A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Malaga vs. Manchester for Nightlife, Backpackers, Food, and Music

Should you visit Malaga or Manchester?

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

Manchester

Manchester is a dynamic, diverse, and cultural city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the live music, food, and shopping.

Malaga and Manchester: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Malaga or Manchester?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Manchester than Malaga. While Malaga is larger than Manchester, Manchester has more sights and attractions for tourists. Manchester is very popular for its museums, shopping, and big city activities, while Malaga attracts visitors for its nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Malaga is more touristy than Manchester and is popular for its perfect blend of sandy beaches, beautiful culture, fascinating history, and a lively nightlife scene. Manchester is famous for its strong music culture as well as being home to the world-renowned Manchester United Football Club. It is also well known for The National Football Museum.

How is Malaga different from Manchester?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Manchester 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 Manchester?

Manchester 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 Manchester. Head to the Science and Industry Museum, the Imperial War Museum North, Manchester Cathedral, or John Rylands Library & Manchester Central Library to see some of the cities most interesting sights.

Malaga does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Both Malaga and Manchester 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.

Manchester has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. You'll find a great food scene with diverse restaurant options that include international flavors, vegetarian options, and more. There are also many great places to try craft beer.

Is Malaga or Manchester Better for Nightlife?

Malaga is very popular for nightlife. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife and partying.

Malaga is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. 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.

Manchester has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The nightlife scene is diverse and high energy. Head to Deansgate or the Northern Quarter for some of the best nightlife venues. You'll also find a huge rave scene in town.

Is Malaga or Manchester Better for Music?

Both Malaga and Manchester offer high quality live music venues.

The music scene in Malaga is very popular with diverse venues. 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.

It's worth checking out the music scene in Manchester while you're in town. There's a long running music reputation here. Some of the iconic bands that began here include Oasis and Stone Roses.

Is Malaga or Manchester Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Malaga is very good for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Manchester 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.

Manchester is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Malaga or Manchester Better for Beaches?

Malaga is very good for its beaches. However, Manchester 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.

Manchester is not a beach destination.

Is Malaga or Manchester Better for its Old Town?

Malaga is great for its historic old town. However, Manchester 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.

Manchester does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Malaga or Manchester?

Manchester 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.

Manchester is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. From jewelry to boutique clothing outlets, there are many places to shop around town. Head to Manchester Arndale, Trafford Centre, or Market Street for some of the best shopping.

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 Manchester Better for Families?

Manchester 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.

Manchester is a very kid-friendly city. You'll find a number of kid-friendly activities around town including the popular Legoland Discovery Center. Another fun activity is taking a behind the scenes CBBC interactive tour at MediaCityUK. Animal lovers will enjoy visiting the SeaLife Aquarium or the Chester Zoo and sports enthusiasts will not want to miss a visit to the National Football Museum or doing a tour of Old Trafford where you can also visit the Manchester United Museum.

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

Is Malaga or Manchester Better for Couples?

Manchester 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.

Manchester is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples can enjoy a visit to a spa, a nice meal out, or simply wandering down the canal. For a unique experience, you can hit to slopes at Chill Factore.

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 Manchester Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Malaga is very popular for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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 Manchester. You'll find hostels around town and a number of visitors, particularly during the sports season.

Is Malaga or Manchester Better for Students?

Malaga and Manchester are both high quality 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.

Manchester is a very popular port city for students and younger travelers. There's a large number of students as well as a great music scene and tons of festivals that make this a great city to do your studies.

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

Manchester 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.

Manchester has some very good public transit options. The city has bus, train, and tram options for travel.

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

Is Malaga or Manchester a more walkable city?

Malaga is great for its walkability. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Manchester is a somewhat walkable place. Some neighborhoods are more walkable than others.

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

Should I spend more time in Manchester or Malaga?

How long in Malaga or Manchester?

It's fun to spend time in either Malaga or Manchester. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Malaga due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Malaga, and 2-4 days is enough time in Manchester.

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

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

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

With live music and food around the welcoming 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.

Manchester is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Malaga or Manchester?

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.

Manchester 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 Manchester?

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 Manchester. 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 Manchester?

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 nightlife and live music when visiting the dynamic big city of Manchester. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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 2-Week Tours from Edinburgh, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United Kingdom.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Malaga and Manchester, we can see that Manchester 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 Manchester would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Manchester 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 Manchester Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Malaga or Manchester?

Malaga has a larger population, and is about 39% larger than the population of Manchester. When comparing the sizes of Malaga and Manchester, 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 Manchester?

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 Manchester in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Malaga as well as Manchester. Many travelers come to Malaga for the beaches, snorkeling, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Manchester in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Malaga is generally much warmer than Manchester. Daily temperatures in Malaga average around 25°C (77°F), and Manchester fluctuates around 16°C (62°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Malaga this time of the year. In the summer, Malaga often gets more sunshine than Manchester. Malaga gets 348 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Manchester receives 176 hours of full sun.

Malaga usually gets less rain in July than Manchester. Malaga gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Manchester receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Malaga or Manchester in the Autumn?

Both Manchester and Malaga are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Malaga in the autumn for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Manchester for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months.

Malaga is much warmer than Manchester in the autumn. The daily temperature in Malaga averages around 19°C (67°F) in October, and Manchester fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Malaga. Malaga usually receives more sunshine than Manchester during autumn. Malaga gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Manchester receives 97 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Malaga usually receives less rain than Manchester. Malaga gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Manchester receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Malaga or Manchester in the Winter?

Both Manchester and Malaga during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Malaga for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Manchester because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Manchester can be very cold. In the winter, Malaga is much warmer than Manchester. Typically, the winter temperatures in Malaga in January average around 12°C (54°F), and Manchester averages at about 4°C (39°F).

In the winter, Malaga often gets more sunshine than Manchester. Malaga gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Manchester receives 53 hours of full sun.

Malaga usually gets more rain in January than Manchester. Malaga gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Manchester receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Malaga or Manchester in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Malaga and Manchester. The spring months attract visitors to Malaga because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Furthermore, the activities around the city are the main draw to Manchester this time of year.

In April, Malaga is generally much warmer than Manchester. Daily temperatures in Malaga average around 16°C (60°F), and Manchester fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

In Malaga, it's very sunny this time of the year. Malaga usually receives more sunshine than Manchester during spring. Malaga gets 220 hours of sunny skies, while Manchester receives 144 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Malaga usually receives less rain than Manchester. Malaga gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Manchester receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Manchester and Malaga