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

Should you visit Malaga or Taormina?

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 Taormina. 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, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and live music.

Taormina

Taormina is a exclusive, opulent, and historic town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the food, beaches, and shopping.

Malaga and Taormina: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Malaga or Taormina?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Malaga. Although Malaga and Taormina 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, and historical sights, while Taormina is known for its museums, resorts, and small town charm. Malaga 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. Taormina is popular for its long history as a seaside resort town with luxury accommodation and beautiful views.

How is Malaga different from Taormina?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Taormina offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The main landmark in town is the Greek Theater which dates back to the 3rd century BC. Also visit Madonna della Rocca as well as Castello di Taormina, which is perched above the sea.

Malaga does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Both Malaga and Taormina offer a number of very good 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.

Taormina has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The local dishes draw on traditional Italian flavors such as pasta, tomato sauce, and vegetables, but they're also heavily influenced by the island's many historical invaders. You'll find a variety of ingredients in recipes including red chilies, tuna, swordfish, sardines, pine nuts, capers, and olives.

Is Malaga or Taormina Better for Nightlife?

Malaga is very popular for its evening party scene. Also, Taormina is not as popular, but is still a nice town for nightlife.

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.

Taormina offers plenty to do in the evening. The town has a bit of an exclusive vibe and that's felt in the nightlife scene as well. There are lounges and exclusive clubs that serve fine wine and cocktails. You'll also find some late night dance clubs around town.

Is Malaga or Taormina Better for Music?

Malaga is a great port city for its music scene. However, Taormina 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.

Taormina is not a live music destination.

Is Malaga or Taormina Better for Resorts?

Taormina is a well-known place for its resorts. However, Malaga is not a resort destination.

There are plenty of resorts in Taormina to choose from. There are a number of high end resorts and hotels in and near town that have pools and five star facilities.

Malaga is not a resort destination.

Is Malaga or Taormina Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Malaga is a port city with good options for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Taormina is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life 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.

Taormina is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Malaga or Taormina Better for Beaches?

Malaga and Taormina both offer good beaches.

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

Taormina is a good option for a beach vacation. The easiest beaches to access from town are Mazzaro Beach and Isola Bella Beach. The beaches are near hotels and there are restaurants as well as beach umbrellas and chairs that you can rent.

Is Malaga or Taormina Better for its Old Town?

Malaga is a great port city for its historic old town charm. However, Taormina does not have a historic old town.

Malaga is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. 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.

Taormina does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Malaga or Taormina?

Both Malaga and Taormina are good 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.

Taormina has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. It's a fashion-conscious town and you'll find boutiques and shops that carry high end Italian brands. There are also shops that sell local pottery and other items.

Is Malaga or Taormina Better for Families?

Malaga is a port city with good options for its kid-friendly activities. However, Taormina is not known for its family-friendly activities.

Malaga offers lots of family activities. The city has castles that you can explore as well as a waterpark.

Taormina is not the most family-friendly destination. Kids may not appreciate everything that the adults enjoy about this town, but they will likely have fun taking a ride on the cable car and visiting the Greek Theater. There are also wonderful desserts that kids will enjoy.

Is Malaga or Taormina Better for Couples?

Taormina is a well-known place for its romantic activities. Also, Malaga is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for couples.

Taormina is a very popular place to visit for couples. It's a truly beautiful town with impressive views and a great atmosphere. It makes a wonderful stop off for couples or honeymooners who want to soak up the region's beauty.

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 Taormina Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Malaga is very popular for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Taormina is not known 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.

Taormina is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. There aren't many hostels around town and you won't find a large backpacker crowd here. The town has the feel of an exclusive resort community with high end resorts more common than anything else.

Is Malaga or Taormina Better for Students?

Malaga is a great port city for its student-friendly activities. However, Taormina is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in 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.

Taormina is not popular with students.

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

Both Malaga and Taormina offer good public transit options.

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

Taormina has some public transit options. There are minibuses that travel to the more far-reaching parts of the town.

Is Malaga or Taormina a more walkable city?

Malaga and Taormina both are very good 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.

Taormina is a very walkable destination. Walking is one of the best ways to explore the town.

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

Should I spend more time in Taormina or Malaga?

How long in Malaga or Taormina?

It's fun to spend time in either Malaga or Taormina. 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 Taormina.

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

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

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.

Taormina might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Malaga or Taormina?

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.

Taormina 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 Taormina?

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 Taormina. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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 Taormina?

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.

Taormina is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy, and The Best Walking Tours in Italy.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Malaga or Taormina?

Malaga has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Taormina. When comparing the sizes of Malaga and Taormina, 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 Taormina?

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 Taormina in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Malaga as well as Taormina. Most visitors come to Malaga for the beaches, snorkeling, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Taormina because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Malaga is around the same temperature as Taormina. Typically, the summer temperatures in Malaga in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Taormina averages at about 27°C (80°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Taormina. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Malaga this time of the year. In the summer, Malaga often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Taormina. Malaga gets 348 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Taormina receives 332 hours of full sun.

Malaga usually gets less rain in July than Taormina. Malaga gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Taormina receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Malaga or Taormina in the Autumn?

Both Taormina 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. Also, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Taormina this time of year.

In October, Malaga is generally around the same temperature as Taormina. Daily temperatures in Malaga average around 19°C (67°F), and Taormina fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Malaga. Malaga usually receives more sunshine than Taormina during autumn. Malaga gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Taormina receives 189 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Taormina. In October, Malaga usually receives less rain than Taormina. Malaga gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Taormina receives 128 mm (5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Malaga or Taormina in the Winter?

Both Taormina 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. Also, many travelers come to Taormina for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Malaga is around the same temperature as Taormina in the winter. The daily temperature in Malaga averages around 12°C (54°F) in January, and Taormina fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the winter, Malaga often gets more sunshine than Taormina. Malaga gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Taormina receives 115 hours of full sun.

Malaga usually gets more rain in January than Taormina. Malaga gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Taormina receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Malaga or Taormina in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Malaga and Taormina. Many travelers come to Malaga for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Taormina in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Malaga is around the same temperature as Taormina. Typically, the spring temperatures in Malaga in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Taormina averages at about 16°C (60°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Taormina this time of the year. In Malaga, it's very sunny this time of the year. Malaga usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Taormina during spring. Malaga gets 220 hours of sunny skies, while Taormina receives 207 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Malaga usually receives more rain than Taormina. Malaga gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Taormina receives 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Taormina and Malaga