A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Malaga vs. Graz for Nightlife, Old Town, Backpackers, and Food

Should you visit Malaga or Graz?

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 Graz. 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

Malaga is a beautiful, friendly, and welcoming port city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the live music, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Graz

Graz is a cultural, historical, and beautiful city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Malaga and Graz: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Malaga or Graz?

You'll generally find more things to do in Malaga than Graz. Malaga is bigger than Graz, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Malaga is better known for its nightlife, music, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty, while Graz is more popular for its museums, historical sights, and shopping. Malaga is well known for its perfect blend of sandy beaches, beautiful culture, fascinating history, and a lively nightlife scene. Also, Malaga is famous for The Alcazaba. Graz is well known for its many cultural activities, its impressive old town, and its beautiful Baroque architecture.

How is Malaga different from Graz?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Graz and Malaga. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Malaga or Graz?

Graz is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Malaga does not have museums and landmarks.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Graz. The old town is among the largest in Europe and it's filled with sights and museums. The Schlossberg and the Clock Tower are among the most iconic sights but other highlights include the GrazMuseum, the Mohren Apotheke's Theriak Museum, a Gothic Franciscan Church, and the Robert Stolz Museum.

Malaga does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Malaga or Graz? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Malaga and Graz offer a number of superb restaurants to choose from.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Malaga. 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.

Graz has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. There's a huge focus on sustainable dining in town, so you'll find many restaurants that use a farm to table approach. Local ingredients are heavily valued and it's fun to sample the many local flavors. Backhendl is a classic fried chicken dish that you must try.

Is Malaga or Graz Better for Nightlife?

Malaga is renowned for nightlife and partying. Also, Graz is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its evening party scene.

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.

Graz has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The large student population means that there's an active nightlife scene that is diverse and fun. There's a wide variety of bars and pubs with almost any music genre you could want. There are also dance clubs for those who are looking for a party.

Is Malaga or Graz Better for Music?

Malaga is great for its live music scene. However, Graz is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Malaga draws a good crowd. 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.

Graz is not a live music destination.

Is Malaga or Graz Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Malaga is a popular place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Graz is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Malaga has a few good snorkeling spots. 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.

Graz is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Malaga or Graz Better for Beaches?

Malaga is a popular place for the beache. However, Graz is not a beach destination.

Malaga is a good option for a beach vacation. There are some nice beaches around Malaga, but for the best options you'll have to travel further outside of the city.

Graz is not a beach destination.

Is Malaga or Graz Better for its Old Town?

Graz 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 Graz can be explored in its historical center. The medieval city center is very well preserved and one of the largest in Europe. The city has a lot of hidden charm and quaint streets to explore.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Malaga or Graz?

Graz is a well-known place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Malaga is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its shopping areas.

Graz is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. You'll find a lot of shopping around both Jakominiplatz and Hauptplatz Squares. There are also a number of shopping streets in town including Herrengasse which is filled with shops, restaurants, and more.

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.

Is Malaga or Graz Better for Families?

Graz is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Malaga is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Graz is a very kid-friendly city. Kids will love the fairytale train and there's also a 4D cinema that is fun for the whole family. In Schlossberg Hill, families should check out The Slide, which is the largest underground slide in the world. Other highlights include a Children's Museum, a Folklife Museum, and a Natural History Museum.

Malaga is a family-friendly port city. The city has castles that you can explore as well as a waterpark.

Is Malaga or Graz Better for Couples?

Graz is a well-known place for its romantic activities. Also, Malaga is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for couples.

Graz is a very popular place to visit for couples. It's filled with culture, history, and amazing food. Couples will appreciate the romantic old town and the many world class sights around town.

Malaga is a good port city for couples to visit. It has a beautiful coastline and a rich history that makes it unique.

Is Malaga or Graz Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Malaga is renowned for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Graz is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Malaga is extremely popular for backpackers. From an endless supply of hostels to plenty of opportunities to meet other backpackers, this is a very backpacker friendly area.

Graz is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are hostels and budget-friendly hotels around town that make this a nice town to explore as a backpacker.

Is Malaga or Graz Better for Students?

Malaga and Graz are both superb destinations for students and younger travelers.

Many students visit Malaga. 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.

Graz is a very popular port city for students and younger travelers. It's long been an education center in Austria and students make up a significant portion of the population. It's also a chill city with a relaxed and student-friendly vibe.

Is Malaga or Graz Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Graz is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Malaga is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Graz has some very good public transit options. There are buses and trams that travel around the town.

Malaga has some public transit options. There is an efficient bus system as well as a light metro system.

Is Malaga or Graz a more walkable city?

Graz 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 Graz on foot. You'll find everything you'd want to see in the old town, which is large, but still compact enough to explore on foot.

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 Graz Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Graz or Malaga?

How long in Malaga or Graz?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Malaga and Graz. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Malaga than in Graz. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Malaga, and 2-3 days is enough time in Graz.

Families should spend more time in Graz than Malaga. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Graz, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Graz than Malaga. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Graz that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Malaga than Graz 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.

One day in Malaga or Graz?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the destination of Malaga. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Graz. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Malaga or Graz?

Malaga is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the nightlife. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Graz 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.

Five days in Malaga or Graz?

Visitors enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the friendly destination of Malaga. This port city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Graz. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Malaga or Graz?

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the welcoming port city of Malaga. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Many people spend one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historical destination of Graz. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town 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 Christmas Market Tours in Austria, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Austria.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Malaga and Graz, we can see that Malaga is more expensive. And not only is Graz much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Graz would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Graz 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 Graz.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Malaga Expensive? and Is Graz Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Malaga or Graz?

Malaga has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Graz. When comparing the sizes of Malaga and Graz, 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 Graz?

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 Graz in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Malaga as well as Graz. The beaches, snorkeling, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Malaga this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Graz for the family-friendly experiences.

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Graz. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Malaga this time of the year. In the summer, Malaga often gets more sunshine than Graz. Malaga gets 348 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Graz receives 236 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Graz. Malaga usually gets less rain in July than Graz. Malaga gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Graz receives 126 mm (5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Malaga or Graz in the Autumn?

Both Graz and Malaga are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Malaga for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Graz in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Malaga is a little warmer than Graz. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Malaga in October average around 19°C (67°F), and Graz averages at about 13°C (55°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Malaga. Malaga usually receives more sunshine than Graz during autumn. Malaga gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Graz receives 139 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Malaga usually receives around the same amount of rain as Graz. Malaga gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Graz receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Malaga or Graz in the Winter?

Both Graz and Malaga during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Malaga in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Graz for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Graz can be very cold during winter. In January, Malaga is generally much warmer than Graz. Daily temperatures in Malaga average around 12°C (54°F), and Graz fluctuates around 1°C (34°F).

In the winter, Malaga often gets more sunshine than Graz. Malaga gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Graz receives 95 hours of full sun.

Malaga usually gets more rain in January than Graz. Malaga gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Graz receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Malaga or Graz in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Malaga and Graz. Most visitors come to Malaga for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Graz because of the natural beauty.

Malaga is a little warmer than Graz in the spring. The daily temperature in Malaga averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Graz fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In Malaga, it's very sunny this time of the year. Malaga usually receives more sunshine than Graz during spring. Malaga gets 220 hours of sunny skies, while Graz receives 158 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Malaga usually receives less rain than Graz. Malaga gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Graz receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Graz and Malaga