A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Malaga vs. Interlaken for Families, Couples, Backpackers, and Food

Should you visit Malaga or Interlaken?

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 Interlaken. 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 welcoming, historic, and beautiful port city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and shopping.

Interlaken

Interlaken is a adventurous, adrenaline-filled, and breathtaking town. You'll find world class beauty here as well. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. And you can't forget about the food, hiking, and skiing.

Malaga and Interlaken: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Malaga or Interlaken?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Malaga. Although Malaga and Interlaken are popular destinations, Malaga has more sights and attractions for tourists. Malaga is very popular for its nightlife, music, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, and shopping, while Interlaken attracts visitors for its skiing, hiking, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Interlaken is more touristy than Malaga and is popular for its adventure sports, alpine setting, and beautiful lakes. Malaga is famous for its perfect blend of sandy beaches, beautiful culture, fascinating history, and a lively nightlife scene. It is also well known for The Alcazaba.

How is Malaga different from Interlaken?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Malaga or Interlaken Better for Skiing?

Interlaken is a good destination for snow skiing. However, Malaga is not a skiing destination.

For winter sports and skiing, Interlaken is a great destination to visit. While the city itself has no skiing, there is access to several ski areas in Jungfrau. There are several different resorts in the area near Grindelwald, Wengen, and Mürren. You'll need to take a train or ski bus to get most places.

Malaga is not a skiing destination.

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

Both Malaga and Interlaken offer a number of high quality 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.

Interlaken has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Restaurants in the area serve local classics like fondue, local meats, cheeses, and chocolate. You can finish your meal off with strudel or head to a local bakery and try their samplings. Meals are expensive but the quality is good. You should also out into the countryside and enjoy a meal looking out over the mountains.

Is Malaga or Interlaken Better for Nightlife?

Malaga is a world-class destination for nightlife. However, Interlaken is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

People head to Malaga just to party. 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.

Interlaken is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Malaga or Interlaken Better for Music?

Malaga is an excellent place to visit for live music. However, Interlaken is not a live music destination.

Whether you like big venues or smaller artists, Malaga has diverse options. 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.

Interlaken is not a live music destination.

Is Malaga or Interlaken Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Malaga is very good for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Interlaken is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's worth going snorkeling or scuba diving 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.

Interlaken is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Malaga or Interlaken Better for Beaches?

Malaga is very good for its beaches. However, Interlaken is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Malaga to enjoy the beach. There are some nice beaches around Malaga, but for the best options you'll have to travel further outside of the city.

Interlaken is not a beach destination.

Is Malaga or Interlaken Better for its Old Town?

Malaga is an excellent place to visit for its historic old town. However, Interlaken does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of 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.

Interlaken does not have a historic old town.

Is Malaga or Interlaken Better for Hiking?

Interlaken is a must-visit destination for the nearby hiking options. However, Malaga is not a hiking destination.

Interlaken is well-known for its hiking and trekking. Hikes in the area range from easy to challenging with every option in between. You can experience beautiful waterfalls, breathtaking views, and dramatic ridge hikes. Several of the best hikes in the area include Schynige Platte Ridge Trail, Mt Niesen Panorama Trail, and Giessbach Waterfalls.

Malaga is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Malaga or Interlaken?

Malaga is very good for shopping. However, Interlaken is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Malaga. There are a number of shopping areas in the city with both local boutiques and name brands.

Interlaken is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Malaga or Interlaken Better for Families?

Interlaken is a must-visit destination 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.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Interlaken is very family-friendly. While the city is beautiful, it's really the surrounding areas that you and your family will enjoy. There are amazing hikes, stunning views, playgrounds, lakes, and more. There's also an impressive ropes course that adventurous kids will love, funiculars, gondolas, and so many water sports!

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

Is Malaga or Interlaken Better for Couples?

Interlaken 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.

Interlaken is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. The mountaintop views, breathtaking hikes, and beautiful lakes make this a top destination for couples. Make sure you head out of town and fully immerse yourself in everything that the area has to offer. Kayaking, canoeing, paragliding, and more will make this a trip of a lifetime.

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 Interlaken Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Malaga is a world-class destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Interlaken is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many backpackers frequent Malaga. From an endless supply of hostels to plenty of opportunities to meet other backpackers, this is a very backpacker friendly area.

It's common for backpackers to visit Interlaken. It's a world class destination with so many activities that backpackers will love, but it's also one of the most expensive areas in one of the most expensive countries. There are hostels in town as well as a few in the nearby towns and countryside, but prices are steep. Cook when you can and enjoy all of the free activities that the area has to offer.

Is Malaga or Interlaken Better for Students?

Malaga is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Interlaken is not popular with students.

Malaga is very popular with students. 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.

Interlaken is not popular with students.

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

Interlaken 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.

Interlaken has some very good public transit options. Buses travel around town, but to get into the mountains there are trains, cog railways, funiculars, and gondolas.

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

Is Malaga or Interlaken a more walkable city?

Malaga is an excellent place to visit for its walkability. Also, Interlaken is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

Malaga is very walkable. It has a very compact and walkable historic center with most of the tourist attractions easily accessible on foot.

Interlaken is a somewhat walkable place. The old town is relatively walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Malaga Worth Visiting? and Is Interlaken Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Interlaken or Malaga?

How long in Malaga or Interlaken?

In either Malaga or Interlaken, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Malaga than Interlaken 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 Interlaken.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Malaga than Interlaken 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 Interlaken?

With live music and food around the beautiful port city of Malaga, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the nightlife. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Many travelers enjoy the food and skiing when visiting the destination of Interlaken. 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.

A weekend in Malaga or Interlaken?

With food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the destination of Malaga, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. One of the main draws to the area is the nightlife. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Interlaken is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. 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 Interlaken?

Malaga, a popular port city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Visiting the old town is also a must. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this port city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Interlaken. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. 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.

A week in Malaga or Interlaken?

Malaga is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this port city makes for a great vacation. One of the main draws to the area is the nightlife. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this port city has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the skiing and food when visiting the world-class destination of Interlaken. This town 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Geneva, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Zurich.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Malaga and Interlaken, we can see that Interlaken is more expensive. And not only is Malaga much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Malaga would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Malaga 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 Interlaken would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Interlaken than you might in Malaga.

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

Which is Bigger, Malaga or Interlaken?

Malaga has a larger population, and is about 110 times larger than the population of Interlaken. When comparing the sizes of Malaga and Interlaken, 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 Interlaken?

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 Interlaken in the Summer?

Both Interlaken and Malaga during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Malaga for the beaches, snorkeling, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Interlaken in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Malaga is generally a little warmer than Interlaken. Daily temperatures in Malaga average around 25°C (77°F), and Interlaken fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

In Interlaken, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Malaga. In the summer, Malaga often gets more sunshine than Interlaken. Malaga gets 348 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Interlaken receives 241 hours of full sun.

Malaga usually gets less rain in July than Interlaken. Malaga gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Malaga or Interlaken in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Malaga and Interlaken. Many visitors come to Malaga in the autumn for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, most visitors come to Interlaken for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Malaga is a little warmer than Interlaken in the autumn. The daily temperature in Malaga averages around 19°C (67°F) in October, and Interlaken fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In Malaga, it's very sunny this time of the year. Malaga usually receives more sunshine than Interlaken during autumn. Malaga gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Interlaken receives 120 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Malaga usually receives less rain than Interlaken. Malaga gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Malaga or Interlaken in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Malaga as well as Interlaken. Most visitors come to Malaga for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Interlaken because of the skiing and the cuisine.

The weather in Interlaken can be very cold. In the winter, Malaga is much warmer than Interlaken. Typically, the winter temperatures in Malaga in January average around 12°C (54°F), and Interlaken averages at about 3°C (37°F).

In the winter, Malaga often gets more sunshine than Interlaken. Malaga gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Interlaken receives 55 hours of full sun.

Malaga usually gets more rain in January than Interlaken. Malaga gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Malaga or Interlaken in the Spring?

Both Interlaken and Malaga are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Malaga because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Interlaken this time of year.

In April, Malaga is generally a little warmer than Interlaken. Daily temperatures in Malaga average around 16°C (60°F), and Interlaken fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Malaga. Malaga usually receives more sunshine than Interlaken during spring. Malaga gets 220 hours of sunny skies, while Interlaken receives 150 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Malaga usually receives less rain than Interlaken. Malaga gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Interlaken and Malaga