Which place is cheaper, Ezcaray or Malaga?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Malaga or Ezcaray?
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 Ezcaray. 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 Ezcaray?
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.
Ezcaray
Ezcaray, Spain is a great place to go if you are looking for a scenic, relaxing, and peaceful destination. It is located in the Sierra de la Demanda mountains on the banks of the Oja river. Because of the mountain range nearby, it is also a great place for mountaineers. Ezcaray is a small town with big charm and momentous possibilities. It is located right at the base of the San Lorenzo peak in the Oja valley in the La Rioja region of Spain. The town has a population of less than 2,000, so it is a far cry from big city life, but that's part of what makes it such a gem to visit. Some say it is one of the best locations to get an authentic feel of real Spain without the big touristy populations. Its sheer beauty has also been compared to something out of a fairy tale.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Spain, The Best Tours for Seniors to Spain, The Best Contiki Tours to Spain, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Spain.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMalaga €140Ezcaray €111
The average daily cost (per person) in Malaga is €140, while the average daily cost in Ezcaray is €111. 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 Ezcaray in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMalaga €75Ezcaray €56
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMalaga €150Ezcaray €112
Compare Hotels in Malaga and Ezcaray
Looking for a hotel in Malaga or Ezcaray? 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 Ezcaray Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Malaga €31Ezcaray €21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Malaga
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Malaga:
- Vip Transfer from Malaga Airport to Malaga Fuengirola or Marbella: $55
- Vip Private Transfer from Malaga Airport to Gibraltar Border: $164
- 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: Malaga to Malaga Airport (AGP): $33
- Private Transfer from/to Seville to/from Malaga & Stop Alhambra: $230
- Private Transfer from/to Motril to/from Malaga with private driver: $159
- Private Transfer from airport to Malaga : $69
- Private Transfer from Torrequebrada to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $57
- Private Transfer from Torremuelle to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $57
- Private Transfer from Torremolinos to Malaga (AGP) airport: $39
- Private Transfer from Sitio de Calahonda to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $87
Is it cheaper to fly into Malaga or Ezcaray?
Prices for flights to both Ezcaray 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 €35Ezcaray €39
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.
- Dinner and Show at Alegría Flamenco & Restaurant in Malaga: $65
- Malaga Food Tour - Do Eat Better Experience: $86
- Malaga Tapas Cooking Class: $89
- Sardines On Skewers Show Cooking in Malaga beach: $147
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Malaga €31Ezcaray €21
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:
- Half-Day Luxury Motor Yacht Cruise in Granada: $153
- Private Tour of Ronda and Setenil de Las Bodegas: $240
- Sealife Benalmadena Entrance Ticket: $21
- Winery and Olive Mill Guided and Tasting Tour with Tapas: $120
- 1 Hour Buggy Safari Experience in the Mountains of Mijas with Guide: $87
- 1.5-Hour Roman Theater and Alcazaba Castle Walking Tour: $16
- 1h buggy tour: $115
- 2 Hour Family Buggy Tour, Off-Road Adventure in Mijas: $164
- 2 Hour Quad/ATV Tour Off-Road Adventure in Mijas: $142
- 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
- 2-Hour French Guided Walking Tour in Malaga: $20
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMalaga €22Ezcaray €19
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
- Guided Cellar Tour and wine tasting: $35
- Frigiliana Small-Group Hike and Wine Tasting Tour from Malaga: $60
- Sun and Wine Route - Small group, wine tasting and lunch included: $76
- Malaga Food Walking Tour with Tapas & Wine Tasting: $98
- Ronda Tour & Winery Experience with Wine Tasting from Malaga: $109
- Malaga Tapas and Wine Tour: $136
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Malaga and Ezcaray, we can see that Malaga is more expensive. And not only is Ezcaray much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ezcaray would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ezcaray 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 Ezcaray.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Malaga Expensive? and Is Ezcaray Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Malaga or Ezcaray?
Malaga has a larger population, and is about 260 times larger than the population of Ezcaray. When comparing the sizes of Malaga and Ezcaray, 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 Ezcaray?
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 Ezcaray in the Summer?
Both Ezcaray 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.
In July, Malaga is generally a little warmer than Ezcaray. Daily temperatures in Malaga average around 25°C (77°F), and Ezcaray fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
It's quite sunny in Malaga. In the summer, Malaga often gets more sunshine than Ezcaray. Malaga gets 348 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ezcaray receives 188 hours of full sun.
Malaga usually gets less rain in July than Ezcaray. Malaga gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Ezcaray receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMalaga 25°C (77°F)Ezcaray 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Malaga or Ezcaray in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Malaga and Ezcaray. Most visitors come to Malaga for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
Malaga is a little warmer than Ezcaray in the autumn. The daily temperature in Malaga averages around 19°C (67°F) in October, and Ezcaray fluctuates around 16°C (62°F).
In Malaga, it's very sunny this time of the year. Malaga usually receives more sunshine than Ezcaray during autumn. Malaga gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Ezcaray receives 125 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Ezcaray receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Malaga usually receives less rain than Ezcaray. Malaga gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Ezcaray receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMalaga 19°C (67°F)Ezcaray 16°C (62°F)
Should I visit Malaga or Ezcaray in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Malaga as well as Ezcaray. The winter months attract visitors to Malaga because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.
In the winter, Malaga is a little warmer than Ezcaray. Typically, the winter temperatures in Malaga in January average around 12°C (54°F), and Ezcaray averages at about 9°C (48°F).
In the winter, Malaga often gets more sunshine than Ezcaray. Malaga gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ezcaray receives 77 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Ezcaray. Malaga usually gets less rain in January than Ezcaray. Malaga gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Ezcaray receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMalaga 12°C (54°F)Ezcaray 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Malaga or Ezcaray in the Spring?
Both Ezcaray 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.
In April, Malaga is generally a little warmer than Ezcaray. Daily temperatures in Malaga average around 16°C (60°F), and Ezcaray fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Malaga. Malaga usually receives more sunshine than Ezcaray during spring. Malaga gets 220 hours of sunny skies, while Ezcaray receives 117 hours of full sun in the spring.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Ezcaray. In April, Malaga usually receives less rain than Ezcaray. Malaga gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Ezcaray receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMalaga 16°C (60°F)Ezcaray 12°C (54°F)
Typical Weather for Ezcaray and Malaga
| Malaga | Ezcaray | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (54°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (57°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) |
| May | 19°C (66°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (78°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (74°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (67°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (60°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
| Dec | 13°C (55°F) | 102 mm (4 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 135 mm (5.3 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.