A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Malaga vs. Costa de Prata for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Malaga or Costa de Prata?

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 Costa de Prata. 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 Costa de Prata?

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.

Costa de Prata

Costa de Prata is a region located on the Silver Coast of Portugal, an hour north of Lisbon. The area is known for its beautiful beaches, ancient architecture, and relaxed, welcoming, atmosphere. The area experiences gorgeous weather nearly all year round, with temperatures in the high 70's and 80's Fahrenheit from May-September. June-August sees the warmest ocean temperatures, making these the best months for swimming. Even during their winter, temperatures rarely dip below 60°F, although ocean temperatures drop, making swimming a bit colder.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Spain, The Best Tours for Seniors to Spain, The Best 10-Day Tours in Portugal, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Portugal.


Which place is cheaper, Costa de Prata or Malaga?

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 Costa de Prata is €151. 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 Costa de Prata in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Malaga 75
    Costa de Prata 78
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Malaga 150
    Costa de Prata 156
Compare Hotels in Malaga and Costa de Prata

Looking for a hotel in Malaga or Costa de Prata? 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.

Hotels in Malaga


Hotels in Costa de Prata


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Malaga 31
    Costa de Prata 53

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Malaga

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Malaga:

  • Vip Transfer from Malaga Airport to Nerja: $131
  • Vip Transfer from Malaga Airport to Algeciras or Tarifa: $185
  • Vip Private Transfer from Malaga Airport to Gibraltar Border: $163
  • Transfer from Malaga Airport to Costa del Sol Hotels (Any Hotel): $42
  • TRANSFER MALAGA AIRPORT from OR to ESTEPONA-PRICE ALL INCLUSIVE: $125
  • Private transfer from Malaga airport to hotels on the Costa del Sol: $109
  • Private transfer from Málaga Hotels to Granada: $174
  • Private Transfer from/to Seville to/from Malaga & Stop Alhambra: $230
  • Private Transfer from Torrenueva (Mijas) to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $87
  • Private Transfer from Torremolinos to Malaga (AGP) airport: $39
  • Private Transfer from Sitio de Calahonda to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $87
  • Private Transfer from Ronda to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $213

Is it cheaper to fly into Malaga or Costa de Prata?

Prices for flights to both Costa de Prata 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Malaga 35
    Costa de Prata 44
Typical Food Prices in Malaga

Some typical examples of dining costs in Malaga are as follows:


  • Dinner for 2
    30
  • Dinner for 2
    44
  • 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.

  • Dinner and Show at Alegría Flamenco & Restaurant in Malaga: $65
  • Paella Cooking Class with English Guide in Malaga: $76
  • Paella Cooking Class in Malaga: $84
  • 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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Malaga 31
    Costa de Prata 13
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:

  • Half-Day Luxury Motor Yacht Cruise in Granada: $152
  • Private Tour of Ronda and Setenil de Las Bodegas: $239
  • Winery and Olive Mill Guided and Tasting Tour with Tapas: $120
  • 1 Hour Buggy Safari Experience in the Mountains of Mijas with Guide: $87
  • 1 Hour Buggy Tour Off-Road Adventure in Mijas: $98
  • 1 Hour Quad/ATV Tour Off-Road Adventure in Mijas: $98
  • 1.5-Hour Roman Theater and Alcazaba Castle Walking Tour: $16
  • 1h buggy tour: $114
  • 2 Hour Family Buggy Tour, Off-Road Adventure in Mijas: $163
  • 2 Hour Quad/ATV Tour Off-Road Adventure in Mijas: $141
  • 2 Hours Buggy Safari Experience in the Mountains of Mijas with Guide: $125
  • 2 Hours Kayak Tour in Cerro Gordo Natural Park, La Herradura: $28

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Malaga 22
    Costa de Prata 8.13

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
  • Evening Tapas Tour and Wine Tasting in Malaga: $87
  • Malaga Food Walking Tour with Tapas & Wine Tasting: $98
  • Traditional Malaga Tapas and Wine Tour: $118
  • Axarquia VIP Wine Tour with Gourmet Winery Lunch Experience: $227


When comparing the travel costs between Malaga and Costa de Prata, we can see that Costa de Prata 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 Costa de Prata Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Malaga or Costa de Prata?

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.

Should I visit Malaga or Costa de Prata in the Summer?

Both Costa de Prata and Malaga during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches, snorkeling, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Malaga this time of year.

Malaga is around the same temperature as Costa de Prata in the summer. The daily temperature in Malaga averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Costa de Prata fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

In Costa de Prata, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Malaga. In the summer, Malaga often gets more sunshine than Costa de Prata. Malaga gets 348 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Costa de Prata receives 308 hours of full sun.

Malaga usually gets less rain in July than Costa de Prata. Malaga gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Costa de Prata receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Malaga 25°C (77°F) 
    Costa de Prata 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Malaga or Costa de Prata in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Malaga and Costa de Prata. Many travelers come to Malaga for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Malaga is around the same temperature as Costa de Prata. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Malaga in October average around 19°C (67°F), and Costa de Prata averages at about 18°C (65°F).

In Malaga, it's very sunny this time of the year. Malaga usually receives more sunshine than Costa de Prata during autumn. Malaga gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Costa de Prata receives 184 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Costa de Prata receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Malaga usually receives less rain than Costa de Prata. Malaga gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Costa de Prata receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Malaga 19°C (67°F) 
    Costa de Prata 18°C (65°F)

Should I visit Malaga or Costa de Prata in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Malaga as well as Costa de Prata. Many visitors come to Malaga in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

In January, Malaga is generally a little warmer than Costa de Prata. Daily temperatures in Malaga average around 12°C (54°F), and Costa de Prata fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the winter, Malaga often gets more sunshine than Costa de Prata. Malaga gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Costa de Prata receives 124 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Costa de Prata. Malaga usually gets less rain in January than Costa de Prata. Malaga gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Costa de Prata receives 139 mm (5.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Malaga 12°C (54°F) 
    Costa de Prata 11°C (51°F)

Should I visit Malaga or Costa de Prata in the Spring?

Both Costa de Prata and Malaga are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Malaga for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

Malaga is around the same temperature as Costa de Prata in the spring. The daily temperature in Malaga averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Costa de Prata fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

It's quite sunny in Costa de Prata. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Malaga. Malaga usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Costa de Prata during spring. Malaga gets 220 hours of sunny skies, while Costa de Prata receives 217 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Malaga usually receives less rain than Costa de Prata. Malaga gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Costa de Prata receives 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Malaga 16°C (60°F) 
    Costa de Prata 15°C (59°F)

Typical Weather for Costa de Prata and Malaga

Malaga Costa de Prata
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 12°C (54°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 11°C (51°F) 139 mm (5.5 in)
Feb 13°C (55°F) 75 mm (3 in) 12°C (53°F) 140 mm (5.5 in)
Mar 14°C (57°F) 59 mm (2.3 in) 13°C (56°F) 86 mm (3.4 in)
Apr 16°C (60°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 15°C (59°F) 92 mm (3.6 in)
May 19°C (66°F) 24 mm (0.9 in) 17°C (63°F) 77 mm (3 in)
Jun 22°C (72°F) 13 mm (0.5 in) 21°C (69°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Jul 25°C (77°F) 2 mm (0.1 in) 23°C (73°F) 14 mm (0.6 in)
Aug 25°C (78°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 23°C (73°F) 13 mm (0.5 in)
Sep 23°C (74°F) 15 mm (0.6 in) 22°C (71°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Oct 19°C (67°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 18°C (65°F) 101 mm (4 in)
Nov 15°C (60°F) 115 mm (4.5 in) 14°C (57°F) 128 mm (5 in)
Dec 13°C (55°F) 102 mm (4 in) 11°C (52°F) 130 mm (5.1 in)