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

Should you visit Malaga or Urbino?

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 Urbino. 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.

Urbino

Urbino is a undiscovered, authentic, and laid back town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Malaga and Urbino: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Malaga or Urbino?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Malaga. Although Malaga and Urbino 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, and historical sights, while Urbino is known for its museums. Malaga is more touristy than Urbino 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. Urbino is popular for its Renaissance walls, historic center, and authentic atmosphere.

How is Malaga different from Urbino?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Urbino offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. At the heart of the city are its historical sights. The cathedral is worth a visit, as is The Ducal Palace, but for most visitors, simply soaking up the town's atmosphere is the best experience.

Malaga does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Both Malaga and Urbino 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.

Urbino has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The city's history has influenced its cuisine. Traditional foods include cornbread, truffles, and meat sausage. While these options aren't as common today, you can still find them if you seek them out.

Is Malaga or Urbino Better for Nightlife?

Malaga is an amazing port city to visit for its evening party scene. Also, Urbino is not as popular, but is still a nice town 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Urbino. Because of the large student population, there are usually some fun activities going on at night. You'll find some good bars around town that are fun to hang out at.

Is Malaga or Urbino Better for Music?

Malaga is great for its music scene. However, Urbino is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Malaga draws a good crowd. 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.

Urbino is not a live music destination.

Is Malaga or Urbino Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Malaga is a port city with good options for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Urbino 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.

Urbino is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Malaga or Urbino Better for Beaches?

Malaga is a port city with good options for the beach. However, Urbino is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Malaga. There are some nice beaches around Malaga, but for the best options you'll have to travel further outside of the city.

Urbino is not a beach destination.

Is Malaga or Urbino Better for its Old Town?

Malaga is great for its historic old town charm. Also, Urbino is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its 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.

Many visitors go to Urbino to see the historical old town. The historic center feels a bit undiscovered by Italian standards. There are stone houses and the town is built on a steep hill, giving it a beautiful setting.

Is the Shopping Better in Malaga or Urbino?

Both Malaga and Urbino 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.

Urbino has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You'll find galleries, book shops, and jewelry stores around town that are fun to pop into.

Is Malaga or Urbino Better for Families?

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

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

Urbino is not the most family-friendly destination. The city is filled with history and architecture, which may be lost on the kids. There are the classic Italian restaurants which is a favorite among kids and adults alike.

Is Malaga or Urbino Better for Couples?

Urbino 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.

Urbino is a very popular place to visit for couples. This walled city is fun to explore and can make for a great romantic stop. The city is walled and has many historical buildings which couples will enjoy learning about together.

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 Urbino Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Malaga is an amazing port city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Urbino is not a good destination 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.

Urbino is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not well known by backpackers and there are a very limited number of hostels in the area.

Is Malaga or Urbino Better for Students?

Malaga and Urbino are both very good 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.

Urbino is a very popular port city for students and younger travelers. The student population is a large part of this small city. University students are usually happy and enjoy many activities and outings into the surrounding area.

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

Malaga is a port city with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Urbino is not a good destination for its public transit.

While Malaga offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is an efficient bus system as well as a light metro system.

Public transit is generally limited in Urbino. The town is accessible by bus but not by train.

Is Malaga or Urbino a more walkable city?

Malaga is great for its ease of walking around. Also, Urbino is not as popular, but is still a nice town 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.

Urbino is somewhat walkable. Many parts of the city are easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Urbino or Malaga?

How long in Malaga or Urbino?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Malaga or Urbino to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Malaga than Urbino 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 Urbino.

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

Many travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the destination of Malaga. 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.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Urbino. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Malaga or Urbino?

Malaga is a great place to explore. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Urbino 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 Urbino?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Malaga. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. 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.

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

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the welcoming destination of Malaga. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historic destination of Urbino. This town 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 2-Week Tours in Italy, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Italy.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Malaga or Urbino?

Malaga has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Urbino. When comparing the sizes of Malaga and Urbino, 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 Urbino?

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 Urbino in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Malaga is around the same temperature as Urbino. Typically, the summer temperatures in Malaga in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Urbino averages at about 23°C (73°F).

Malaga usually gets less rain in July than Urbino. Malaga gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Urbino receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Malaga or Urbino in the Autumn?

Both Urbino 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 and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Urbino this time of year.

In October, Malaga is generally a little warmer than Urbino. Daily temperatures in Malaga average around 19°C (67°F), and Urbino fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

In October, Malaga usually receives less rain than Urbino. Malaga gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Urbino receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Malaga or Urbino in the Winter?

Both Urbino 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. Furthermore, many travelers come to Urbino for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Urbino. Malaga is much warmer than Urbino in the winter. The daily temperature in Malaga averages around 12°C (54°F) in January, and Urbino fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

Malaga usually gets more rain in January than Urbino. Malaga gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Urbino receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Malaga or Urbino in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Malaga and Urbino. Many travelers come to Malaga for the beaches and the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Urbino in the spring for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Malaga is a little warmer than Urbino. Typically, the spring temperatures in Malaga in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Urbino averages at about 12°C (54°F).

In April, Malaga usually receives less rain than Urbino. Malaga gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Urbino receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Urbino and Malaga