Which place is cheaper, Cartagena or Malaga?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Malaga or Cartagena?
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 Cartagena. 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.
Where Should I go: Malaga or Cartagena?
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.
Cartagena
The capital of the Bolivar Department of Colombia, Cartagena is one of the most visited cities in the country. It sits on Colombia's northern coast by the Caribbean Sea. It's a port city with a population of almost 900,000, making it the fifth largest city in Colombia. The city has a rich history and was the first Spanish colony on the American continent. It was also one of the first sanctuaries for freed African slaves in the Americas.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Spain, The Best Tours for Seniors to Spain, The Best Adventure Tours to Colombia, and The Best Eco Tours in Colombia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMalaga €140Cartagena €45
The average daily cost (per person) in Malaga is €140, while the average daily cost in Cartagena is €45. 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 Cartagena in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMalaga €75Cartagena €25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMalaga €150Cartagena €50
Compare Hotels in Malaga and Cartagena
Looking for a hotel in Malaga or Cartagena? 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Malaga Hotel Prices and Cartagena Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Malaga €31Cartagena €7.03
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Malaga
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Malaga:
- Malaga Airport (AGP) to Marbella - Arrival Private Transfer: $44
- Airport Transfer: Malaga Airport AGP to Malaga by Luxury Van: $57
- Airport Transfer: Malaga to Malaga Airport AGP by Business Car: $51
- Arrival Transfer from Malaga airport AGP to Malaga City by Sedan: $46
- Departure Transfer: Malaga to Malaga Airport AGP by Business Car: $51
- Departure Transfer: Malaga to Malaga Airport AGP by Luxury Van: $57
- Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport (AGP) to Malaga Port - Arrival private Transfer: $19
- Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport (AGP) to Malaga Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $37
- Malaga Airport (AGP) to Marbella - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $88
- Malaga Airport (Costa del Sol) Private Arrival Transfer: $44
- Malaga Airport (Costa del Sol) Private Departure Transfer: $44
- Malaga Airport to Granada Hotel or Family House in Private Transfer: $189
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cartagena
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:
- Transfer from the Airport - Hotels in Marbella: $7.97
- Airport transfer to any hotel in Cartagena: $7.97
- Airport transfer to any hotel in Morros: $7.97
- Airport transfer to any hotel in Getsemani: $7.97
- Transfer aeropuerto-centro: $8.19
- Air Conditioning Bus transfer: $10
- Shared Transfer from the Airport to Cartagena City or Vice Versa: $10
- Cartagena Airport: Private Arrival or Departure Transfer: $10
- Cartagena:Transfer from the Airport - Hotels in the Bosque: $11
- Transfer from the Airport to Hotels in Laguito: $11
- Airport transfer to any hotel in Castillogrande: $11
- Airport transfer to any hotel in Manga: $11
Is it cheaper to fly into Malaga or Cartagena?
Prices for flights to both Cartagena 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.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayMalaga €35Cartagena €9.21
Typical Food Prices in Malaga
Some typical examples of dining costs in Malaga are as follows:
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Dinner for 2€30
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Dinner for 2€44
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Breakfast for 2€8.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Malaga
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Malaga.
- Horse and Flamenco Show in Malaga with Dinner: $76
- Malaga Tapas Cooking Class: $89
- Andalucia by Sunset - half day tour including dinner and Ronda pickup: $93
- Sardines On Skewers Show Cooking in Malaga beach: $147
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cartagena
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cartagena.
- Featured in NYTimes > Arepas and Dancing: Danceable Cooking Class in Cartagena: $32
- Cooking class of typical food at the beach and sunset view: $39
- Taste Cartagena Food tour: $40
- Street Food Tour in Cartagena: $42
- Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings: $44
- Local Flavors Food Tour with Native Chef: $50
- Cooking Class: Street food & Mojito making: $50
- Cruise by the Bay with Dinner and Wine: $55
- Private Dinner at a Local Chef's House in Cartagena: $58
- Cartagena Gourmet: Cooking Class with a View, Elegance & Flavor: $59
- Street food tour: $61
- 2 hours Sibarita Express Dinner: $63
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Malaga €31Cartagena €20
Typical Entertainment Prices in Malaga
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Malaga are as follows:
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Entrance to Castillos€7.10
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Concert€31
Tours and Activities in Malaga
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Malaga are as follows:
- Skip the Line: Picasso's Birthplace Museum Entrance Ticket: $4.37
- Sightseeing Outdoor Escape Game in Malaga: $7.09
- Ronda Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $8.89
- Guided tour of Castillo Colomares: $9.83
- Alcazaba Malaga Guided Tour: $11
- Guided tour in Ronda: $13
- Andalucia's City Of Dreams: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Ronda: $15
- Essential Malaga City Tour: $16
- City Sightseeing Benalmadena Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $16
- Private Guided Tour to the only coffee farm in Europe: $16
- Tour around the Central Market of Malaga: $16
- 1.5-Hour Roman Theater and Alcazaba Castle Walking Tour: $16
Tours and Activities in Cartagena
Here are a few actual costs in Cartagena for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Emeralds Tour: $0.03
- Into the Walls of The City: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Cartagena de Indias: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Artists' Quarter Getsemani Self-guided Tour: $6.35
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - The Great Battle: Fort of San Felipe: $6.99
- Old Town Highlights Self-guided Tour: $8.50
- Tour the city on a rumba in a typical bus: $9.42
- Old Town & Getsemani Quarter Self-guided Tour: $9.58
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: Pirate Tales in Cartagena: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Legends of the Streets of Downtown : $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour of Getsemaní Neighborhood: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: The Rise of the Wall City Part II: $10
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMalaga €22Cartagena €8.63
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 Drinks and Clubs Entry: $17
- Sun and Wine Route - Small group, wine tasting and lunch included: $76
- Malaga City Wine Tour: $94
- Flamenco, Tapas and Wine Tour: Best of Málaga in one Evening: $104
Sample the Local Flavors in Cartagena
Also in Cartagena, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl with Dancing Lessons and Free Shots: $19
- Cartagena's Best Pub Crawl all included!: $23
- Cartagena Pub Crawl: Let's Party & Matching in Getsemaní: $24
- Pub Crawl Only Locals Have Fun In The Walled City: $35
- Nightlife Pub crawl in Cartagena: $72
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Malaga and Cartagena, we can see that Malaga is more expensive. And not only is Cartagena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Malaga is in Europe and Cartagena is in South America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Cartagena would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cartagena 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 Cartagena.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Malaga Expensive? and Is Cartagena Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Malaga or Cartagena?
Cartagena has a larger population, and is about 73% larger than the population of Malaga. When comparing the sizes of Malaga and Cartagena, 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 Cartagena?
Malaga has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Cartagena experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Malaga or Cartagena in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Malaga and Cartagena. Many travelers come to Malaga for the beaches, snorkeling, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Cartagena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Malaga is cooler than Cartagena in the summer. The daily temperature in Malaga averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Cartagena fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cartagena this time of the year. In Malaga, it's very sunny this time of the year. Malaga usually receives more sunshine than Cartagena during summer. Malaga gets 348 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 207 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Malaga usually receives less rain than Cartagena. Malaga gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMalaga 25°C (77°F)Cartagena 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Malaga or Cartagena in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Malaga as well as Cartagena. Many visitors come to Malaga in the autumn for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cartagena throughout the year.
In the autumn, Malaga is cooler than Cartagena. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Malaga in October average around 19°C (67°F), and Cartagena averages at about 27°C (81°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 Cartagena. Malaga gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 175 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Cartagena. Malaga usually gets less rain in October than Cartagena. Malaga gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMalaga 19°C (67°F)Cartagena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Malaga or Cartagena in the Winter?
Both Cartagena and Malaga are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Malaga for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Cartagena because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Malaga is generally much colder than Cartagena. Daily temperatures in Malaga average around 12°C (54°F), and Cartagena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
It's quite sunny in Cartagena. Malaga usually receives less sunshine than Cartagena during winter. Malaga gets 171 hours of sunny skies, while Cartagena receives 278 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Malaga usually receives more rain than Cartagena. Malaga gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMalaga 12°C (54°F)Cartagena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Malaga or Cartagena in the Spring?
Both Cartagena and Malaga during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Malaga because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cartagena year-round.
Malaga is much colder than Cartagena in the spring. The daily temperature in Malaga averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Cartagena fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
In Cartagena, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Malaga. In the spring, Malaga often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Cartagena. Malaga gets 220 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cartagena receives 209 hours of full sun.
Malaga usually gets more rain in April than Cartagena. Malaga gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Cartagena receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMalaga 16°C (60°F)Cartagena 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Cartagena and Malaga
| Malaga | Cartagena | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (54°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (57°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 19°C (66°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (78°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (74°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (67°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (60°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 13°C (55°F) | 102 mm (4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.