A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Malaga vs. Zagora for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Malaga or Zagora?

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 Zagora. 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.

Where Should I go: Malaga or Zagora?

Malaga

Malaga is a port city in the southern part of Spain. It is the 6th largest city in Spain and the southernmost large city in Europe. Malaga lies on the Mediterranean on the Costa del Sol, only 62 miles east of the Strait of Gibraltar, and 80 miles north of Africa. Malaga's history dates back about 2,800 years, which makes it one of the oldest cities in the world. The archaeological remains and monuments from the Phoenician, Roman, Arabic and Christian eras make the historic center of the city an "open museum", displaying its history of more than 3,000 years. Because of its important cultural infrastructure and the artistic heritage, Malaga has been nominated for the European Capital of Culture. Malaga's most important economic contributors include tourism, technology, and construction, but transportation and logistics are becoming increasingly important factors as well.

Zagora

A small town in southern Morocco, Zagora is a popular base camp for excursions on foot, by camel, or four wheel drive vehicles into the surrounding desert. One of the most famous and historic treks is the ancient caravan route to Timbuktu, marked by a famous sign at the end of town - indicating a journey of "52 days" by camel.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Spain, The Best Tours for Seniors to Spain, The Best Adventure Tours to Morocco, and The Best Cultural Tours in Morocco.


Which place is cheaper, Zagora or Malaga?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Malaga is €140, while the average daily cost in Zagora is €47. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Malaga and Zagora in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Malaga 75
    Zagora 33
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Malaga 150
    Zagora 66
Compare Hotels in Malaga and Zagora

Looking for a hotel in Malaga or Zagora? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Malaga


Hotels in Zagora


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Malaga Hotel Prices and Zagora Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Malaga 31
    Zagora 1.33

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Malaga

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Malaga:

  • Malaga hotels to Malaga Cruise Port - Departure Private Transfer: $19
  • Malaga Port to Malaga Airport (AGP) - Departure Private Transfer: $19
  • Private Transfer from Malaga hotels to Malaga Cruise Port: $19
  • Private Transfer from Malaga Cruise Port to Málaga Airport (AGP): $19
  • Private Transfer from Málaga Airport (AGP) to Malaga Cruise Port: $19
  • Malaga Cruise Port to Malaga Hotels - Arrival Private Transfer : $19
  • Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport (AGP) to Malaga Port - Arrival private Transfer: $19
  • Private Transfer from Malaga City Center to Malaga Airport (AGP): $31
  • Private Transfer: Malaga to Malaga Airport (AGP): $33
  • Private One Way Airport Transfer (Malaga Airport To/From Malaga): $34
  • Malaga Airport (AGP) to Malaga - Arrival Private Transfer: $36
  • Malaga to Malaga Airport (AGP) - Departure Private Transfer: $36

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zagora

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zagora:

  • Airport Private Transfer: $35

Is it cheaper to fly into Malaga or Zagora?

Prices for flights to both Zagora and Malaga change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Malaga 35
    Zagora 12
Typical Food Prices in Malaga

Some typical examples of dining costs in Malaga are as follows:


  • Dinner for 2
    30
  • Dinner for 2
    44
  • Breakfast for 2
    8.00

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Malaga

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Malaga.

  • Dinner and Show at Alegría Flamenco & Restaurant in Malaga: $65
  • Malaga Food Tour - Do Eat Better Experience: $86
  • Malaga Tapas Cooking Class: $89
  • Sardines On Skewers Show Cooking in Malaga beach: $147

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Malaga 31
    Zagora 2.67
Typical Entertainment Prices in Malaga

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Malaga are as follows:


  • Entrance to Castillos
    7.10
  • Concert
    31

Tours and Activities in Malaga

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Malaga are as follows:

  • Skip the Line: Picasso's Birthplace Museum Entrance Ticket: $4.36
  • Guided Walking Tour of the Old Town of Frigiliana: $5.45
  • Sightseeing Outdoor Escape Game in Malaga: $7.08
  • Ronda Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $8.95
  • Malaga Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
  • Skip the Line: Centre Pompidou in Malaga Ticket: $9.82
  • Museo Carmen Thyssen de Malaga Entrance Ticket: $12
  • Skip the Line: Malaga Automobile and Fashion Museum Entrance Ticket: $13
  • Guided tour in Ronda: $13
  • Andalucia's City Of Dreams: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Ronda: $15
  • Essential Malaga City Tour: $16
  • Tour around the Central Market of Malaga: $16

Tours and Activities in Zagora

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Zagora are as follows:

  • 2 Days Tour to Zagora Desert with sunset from Marrakech: $82
  • Marrakech: 2-Day Sahara Desert Tour Zagora & BenHaddou: $111
  • 2 days tour from Zagora to Erg Chegaga: $136
  • Zagora to Erg chigaga desert tour & 4x4 (All-inclusive) 2-Days: $164
  • Zagora to Erg chigaga desert tour & 4x4 (All-inclusive) 2-Days: $164
  • Private Day Camel Trekking Tour in Draa Valley from Zagora: $214
  • From 2-Day Desert Tour to Erg Chegaga: $288
  • From Agadir or Taghazout: 2-Day Sahara Desert Tour to Zagora: $353
  • From Agadir or Taghazout: 2-Day Sahara Desert Tour to Zagora: $356
  • From Agadir or Taghazout: 2-Day Sahara Desert Tour to Zagora: $376
  • From Agadir 4 Days 3 night Désert Tours to Marrakech: $1,326

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Malaga 22
    Zagora -

Sample the Local Flavors in Malaga

Also in Malaga, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Malaga Nightlife Pub Crawl Tour with Drinks and Clubs Entry: $17
  • Guided Cellar Tour and wine tasting: $35
  • Frigiliana Small-Group Hike and Wine Tasting Tour from Malaga: $60
  • Sun and Wine Route - Small group, wine tasting and lunch included: $76
  • Malaga Food Walking Tour with Tapas & Wine Tasting: $98
  • Ronda Tour & Winery Experience with Wine Tasting from Malaga: $109
  • Malaga Tapas and Wine Tour: $136


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

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


Which is Bigger, Malaga or Zagora?

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