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

Should you visit Malaga or Zurich?

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 Zurich. 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. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the beaches, shopping, and nightlife.

Zurich

Zurich is a beautiful, historic, and liberal city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the live music, food, and shopping.

Malaga and Zurich: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Malaga or Zurich?

Both Zurich and Malaga have plenty of things to do for visitors. Both offer a variety of sights, activities, and attractions for tourists. Malaga is better known for its nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches, while Zurich is more popular for its museums, historical sights, and shopping. Malaga is well known for its perfect blend of sandy beaches, beautiful culture, fascinating history, and a lively nightlife scene. Zurich is well known for its beautiful setting on Lake Zurich as well as its cafes, restaurants, and high prices.

How is Malaga different from Zurich?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Zurich 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 Zurich. Make sure you check out the Museum of Fine Arts, the Fraumünster, as well as the Swiss National Museum.

Malaga does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Both Malaga and Zurich offer a number of excellent 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.

Zurich has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Many restaurants have a strong German influence, but you'll also find traditional Swiss dishes such as cheese and chocolate fondue. There are also several Michelin star restaurants in town.

Is Malaga or Zurich Better for Nightlife?

Malaga is a must-visit destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Zurich is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

Malaga is a world class party destination. 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.

Zurich has a large number of nightlife venues. The city has some of the best nightlife in Switzerland. There are a high concentration of bars and clubs around town, or you could check out one of the badis, which are pools that also act as bars during the summer months. They're usually located by the lake.

Is Malaga or Zurich Better for Music?

Both Malaga and Zurich offer excellent live music venues.

The music scene in Malaga is very popular with diverse venues. 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.

It's worth checking out the music scene in Zurich while you're in town. There are many nightclubs that offer a variety of music types including electronic music, rock, and even reggae.

Is Malaga or Zurich Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Malaga is a good destination for its diving and snorkeling. However, Zurich is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery 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.

Zurich is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Malaga or Zurich Better for Beaches?

Malaga is a good destination for the beache. However, Zurich is not a beach destination.

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.

Zurich is not a beach destination.

Is Malaga or Zurich Better for its Old Town?

Zurich 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 Zurich can be explored in its historical center. The city has an old town that is split into two parts on each side of the Limmat River. The historic districts are filled with churches, squares, and charming areas that are fun to explore. Walking tours are the best way to explore the 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Malaga or Zurich?

Zurich is a must-visit destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Malaga is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Zurich make it a world-class shopping destination. Visitors often buy chocolate, watches, and jewelry in this city. You'll find brand names and luxury items that are of high quality. Each neighborhood has its own character with stores ranging from traditional to international.

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 Zurich Better for Families?

Zurich is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Malaga is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Zurich is a very kid-friendly city. It's a surprisingly mellow city with a relaxing vibe that makes it easy to explore with kids. Popular family-friendly activities include swimming in the Limmat River, sailing on Lake Zurich, and visiting Josefwiese park, which has a large playground.

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

Is Malaga or Zurich Better for Couples?

Zurich 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.

Zurich is a very popular place to visit for couples. One of the most romantic experiences you can have in town is visiting the Zurich Thermal Baths and Spa. There's an outdoor rooftop thermal pool as well as many ways that you can pamper yourselves.

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 Zurich Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Malaga is a must-visit destination for backpackers. Also, Zurich is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Malaga. From an endless supply of hostels to plenty of opportunities to meet other backpackers, this is a very backpacker friendly area.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Zurich. The city has a number of hostels to choose from, but, like most of Switzerland, the city is expensive in general.

Is Malaga or Zurich Better for Students?

Zurich is a must-visit destination for students. Also, Malaga is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Zurich is a very popular place to visit for students. The city offers a number of unique experiences for international students. The academics are good and the university campuses are nice.

Malaga is a very popular port city for students and younger travelers. 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.

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

Zurich 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.

Zurich has some very good public transit options. The system is made up of streetcars and buses.

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

Is Malaga or Zurich a more walkable city?

Malaga and Zurich both are excellent 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.

Zurich is a very walkable destination. There are paths that lead along the rivers and the lake connecting the old town areas to other parts of the city.

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

Should I spend more time in Zurich or Malaga?

How long in Malaga or Zurich?

In either Malaga or Zurich, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Malaga than Zurich because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Malaga, and 2-5 days is enough time in Zurich.

Families should spend more time in Zurich than Malaga. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Zurich, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

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

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

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 food and shopping when visiting the destination of Zurich. 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.

A weekend in Malaga or Zurich?

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.

Zurich is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the shopping, as that's what most people do. 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 Zurich?

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 Zurich. Don't miss the shopping, 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.

A week in Malaga or Zurich?

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the beautiful 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 nightlife and live music when visiting the liberal destination of Zurich. 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 Sightseeing Tours in Switzerland, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Switzerland.

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

Which is Bigger, Malaga or Zurich?

Malaga has a larger population, and is about 61% larger than the population of Zurich. When comparing the sizes of Malaga and Zurich, 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 Zurich?

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 Zurich in the Summer?

Both Zurich and Malaga are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Malaga because of the beaches, snorkeling, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the music scene and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Zurich this time of year.

Malaga is a little warmer than Zurich in the summer. The daily temperature in Malaga averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Zurich fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

It's quite sunny in Zurich. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Malaga. Malaga usually receives more sunshine than Zurich during summer. Malaga gets 348 hours of sunny skies, while Zurich receives 241 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Malaga usually receives less rain than Zurich. Malaga gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Malaga or Zurich in the Autumn?

Both Zurich and Malaga during the autumn are popular places to visit. The shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Malaga this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Zurich for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Malaga is a little warmer than Zurich. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Malaga in October average around 19°C (67°F), and Zurich averages at about 13°C (56°F).

It's quite sunny in Malaga. In the autumn, Malaga often gets more sunshine than Zurich. Malaga gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zurich receives 120 hours of full sun.

Malaga usually gets less rain in October than Zurich. Malaga gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Malaga or Zurich in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Malaga and Zurich. Many travelers come to Malaga for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Zurich in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Zurich can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Malaga is generally much warmer than Zurich. Daily temperatures in Malaga average around 12°C (54°F), and Zurich fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

Malaga usually receives more sunshine than Zurich during winter. Malaga gets 171 hours of sunny skies, while Zurich receives 55 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Malaga usually receives more rain than Zurich. Malaga gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Malaga or Zurich in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Malaga as well as Zurich. Many visitors come to Malaga in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Zurich for the natural beauty during these months.

Malaga is a little warmer than Zurich in the spring. The daily temperature in Malaga averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Zurich fluctuates around 12°C (53°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 Zurich. Malaga gets 220 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zurich receives 150 hours of full sun.

Malaga usually gets less rain in April than Zurich. Malaga gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Zurich and Malaga