Which place is cheaper, Playa de las Americas or Malaga?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Malaga or Playa de las Americas?
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 Playa de las Americas. 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 Playa de las Americas?
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.
Playa de las Americas
If you are looking to escape your life - to relax on a modern day pleasure island, then you need to book a trip to the Playa de las Americas resort town. Located on the south coast of Tenerife, this party, beach, and vacation capital never goes to sleep. Packed with nightclubs, bars, live music, shops and restaurants, Playa de las Americas is the stuff Hollywood movies are made of.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Spain, The Best Tours for Seniors to Spain, The Best Contiki Tours to Spain, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Spain.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMalaga €140Playa de las Americas €195
The average daily cost (per person) in Malaga is €140, while the average daily cost in Playa de las Americas is €195. 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 Playa de las Americas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMalaga €75Playa de las Americas €115
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMalaga €150Playa de las Americas €230
Compare Hotels in Malaga and Playa de las Americas
Looking for a hotel in Malaga or Playa de las Americas? 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 Playa de las Americas Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Malaga €31Playa de las Americas €56
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Malaga
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Malaga:
- Private Transfer from Malaga Airport (AGP) to Córdoba: $295
- Private Transfer from Malaga Airport (AGP) to Ubrique: $291
- Private Transfer from Malaga Airport (Agp) to Granada City: $289
- Private Transfer from Malaga Airport (AGP) to Ferreirola: $267
- Private Transfer from Malaga Airport (AGP) to Bubión: $266
- Private Transfer from Malaga Airport (AGP) to Adra: $262
- Private Transfer from Malaga Airport (AGP) to Cortes de la Frontera: $247
- Private Transfer from Malaga Airport (AGP) to Lanjarón: $242
- Private Transfer from Malaga Airport (AGP) to Granada: $242
- Private Transfer from Malaga Airport (AGP) to Órgiva: $232
- Private Transfer from/to Seville to/from Malaga & Stop Alhambra: $230
- Private Transfer from Malaga Airport (AGP) to Gaucín: $223
Is it cheaper to fly into Malaga or Playa de las Americas?
Prices for flights to both Playa de las Americas 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 €35Playa de las Americas €45
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Malaga €31Playa de las Americas €30
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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMalaga €22Playa de las Americas €8.57
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 Playa de las Americas, we can see that Playa de las Americas 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 Playa de las Americas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Playa de las Americas 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 Playa de las Americas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Malaga or Playa de las Americas?
Malaga has a larger population, and is about 180 times larger than the population of Playa de las Americas. When comparing the sizes of Malaga and Playa de las Americas, 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 Playa de las Americas?
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 Playa de las Americas in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Malaga as well as Playa de las Americas. Many travelers come to Malaga for the beaches, snorkeling, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
Malaga is around the same temperature as Playa de las Americas in the summer. The daily temperature in Malaga averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Playa de las Americas fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Playa de las Americas. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Malaga this time of the year. In the summer, Malaga often gets more sunshine than Playa de las Americas. Malaga gets 348 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Playa de las Americas receives 268 hours of full sun.
Malaga usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Playa de las Americas. Malaga gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Playa de las Americas receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMalaga 25°C (77°F)Playa de las Americas 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Malaga or Playa de las Americas in the Autumn?
Both Playa de las Americas 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.
In the autumn, Malaga is cooler than Playa de las Americas. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Malaga in October average around 19°C (67°F), and Playa de las Americas averages at about 24°C (75°F).
It's quite sunny in Playa de las Americas. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Malaga. Malaga usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Playa de las Americas during autumn. Malaga gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Playa de las Americas receives 200 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Malaga usually receives more rain than Playa de las Americas. Malaga gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Playa de las Americas receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMalaga 19°C (67°F)Playa de las Americas 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Malaga or Playa de las Americas in the Winter?
Both Playa de las Americas 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.
In January, Malaga is generally much colder than Playa de las Americas. Daily temperatures in Malaga average around 12°C (54°F), and Playa de las Americas fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
In the winter, Malaga often gets less sunshine than Playa de las Americas. Malaga gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Playa de las Americas receives 191 hours of full sun.
Malaga usually gets more rain in January than Playa de las Americas. Malaga gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Playa de las Americas receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMalaga 12°C (54°F)Playa de las Americas 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Malaga or Playa de las Americas in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Malaga and Playa de las Americas. The spring months attract visitors to Malaga because of the beaches and the natural beauty.
Malaga is cooler than Playa de las Americas in the spring. The daily temperature in Malaga averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Playa de las Americas fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Playa de las Americas this time of the year. In Malaga, it's very sunny this time of the year. Malaga usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Playa de las Americas during spring. Malaga gets 220 hours of sunny skies, while Playa de las Americas receives 205 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Malaga usually receives more rain than Playa de las Americas. Malaga gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Playa de las Americas receives 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMalaga 16°C (60°F)Playa de las Americas 20°C (68°F)
Typical Weather for Playa de las Americas and Malaga
| Malaga | Playa de las Americas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (54°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (57°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| May | 19°C (66°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (78°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (74°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (67°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (60°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Dec | 13°C (55°F) | 102 mm (4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 43 mm (1.7 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.