Which place is cheaper, Malmo or Malaga?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Malaga or Malmo?
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 Malmo. 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 Malmo?
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.
Malmo
Located on the southern tip of Sweden, in the province of Skane, Malmo is Sweden's third largest city. It has a very international population with about a third of the residents being from countries other than Sweden. This diversity is evident within Malmo, which is rich in culture, interesting food, and an array of entertainment options. Historically, Malmo was an industrial city with a ship building company, Kockums being the area's largest employer. Today, however, the city is much more economicaly diverse with many eco friendly neighborhoods and plenty of suburban style housing.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Spain, The Best Tours for Seniors to Spain, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Sweden, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Sweden.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMalaga €140Malmo €76
The average daily cost (per person) in Malaga is €140, while the average daily cost in Malmo is €76. 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 Malmo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMalaga €75Malmo €45
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMalaga €150Malmo €90
Compare Hotels in Malaga and Malmo
Looking for a hotel in Malaga or Malmo? 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 Malmo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Malaga €31Malmo €7.39
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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Malmo
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Malmo:
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Malmö Bus Card€17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Malmo
Also for Malmo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Malmo City Center to Malmo Airport (MMX) - Departure Private Transfer: $27
- Malmo Airport (MMX) to Malmo City Center - Arrival Private Transfer: $27
- Malmo Airport (MMX) to Malmo City Center - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $55
- Malmo Private Transfer from Malmo airport to Central Malmo : $95
- Malmo Private Transfer from Central Malmo to Malmo Airport: $95
- Private Transfer from Malmo Airport MMX to Fredericia Port: $96
- Private Direct Transfer From Malmo to Copenhagen: $121
- Malmö City to Copenhagen hotel/address Private Departure Transfer: $128
Is it cheaper to fly into Malaga or Malmo?
Prices for flights to both Malmo 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 €35Malmo €24
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Malmo
For Malmo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Self-guided Food Tour in Malmö: $59
- Guided Food Tour in Malmö (Private): $120
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Malaga €31Malmo €15
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 Malmo
For Malmo, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Lund's Medieval and Modern History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
- Self-guided audio tour in Lund: explore the story of the Locus Peccatorum murder: $9.35
- Malmö Ghost Story: A self-guided audio walking tour: $9.35
- Canal Sightseeing Boat Tour of Malmö: $21
- Half Day Walking Tour in Lund City and University: $33
- Malmö Photography Tour: $58
- Malmo Walking Tour, 3 hours (small group): $66
- Joyful Malmo Walking Tour for Couples: $147
- Exploring Malmo Walking Tour: $147
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMalaga €22Malmo €33
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 Malmo, we can see that Malaga is more expensive. And not only is Malmo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Malmo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Malmo 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 Malmo.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Malaga Expensive? and Is Malmo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Malaga or Malmo?
Malaga has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Malmo. When comparing the sizes of Malaga and Malmo, 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 Malmo?
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 Malmo in the Summer?
Both Malmo 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.
Malaga is a little warmer than Malmo in the summer. The daily temperature in Malaga averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Malmo fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).
In Malmo, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Malaga. In the summer, Malaga often gets more sunshine than Malmo. Malaga gets 348 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Malmo receives 247 hours of full sun.
Malaga usually gets less rain in July than Malmo. Malaga gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Malmo receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMalaga 25°C (77°F)Malmo 17°C (62°F)
Should I visit Malaga or Malmo in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Malaga and Malmo. Most visitors come to Malaga for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In the autumn, Malaga is much warmer than Malmo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Malaga in October average around 19°C (67°F), and Malmo averages at about 10°C (50°F).
In Malaga, it's very sunny this time of the year. Malaga usually receives more sunshine than Malmo during autumn. Malaga gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Malmo receives 104 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Malaga usually receives more rain than Malmo. Malaga gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Malmo receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMalaga 19°C (67°F)Malmo 10°C (50°F)
Should I visit Malaga or Malmo in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Malaga as well as Malmo. The winter months attract visitors to Malaga because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.
It's quite cold in Malmo in the winter. In January, Malaga is generally much warmer than Malmo. Daily temperatures in Malaga average around 12°C (54°F), and Malmo fluctuates around 0°C (32°F).
In the winter, Malaga often gets more sunshine than Malmo. Malaga gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Malmo receives 36 hours of full sun.
Malaga usually gets more rain in January than Malmo. Malaga gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Malmo receives 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMalaga 12°C (54°F)Malmo 0°C (32°F)
Should I visit Malaga or Malmo in the Spring?
Both Malmo 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.
Malaga is much warmer than Malmo in the spring. The daily temperature in Malaga averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Malmo fluctuates around 5°C (42°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Malaga. Malaga usually receives more sunshine than Malmo during spring. Malaga gets 220 hours of sunny skies, while Malmo receives 173 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Malaga usually receives more rain than Malmo. Malaga gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Malmo receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMalaga 16°C (60°F)Malmo 5°C (42°F)
Typical Weather for Malmo and Malaga
| Malaga | Malmo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (54°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 0°C (32°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | -0°C (32°F) | 25 mm (1 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (57°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| May | 19°C (66°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (78°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (74°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (67°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (60°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Dec | 13°C (55°F) | 102 mm (4 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 41 mm (1.6 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.