Which place is cheaper, Bari or Malaga?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Malaga and Bari. 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 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.
Bari is a local, cultural, and authentic port city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the food, beaches, and shopping.
Travelers will generally find more things to do in Bari than Malaga. While Malaga is larger than Bari, Bari has more sights and attractions for tourists. Bari is more popular for its museums, food, and big city activities, while Malaga is known for its nightlife, music, scuba diving & snorkeling, and impressive beauty. Malaga is more touristy than Bari and is popular for its perfect blend of sandy beaches, beautiful culture, fascinating history, and a lively nightlife scene. Bari is popular for its authentic old town and its role as a ferry port for travelers headed across the Adriatic. It is also home to San Nicola.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Bari and Malaga. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Bari is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Malaga does not have museums and landmarks.
Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Bari. The city is filled with historical sights and archeological ruins. San Nicola is the main basilica in town and a popular tourist sight. The Castello is also a highlight, as is San Sabino.
Malaga does not have museums and landmarks.
Bari 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 Bari, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. It's off-the-beaten-path vibe means that you won't find the overpriced tourist restaurants that have taken over more touristy cities. Instead you'll find locally owned pasta shops that cater to the town's residents. You can taste authentic Pugliese cuisine, which is centered around wheat and olive oil. Orecchiette is the local pasta and seafood is one of the most common staples.
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.
Malaga is terrific for its evening party scene. Also, Bari is not as popular, but is still a nice port 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.
Bari offers plenty to do in the evening. The city really comes to life at night with many dance clubs, bars, and other fun venues. There's plenty of live music as well as jazz clubs and other local bars.
Malaga is a great port city for its music scene. However, Bari 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.
Bari is not a live music destination.
Malaga is a good destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Bari 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.
Bari is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.
Malaga and Bari both offer good 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.
Bari is a good option for a beach vacation. There's a sandy beach that you can reach by bus outside of the city center. There are also many great beaches around Puglia if you're willing to take a day trip or travel a bit farther.
Visitors enjoy the excellent old town areas in both Malaga and Bari.
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 Bari. The old town is filled with historic sights, mazelike streets, and great food. It's pedestrian-only and, because Bari is not as popular with tourists, it holds on to its authentic charm.
Both Malaga and Bari are good 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.
Bari has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You won't find the souvenir shops that you find in more touristy cities, so if you take the time to do some shopping while you're in town, you can enjoy a truly authentic and cultural experience.
Bari 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.
Bari is a very kid-friendly port city. There are historical sites and castles to explore as well as the fun-filled Miragica amusement park. There's also an impressive underground city that will spark the kid's imagination. Other fun activities include visiting the nearby beaches, taking a kayak tour, or wandering around the old town.
Malaga is a family-friendly port city. The city has castles that you can explore as well as a waterpark.
Malaga and Bari 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.
Bari is a good port city for couples to visit. The old town is filled with mazelike streets and the city has many unique activities that appeal to history buffs and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
Malaga is terrific for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Bari is not as popular, but is still a nice port 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.
Backpackers come from all over to visit Bari. There's plenty of hostels around town and the prices are usually very reasonable. Many backpackers pass through this port city on their way to Greece or other Adriatic destinations.
Malaga and Bari are both excellent 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.
Bari is a very popular port city for students and younger travelers. It's a great student city that offers access to many nearby Mediterranean destinations. There are also a number of historical sights within town that students can visit.
Both Malaga and Bari offer good public transit options.
Malaga has a few public transit options. There is an efficient bus system as well as a light metro system.
Bari has some public transit options. There are buses around town that are operated by the AMTAB.
Malaga and Bari both are excellent when exploring on foot.
Malaga is a very walkable port city. It has a very compact and walkable historic center with most of the tourist attractions easily accessible on foot.
Bari is a very walkable destination. The old town is pedestrian-only and best explored on foot. It's also about a 20 minute walk from the central train station.
For even more information, also check out Is Malaga Worth Visiting? and Is Bari Worth Visiting?.
Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Malaga and Bari. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Malaga than in Bari. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Malaga, and 1-3 days is enough time in Bari.
Families should spend more time in Bari than Malaga. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Bari, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Malaga than Bari. 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 Bari 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.
Visitors enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the destination of Malaga. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.
Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Bari. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.
Malaga is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the nightlife. 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 a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.
Bari 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.
Visitors enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the historic destination of Malaga. This port city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bari. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.
Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the welcoming port city of Malaga. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Many people spend one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.
Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the cultural destination of Bari. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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 Italy, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Italy.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Malaga is €140, while the average daily cost in Bari is €113. 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 Malaga and Bari in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Malaga or Bari? 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.
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Malaga:
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Bari:
Also for Bari, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Bari 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.
Some typical examples of dining costs in Malaga are as follows:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Malaga.
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Bari:
For Bari, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Malaga are as follows:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Malaga are as follows:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Bari.
Also in Malaga, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Bari:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Bari:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Malaga and Bari, we can see that Malaga is more expensive. And not only is Bari much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Bari would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bari 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 Malaga would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Malaga than you might in Bari.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Malaga Expensive? and Is Bari Expensive?.
Malaga has a larger population, and is about 74% larger than the population of Bari. When comparing the sizes of Malaga and Bari, 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.
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.
The summer brings many poeple to Malaga as well as Bari. The summer months attract visitors to Malaga because of the beaches, snorkeling, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bari this time of year.
In the summer, Malaga is around the same temperature as Bari. Typically, the summer temperatures in Malaga in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Bari averages at about 25°C (76°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bari. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Malaga this time of the year. In the summer, Malaga often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bari. Malaga gets 348 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bari receives 336 hours of full sun.
Malaga usually gets less rain in July than Bari. Malaga gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Bari receives 9 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Bari and Malaga are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Malaga this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bari for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
In October, Malaga is generally around the same temperature as Bari. Daily temperatures in Malaga average around 19°C (67°F), and Bari fluctuates around 18°C (65°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Malaga. Malaga usually receives more sunshine than Bari during autumn. Malaga gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Bari receives 178 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Malaga usually receives less rain than Bari. Malaga gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Bari receives 70 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Both Bari and Malaga during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Malaga for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Bari in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Malaga is a little warmer than Bari in the winter. The daily temperature in Malaga averages around 12°C (54°F) in January, and Bari fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).
In the winter, Malaga often gets more sunshine than Bari. Malaga gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bari receives 110 hours of full sun.
Malaga usually gets more rain in January than Bari. Malaga gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Bari receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Malaga and Bari. Many visitors come to Malaga in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Bari for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.
In the spring, Malaga is a little warmer than Bari. Typically, the spring temperatures in Malaga in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Bari averages at about 14°C (58°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bari this time of the year. In Malaga, it's very sunny this time of the year. Malaga usually receives more sunshine than Bari during spring. Malaga gets 220 hours of sunny skies, while Bari receives 203 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Malaga usually receives more rain than Bari. Malaga gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Bari receives 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Malaga | Bari | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 12°C (54°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
Mar | 14°C (57°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
May | 19°C (66°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 25 mm (1 in) |
Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 9 mm (0.3 in) |
Aug | 25°C (78°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
Sep | 23°C (74°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
Oct | 19°C (67°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 70 mm (2.7 in) |
Nov | 15°C (60°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
Dec | 13°C (55°F) | 102 mm (4 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |