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

Should you visit Malaga or Sao Paulo?

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 Sao Paulo. 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. With stunning beauty, Malaga attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and live music. See Malaga travel costs.

Sao Paulo

Sao Paulo is a cultural, dynamic, and vibrant 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 nightlife, food, and shopping. See Sao Paulo travel costs.

Malaga and Sao Paulo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Malaga or Sao Paulo?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Sao Paulo than Malaga, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Sao Paulo is more popular for its museums and attractions, shopping, and big city activities, while Malaga is known for its music, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Malaga is more touristy than Sao Paulo and is popular for its perfect blend of sandy beaches, beautiful culture, fascinating history, and a lively nightlife scene. Sao Paulo is popular for its large size, vibrant neighborhoods, and world-class nightlife scene. It is also home to Ibirapuera Park.

How is Malaga different from Sao Paulo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Sao Paulo is a must-visit destination for its sights and museums. However, Malaga does not have museums and landmarks.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Sao Paulo are among the most recognizable in the world. While many visitors overlook Sao Paulo for other destinations in Brazil, those that do visit will be rewarded with a large number of museums and sights. It's the largest city in South America, and there's plenty to do. Highlights include Museu de Arte, Museu de Arte, Museu de Arte Contemporânea, and the cathedral

Malaga does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Both Malaga and Sao Paulo 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.

Sao Paulo has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The city offers a huge mix of fine dining restaurants, street food vendors, family-friendly restaurants, and large local markets. The cuisine has many influences such as the Portuguese, West Africa, and even the Middle East. Popular dishes include the street food coxinha, feijoada (black bean and beef stew), and cachooro-quente (local hot dogs).

Is Malaga or Sao Paulo Better for Nightlife?

Both Malaga and Sao Paulo 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.

Sao Paulo is a must-see party destination. As the economic hub for Brazil, you'll find tons of bars, clubs, and venues throughout the city. The best neighborhood for a party is Vila Madalena, which is filled with restaurants and bars. For live music and food trucks, check out Rua Augusta. There are also many different neighborhoods in this megacity, and many have a lively energy and plenty to do at night. Every night you should be able to find something different to do.

Is Malaga or Sao Paulo Better for Music?

Malaga is a great port city for its music scene. However, Sao Paulo is not a live music destination.

Malaga has a thriving music scene. 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.

Sao Paulo is not a live music destination.

Is Malaga or Sao Paulo Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

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

Sao Paulo is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Malaga or Sao Paulo Better for Beaches?

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

Sao Paulo is not a beach destination.

Is Malaga or Sao Paulo Better for its Old Town?

Malaga is a great port city for its historic old town charm. However, Sao Paulo 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.

Sao Paulo does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Malaga or Sao Paulo?

Sao Paulo 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 Sao Paulo make it a world-class shopping destination. The shopping opportunities are diverse, from megamalls to local markets, and international boutiques. There are many great neighborhoods for shopping, like Jardins, where you'll find high end stores. The main shopping street is Rua Oscar Freire. Downtown Sao Paulo has a mix of retail stores and market stalls that sell everything from cheap fashion to inexpensive odds and ins.

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 Sao Paulo More Beautiful?

Malaga is a great port city for its scenery and beauty. However, Sao Paulo is not a destination known for its beauty.

With stunning beauty, Malaga attracts visitors from all around. The city has a rich history and beautiful architecture, making it one of the most beautiful cities in Spain.

Sao Paulo is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Malaga or Sao Paulo Better for Families?

Both Malaga and Sao Paulo are good family-friendly destinations.

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

Sao Paulo is a family-friendly port city. Kids will enjoy a visit to the zoo or one of the kid-friendly museums around town. There are also a number of parks, some kid-friendly restaurants, and even an amusement park.

Is Malaga or Sao Paulo Better for Couples?

Malaga and Sao Paulo both good 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.

Sao Paulo is a good port city for couples to visit. The city is filled with culture and you'll find many great activities that will make for an exciting couples trip. There are parks and museums, bars and restaurants, and theaters where you can see a show. Many couples enjoy a visit to the Botanical Garden of Sao Paulo or a stroll through Ibirapuera Park. You can watch the sunset with a view of the city from one of the many rooftop bars and then enjoy some samba dancing on the town.

Is Malaga or Sao Paulo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Malaga is a world-class destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Sao Paulo is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Malaga, as it is a very popular port city for budget travelers. From an endless supply of hostels to plenty of opportunities to meet other backpackers, this is a very backpacker friendly area.

Sao Paulo is a good port city to visit for backpackers. While it's overlooked by many travelers, backpackers who linger for awhile will enjoy the city's authenticity and cultural scene. There are also a number of hostels around town.

Is Malaga or Sao Paulo Better for Students?

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

Malaga is a great port city to visit as a student. 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.

Sao Paulo is a good port city to visit for students. The city is large with a diverse population and plenty to offer students. There are good educational institutions and a great international vibe as well.

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

Sao Paulo 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.

Sao Paulo has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. It's a huge city, so you'll likely make use of the metro during your trip. There are six lines to the metro system and they provide convenient access to many of the city's top attractions. The city also has many bus routes as well.

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

Is Malaga or Sao Paulo a more walkable city?

Malaga and Sao Paulo 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.

Sao Paulo is a very walkable destination. It's a megacity that has a wide range of neighborhoods. The city center is generally very walkable, but because of its size, you'll want to have an itinerary planned out for each day.

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

Should I spend more time in Sao Paulo or Malaga?

How long in Malaga or Sao Paulo?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Malaga and Sao Paulo. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Malaga than in Sao Paulo. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Malaga, and 2-3 days is enough time in Sao Paulo.

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

Couples should spend more time in Malaga than Sao Paulo. 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 Sao Paulo 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 Sao Paulo?

You'll find nightlife and live music around the port city of Malaga. Visiting the old town is also a must. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Sao Paulo 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 Sao Paulo?

You'll find live music and food around the beautiful destination of Malaga. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Sao Paulo 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 Sao Paulo?

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the welcoming port city of Malaga. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this port city makes for a great vacation. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Most people head to the area for the nightlife. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this port city has to offer.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Sao Paulo. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Malaga or Sao Paulo?

Malaga is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Malaga, one week is sufficent for most. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the colorful big city of Sao Paulo. 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 10-Day Tours from Madrid, The Best 10-Day Tours from Barcelona, The Best 3-Day Tours from Manaus, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Brazil.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Malaga and Sao Paulo, we can see that Malaga is more expensive. And not only is Sao Paulo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Malaga is in Europe and Sao Paulo is in South 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 Sao Paulo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sao Paulo 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 Sao Paulo.

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

Which is Bigger, Malaga or Sao Paulo?

Sao Paulo has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Malaga. When comparing the sizes of Malaga and Sao Paulo, 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 Sao Paulo?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Sao Paulo is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Malaga has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Malaga or Sao Paulo in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Malaga as well as Sao Paulo. Many visitors come to Malaga in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Sao Paulo for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Malaga is around the same temperature as Sao Paulo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Malaga in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Sao Paulo averages at about 25°C (77°F)in January.

It's quite rainy in Sao Paulo. Malaga usually gets less rain in July than Sao Pauloin January. Malaga gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 170 mm (6.7 in) of rain this time of the year. October to March in Sao Paulo is the rainy season.

Should I visit Malaga or Sao Paulo in the Autumn?

Both Sao Paulo and Malaga are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. 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 Sao Paulo because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Malaga is generally cooler than Sao Pauloin April. Daily temperatures in Malaga average around 19°C (67°F), and Sao Paulo fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

In October, Malaga usually receives more rain than Sao Pauloin April. Malaga gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Sao Paulo is June to August.

Should I visit Malaga or Sao Paulo in the Winter?

Both Sao Paulo and Malaga during the winter are popular places to visit. 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 Sao Paulo this time of year.

Malaga is much colder than Sao Paulo in the winter. The daily temperature in Malaga averages around 12°C (54°F) in January, and Sao Paulo fluctuates around 19°C (66°F)in July.

Malaga usually gets more rain in January than Sao Pauloin July. Malaga gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year. June to August is the dry season in Sao Paulo.

Should I visit Malaga or Sao Paulo in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Malaga and Sao Paulo. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Malaga this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Sao Paulo for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Malaga is cooler than Sao Paulo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Malaga in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Sao Paulo averages at about 21°C (70°F)in October.

In April, Malaga usually receives less rain than Sao Pauloin October. Malaga gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Sao Paulo receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the spring. Also, October to March is the rainy season in Sao Paulo.

Typical Weather for Sao Paulo and Malaga