Which place is cheaper, Gothenburg or Malaga?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Malaga or Gothenburg?
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 Gothenburg. 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 Gothenburg?
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.
Gothenburg
Gothenburg is the second largest city in Sweden with a population of about 500,000. It is located on the western coast at the edge of the Gota River. It's a very friendly and welcoming city with a great vibe. Part of its energy comes from the Gothenburg University, which, with over 60,000 students, is the largest university in the country. Historically, Gothenburg has working class roots which are still apparent today, particularly in the city's harbour area. Recently there has been a growing number of expensive restaurants and cafes, showing that the demographic continues to evolve.
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 Sweden, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Sweden.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMalaga €140Gothenburg €91
The average daily cost (per person) in Malaga is €140, while the average daily cost in Gothenburg is €91. 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 Gothenburg in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMalaga €75Gothenburg €37
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMalaga €150Gothenburg €74
Compare Hotels in Malaga and Gothenburg
Looking for a hotel in Malaga or Gothenburg? 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 Gothenburg Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Malaga €31Gothenburg €17
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Gothenburg
Also for Gothenburg, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Landvetter Airport Bus Transfer Arrival: $15
- Landvetter Airport Bus Transfer Departure: $15
- Transfer From Gothenburg Hotel To Gothenburg Museum of Art: $32
- Goteborg City to Goteborg Landvetter Airport (GOT) - Departure Private Transfer: $55
- Private Transfer from Gothenburg city to Goteborg Cruise Port: $64
- Private Transfer From Gothenburg Landvetter Airport to Gothenburg Hotels: $95
- Gothenburg Private Transfer from Central Gothenburg to Gothenburg Airport: $95
- Private Transfer Gothenburg Airport GOT to Gothenburg by Sedan: $102
- Goteborg Landvetter Airport (GOT) to Goteborg City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $109
- City Highlights Bike Tour with Transfer: $110
- Are Resort to Trondheim Vaernes Airport(TRD) - Departure Transfer: $114
- Private Transfer From Gothenburg To Alingsås: $119
Is it cheaper to fly into Malaga or Gothenburg?
Prices for flights to both Gothenburg 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 €35Gothenburg €36
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 €31Gothenburg €14
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
Tours and Activities in Gothenburg
For Gothenburg, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Universeum Entry Ticket: $21
- Gothenburg 24-Hour Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Ticket: $30
- Hop-On Hop-Off 24-Hour Sightseeing Boat: $30
- Lilla Bommen: 4-Hour Guided Boat Tour to Vinga Island: $31
- City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $31
- Land & Water Amphibious Bus Sightseeing Tour: $31
- 24h Gothenburg Hop-On Hop-Off Boat Tour: $32
- City Sightseeing Gothenburg Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $32
- Paddan Sightseeing Cruise on the Savean River: $33
- Guided boat tour to Vinga in Gothenburg: $33
- Archipelago cruise with guide: $36
- Entry Ticket To Gothenburg Museum of art with pickup: $37
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMalaga €22Gothenburg €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 Gothenburg, we can see that Malaga is more expensive. And not only is Gothenburg much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Gothenburg would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Gothenburg 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 Gothenburg.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Malaga Expensive? and Is Gothenburg Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Malaga or Gothenburg?
Malaga has a larger population, and is about 9% larger than the population of Gothenburg. When comparing the sizes of Malaga and Gothenburg, 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 Gothenburg?
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 Gothenburg in the Summer?
Both Gothenburg 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.
In the summer, Malaga is much warmer than Gothenburg. Typically, the summer temperatures in Malaga in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Gothenburg averages at about 16°C (61°F).
In Gothenburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Malaga. In the summer, Malaga often gets more sunshine than Gothenburg. Malaga gets 348 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gothenburg receives 243 hours of full sun.
Malaga usually gets less rain in July than Gothenburg. Malaga gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Gothenburg receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMalaga 25°C (77°F)Gothenburg 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Malaga or Gothenburg in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Malaga and Gothenburg. Many travelers come to Malaga for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Malaga is generally much warmer than Gothenburg. Daily temperatures in Malaga average around 19°C (67°F), and Gothenburg fluctuates around 9°C (47°F).
In Malaga, it's very sunny this time of the year. Malaga usually receives more sunshine than Gothenburg during autumn. Malaga gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Gothenburg receives 94 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Malaga usually receives less rain than Gothenburg. Malaga gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Gothenburg receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMalaga 19°C (67°F)Gothenburg 9°C (47°F)
Should I visit Malaga or Gothenburg in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Malaga as well as Gothenburg. Many visitors come to Malaga in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.
Gothenburg can be very cold during winter. Malaga is much warmer than Gothenburg in the winter. The daily temperature in Malaga averages around 12°C (54°F) in January, and Gothenburg fluctuates around -2°C (29°F).
In the winter, Malaga often gets more sunshine than Gothenburg. Malaga gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gothenburg receives 40 hours of full sun.
Malaga usually gets more rain in January than Gothenburg. Malaga gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Gothenburg receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMalaga 12°C (54°F)Gothenburg -2°C (29°F)
Should I visit Malaga or Gothenburg in the Spring?
Both Gothenburg 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.
In the spring, Malaga is much warmer than Gothenburg. Typically, the spring temperatures in Malaga in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Gothenburg averages at about 5°C (41°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Malaga. Malaga usually receives more sunshine than Gothenburg during spring. Malaga gets 220 hours of sunny skies, while Gothenburg receives 182 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Malaga usually receives around the same amount of rain as Gothenburg. Malaga gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Gothenburg receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMalaga 16°C (60°F)Gothenburg 5°C (41°F)
Typical Weather for Gothenburg and Malaga
| Malaga | Gothenburg | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (54°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | -2°C (29°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | -2°C (29°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (57°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| May | 19°C (66°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (78°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (74°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (67°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (60°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 4°C (38°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Dec | 13°C (55°F) | 102 mm (4 in) | 0°C (32°F) | 75 mm (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.