A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Malaga vs. Salzburg for Nightlife, Music, Old Town, and Couples

Should you visit Malaga or Salzburg?

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

Salzburg

Salzburg is a beautiful, musical, and cultural city. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the live music, food, and shopping.

Malaga and Salzburg: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Malaga or Salzburg?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Salzburg than Malaga. While Malaga is larger than Salzburg, Salzburg has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Salzburg is more popular for its museums, music, historical sights, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Malaga is known for its nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches. Salzburg is more touristy than Malaga and is known for its elegant breakfasts, its classical music scene, and its role in the Sound of Music. It is also home to The Salzburg Old Town. Malaga is popular for its perfect blend of sandy beaches, beautiful culture, fascinating history, and a lively nightlife scene.

The Salzburg Old Town

How is Malaga different from Salzburg?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Salzburg 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 Salzburg. There are many historic sights to explore including Mozart's birthplace, the Mozart Residence, the Salzburg Museum, and the many stunning churches and concert halls.

Malaga does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Both Malaga and Salzburg 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.

Salzburg has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The old town is filled with charming restaurants that serve local specialties including schnitzel, tafelspitz, and strudel. The city is also known for it's impressive breakfast spread that is often served on a three tiered cake stand and includes cheeses, salami, fresh fruit, pastries, olives, jams and more.

Is Malaga or Salzburg Better for Nightlife?

Malaga is terrific for its evening party scene. Also, Salzburg is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.

Malaga is a must-see 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Salzburg. The city has a number of trendy bars, pubs, and clubs where you can enjoy music and a lively atmosphere.

Is Malaga or Salzburg Better for Music?

Salzburg 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 Salzburg Although most people think of Mozart and the Sound of Music when they think of this city, there are also many music festivals, including the famous Salzburg Music Festival, as well as concert venues and an independent music scene that is excellent.

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 Salzburg Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Malaga is a nice place to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Salzburg 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.

Salzburg is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Malaga or Salzburg Better for Beaches?

Malaga is a nice place to visit for the beach. However, Salzburg 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.

Salzburg is not a beach destination.

Is Malaga or Salzburg Better for its Old Town?

Salzburg is a must-visit destination for its old town. Also, Malaga is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its historic old town charm.

The rich history of Salzburg can be explored in its historical center. This beautiful old town is filled with cafes, restaurants, and churches. You can enjoy local music performed by street performers as you soak in the atmosphere and the regular chime of the church bells really gives the city personality. There are also frequent markets and shops to explore.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Malaga or Salzburg?

Salzburg 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 Salzburg make it a world-class shopping destination. The city's historic heart is filled with boutique shops, chocolate markets, and charming local vendors. It's fun to peruse the many shops that line the streets while you shop for local souvenirs.

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 Salzburg Better for Families?

Salzburg 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.

Salzburg is a very kid-friendly city. Kids who know the Sound of Music will enjoy visiting the setting of a number of scenes from the movie. There are even popular Sound of Music tours that take you to the gardens where they sang "Do Re Mi" and out of town to the church where Maria married the Captain. The city also offers Marionette Puppet shows, cooking classes, castles and more around town that everyone can enjoy.

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

Is Malaga or Salzburg Better for Couples?

Salzburg is a must-visit destination for its romantic activities. Also, Malaga is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for couples.

Salzburg is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. The town offers a romantic setting with elaborate breakfasts, beautiful architecture, live shows, and plenty that couples can enjoy. You can simply wander around old town or explore the many gardens around town. Couples will also enjoy the concerts and music that the city is so famous for.

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 Salzburg Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Malaga is terrific for backpackers. Also, Salzburg is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Malaga is a very popular port city to visit for backpackers. From an endless supply of hostels to plenty of opportunities to meet other backpackers, this is a very backpacker friendly area.

Salzburg is very popular with the backpacker crowd. This is a popular city to visit, so there are plenty of amenities for backpackers. If you want to save a little money, you can stay and eat outside of old town where the prices are a little less.

Is Malaga or Salzburg Better for Students?

Salzburg 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.

Salzburg is a very popular place to visit for students. International students appreciate the high quality of life, excellent educational opportunities and unique European setting that makes this city special. There are also a number of beautiful places just outside of town that you can explore, as well as many travel connections to other popular cities in Europe.

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 Salzburg Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Salzburg 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.

Salzburg has some very good public transit options. Trolleys and buses make it easy to get around town.

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

Is Malaga or Salzburg a more walkable city?

Malaga and Salzburg 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.

Salzburg is a very walkable destination. The old town is very walkable, but if you stay outside of the main tourist areas, you'll likely want to take a bus.

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

Should I spend more time in Salzburg or Malaga?

How long in Malaga or Salzburg?

In either Malaga or Salzburg, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Malaga than Salzburg because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Malaga, and 3-5 days is enough time in Salzburg.

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

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

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

The beautiful port city of Malaga offers shopping and nightlife. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the quaint destination of Salzburg. 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.

A weekend in Malaga or Salzburg?

Malaga is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. 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 a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Salzburg 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 Salzburg?

Malaga is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that nightlife is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Malaga, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Salzburg. 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.

A week in Malaga or Salzburg?

Malaga is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that nightlife is why people visit. It is common to spend one week here. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Malaga has to offer. This port city offers something for everyone.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the cultural destination of Salzburg. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Austria, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Austria.

When comparing the travel costs between Malaga and Salzburg, we can see that Salzburg 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 Salzburg Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Malaga or Salzburg?

Malaga has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Salzburg. When comparing the sizes of Malaga and Salzburg, 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 Salzburg?

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 Salzburg in the Summer?

Both Salzburg and Malaga are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. 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 Salzburg for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

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

It's quite sunny in Salzburg. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Malaga. Malaga usually receives more sunshine than Salzburg during summer. Malaga gets 348 hours of sunny skies, while Salzburg receives 227 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Malaga usually receives less rain than Salzburg. Malaga gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Malaga or Salzburg in the Autumn?

Both Salzburg and Malaga during the autumn are popular places to visit. 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 Salzburg because of the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

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

It's quite sunny in Malaga. In the autumn, Malaga often gets more sunshine than Salzburg. Malaga gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Salzburg receives 108 hours of full sun.

Malaga usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Salzburg. Malaga gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Malaga or Salzburg in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Malaga and Salzburg. 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 Salzburg this time of year.

It's quite cold in Salzburg in the winter. Malaga is much warmer than Salzburg in the winter. The daily temperature in Malaga averages around 12°C (54°F) in January, and Salzburg fluctuates around -0°C (31°F).

Malaga usually receives more sunshine than Salzburg during winter. Malaga gets 171 hours of sunny skies, while Salzburg receives 44 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Malaga usually receives more rain than Salzburg. Malaga gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Malaga or Salzburg in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Malaga as well as Salzburg. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Malaga this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Salzburg for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Malaga is much warmer than Salzburg. Typically, the spring temperatures in Malaga in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Salzburg averages at about 11°C (51°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Malaga this time of the year. In the spring, Malaga often gets more sunshine than Salzburg. Malaga gets 220 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Salzburg receives 155 hours of full sun.

Malaga usually gets less rain in April than Salzburg. Malaga gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Salzburg and Malaga