Which place is cheaper, Cinque Terre 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 Cinque Terre. 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 welcoming, historic, and beautiful port city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and live music.
Cinque Terre is a quaint, seaside, and stunning coastal region. It also offers plenty of small town charm and also has plenty of sights and activities. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.
Tourists will generally find more to do in Malaga. Although Malaga and Cinque Terre are both popular with visitors, Malaga has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Malaga is more popular for its nightlife, music, and shopping, while Cinque Terre is known for its food, resorts, historical sights, hiking, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Cinque Terre is more touristy than Malaga and is popular for its charming villages, beautiful vineyards, picturesque waterfront setting, and stunning walking trail. Malaga is popular for its perfect blend of sandy beaches, beautiful culture, fascinating history, and a lively nightlife scene. It is also home to The Alcazaba.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Cinque Terre and Malaga. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Cinque Terre 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 Cinque Terre, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. Like much of Italy, the area focuses on local flavors that include lots of seafood, as well as local fruits, vegetables, and herbs. The towns are known for their focaccia, which actually originated in nearby Genoa. Anchovies are a favorite here as well, and don't be turned off by your experience with anchovies outside of Italy. They don't compare. Also make sure you sample the pesto, mussels, and any fresh caught seafood.
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 renowned for its evening party scene. However, Cinque Terre is lacking in good options for nightlife.
Malaga is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. 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.
Things get quiet in the evenings in Cinque Terre. The whole point of a trip to the area is to soak up the quiet village atmosphere. There is basically no nightlife in most of the towns, but you will find a few bars in Monterosso.
Malaga is a very popular place for its music scene. However, Cinque Terre is not a live music destination.
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.
Cinque Terre is not a live music destination.
Cinque Terre is not a good place to visit for its resorts. However, Malaga is not a resort destination.
There isn't the widest selection of resorts in Cinque Terre, but you'll find a few options to choose from. Most people stay in apartments or rooms in local hotels or family homes. There aren't many resorts in the traditional sense, but again, that's part of the charm of the area.
Malaga is not a resort destination.
You'll find good places where you can go scuba diving or snorkeling in Malaga and Cinque Terre.
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.
Cinque Terre has a few good snorkeling spots. The surrounding waters are part of the of the Pelagos Sanctuary. The area has many rocky coves which are fun to explore with a mask and snorkel. There are also boat excursions available that may let you stop to snorkel, as well as a few dive spots in the area.
Malaga and Cinque Terre 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.
Cinque Terre is a good option for a beach vacation. The area is more about the towns than the beaches. The most typical beach setting is in the newer part of Monterosso. There's a long sandy beach with chairs and umbrellas available. There's also a beach near the town's old town. Several of the other towns have swimming areas, including a small stretch of pebbly sand in Vernazza. It's fun to swim between the months of May and October, when the water temperatures are fairly warm.
Cinque Terre is a must-visit destination for its old town. Also, Malaga is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its historic old town charm.
The rich history of Cinque Terre can be explored in its historical center. Each of the five towns have their own charming old town which have restaurants and local boutique shops.
Many visitors explore the old town while visiting 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.
Cinque Terre is a must-visit destination for the nearby hiking options. However, Malaga is not a hiking destination.
Cinque Terre is well-known for its hiking and trekking. The five towns are part of Cinque Terre National Park and there are 120 kilometers of hiking trails in the park. Most people hike along the trails that follow the coastline and connect the towns. There are fees for the most popular stretch of trails which connect Monterosso to Vernazza and then go from Vernazza to Corniglia. All other hiking is free in the area.
Malaga is not a hiking destination.
Malaga is a nice place to visit for its shopping areas. However, Cinque Terre is lacking in good options for shopping.
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.
Cinque Terre is a good destination for shopping. The towns are more about the atmosphere than the shops, but the best shopping can be found in the largest town of Monterosso. You'll find jewelry, clothing, and local food items that are fun to take home as souvenirs.
Both Malaga and Cinque Terre 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.
Cinque Terre is a family-friendly port city. The five towns are all about exploring on foot, so if that's your kid's thing, then they're in for a treat. The hilly terrain can be a bit tricky, particularly for the little ones, but for older kids this area offers the perfect amount of challenge. There are also a couple of beaches and swimming spots as well as a playground or two around. Food, like most of Italy, is very kid-friendly.
Cinque Terre 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.
Cinque Terre is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. These stunning five Italian villages are perched precariously on the water's edge. They're surrounded by beautiful vineyards and connected by impressive hiking trails. This area is truly a dream honeymoon destination and it is sure to make a memorable vacation for any couple who enjoys exploring charming village.
Malaga is a good port city for couples to visit. It has a beautiful coastline and a rich history that makes it unique.
Malaga is renowned for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Cinque Terre is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.
Cinque Terre is a good port city to visit for backpackers. There are a number of rooms available in the towns and there are even a couple of hostels including one in Riomaggiore and one in Corniglia. It's possible to find affordable food and accommodation, and your entertainment is simply wandering the area, which is perfect for budget travelers.
Malaga is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Cinque Terre is not popular with students.
Malaga is a great port city to visit as a student. 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.
Cinque Terre is not popular with students.
Both Malaga and Cinque Terre 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.
Cinque Terre has some public transit options. Most people arrive by train but there are also ferries available.
Cinque Terre is a must-visit destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Malaga is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its ease of walking around.
It is easy to get around Cinque Terre on foot. Vehicle traffic in the towns are heavily restricted so it's very enjoyable to explore on foot. The terrain is hilly and uneven, but that's part of the charm. There are also hiking trails that connect each of the five towns.
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.
For even more information, also check out Is Malaga Worth Visiting? and Is Cinque Terre Worth Visiting?.
In either Malaga or Cinque Terre, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Malaga than Cinque Terre because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Malaga, and 2-5 days is enough time in Cinque Terre.
Families should spend more time in Cinque Terre than Malaga. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Cinque Terre, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Cinque Terre than Malaga. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Cinque Terre that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Malaga than Cinque Terre 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.
In Malaga, many people enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping that this beautiful port city offers. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.
Cinque Terre might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.
Malaga is a fun place to experience. Visiting the old town is also a must. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Lots of people come for the nightlife. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring.
Cinque Terre 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.
In Malaga, many people enjoy the nightlife and live music that this friendly destination offers. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Lots of people come for the nightlife. So, five days is just the right amount of time to spend here.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cinque Terre. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
Malaga is a popular place to visit. Many people spend one week here. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one week is just the right amount of time to spend here. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.
Cinque Terre is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This coastal region offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking 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 Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy, and The Best Food and Culinary 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 Cinque Terre is €140. 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 Cinque Terre in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Malaga or Cinque Terre? 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 Cinque Terre:
Also for Cinque Terre, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Cinque Terre 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.
For Cinque Terre, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
For Cinque Terre, 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:
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Cinque Terre's activities, tours, and tickets:
For Cinque Terre, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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 Cinque Terre:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Cinque Terre:
When comparing the travel costs between Malaga and Cinque Terre, 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 Cinque Terre Expensive?.
Malaga has a larger population, and is about 350 times larger than the population of Cinque Terre. When comparing the sizes of Malaga and Cinque Terre, 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.
Both Cinque Terre and Malaga during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Malaga in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Cinque Terre for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Malaga is around the same temperature as Cinque Terre. Typically, the summer temperatures in Malaga in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Cinque Terre averages at about 24°C (75°F).
In Cinque Terre, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Malaga. In the summer, Malaga often gets more sunshine than Cinque Terre. Malaga gets 348 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cinque Terre receives 316 hours of full sun.
Malaga usually gets less rain in July than Cinque Terre. Malaga gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Cinque Terre receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Malaga and Cinque Terre. 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 Cinque Terre because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Malaga is generally a little warmer than Cinque Terre. Daily temperatures in Malaga average around 19°C (67°F), and Cinque Terre fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).
In Malaga, it's very sunny this time of the year. Malaga usually receives more sunshine than Cinque Terre during autumn. Malaga gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Cinque Terre receives 177 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Cinque Terre receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Malaga usually receives less rain than Cinque Terre. Malaga gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Cinque Terre receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
The winter brings many poeple to Malaga as well as Cinque Terre. The winter months attract visitors to Malaga because of the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Cinque Terre this time of year.
Malaga is much warmer than Cinque Terre in the winter. The daily temperature in Malaga averages around 12°C (54°F) in January, and Cinque Terre fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).
In the winter, Malaga often gets more sunshine than Cinque Terre. Malaga gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cinque Terre receives 105 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Cinque Terre. Malaga usually gets less rain in January than Cinque Terre. Malaga gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Cinque Terre receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Cinque Terre and Malaga are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Malaga this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Cinque Terre for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Malaga is a little warmer than Cinque Terre. Typically, the spring temperatures in Malaga in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Cinque Terre averages at about 14°C (57°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Malaga. Malaga usually receives more sunshine than Cinque Terre during spring. Malaga gets 220 hours of sunny skies, while Cinque Terre receives 192 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Malaga usually receives less rain than Cinque Terre. Malaga gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Cinque Terre receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Malaga | Cinque Terre | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 12°C (54°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
Mar | 14°C (57°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
May | 19°C (66°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
Aug | 25°C (78°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
Sep | 23°C (74°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
Oct | 19°C (67°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
Nov | 15°C (60°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
Dec | 13°C (55°F) | 102 mm (4 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |