntagma, Omonia, and Monastiraki Squares. This area is also at the political and financial heart of the city.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Malaga. The city's old town is compact and small, making it a fun place to walk. There are historic buildings, museums, churches, and squares, as well as many restaurants and shops.

Is the Shopping Better in Athens or Malaga?

If you're looking to go shopping, Athens and Malaga both offer plenty of good spots.

Athens has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Most neighborhoods have a shopping street but head to Ermou Street for some of the city's best shopping.

Malaga is a great destination for shopping. There are a number of shopping areas in the city with both local boutiques and name brands.

Is Athens or Malaga Better for Families?

Athens is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Malaga is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Athens is a very kid-friendly city. With its rich history, beautiful outdoor activities, and kid-friendly food, Athens is a fun place to explore with the whole family.

Malaga is a family-friendly city. The city has castles that you can explore as well as a waterpark.

Is Athens or Malaga Better for Couples?

Athens and Malaga both good destinations for a couple.

Athens is a good city for couples to visit. The city is historical, fascinating, and romantic, making it a beautiful place to explore as a couple.

Malaga is a nice destination for couples. It has a beautiful coastline and a rich history that makes it unique.

Is Athens or Malaga Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Athens and Malaga are terrific places to visit.

A large number of backpackers visit Athens, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. The city has long been established as a backpackers destination with budget friendly food and plenty of hostels around town.

Malaga is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. From an endless supply of hostels to plenty of opportunities to meet other backpackers, this is a very backpacker friendly area.

Is Athens or Malaga Better for Students?

For students, both Athens and Malaga are excellent places to visit.

Many students visit Athens. International students will appreciate the rich history, archaeological ruins, and unique opportunities that are available here.

Malaga is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. The city has many opportunities to learn Spanish. It's also an affordable city with a young population and a lively atmosphere that appeals to international students.

Is Athens or Malaga Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Athens is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Malaga is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Athens has some very good public transit options. The city's metro system has 3 lines that connect to bus, tram and commuter rail lines.

Malaga has some public transit options. There is an efficient bus system as well as a light metro system.

Is Athens or Malaga a more walkable city?

Athens and Malaga are excellent when it comes to walkability.

Athens is a very walkable destination. You'll find the city's most walkable area's in the historical heart, where there are many pedestrian only streets and shopping areas.

Malaga is very walkable. It has a very compact and walkable historic center with most of the tourist attractions easily accessible on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Athens Worth Visiting? and Is Malaga Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Malaga or Athens?

How long in Athens or Malaga?

Both Athens and Malaga have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, Athens has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Athens than Malaga. However, 3-7 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Athens than Malaga. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Athens, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Athens than Malaga. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Athens that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Athens than Malaga if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Athens.

One day in Athens or Malaga?

Athens is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Many travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the destination of Malaga. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Athens or Malaga?

Athens is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Malaga is a great place to explore. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Athens or Malaga?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Athens. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Malaga. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Athens or Malaga?

Athens is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the welcoming destination of Malaga. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Greece, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Greece, The Best Budget Tours to Spain, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Spain.

When comparing the travel costs between Athens and Malaga, we can see that Malaga is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Athens Expensive? and Is Malaga Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Athens or Malaga?

Athens has a larger population, and is about 33% larger than the population of Malaga. When comparing the sizes of Athens and Malaga, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Athens or Malaga?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Athens or Malaga in the Summer?

Both Malaga and Athens during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Athens because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the beaches, snorkeling, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Malaga this time of year.

In July, Athens is generally around the same temperature as Malaga. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 27°C (81°F), and Malaga fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

In Malaga, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Athens. In the summer, Athens often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Malaga. Athens gets 357 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Malaga receives 348 hours of full sun.

Athens usually gets more rain in July than Malaga. Athens gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Malaga receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Athens or Malaga in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Athens and Malaga. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Athens this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Malaga for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Athens is around the same temperature as Malaga in the autumn. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 19°C (67°F) in October, and Malaga fluctuates around 19°C (67°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Malaga this time of the year. In Athens, it's very sunny this time of the year. Athens usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Malaga during autumn. Athens gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Malaga receives 213 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Athens usually receives less rain than Malaga. Athens gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Malaga receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Athens or Malaga in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Athens as well as Malaga. Many travelers come to Athens for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, many visitors come to Malaga in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

In the winter, Athens is cooler than Malaga. Typically, the winter temperatures in Athens in January average around 10°C (51°F), and Malaga averages at about 12°C (54°F).

In the winter, Athens often gets less sunshine than Malaga. Athens gets 143 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Malaga receives 171 hours of full sun.

Athens usually gets less rain in January than Malaga. Athens gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Malaga receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Athens or Malaga in the Spring?

Both Malaga and Athens are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Athens in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Malaga for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Athens is generally around the same temperature as Malaga. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 16°C (60°F), and Malaga fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

It's quite sunny in Malaga. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Athens. Athens usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Malaga during spring. Athens gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Malaga receives 220 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Athens usually receives less rain than Malaga. Athens gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Malaga receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Malaga and Athens