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

Should you visit Malaga or Stuttgart?

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 Stuttgart. 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 welcoming, historic, and beautiful port city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and live music.

Stuttgart

Stuttgart is a diverse, dynamic, and modern city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Malaga and Stuttgart: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Malaga or Stuttgart?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Malaga. Although Malaga and Stuttgart are both popular with visitors, Malaga has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Malaga is more popular for its nightlife, music, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, and impressive beauty, while Stuttgart is known for its museums, shopping, and big city activities. Malaga is more touristy than Stuttgart and is popular for its perfect blend of sandy beaches, beautiful culture, fascinating history, and a lively nightlife scene. It is also home to The Alcazaba. Stuttgart is popular for its many automobile museums including the Mercedes-Benz Museum and the Porsche Museum.

How is Malaga different from Stuttgart?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Stuttgart is a good destination for its sights and museums. However, Malaga does not have museums and landmarks.

Stuttgart offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The city's influence over the car industry is reflected in the museums in town. You can visit both the Mercedes-Benz Museum and the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart. Also check out Schlossplatz, the Ludwigsburg Palace, and Altes Schloss and Landesmuseum while you're in town.

Malaga does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Both Malaga and Stuttgart offer a number of superb 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.

Stuttgart has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The city blends traditional German flavors with modern twists. You'll find much more than the standard bratworsts that so many people associate with German cuisine. One favorite dish is maultaschen, which is like a ravioli. Also make sure you try spätzle, zwiebelrostbraten (roast and onions) and flädlesuppe (soup with long pasta).

Is Malaga or Stuttgart Better for Nightlife?

Malaga is an amazing port city to visit for its evening party scene. Also, Stuttgart is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

Malaga has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. 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.

Stuttgart is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The nightlife scene stays active late into the evening. You'll find no shortage of clubs, bars, music venues, and beer gardens. You'll meet a combination of locals, tourists, students, and expats at many venues.

Is Malaga or Stuttgart Better for Music?

Malaga is a very popular place for its music scene. However, Stuttgart is not a live music destination.

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.

Stuttgart is not a live music destination.

Is Malaga or Stuttgart Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Malaga is a popular place for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Stuttgart is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Malaga has a few good snorkeling spots. 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.

Stuttgart is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Malaga or Stuttgart Better for Beaches?

Malaga is a popular place for the beach. However, Stuttgart is not a beach destination.

Malaga is a good option for a beach vacation. There are some nice beaches around Malaga, but for the best options you'll have to travel further outside of the city.

Stuttgart is not a beach destination.

Is Malaga or Stuttgart Better for its Old Town?

Malaga is a very popular place for its historic old town charm. However, Stuttgart does not have a historic old town.

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.

Stuttgart does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Malaga or Stuttgart?

Stuttgart is a well-known place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Malaga is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its shopping areas.

Stuttgart is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city is filled with pedestrian shopping streets as well as flea markets and major shopping malls. The main shopping street in town is Koenigstrasse, where you'll find many upscale boutiques. For a local food market head to Markthalle Stuttgart. The flagship store of the Breuninger chain is also found in Stuttgart.

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 Stuttgart Better for Families?

Both Malaga and Stuttgart 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.

Stuttgart is a family-friendly port city. Like many German city's, there's a great zoo to explore. There's also some unique museums like the Mercedes-Benz Museum and the Porsche Museum. Kids will also enjoy taking in the view from the top of the Fernsehturm.

Is Malaga or Stuttgart Better for Couples?

Malaga and Stuttgart 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.

Stuttgart is a good port city for couples to visit. The city is large enough to have some nice romantic hotels, spas, luxury restaurants, and other activities that make for a great date night.

Is Malaga or Stuttgart Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Malaga is an amazing port city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Stuttgart is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Stuttgart is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. It's not on the backpacker circuit for most people but there are still plenty of hostels and affordable accommodation options. You'll also find plenty of activities and affordable restaurants to choose from.

Is Malaga or Stuttgart Better for Students?

Malaga and Stuttgart are both superb 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.

Stuttgart is a very popular port city for students and younger travelers. It's an international city with great universities and a friendly and central location. There's also a lively nightlife and plenty of things to do.

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

Stuttgart 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.

Stuttgart has some very good public transit options. The city's transit system includes buses, the U‑Bahn and the S‑Bahn. The U-Bahn is a denser train system in the city center and the S-Bahn covers more distance and reaches into the suburbs with stops that are more spread out.

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

Is Malaga or Stuttgart a more walkable city?

Malaga is a very popular place for its ease of walking around. Also, Stuttgart is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

Malaga is a very walkable destination. It has a very compact and walkable historic center with most of the tourist attractions easily accessible on foot.

Stuttgart is somewhat walkable. There are parts of the city that are more walkable than others.

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

Should I spend more time in Stuttgart or Malaga?

How long in Malaga or Stuttgart?

It's fun to spend time in either Malaga or Stuttgart. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Malaga due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Malaga, and 2-4 days is enough time in Stuttgart.

Families should spend more time in Malaga than Stuttgart. 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 Stuttgart. 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 Stuttgart 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 Stuttgart?

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.

Stuttgart 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 Stuttgart?

You'll find live music and food around the welcoming 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.

Stuttgart 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 Stuttgart?

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the beautiful 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 Stuttgart. 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 Stuttgart?

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 modern big city of Stuttgart. 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 Budget Tours to Spain, The Best Tours for Seniors to Spain, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Malaga and Stuttgart, we can see that Stuttgart 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 Stuttgart would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Stuttgart 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 Stuttgart Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Malaga or Stuttgart?

Stuttgart has a larger population, and is about 9% larger than the population of Malaga. When comparing the sizes of Malaga and Stuttgart, 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 Stuttgart?

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 Stuttgart in the Summer?

Both Stuttgart and Malaga during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches, snorkeling, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Malaga this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Stuttgart for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Malaga is a little warmer than Stuttgart. Typically, the summer temperatures in Malaga in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Stuttgart averages at about 22°C (71°F).

In Stuttgart, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Malaga. In the summer, Malaga often gets more sunshine than Stuttgart. Malaga gets 348 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Stuttgart receives 238 hours of full sun.

Malaga usually gets less rain in July than Stuttgart. Malaga gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Stuttgart receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Malaga or Stuttgart in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Malaga and Stuttgart. Many travelers come to Malaga for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Stuttgart in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Malaga is generally a little warmer than Stuttgart. Daily temperatures in Malaga average around 19°C (67°F), and Stuttgart fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In Malaga, it's very sunny this time of the year. Malaga usually receives more sunshine than Stuttgart during autumn. Malaga gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Stuttgart receives 122 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Malaga usually receives around the same amount of rain as Stuttgart. Malaga gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Stuttgart receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Malaga or Stuttgart in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Malaga as well as Stuttgart. Many visitors come to Malaga in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Stuttgart for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Stuttgart can be very cold during winter. Malaga is much warmer than Stuttgart in the winter. The daily temperature in Malaga averages around 12°C (54°F) in January, and Stuttgart fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Malaga often gets more sunshine than Stuttgart. Malaga gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Stuttgart receives 60 hours of full sun.

Malaga usually gets more rain in January than Stuttgart. Malaga gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Stuttgart receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Malaga or Stuttgart in the Spring?

Both Stuttgart and Malaga are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Malaga for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Stuttgart because of the activities around the city.

In the spring, Malaga is a little warmer than Stuttgart. Typically, the spring temperatures in Malaga in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Stuttgart averages at about 11°C (53°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Malaga. Malaga usually receives more sunshine than Stuttgart during spring. Malaga gets 220 hours of sunny skies, while Stuttgart receives 154 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Malaga usually receives less rain than Stuttgart. Malaga gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Stuttgart receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Stuttgart and Malaga