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

Should you visit Malaga or Cannes?

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 Cannes. 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 friendly, welcoming, and historic port city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Cannes

Cannes is a luxury, lavish, and glitzy resort 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.

Malaga and Cannes: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Malaga or Cannes?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Cannes than Malaga. While Malaga is larger than Cannes, Cannes has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Cannes is more popular for its food, music, resorts, beaches, and shopping, while Malaga is known for its nightlife. Cannes is more touristy than Malaga and is known for its popularity with celebrities and its role as host for the international film festival. It is also home to Boulevard de la Croisette. Malaga is popular for its perfect blend of sandy beaches, beautiful culture, fascinating history, and a lively nightlife scene.

How is Malaga different from Cannes?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Cannes 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 Cannes, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The city is known for its fresh seafood and produce, local markets, and innovative chefs. There are also a number of traditional dishes that you should try in town including bouillabaisse, daube, and farcis niçois.

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 Cannes Better for Nightlife?

Malaga is an amazing port city to visit for its evening party scene. Also, Cannes is not as famous, but is still a good resort city to visit for nightlife.

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.

Cannes has a large number of nightlife venues. The nightlife scene is all about the glamour and prestige that this city is known for. There are exclusive nightclubs and luxury cocktail bars where the goal is to see and be seen. Parties last late into the night and the glitz and glamour fill the streets.

Is Malaga or Cannes Better for Music?

Cannes is a must-visit destination for its live music scene. Also, Malaga is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its music scene.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in Cannes The city is famous for its music festivals, but there are also many bands, DJs, and performers who visit year round.

It's worth checking out the music scene in Malaga while you're in town. 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.

Is Malaga or Cannes Better for Resorts?

Cannes is a must-visit destination for its resorts. However, Malaga is not a resort destination.

Vacationers flock to Cannes for its luxury resorts. The city is filled with luxury resorts and elegant hotels. Among the best are Hôtel Martinez, Hôtel Barrière Le Majestic, and Five Seas Hotel.

Malaga is not a resort destination.

Is Malaga or Cannes Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

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

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.

Cannes has a few good snorkeling spots. You can arrange scuba diving and snorkeling trips from a few vendors in town. You might see sponges, sea slugs octopus, cuttlefish, lobsters and even stingrays.

Is Malaga or Cannes Better for Beaches?

Cannes is a well-known place for the beache. Also, Malaga is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for the beach.

Many people visit Cannes for it's beautiful beaches. You can choose from both public and private beaches in the area. You'll find more amenities and convenience at the private beaches which are closer to La Croisette (the main promenade in town). These beaches also come with a price tag attached. The public beaches have a more relaxed and natural vibe but are a little less convenient to get to.

Malaga is a good option for a beach vacation. There are some nice beaches around Malaga, but for the best options you'll have to travel further outside of the city.

Is Malaga or Cannes Better for its Old Town?

Visitors enjoy the high quality old town areas in both Malaga and Cannes.

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 Cannes. Known as Le Suquet, the old town has many historic landmarks including the the Château de la Castre. There are also cobblestone streets and many great restaurants around town.

Is the Shopping Better in Malaga or Cannes?

Cannes 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 Cannes make it a world-class shopping destination. With its many affluent visitors, the shopping scene in town is filled with luxury brands and posh boutiques. Perfume and porcelain are both popular things to buy in the area.

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 Cannes Better for Families?

Both Malaga and Cannes are good family-friendly destinations.

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

Cannes is a family-friendly port city. Most people associate the city with the film festival and late night partying, but there are also kid-friendly restaurants, fun beach activities, and plenty of kid-friendly entertainment along La Croisette Boulevard. Make sure you check out the Grand Carousel and the many playgrounds around town.

Is Malaga or Cannes Better for Couples?

Cannes 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.

Cannes is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. It's grand hotels and luxury beach clubs make this a perfect romantic destination. There are world class restaurants, a vibrant nightlife scene, and many romantic spots around town that make for a memorable honeymoon or couple's getaway.

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 Cannes Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Malaga is an amazing port city to visit for backpackers. However, Cannes is not a good resort city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Malaga is a very popular port city to visit for backpackers. From an endless supply of hostels to plenty of opportunities to meet other backpackers, this is a very backpacker friendly area.

Cannes is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's more famous for it's celebrity jetsetters than young budget travelers, but there are still several hostels and budget accommodation options tucked away in town.

Is Malaga or Cannes Better for Students?

Malaga is a well-known place for students. However, Cannes is not popular with students.

Malaga is very popular with students. 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.

Cannes is not popular with students.

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

Both Malaga and Cannes 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.

Cannes has some public transit options. There are buses that travel around the city.

Is Malaga or Cannes a more walkable city?

Malaga and Cannes both are high quality 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.

Cannes is a very walkable destination. Many areas are easily explored on foot including the historic areas and the coastline.

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

Should I spend more time in Cannes or Malaga?

How long in Malaga or Cannes?

It's fun to spend time in either Malaga or Cannes. 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 Cannes.

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

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

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

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 food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the destination of Cannes. 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.

A weekend in Malaga or Cannes?

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.

Cannes 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 Cannes?

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 Cannes. 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.

A week in Malaga or Cannes?

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

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the lavish destination of Cannes. This resort 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 Bicycle Tours in France, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in France.

When comparing the travel costs between Malaga and Cannes, we can see that Malaga 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.

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

Which is Bigger, Malaga or Cannes?

Malaga has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Cannes. When comparing the sizes of Malaga and Cannes, 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 Cannes?

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 Cannes in the Summer?

Both Cannes and Malaga are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Malaga for the beaches, snorkeling, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Cannes in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Malaga is around the same temperature as Cannes. Typically, the summer temperatures in Malaga in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Cannes averages at about 23°C (73°F).

In July, Malaga usually receives less rain than Cannes. Malaga gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Cannes receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Malaga or Cannes in the Autumn?

Both Cannes and Malaga during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Malaga in the autumn for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Cannes for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Malaga is generally a little warmer than Cannes. Daily temperatures in Malaga average around 19°C (67°F), and Cannes fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

Cannes gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Malaga usually gets less rain in October than Cannes. Malaga gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Cannes receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Malaga or Cannes in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Malaga and Cannes. Most visitors come to Malaga for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Cannes because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Malaga is a little warmer than Cannes in the winter. The daily temperature in Malaga averages around 12°C (54°F) in January, and Cannes fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In January, Malaga usually receives around the same amount of rain as Cannes. Malaga gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Cannes receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Malaga or Cannes in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Malaga as well as Cannes. The spring months attract visitors to Malaga because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Cannes this time of year.

In the spring, Malaga is a little warmer than Cannes. Typically, the spring temperatures in Malaga in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Cannes averages at about 13°C (56°F).

Malaga usually gets less rain in April than Cannes. Malaga gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Cannes receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Cannes and Malaga