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

Should you visit Malaga or Siena?

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 Siena. 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. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and food.

Siena

Siena is a history, beautiful, and romantic city. You'll find world class beauty here as well. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Malaga and Siena: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Malaga or Siena?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Malaga than Siena. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Malaga is very popular for its nightlife, music, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches, while Siena attracts visitors for its museums, historical sights, and impressive beauty. 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. Siena is famous for its beautiful medieval architecture, its delicious local restaurants, and the twice yearly Palio horserace.

How is Malaga different from Siena?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Siena 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 Siena. At the heart of the city is Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and Piazza del Campo. Other world famous sights include Palazzo Pubblico and Museo Civico, Torre del Mangia, and Pinacoteca Nazionale.

Malaga does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Both Malaga and Siena offer a number of high quality 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.

Siena has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The town is all about local flavors and many restaurants use local ingredients in their dishes. Pecorino of Pienza is the local cheese, and you'll also find many cured meats. Local pasta dishes include wild boar ragu and a local spaghetti. You'll also find local meats such as lamb, rabbit, chicken and pork.

Is Malaga or Siena Better for Nightlife?

Malaga is very popular for nightlife. Also, Siena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

Malaga is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. 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 Siena. The nightlife is laid back and relaxed. Most visitors enjoy socializing in the evening and meeting friends at Piazza del Campo. There are often live performances which you can enjoy as well as many cafes and wine bars around town.

Is Malaga or Siena Better for Music?

Malaga is notable for live music. However, Siena is not a live music destination.

If you love music, you'll find something to enjoy in Malaga. 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.

Siena is not a live music destination.

Is Malaga or Siena Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Malaga is very good for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Siena is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's worth going snorkeling or scuba diving in Malaga. 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.

Siena is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Malaga or Siena Better for Beaches?

Malaga is very good for its beaches. However, Siena is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Malaga to enjoy the beach. There are some nice beaches around Malaga, but for the best options you'll have to travel further outside of the city.

Siena is not a beach destination.

Is Malaga or Siena Better for its Old Town?

Siena 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 Siena can be explored in its historical center. The beautiful old town is filled with medieval brick buildings. At the heart of the city is Piazza del Campo, which is a lively square with many neighborhoods spreading out from there.

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 Siena?

Both Malaga and Siena are nice shopping destinations.

Malaga offers some nice shopping areas. There are a number of shopping areas in the city with both local boutiques and name brands.

Siena has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. The main shopping street in town is Via Banchi di Sopra, which has many boutiques that sell clothing, bags, and other items. The town also has many leather goods, ceramics, and other local items available.

Is Malaga or Siena Better for Families?

Malaga is very good for its family-friendly activities. However, Siena is a mediocre city for its kid-friendly activities.

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

Siena is not always a place people visit with their families. The beauty and history may be lost to the little ones but there is a great atmosphere that even the young ones will appreciate. Kids will enjoy climbing to the top of Torre del Mangia or visiting one of the many playgrounds around town.

Is Malaga or Siena Better for Couples?

Siena 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.

Siena is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. With its impressive beauty and long running history, this is a truly romantic city. The atmosphere is relaxed and there are plazas and neighborhoods that are great for exploring. There are also many great restaurants, superb wine, and world class sights that are not to be missed.

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 Siena Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Malaga is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. From an endless supply of hostels to plenty of opportunities to meet other backpackers, this is a very backpacker friendly area.

It's common for backpackers to visit Siena. Many backpackers visit Siena as a daytrip from nearby Florence. While there are some affordable places to stay here, the atmosphere isn't as backpacker friendly as nearby Florence.

Is Malaga or Siena Better for Students?

Malaga and Siena are both high quality destinations for students and younger travelers.

Many students visit Malaga. 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.

Siena is a very popular port city for students and younger travelers. It's home to one of the oldest universities in Italy, and it's a wonderful study abroad destination for any student who wants to spend some time in Italy.

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

Both Malaga and Siena offer nice public transit options.

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

Siena has some public transit options. TIEMME is the bus service that runs in and around town. Many lines pass through the train station and provide service from there.

Is Malaga or Siena a more walkable city?

Malaga and Siena both are high quality 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.

Siena is a very walkable destination. The compact town center is best explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Siena or Malaga?

How long in Malaga or Siena?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Malaga or Siena to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Malaga than Siena because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Malaga, and 1-2 days is enough time in Siena.

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

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

In Malaga, many people enjoy the live music and food that this friendly destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Lots of people come for the nightlife. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Siena. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Malaga or Siena?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Malaga. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Siena 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 Siena?

Malaga is a fun place to experience. In Malaga, many people enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping that this destination offers. Lots of people come for the nightlife. Visiting the old town is also a must. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Siena. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Siena?

In Malaga, many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife that this friendly destination offers. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the nightlife. One week is often enough time to do most activities.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the beautiful destination of Siena. 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Italy, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Malaga or Siena?

Malaga has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Siena. When comparing the sizes of Malaga and Siena, 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 Siena?

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 Siena in the Summer?

Both Siena and Malaga are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Malaga for the beaches, snorkeling, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Siena in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Malaga is generally around the same temperature as Siena. Daily temperatures in Malaga average around 25°C (77°F), and Siena fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

It's quite sunny in Siena. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Malaga. Malaga usually receives more sunshine than Siena during summer. Malaga gets 348 hours of sunny skies, while Siena receives 316 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Malaga usually receives less rain than Siena. Malaga gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Siena receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Malaga or Siena in the Autumn?

Both Siena and Malaga during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Malaga in the autumn for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, most visitors come to Siena for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Malaga is a little warmer than Siena in the autumn. The daily temperature in Malaga averages around 19°C (67°F) in October, and Siena fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

It's quite sunny in Malaga. In the autumn, Malaga often gets more sunshine than Siena. Malaga gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Siena receives 177 hours of full sun.

Malaga usually gets less rain in October than Siena. Malaga gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Siena receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Malaga or Siena in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Malaga and Siena. Most visitors come to Malaga for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Siena because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Malaga is much warmer than Siena. Typically, the winter temperatures in Malaga in January average around 12°C (54°F), and Siena averages at about 7°C (45°F).

Malaga usually receives more sunshine than Siena during winter. Malaga gets 171 hours of sunny skies, while Siena receives 105 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Malaga usually receives more rain than Siena. Malaga gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Siena receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Malaga or Siena in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Malaga as well as Siena. The spring months attract visitors to Malaga because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Additionally, the natural beauty are the main draw to Siena this time of year.

In April, Malaga is generally a little warmer than Siena. Daily temperatures in Malaga average around 16°C (60°F), and Siena fluctuates around 12°C (54°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 Siena. Malaga gets 220 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Siena receives 192 hours of full sun.

Malaga usually gets less rain in April than Siena. Malaga gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Siena receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Siena and Malaga