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

Should you visit Malaga or Orlando?

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 Orlando. 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.

Orlando

Orlando is a entertaining, active, and family-friendly city. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Malaga and Orlando: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Malaga or Orlando?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Malaga than Orlando. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Malaga is very popular for its nightlife, music, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, and impressive beauty, while Orlando attracts visitors for its theatre productions, resorts, and shopping. Orlando is more touristy than Malaga and is popular for being the home of Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and many other theme parks and family-friendly activities. 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 Orlando?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Malaga or Orlando Better for Theater?

Orlando is a good destination for its theatre productions. However, Malaga is not a theatre destination.

Orlando offers a number of shows and performances. The city has a number of local theaters that are fun to explore. As home to Disney World and Universal Studios, there are also a number of shows available that are affiliated with the parks.

Malaga is not a theatre destination.

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

Both Malaga and Orlando 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.

Orlando has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. There are a diversity of restaurants on the Disney grounds and nearby. You'll also find many restaurants at Universal CityWalk and Disney Springs. Food can be expensive, and the quality can vary dramatically. Many people enjoy going to dinner shows as well. Restaurants can be challenging also, as reservations must be made months in advance.

Is Malaga or Orlando Better for Nightlife?

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

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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Orlando. If you need a break from the kids, you'll find some of the best nightlife around Orlando at Disney Springs, Wall Street Plaza and Universal CityWalk.

Is Malaga or Orlando Better for Music?

Malaga is great for live music. However, Orlando 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.

Orlando is not a live music destination.

Is Malaga or Orlando Better for Resorts?

Orlando is a must-visit destination for its resorts. However, Malaga is not a resort destination.

Vacationers flock to Orlando for its luxury resorts. Disney World is famous for its many iconic resorts. Some of the most popular are the Animal Kingdom Lodge, Port Orleans Resort, and the Grand Floridian Resort. There are also many resorts that aren't affiliated with the major theme parks. These tend to be more affordable, but transportation options to and from the park are limited. You'll also miss out on the perks that come with staying at a theme park resort.

Malaga is not a resort destination.

Is Malaga or Orlando Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Malaga is a popular place for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Orlando 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.

Orlando is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Malaga or Orlando Better for Beaches?

Malaga is a popular place for its beaches. However, Orlando 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.

Orlando is not a beach destination.

Is Malaga or Orlando Better for its Old Town?

Malaga is great for its historic old town. However, Orlando does not have a historic old town.

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.

Orlando does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Malaga or Orlando?

Orlando 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.

Orlando is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Shopping is a dream for any Disney enthusiast. There are countless malls and shops, both on and off the Disney grounds, that sell all of the Disney paraphernalia. Disney Springs and Universal CityWalk are the most famous areas. During the evenings, these areas can be very crowded, but during the day they're less popular as most people are at the theme parks.

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 Orlando Better for Christmas?

Orlando is a must-visit destination for its Christmas activities. However, Malaga does not offer Christmas activities.

Orlando is a world class destination during the Christmas season. Christmas at Disney World is lots of fun. There are decorations and all kinds of seasonal activities around town.

Malaga does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Malaga or Orlando Better for Families?

Orlando 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, Orlando is very family-friendly. Known as a theme park capital, here you'll find the iconic Disney World, as well as Universal Studios, SeaWorld and many more. While most people spend their vacation at the Disney or Universal resorts, there is also an endless supply of less mainstream parks and activities in the area.

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

Is Malaga or Orlando Better for Couples?

Malaga and Orlando both nice destinations for a couple.

Malaga makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It has a beautiful coastline and a rich history that makes it unique.

Orlando is a good port city for couples to visit. While most people visit the area with family, there is a niche crowd that enjoys honeymooning or vacationing here as a couple. There are many beautiful restaurants and interesting activities that couples can enjoy together. This is the perfect trip for fun loving couples who don't take themselves to seriously.

Is Malaga or Orlando Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Malaga is renowned for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Orlando is not a good destination 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.

Orlando is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not exactly a backpacker destination, but there are a surprising number of cheap motels that aren't affiliated with the major parks.

Is Malaga or Orlando Better for Students?

Malaga is great for its student-friendly activities. Also, Orlando is not as popular, but is still a nice city for 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.

Orlando is a good port city to visit for students. Most people don't think about education when they think about Orlando, but there are actually a diversity of internships and opportunities for students to learn in a fun setting.

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

Malaga is a popular place for times when you don't have a car. However, Orlando is not a good destination for its public transit.

While Malaga offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is an efficient bus system as well as a light metro system.

Public transit is generally limited in Orlando. If you're staying at a Disney Property, there is excellent transportation around the complex, but otherwise, a car is essential.

Is Malaga or Orlando a more walkable city?

Malaga is great for its walkability. However, Orlando is not a good destination 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.

Orlando is not a walkable port city. The city is sprawling, so unless you stay on the Disney grounds, it's best to rent a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Orlando or Malaga?

How long in Malaga or Orlando?

Both Malaga and Orlando have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, Malaga has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Malaga than Orlando. In general, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Malaga, and 7 days is enough time in Orlando.

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

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

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

In Malaga, you'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the nightlife. This port city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Many travelers enjoy the theater and nightlife when visiting the destination of Orlando. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Malaga or Orlando?

In Malaga, you'll find shopping and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Visiting the old town is also a must. One reason most visitors come is for the nightlife. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Orlando is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Malaga or Orlando?

Malaga is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Malaga has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Orlando. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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 Orlando?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Malaga. In Malaga, you'll find live music and food. One reason most visitors come is for the nightlife. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and theater when visiting the entertaining destination of Orlando. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. 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.

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 in United States of America, and The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Malaga and Orlando, we can see that Orlando is more expensive. And not only is Malaga much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Malaga is in Europe and Orlando is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Orlando would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Orlando 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 Orlando Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Malaga or Orlando?

Malaga has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Orlando. When comparing the sizes of Malaga and Orlando, 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 Orlando?

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 Orlando in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Malaga as well as Orlando. 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 Orlando for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Malaga is generally cooler than Orlando. Daily temperatures in Malaga average around 25°C (77°F), and Orlando fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

It's quite rainy in Orlando. Malaga usually gets less rain in July than Orlando. Malaga gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Orlando receives 8.3 inches (211 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Malaga or Orlando in the Autumn?

Both Orlando 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 Orlando in the autumn for the shopping scene.

Malaga is cooler than Orlando in the autumn. The daily temperature in Malaga averages around 19°C (67°F) in October, and Orlando fluctuates around 75°F (24°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Orlando. In October, Malaga usually receives less rain than Orlando. Malaga gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Orlando receives 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Malaga or Orlando in the Winter?

Both Orlando 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 Orlando for the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Malaga is cooler than Orlando. Typically, the winter temperatures in Malaga in January average around 12°C (54°F), and Orlando averages at about 59°F (15°C).

Malaga usually gets more rain in January than Orlando. Malaga gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Orlando receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Malaga or Orlando in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Malaga and Orlando. Most visitors come to Malaga for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Malaga is generally cooler than Orlando. Daily temperatures in Malaga average around 16°C (60°F), and Orlando fluctuates around 72°F (22°C).

In April, Malaga usually receives less rain than Orlando. Malaga gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Orlando receives 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Orlando and Malaga