Should you visit Malaga or Barcelona?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the prices of travel for Malaga and Barcelona. 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. So, let's dig into it.
Malaga
Malaga is a port city in the southern part of Spain. It is the 6th largest city in Spain and the southernmost large city in Europe. Malaga lies on the Mediterranean on the Costa del Sol, only 62 miles east of the Strait of Gibraltar, and 80 miles north of Africa. Malaga's history dates back about 2,800 years, which makes it one of the oldest cities in the world. The archaeological remains and monuments from the Phoenician, Roman, Arabic and Christian eras make the historic center of the city an "open museum", displaying its history of more than 3,000 years. Because of its important cultural infrastructure and the artistic heritage, Malaga has been nominated for the European Capital of Culture. Malaga's most important economic contributors include tourism, technology, and construction, but transportation and logistics are becoming increasingly important factors as well.
Barcelona
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain with a population of over 1.5 million people. It's also the capital of Catalonia and is located on the northeastern part of the Mediterranean coast. Barcelona is one of the country's most popular travel destinations because of its rich history, interesting architecture, and vibrant culture. Barcelona hosted the 1992 Summer Olympic games and that had a strong influence over tourism in the area. Many different neighborhoods were renovated and rebuilt. Modern design became the norm in many parts of the city, although there is still an old city feel and many efforts at preservation.
Which city is cheaper, Barcelona or Malaga?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Malaga is €106, while the average daily cost in Barcelona is €122. 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 Malaga and Barcelona in more detail.
Accommodation
Accommodation prices vary by location and style, but travelers pay on average about €108 for a double occupancy room in Malaga.
The average price for accommodation for two people in Barcelona is €148. This is for two people sharing a typical double occupancy hotel room.
Food
Malaga food costs typically run travelers around €27 per day. Eating every meal in a nicer restaurant will drive the cost up, and grabbing fast food or casual meals will help you save money.
The price of a meal in Barcelona can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is €27 per person, and a typical meal will cost around €11 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
-
Food
Meals for one day
Malaga €27
Barcelona €27
Typical Food prices in Malaga
Some typical examples of dining costs in Malaga are as follows:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Malaga
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Malaga.
-
Sardines Espetos Cooking Workshop:
$73
-
Typical Andalusian Dinner with Wine Pairing in Málaga:
$79
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Malaga Food Tour - Do Eat Better Experience:
$86
-
Sardines On Skewers Cooking Class in Malaga:
$111
-
Malaga Sunset Cruise and Restaurant Dinner:
$112
-
Málaga Swim Cruise with Tapas Dinner and Flamenco Show:
$128
-
Malaga Catamaran Cruise with BBQ Lunch and Port Restaurant Dinner:
$146
-
Malaga Market Visit and Cooking Class in Malaga Countryside House:
$149
Typical Food prices in Barcelona
Some typical examples of dining costs in Barcelona are as follows:
-
Hot Cocoa & Churro
€4.15
-
Sandwich
€1.70
-
Baguette & Horchata
€3.80
-
Tapas on the beach
€8.28
-
Gelatto
€2.50
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Barcelona
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Barcelona.
-
Live from Potato Gnocchi Online Cooking Class:
$23
-
Live from Barcelona to China: Potato Gnocchi Online Cooking Class:
$23
-
Barcelona organic dinner in a beautiful rooftop garden:
$35
-
Interactive Spanish Cooking Experience in Barcelona:
$49
-
Hands-on Brunch Cooking Class with Bottomless Mimosas!:
$50
-
Born district food tour and tasting in Barcelona:
$51
-
Barcelona Street Food Tour: Local Market & Gothic Quarter with Expert Guide:
$52
-
Street Food Tour & Gothic Quater Sightseeing with Local Expert:
$52
-
Flamenco Show and Optional Dinner at a Tablao:
$52
-
Bus and Walking Tour with Dinner:
$58
-
Tasty Barcelona Street Food Tour With Local Market Visit:
$59
-
Skip the Line: Flamenco Show and Dinner Ticket:
$62
Local Transportation
The average price of local transportation around Malaga is €25 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
The cost of a taxi ride in Barcelona is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent €15 per person, per day, on local transportation in Barcelona.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Malaga
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Malaga:
-
Private Airport Transfer: from Malaga to Malaga Airport (AGP):
$17
-
Transfer from Malaga Airport to Costa del Sol Hotels (Any Hotel):
$17
-
Transfer from your Hotel to Malaga Airport (Departure Transfer):
$17
-
Private Arrival Transfer from Malaga Airport (AGP) to Malaga City Center:
$20
-
Private Departure Transfer from Malaga City Center to Malaga Airport (AGP):
$20
-
Malaga Airport (AGP) to Malaga - Arrival Private Van Transfer:
$20
-
Malaga to Malaga Airport (AGP) - Departure Private Van Transfer:
$20
-
Private Airport Transfer: Malaga Airport (AGP) to Malaga:
$21
-
Malaga Airport (Costa del Sol) Private Departure Transfer:
$24
-
Malaga Airport (Costa del Sol) Private Arrival Transfer:
$24
-
Departure Private Transfer Business Car Malaga City to Malaga airport AGP:
$26
-
Arrival Private Transfer Business Car Malaga airport AGP to Malaga:
$26
Typical Local Transportation prices in Barcelona
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Barcelona are as follows:
-
10 Trip Metro Ticket
€7.80
-
Airport Bus
€5.00
-
Metro
€2.10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Barcelona
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Barcelona:
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Ultra - Barcelona Private Transfer from Barcelona Cruise Port to City Centre:
$9.41
-
Ultra - Barcelona Private Transfer from City Centre to Barcelona Cruise Port:
$9.41
-
Ultra - Barcelona Private Airport Transfer city centre to El Prat Airport BCN:
$9.41
-
Airport Transfers:
$20
-
From Luxury Transfers to La Roca Village:
$24
-
Private Departure Transfer from Barcelona City Center to El-Prat Airport (BCN):
$24
-
Private Transfer from Barcelona City to Barcelona Airport:
$27
-
Barcelona Airport Transfers:
$27
-
Barcelona Airport Transfer:
$28
-
Barcelona Private Transfer from City Centre to Cruise Terminal:
$29
-
Barcelona Private Transfer from City Centre to Cruise Terminal:
$29
-
Barcelona Departure Private Transfers from Barcelona City to Barcelona Airport:
$29
Is it cheaper to fly into Malaga or Barcelona?
Prices for flights to both Barcelona and Malaga 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.
Entertainment
Malaga's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around €25 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Entertainment and activities in Barcelona typically cost an average of €27 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Typical Entertainment prices in Malaga
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Malaga are as follows:
-
Entrance to Castillos
€7.10
-
Concert
€31
Tours and Activities in Malaga
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Malaga are as follows:
-
Alcazaba de Málaga and Teatro Romano Walking Tour in Spanish:
$4.98
-
Skip the Line: Picasso's Birthplace Museum Entrance Ticket:
$4.98
-
Temporary Exhibition Museo Picasso Málaga Tickets:
$6.66
-
Walking Tour of Malaga's Historic Center:
$7.46
-
Skip the Line: Centre Pompidou in Malaga Ticket:
$11
-
Skip the Line: Museo Picasso Malaga Entrance Ticket:
$11
-
Museo Carmen Thyssen de Malaga Entrance Ticket:
$12
-
Skip the Line: Malaga Automobile and Fashion Museum Entrance Ticket:
$14
-
1.5-Hour Roman Theater and Alcazaba Castle Walking Tour:
$16
-
Malaga Segway Castle Tour:
$22
-
Fast and Curious segway tour (30min):
$26
-
Malaga Shore Excursion: City Sightseeing Malaga Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour:
$27
Typical Entertainment prices in Barcelona
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Barcelona are as follows:
Tours and Activities in Barcelona
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Barcelona are as follows:
-
A Culinary Audio Tour of El Born by VoiceMap:
$5.50
-
Museu de la Xocolata Tickets:
$7.16
-
Private Barcelona Ghost Tour: Gothic Quarter Exploration Game:
$7.45
-
Museu de la Xocolata Admission Ticket:
$7.46
-
Gaudi House Museum Skip-the-Line Ticket:
$8.95
-
Barcelona Port Traditional Boat Tour:
$9.16
-
Guided Tour of Requesens Palace:
$9.54
-
Guided Tour of Barcelona's Royal Academy of Sciences & Arts:
$9.54
-
Skip the Line: History Museum of Catalonia & Rooftop Access Ticket:
$9.95
-
Skip the Line: Human Bodies - Entrance to the exhibition Ticket:
$9.95
-
Skip the Line: Erotic Museum of Barcelona Admission Ticket with free souvenir:
$9.95
-
Guided Tour at Barcelona's Royal Academy of Sciences and Arts:
$10
Alcohol
The average person spends about €18 on alcoholic beverages in Malaga per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
The average person spends about €14 on alcoholic beverages in Barcelona per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
Sample the Local Flavors in Malaga
Also in Malaga, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
-
Malaga Nightlife - Pub Crawl Tour with Skip-the-line Club Access:
$26
-
Frigiliana Small-Group Hike and Wine Tasting Tour from Malaga:
$49
-
Muscatel Winery Tour and Wine Tastings from Malaga:
$75
-
Malaga Tapas and Wine Tour:
$81
-
Flamenco, Tapas and Wine Tour: BEST OF Málaga in one evening!:
$108
-
Private Ronda Wine Tour with Tapas Including a Visit to Ronda:
$404
-
Ronda Private Full Day Wine Tour with Tapas:
$406
-
Malaga Shore Excursion: Panoramic Buggy Tour with Wine Tasting in a Historical Cellar:
$481
Sample the Local Flavors in Barcelona
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Barcelona:
-
Columbus Monument with Optional Wine Tasting:
$7.16
-
Estrella Damm Brewery Guided Tour with Tasting:
$9.54
-
Backpacker Pub Crawl:
$18
-
The Original Barcelona Pub Crawl:
$18
-
Barcelona Halloween Pub Crawl:
$18
-
Generation Pub Crawl in Barcelona:
$19
-
Barcelona Pub Crawl:
$20
-
Barcelona Wine Tasting: Catalan and Spanish Wines:
$21
-
Wine Tasting Experience in Barcelona:
$22
-
Opera Samfaina: Food and Wine Tasting Interactive Experience in Barcelona:
$26
-
Wine tasting & tapas:
$39
-
Barcelona Guided Local Wine Tasting Tour:
$44
When comparing the travel costs between Malaga and Barcelona, we can see that Barcelona 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.
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