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

Should you visit Malaga or Munich?

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 Munich. 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 historic, beautiful, and friendly port city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Munich

Munich is a multicultural, economically thriving, and bustling city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. And you can't forget about the live music, food, and shopping.

Malaga and Munich: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Malaga or Munich?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Munich than Malaga, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Munich is more popular for its museums, music, shopping, and big city activities, while Malaga is known for its scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Malaga is popular for its perfect blend of sandy beaches, beautiful culture, fascinating history, and a lively nightlife scene. Munich is popular for its beer halls (particularly during Oktoberfest), its historic buildings and its castles. It is also home to The Nymphenburg Palace.

How is Malaga different from Munich?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Munich 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 Munich. Famous sights include the Old Town Hall in Marienplatz, Nymphenburg Palace, and the Munich Residenz.

Malaga does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Both Malaga and Munich offer a number of great 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.

Munich has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Bavaria has some of the best food in Germany. Popular dishes include schnitzel, weisswurst and spätzel.

Is Malaga or Munich Better for Nightlife?

Both Malaga and Munich are world-class when it comes to partying.

Malaga is a world class party destination. 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.

Munich is a must-see party destination. The city has a young and vibrant population that keep the nightlife scene active and fun. There are many bars and clubs around town, but the city is also famous for Oktoberfest during the months of September and October.

Is Malaga or Munich Better for Music?

Munich is a must-visit destination for its live music scene. Also, Malaga is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its music scene.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in Munich The city is known for its music festivals, large concerts, and small venues that are diverse enough that there is something for everyone.

It's worth checking out the music scene in Malaga while you're in town. 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.

Is Malaga or Munich Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Malaga is a nice place to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Munich is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Malaga has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. 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.

Munich is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Malaga or Munich Better for Beaches?

Malaga is a nice place to visit for the beach. However, Munich is not a beach destination.

Malaga has a beach worth visiting. There are some nice beaches around Malaga, but for the best options you'll have to travel further outside of the city.

Munich is not a beach destination.

Is Malaga or Munich Better for its Old Town?

Malaga is well known for its historic old town charm. However, Munich does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Malaga to see the historical old town. 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.

Munich does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Malaga or Munich?

Munich is a must-visit destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Malaga is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Munich make it a world-class shopping destination. There are many pedestrian areas and shopping centers where you can find everything from luxury items to bargain finds.

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 Munich Better for Families?

Munich 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.

Munich is a very kid-friendly city. Popular kid activities include going to the top of Stadium Roof at Olympic Park, checking out the movie sets at Filmstadt, and taking a paddle boat ride in the city park.

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

Is Malaga or Munich Better for Couples?

Munich 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.

Munich is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples enjoy exploring the palaces around the city, visiting the Roman baths at Müller's Volksbad, and checking out the many great restaurants 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 Munich Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Malaga and Munich are world-class destinations for backpackers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Malaga. From an endless supply of hostels to plenty of opportunities to meet other backpackers, this is a very backpacker friendly area.

A large number of backpackers visit Munich, as it is a very popular port city for budget travelers. The city has many fun hostels that often host events and activities for guests. It's easy to meet other backpackers and take advantage of the nightlife around town.

Is Malaga or Munich Better for Students?

Munich is a must-visit destination for students. Also, Malaga is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Munich is a very popular place to visit for students. The city is an economic hub for both Germany and Europe, so it attracts employees from around the world. There are many wonderful university programs, including a great business school in town. The city's multicultural setting makes it great for international students.

Malaga is a very popular port city for students and younger travelers. 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.

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

Munich is a must-visit destination 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.

Munich has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. Transit options include a subway (U-Bahn), suburban trains (S-Bahn), trams, and buses.

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

Is Malaga or Munich a more walkable city?

Malaga and Munich both are great when exploring on foot.

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

Munich is a very walkable destination. While walking tours are a great way to explore, the city is quite large so you'll want to take public transit as well.

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

Should I spend more time in Munich or Malaga?

How long in Malaga or Munich?

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

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

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

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

One day in Malaga or Munich?

Many travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the destination of Malaga. 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.

Munich 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 Munich?

Malaga is a great place to explore. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Munich 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 Munich?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Malaga. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Munich. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. 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 Munich?

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the historic destination of Malaga. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the multicultural big city of Munich. 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Germany, and The Best Walking Tours in Germany.

When comparing the travel costs between Malaga and Munich, we can see that Munich is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Malaga or Munich?

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

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Malaga or Munich in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Malaga and Munich. Many visitors come to Malaga in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Munich for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Malaga is a little warmer than Munich. Typically, the summer temperatures in Malaga in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Munich averages at about 20°C (68°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Munich this time of the year. In Malaga, it's very sunny this time of the year. Malaga usually receives more sunshine than Munich during summer. Malaga gets 348 hours of sunny skies, while Munich receives 242 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Malaga usually receives less rain than Munich. Malaga gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Munich receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Malaga or Munich in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Malaga as well as Munich. Most visitors come to Malaga for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Munich because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

In October, Malaga is generally much warmer than Munich. Daily temperatures in Malaga average around 19°C (67°F), and Munich fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Malaga this time of the year. In the autumn, Malaga often gets more sunshine than Munich. Malaga gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Munich receives 115 hours of full sun.

Malaga usually gets more rain in October than Munich. Malaga gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Munich receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Malaga or Munich in the Winter?

Both Munich and Malaga are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Malaga because of the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Munich this time of year.

It's quite cold in Munich in the winter. Malaga is much warmer than Munich in the winter. The daily temperature in Malaga averages around 12°C (54°F) in January, and Munich fluctuates around -1°C (31°F).

Malaga usually receives more sunshine than Munich during winter. Malaga gets 171 hours of sunny skies, while Munich receives 30 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Malaga usually receives more rain than Munich. Malaga gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Munich receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Malaga or Munich in the Spring?

Both Munich and Malaga during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Malaga this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Munich for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Malaga is a little warmer than Munich. Typically, the spring temperatures in Malaga in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Munich averages at about 11°C (53°F).

It's quite sunny in Malaga. In the spring, Malaga often gets more sunshine than Munich. Malaga gets 220 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Munich receives 172 hours of full sun.

Malaga usually gets less rain in April than Munich. Malaga gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Munich receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Munich and Malaga