A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Malang vs. Cromwell for Food, Hiking, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Malang or Cromwell?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Malang or Cromwell? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Malang

Malang is a authentic, cultural, and under-rated city. Visitors also love the nightlife, food, and hiking. See Malang travel costs.

Cromwell

Cromwell is a historical, cultural, and outdoorsy town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. It's also known for skiing, nightlife, and food. See Cromwell travel costs.

Malang and Cromwell: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Malang or Cromwell?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Cromwell. Although Malang and Cromwell are popular destinations, Cromwell has more sights and attractions for tourists. Cromwell is very popular for its skiing, hiking, and small town charm, while Malang attracts visitors for its food. Malang is famous for its many nearby natural attractions. Cromwell is famous for its fruit farms, orchards, and vineyards. It is also well known for the big fruit.

How is Malang different from Cromwell?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Cromwell and Malang. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is Malang or Cromwell Better for Skiing?

Cromwell is a popular place for winter skiing. However, Malang is not a skiing destination.

Cromwell is a great destination for skiing with plenty areas to explore. The town isn't far from several ski fields, so it attracts winter sports enthusiasts when the weather gets cold.

Malang is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Malang or Cromwell?

Both Malang and Cromwell have nice landmarks and museums for visitors.

Malang is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are a handful of museums around town that provide information on the city's culture and history. There are also mosques, temples, and the famous Rainbow Village.

Cromwell offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are some interesting historical activities around town like Goldfields Mining Centre.

Is the Food Better in Malang or Cromwell? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Malang is very popular for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Cromwell is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Many restaurants in Malang have been singled out for their culinary prowess. This is a top foodie destination and you'll find plenty of amazing street food. It's also the credited with being the birthplace of bakso (meatballs). Many of the dishes around town are sweet, spicy, and served with peanut sauce. It's been influenced by many different cuisines such as Chinese, Javanese, Madurese, Arabic, Dutch, and Indian.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Cromwell area. There are charming cafes and bakeries where you can grab a light meal or snack. There are also quaint restaurants and wineries with nice meals available.

Is Malang or Cromwell Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Malang and Cromwell.

Malang has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The universities around town mean that there's a youthful vibe to the nightlife scene. You'll also find a mix of cultural activities as well as modern and trendy venues. There are dance clubs, upscale lounges, and everything in between.

If you're looking for night time activities Cromwell has a few options to choose from. There are a few breweries and a number of wineries around town where you can have a relaxing night out.

Is Malang or Cromwell Better for Hiking?

Cromwell is well known for its hiking experiences. Also, Malang is still popular, but not quite as popular for hiking.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Cromwell. There are many beautiful walks in the area that take you through diverse landscapes and to impressive views.

Many people include a hike when visiting Malang. Many visitors use this city as a base for hiking Mount Bromo. It's popular to hire a jeep tour from town, or you can hire a private driver or motorbike. Near town you'll also find one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Indonesia - Tumpak Sewu Waterfall. It's possible to hike to the base of the waterfall, but it's a very challenging route.

Is the Shopping Better in Malang or Cromwell?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Cromwell and Malang.

Malang is a great destination for shopping. You'll find places to pick up many local items. The region is known for its ceramics, wood, and rattan (palms).

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Cromwell. There's a farmers market in town as well as several local vendors and cute shops.

Is Malang or Cromwell Better for Families?

Cromwell is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Malang is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Cromwell is a very family-friendly place to visit. The lakefront setting means that there are water activities during the warmer months. There are also ski fields nearby for the winter months. Biking and walking are also popular in the area.

Malang offers lots of family activities. If you're willing to head just outside of town, you'll find theme parks and waterparks. Some of the favorites are Batu Secret Zoo, Jatim Park, Selecta Park, and Batu Night Spectacular.

Is Malang or Cromwell Better for Couples?

Cromwell is well known for romance. Also, Malang is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Couples visit Cromwell frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Cycling, walking, kayaking, and skiing all make this a romantic a charming town to visit as a couple. There are also wineries in the area with beautiful vineyards.

Malang makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy culture, museums, temples, and great food will have a good time visiting this city. It is also a bit cooler than much of Indonesia, which can make a nice escape from the heat.

Is Malang or Cromwell Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Malang and Cromwell are nice places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Malang. Most backpackers pass through town when they're headed to climb Mount Bromo. There are plenty of hostels and cheap places to stay as well as some sights that are worth checking out.

Cromwell is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a handful of great hostels in the area and plenty of things to keep backpackers entertained.

Is Malang or Cromwell Better for Students?

Malang is a city with good options for its student-friendly activities. However, Cromwell is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Malang. The university means that there's a large student population in town.

Cromwell is not popular with students.

Is Malang or Cromwell Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Malang and Cromwell.

Public transit is generally limited in Malang. Angkot or mikrolet are small buses or modified cars that carry passengers around town. Many visitors also hire a motor scooter or driver to get around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Cromwell. Public transit around town is limited to a couple of buses.

Is Malang or Cromwell a more walkable city?

Malang and Cromwell both are nice when exploring on foot.

Malang is somewhat walkable. The city center is relatively walkable.

Cromwell is a somewhat walkable place. Parts of the town are walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Malang Worth Visiting? and Is Cromwell Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Cromwell or Malang?

How long in Malang or Cromwell?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Malang or Cromwell to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Malang than Cromwell because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Malang, and 1-2 days is enough time in Cromwell.

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

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

One day in Malang or Cromwell?

The city of Malang offers food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Cromwell. Hikers are also drawn to this area. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Malang or Cromwell?

Malang is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Malang, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Cromwell 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 Malang or Cromwell?

Malang is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. 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 Cromwell. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Malang or Cromwell?

Malang is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

Travelers enjoy the skiing and nightlife when visiting the outdoorsy destination of Cromwell. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking 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 Indonesia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand, and The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Malang and Cromwell, we can see that Cromwell is more expensive. And not only is Malang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Malang is in Asia and Cromwell is in Pacific, 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 Malang would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Malang 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 Cromwell would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cromwell than you might in Malang.

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