A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Malaga vs. Amalfi for Food, Nightlife, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Malaga or Amalfi?

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 Malaga and Amalfi. 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.

Malaga

Malaga is a historic, beautiful, and friendly port city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the beaches, shopping, and nightlife.

Amalfi

Amalfi is a stunning, dramatic, and charming town. You'll find world class beauty here as well. And you can't forget about the beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Malaga and Amalfi: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Malaga or Amalfi?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Amalfi than Malaga, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Amalfi is better known for its museums, food, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Malaga is more popular for its nightlife and music. Amalfi is more touristy than Malaga and is known for its dramatic views, charming character, and excellent limoncello. Also, Amalfi is famous for the dramatic coastline. Malaga is well known for its perfect blend of sandy beaches, beautiful culture, fascinating history, and a lively nightlife scene.

How is Malaga different from Amalfi?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Amalfi is a good destination for its sights and museums. However, Malaga does not have museums and landmarks.

Amalfi offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The town is an attraction in and off itself. It's filled with charm and character and visitors spend much of their time simply walking around and soaking up the atmosphere.

Malaga does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Amalfi 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 Amalfi, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The town's access to the beautiful sea means that many dishes use a variety of seafood. Eggplant is also a common ingredient and you'll find everything from pastas to elegant desserts around town.

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 Malaga or Amalfi Better for Nightlife?

Malaga is an amazing port city to visit for nightlife and partying. Also, Amalfi is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

Malaga has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. 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.

Many people head to Amalfi for the nightlife scene. There's a good number of bars and clubs in town that often have live music or DJs. Alternatively, there are also clubs that dot the entire coastline.

Is Malaga or Amalfi Better for Music?

Malaga is well known for its live music scene. However, Amalfi is not a live music destination.

Music is a popular form of entertainment in Malaga. 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.

Amalfi is not a live music destination.

Is Malaga or Amalfi Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

You'll find notable places where you can go scuba diving or snorkeling in Malaga and Amalfi.

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.

Amalfi has a few good snorkeling spots. You'll find snorkeling trips that take you along the coastline and stop at several places so you can take a peak at the underwater world.

Is Malaga or Amalfi Better for Beaches?

Malaga and Amalfi both offer notable beaches.

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.

Amalfi is a good option for a beach vacation. The beaches tend to be pebbly and rocky. During the summer months they can get very crowded, but taking a swim is a great way to escape the heat for a bit.

Is Malaga or Amalfi Better for its Old Town?

Visitors enjoy the very good old town areas in both Malaga and Amalfi.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of 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.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Amalfi. The town is charming and filled with great shops and restaurants. It's the perfect place to soak up the atmosphere of the Amalfi Coast.

Is Malaga or Amalfi Better for Hiking?

Amalfi is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Malaga is not a hiking destination.

Amalfi is a popular spot for hiking. The coastline is filled with great trails that offer stunning views. Hiking is a top way to see the natural beauty of the Amalfi Coast and catch a glimpse at some of the best beaches.

Malaga is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Malaga or Amalfi?

Both Malaga and Amalfi are notable shopping destinations.

Malaga offers some nice shopping areas. There are a number of shopping areas in the city with both local boutiques and name brands.

Amalfi has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You'll find many great shops that sell everything from clothing to fine wine, local foods, or limoncello.

Is Malaga or Amalfi Better for Families?

Both Malaga and Amalfi are notable family-friendly destinations.

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

Amalfi is a family-friendly port city. The town is positioned in the middle of the Amalfi Coast, making it a great base for exploring the area. It's also one of the larger towns so you'll find more energy and things to do with kids, including the Museum of Paper.

Is Malaga or Amalfi Better for Couples?

Amalfi is a must-visit destination for its romantic activities. Also, Malaga is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for couples.

Amalfi is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. The Amalfi Coast is a world class honeymoon destination and couples will enjoy staying in the lively town of Amalfi. It's a quaint and beautiful town in the middle of everything, so you'll have access to all that the area has to offer.

Malaga is a good port city for couples to visit. It has a beautiful coastline and a rich history that makes it unique.

Is Malaga or Amalfi Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Malaga is an amazing port city to visit for backpackers. However, Amalfi is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Malaga. From an endless supply of hostels to plenty of opportunities to meet other backpackers, this is a very backpacker friendly area.

Amalfi is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. The area has a couple of hostels around, but in general this is a difficult place to visit as a backpacker. There are SITA buses that offer transportation, and because the town is in the middle of the coastline, it offers decent access to everything.

Is Malaga or Amalfi Better for Students?

Malaga is well known for students. However, Amalfi is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in Malaga. 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.

Amalfi is not popular with students.

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

Both Malaga and Amalfi offer notable public transit options.

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

Amalfi has some public transit options. The SITA buses offer transit between many of the towns along the Amalfi Coast.

Is Malaga or Amalfi a more walkable city?

Amalfi is a must-visit destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Malaga is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its ease of walking around.

It is easy to get around Amalfi on foot. It's a compact and charming town that is a bit flatter than some nearby villages so it's easy to explore on foot.

Malaga is a very walkable destination. 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 Malaga Worth Visiting? and Is Amalfi Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Amalfi or Malaga?

How long in Malaga or Amalfi?

Both Malaga and Amalfi have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, Amalfi has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Amalfi than Malaga. In general, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Malaga, and 2-7 days is enough time in Amalfi.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Malaga than Amalfi 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 Malaga.

One day in Malaga or Amalfi?

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.

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the destination of Amalfi. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Malaga or Amalfi?

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.

Amalfi is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Malaga or Amalfi?

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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Amalfi. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Malaga or Amalfi?

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the friendly 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.

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the stunning destination of Amalfi. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking 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 Budget Tours to Spain, The Best Tours for Seniors to Spain, The Best 2-Week Tours from Rome, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Malaga and Amalfi, we can see that Amalfi is more expensive. And not only is Malaga much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Malaga would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Malaga 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 Amalfi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Amalfi than you might in Malaga.

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

Which is Bigger, Malaga or Amalfi?

Malaga has a larger population, and is about 100 times larger than the population of Amalfi. When comparing the sizes of Malaga and Amalfi, 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 Malaga or Amalfi?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Malaga or Amalfi in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Malaga and Amalfi. Most visitors come to Malaga for the beaches, snorkeling, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Amalfi because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

Malaga is around the same temperature as Amalfi in the summer. The daily temperature in Malaga averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Amalfi fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Amalfi this time of the year. In Malaga, it's very sunny this time of the year. Malaga usually receives more sunshine than Amalfi during summer. Malaga gets 348 hours of sunny skies, while Amalfi receives 313 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Malaga usually receives less rain than Amalfi. Malaga gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Malaga or Amalfi in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Malaga as well as Amalfi. The autumn months attract visitors to Malaga because of the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Amalfi this time of year.

In the autumn, Malaga is a little warmer than Amalfi. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Malaga in October average around 19°C (67°F), and Amalfi averages at about 17°C (63°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Malaga this time of the year. In the autumn, Malaga often gets more sunshine than Amalfi. Malaga gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Amalfi receives 189 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Amalfi. Malaga usually gets less rain in October than Amalfi. Malaga gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Malaga or Amalfi in the Winter?

Both Amalfi and Malaga are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Malaga this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Amalfi for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Malaga is generally much warmer than Amalfi. Daily temperatures in Malaga average around 12°C (54°F), and Amalfi fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Malaga usually receives more sunshine than Amalfi during winter. Malaga gets 171 hours of sunny skies, while Amalfi receives 115 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Amalfi. In January, Malaga usually receives less rain than Amalfi. Malaga gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Malaga or Amalfi in the Spring?

Both Amalfi and Malaga during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Malaga for the beaches and the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Amalfi in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

Malaga is a little warmer than Amalfi in the spring. The daily temperature in Malaga averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Amalfi fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

It's quite sunny in Malaga. In the spring, Malaga often gets more sunshine than Amalfi. Malaga gets 220 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Amalfi receives 189 hours of full sun.

Malaga usually gets less rain in April than Amalfi. Malaga gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Amalfi receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Amalfi and Malaga