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

Should you visit Malaga or Atlanta?

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 Atlanta. 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 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.

Atlanta

Atlanta is a sprawling, suburban, and cultural city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Malaga and Atlanta: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Malaga or Atlanta?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Atlanta than Malaga. While Malaga is larger than Atlanta, Atlanta has more sights and attractions for tourists. Atlanta is more popular for its museums, shopping, and big city activities, while Malaga is known for its nightlife, music, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Malaga is more touristy than Atlanta and is popular for its perfect blend of sandy beaches, beautiful culture, fascinating history, and a lively nightlife scene. Atlanta is popular for its world class aquarium, its role as host of the 1996 Olympic Games, and its influence during the Civil Rights Movement. It is also home to the Georgia Aquarium.

How is Malaga different from Atlanta?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Atlanta 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 Atlanta?

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

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Atlanta are among the most recognizable in the world. The museums range in topic from history to science and art. The country's largest aquarium, the Georgia Aquarium, is in Atlanta as well. It's home to whale sharks, stingrays, and a diversity of marine life. Other museums around town include the Atlanta History Center, the Fernbank Museum of Natural History, the High Museum of Art, the World of Coca Cola, the David J. Sencer CDC Museum, and the Delta Flight Museum. There are also many monuments and sites including the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site.

Malaga does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Both Malaga and Atlanta offer a number of great restaurants to choose from.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Malaga. 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.

Atlanta has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. It's a huge city with a wide selection of restaurants including international, local, and classic southern styles. Fried chicken, biscuits, diner food, and barbecue are all popular. For a classic southern breakfast check out The OK Cafe and for a quintessential Atlanta experience go to The Varsity.

Is Malaga or Atlanta Better for Nightlife?

Malaga is terrific for its evening party scene. Also, Atlanta is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

Malaga is a must-see 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.

Atlanta offers plenty to do in the evening. The nightlife scene is diverse with trendy bars, dance clubs, and huge music halls. There are a number of neighborhoods that each have their own atmosphere. For some of the best nightlife check out the upscale bars in Buckhead, the music venues in Midtown, the hipster vibe in Edgewood, or the laid-back atmosphere in Virginia Highland.

Is Malaga or Atlanta Better for Music?

Malaga is a great port city for its music scene. However, Atlanta is not a live music destination.

Malaga has a thriving music scene. 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.

Atlanta is not a live music destination.

Is Malaga or Atlanta Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Malaga is a nice place to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Atlanta is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Malaga has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. 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.

Atlanta is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Malaga or Atlanta Better for Beaches?

Malaga is a nice place to visit for the beach. However, Atlanta is not a beach destination.

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

Atlanta is not a beach destination.

Is Malaga or Atlanta Better for its Old Town?

Malaga is a great port city for its historic old town charm. However, Atlanta does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Malaga to see the historical old town. 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.

Atlanta does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Malaga or Atlanta?

Atlanta is a must-visit destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Malaga is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Atlanta make it a world-class shopping destination. There are a number of great shopping districts around town. Atlantic Station is popular with a movie theater and ice skating. Buckhead has boutique and local vendors and Lenox Square has a large shopping mall.

Malaga has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are a number of shopping areas in the city with both local boutiques and name brands.

Is Malaga or Atlanta Better for Families?

Atlanta 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.

Atlanta is a very kid-friendly city. There is no shortage of playgrounds around town, but a highlight of any trip is a visit to the Georgia Aquarium. It's the largest aquarium in the United States and its home to whale sharks, hammerheads, dolphin shows, and more. It is so much more than just an aquarium, and it truly is a not to be missed experience. Also worth a visit are Zoo Atlanta, the Center of Puppetry Arts, Stone Mountain, Fernbank Museum of Natural History, and the Lego Discovery Center. If you have the chance to see the Atlanta Braves play, that's also a rewarding experience.

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

Is Malaga or Atlanta Better for Couples?

Malaga and Atlanta both good destinations for a couple.

Malaga makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It has a beautiful coastline and a rich history that makes it unique.

Atlanta is a good port city for couples to visit. It's a big city, so there are a number of date night activities available such as orchestra concerts, theater shows, and fine dining. The city also has many outdoor areas like Lake Lanier and Piedmont Park. The Georgia Aquarium is world class, and there are other amazing museums around town as well.

Is Malaga or Atlanta Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Malaga is terrific for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Atlanta is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Malaga, as it is a very popular port city for budget travelers. From an endless supply of hostels to plenty of opportunities to meet other backpackers, this is a very backpacker friendly area.

Atlanta is a good port city to visit for backpackers. While it's usually overlooked by backpackers, there are actually a couple of hostels around town and a surprising number of activities worth experiencing. The city's large airport make it a convenient entry point for international travelers.

Is Malaga or Atlanta Better for Students?

Malaga and Atlanta are both great destinations for students and younger travelers.

Many students visit 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.

Atlanta is a very popular port city for students and younger travelers. There are a number of universities in town such as Emory, Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia State University, and Morehouse College. The city is sprawling, but it's also full of entertainment and activities that students will enjoy.

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

Malaga is a nice place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Atlanta is not known for its public transit.

While Malaga offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is an efficient bus system as well as a light metro system.

Public transit is generally limited in Atlanta. For such a large city, the public transportation system is very limited. MARTA is the main transit authority and there are a few subway lines that cross the city as well as bus routes running around town.

Is Malaga or Atlanta a more walkable city?

Malaga is a great port city for its ease of walking around. Also, Atlanta is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its walkability.

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.

Atlanta is somewhat walkable. Parts of the city are walkable, but most of the sights are spread out and require a car to access. Within neighborhoods, there are a few places that are more pedestrian-friendly such as Downtown, Midtown, Virginia Highlands, and Buckhead.

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

Should I spend more time in Atlanta or Malaga?

How long in Malaga or Atlanta?

It's fun to spend time in either Malaga or Atlanta. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Malaga due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Malaga, and 2-4 days is enough time in Atlanta.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Malaga than Atlanta 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 Atlanta?

In Malaga, you'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the nightlife. This port city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Atlanta is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Malaga or Atlanta?

In Malaga, you'll find shopping and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Visiting the old town is also a must. One reason most visitors come is for the nightlife. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Atlanta is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. 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 Atlanta?

Malaga is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Malaga has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Atlanta. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Malaga or Atlanta?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Malaga. In Malaga, you'll find live music and food. One reason most visitors come is for the nightlife. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the sprawling big city of Atlanta. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Spain, The Best Tours for Seniors to Spain, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, and The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Malaga and Atlanta, we can see that Atlanta 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. Even though Malaga is in Europe and Atlanta is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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

Which is Bigger, Malaga or Atlanta?

Malaga has a larger population, and is about 30% larger than the population of Atlanta. When comparing the sizes of Malaga and Atlanta, 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 Atlanta?

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 Malaga or Atlanta in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Malaga as well as Atlanta. Many visitors come to Malaga in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Atlanta for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Malaga is cooler than Atlanta. Typically, the summer temperatures in Malaga in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Atlanta averages at about 82°F (28°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Atlanta. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Malaga this time of the year. In the summer, Malaga often gets more sunshine than Atlanta. Malaga gets 348 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Atlanta receives 271 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Atlanta. Malaga usually gets less rain in July than Atlanta. Malaga gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Atlanta receives 5.2 inches (133 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Malaga or Atlanta in the Autumn?

Both Atlanta and Malaga are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Malaga for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Atlanta because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Malaga is generally around the same temperature as Atlanta. Daily temperatures in Malaga average around 19°C (67°F), and Atlanta fluctuates around 66°F (19°C).

It's quite sunny in Atlanta. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Malaga. Malaga usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Atlanta during autumn. Malaga gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Atlanta receives 222 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Malaga usually receives less rain than Atlanta. Malaga gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Atlanta receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Malaga or Atlanta in the Winter?

Both Atlanta and Malaga during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Malaga because of the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Atlanta this time of year.

Malaga is much warmer than Atlanta in the winter. The daily temperature in Malaga averages around 12°C (54°F) in January, and Atlanta fluctuates around 45°F (7°C).

In the winter, Malaga often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Atlanta. Malaga gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Atlanta receives 164 hours of full sun.

Atlanta gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Malaga usually gets less rain in January than Atlanta. Malaga gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Atlanta receives 4.7 inches (120 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Malaga or Atlanta in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Malaga and Atlanta. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Malaga this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Atlanta for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Malaga is cooler than Atlanta. Typically, the spring temperatures in Malaga in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Atlanta averages at about 65°F (18°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Atlanta this time of the year. In Malaga, it's very sunny this time of the year. Malaga usually receives less sunshine than Atlanta during spring. Malaga gets 220 hours of sunny skies, while Atlanta receives 262 hours of full sun in the spring.

Atlanta receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Malaga usually receives less rain than Atlanta. Malaga gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Atlanta receives 4.1 inches (104 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Atlanta and Malaga