Which place is cheaper, Rabat or Malaga?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Malaga and Rabat. 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 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.
While not high on the tourist destination list, Rabat is a quiet gem of a city with stunning colonial architecture and palm-lined streets. This political capital is a laid-back, pleasant alternative to the more cosmopolitan Casablanca.
Located on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the river Bou Regreg, Rabat plus the city of Temera are home to a combined metropolitan population of 2.6 million.
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 in Morocco, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Morocco.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Malaga is €140, while the average daily cost in Rabat is €40. 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 Rabat in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Malaga or Rabat? 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.
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Malaga:
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Rabat:
Also for Rabat, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Rabat 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.
Some typical examples of dining costs in Malaga are as follows:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Malaga.
For Rabat, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Malaga are as follows:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Malaga are as follows:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Rabat.
Also in Malaga, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Malaga and Rabat, we can see that Malaga is more expensive. And not only is Rabat much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Malaga is in Europe and Rabat is in Africa, 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 Rabat would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Rabat 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 Rabat.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Malaga Expensive? and Is Rabat Expensive?.
Rabat has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Malaga. When comparing the sizes of Malaga and Rabat, 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.
Malaga has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Rabat experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
The summer brings many poeple to Malaga as well as Rabat. Most visitors come to Malaga for the beaches, snorkeling, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Rabat throughout the year.
Malaga is around the same temperature as Rabat in the summer. The daily temperature in Malaga averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Rabat fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Rabat. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Malaga this time of the year. In the summer, Malaga often gets more sunshine than Rabat. Malaga gets 348 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rabat receives 315 hours of full sun.
Malaga usually gets more rain in July than Rabat. Malaga gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Rabat receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Rabat and Malaga are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Malaga because of the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Plenty of visitors come to Rabat because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the autumn, Malaga is around the same temperature as Rabat. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Malaga in October average around 19°C (67°F), and Rabat averages at about 20°C (67°F).
It's quite sunny in Rabat. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Malaga. Malaga usually receives less sunshine than Rabat during autumn. Malaga gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Rabat receives 234 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Malaga usually receives more rain than Rabat. Malaga gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Rabat receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Both Rabat and Malaga during the winter are popular places to visit. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Malaga this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Rabat year-round.
In January, Malaga is generally around the same temperature as Rabat. Daily temperatures in Malaga average around 12°C (54°F), and Rabat fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).
In the winter, Malaga often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Rabat. Malaga gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rabat receives 182 hours of full sun.
Malaga usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Rabat. Malaga gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Rabat receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Malaga and Rabat. Many travelers come to Malaga for the beaches and the natural beauty. Rabat attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Malaga is around the same temperature as Rabat in the spring. The daily temperature in Malaga averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Rabat fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Rabat this time of the year. In Malaga, it's very sunny this time of the year. Malaga usually receives less sunshine than Rabat during spring. Malaga gets 220 hours of sunny skies, while Rabat receives 255 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Malaga usually receives less rain than Rabat. Malaga gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Rabat receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Malaga | Rabat | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 12°C (54°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
Mar | 14°C (57°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
May | 19°C (66°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 25 mm (1 in) |
Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) |
Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
Aug | 25°C (78°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
Sep | 23°C (74°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
Oct | 19°C (67°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
Nov | 15°C (60°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) |
Dec | 13°C (55°F) | 102 mm (4 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |