Which place is cheaper, Essaouira or Granada?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Granada or Essaouira?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Granada or Essaouira? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Granada or Essaouira?
Granada
Granada is a city of southern Spain located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in the autonomous community of Andalucia. Perhaps the most notable feature of the city is its medieval architecture that dates to the Moorish occupation of Spain. Each example stands from another time and place, strong fortresses and castles against the backdrop of lumbering mountains. Yet they are surrounded by a city thriving with modern day quirks. From castles and fortresses to bars, restaurants, and cafes, Granada is a unique setting for an otherworldly getaway.
Essaouira
Essaouira is a beautiful beach town on the Atlantic coast of Morocco. The city has a pleasant medina that has been named a UNESCO World Heritage site and is interesting to explore. It's an 18th century fortified town with a lot of character and charm. The city is rich and culture and you'll find a handful of art galleries throughout the town. The city is also a gathering place for artists and musicians, particularly during the Gnaoua Festival of World Music, which takes place the last week of June. This event attracts about 450,000 visitors yearly.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Madrid, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Barcelona, The Best 10-Day Tours in Morocco, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Morocco.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGranada €123Essaouira €43
The average daily cost (per person) in Granada is €123, while the average daily cost in Essaouira is €43. 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 destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Granada and Essaouira in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGranada €59Essaouira €24
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGranada €118Essaouira €48
Compare Hotels in Granada and Essaouira
Looking for a hotel in Granada or Essaouira? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Granada Hotel Prices and Essaouira Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Granada €22Essaouira €1.87
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Granada
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Granada are as follows:
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7 Trip Bus Pass€5.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Granada
Also for Granada, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- From Transfer to Seville with Cordoba Guided Tour: $749
- Private transfer Granada downtown to Málaga airport (Agp): $288
- Granada to Cordoba Private Transfer: $265
- Cordoba and its Mosque from Granada with Private Transfer: $262
- Granada - Jaén Airport Transfers in a VIP coach: $235
- Granada to Malaga Airport Private Transfer: $229
- Granada airport private arrival transfer, Mercedes minivan: $218
- Granada Luxury Private Airport Transfer: $214
- Private Transfer from Playa Granada to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $209
- Private Transfer from Carchuna to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $207
- Private Transfer from Molvízar to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $188
- Granada Private Intercity Transfer to Malaga: $175
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Essaouira
Also for Essaouira, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from Essaouira to Marrakech city or Marrakech airport: $93
- Transfer from Essaouira to Marrakech city or Marrakech airport: $93
- Private transfer Marrakech to Essaouira or Essaouira toMarrakech : $102
- Private transfer Marrakech airpot - Essaouira : $87
- Private Transfer Essaouira - Rabat: $262
- Marrakech : Private Transfer from or to Marrakech Airoport: $22
- From Scenic Diabat Horseback Ride with Transfer: $48
- From Private Transfer to Taghazout or Agadir: $150
- From Private Transfer to Marrakech: $123
- From Private Transfer to Casablanca: $321
- From Beachside Quad Bike Tour with Transfer: $70
- Scenic Hinterland Quad Ride with Transfer: $80
Is it cheaper to fly into Granada or Essaouira?
Prices for flights to both Essaouira and Granada change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayGranada €37Essaouira €13
Typical Food Prices in Granada
For Granada, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Sangria€2.50
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Sandwich to go€3.00
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Bocadillo & Drink€6.25
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Granada
For Granada, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Sacromonte Caves Flamenco Show with Dinner: $62
- Dinner and Show flamenco in the Albayzin Granada: $62
- Walking Food Tour: $75
- 2-Day Geopark Desert, Ancient Culture and Food Tour: $169
Typical Food Prices in Essaouira
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Essaouira:
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Baklava€1.31
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Breakfast Crepes€0.47
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Fish for Lunch€14
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Essaouira
For Essaouira, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Traditional Moroccan Cooking Class: $39
- L'Atelier Madada Moroccan Cooking Workshop in Essaouira: $55
- Traditional Family Style Moroccan Cooking Class: $67
- 3 hours Camel Ride in Essaouira with Dinner and Overnight in Berber Camp: $170
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Granada €28Essaouira €11
Tours and Activities in Granada
For Granada, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2-hour Tour of the Alhambra and Albaicín Bajo: $65
- Adventure Cahorros, Monachil/ Climbing and abseiling Granada: $91
- Albaicín & Sacromonte Walking Tour: $17
- Albaicín & Sacromonte: Tour with Flamenco Show: $34
- Albaicín and Sacromonte’s Iconic Sights: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $8.99
- Albaicin & Sacramonte Electric Bike Tour in Granada : $38
- Albaicin and Sacromonte Evening Walking Tour: $15
- Albaicin and Sacromonte Private Tour : $93
- Albayzin Express Electric Bike Tour with Play Granada: $38
- Albayzin and Sacromonte Electric Bike Tour in Granada: $60
- Albayzin and Sacromonte Guided Walking Tour in Granada: $15
- Albayzin and Sacromonte Private Tour at Sunset: $152
Tours and Activities in Essaouira
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Essaouira.
- Big Cap Sim dunes and forest 3 hours tour.: $70
- 2 Hour Quad & ATV Experience: $58
- Big dunes and atlantic coast tour 2 HOURS: $57
- Essaouira : 1H quad bike tour and 1H camel ride: $57
- Essaouira : Half-day E-Experience from Mountains to Sea: $129
- Essaouira Guided Tour: 3 on 1 - Nightlife tour, Live like a local & Street food: $65
- Essaouira Sand Dunes: Half Day Quad Bike Tour: $65
- 3-Hour Camel Tour: $40
- 3-Hour Quad Bike Tour: $87
- Area Highlights 3 hours E-Bike Tour: $61
- Atlantic Dune Buggy Adventure: $206
- Cultural & Historical Sightseeing Tour - half day: $41
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGranada €24Essaouira €8.58
Sample the Local Flavors in Granada
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Granada:
- Granada Traditional Tapas and Wine Tour - by Oh My Good Guide!: $77
- BEST OF Flamenco, Tapas and Wine Tour: $100
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Granada and Essaouira, we can see that Granada is more expensive. And not only is Essaouira much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Granada is in Europe and Essaouira is in Africa, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Essaouira would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Essaouira 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 Granada would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Granada than you might in Essaouira.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Granada Expensive? and Is Essaouira Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Granada or Essaouira?
Granada has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Essaouira. When comparing the sizes of Granada and Essaouira, 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.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.