Which place is cheaper, Barcelona or Malmo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Malmo or Barcelona?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Malmo or Barcelona, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Malmo or Barcelona?
Malmo
Located on the southern tip of Sweden, in the province of Skane, Malmo is Sweden's third largest city. It has a very international population with about a third of the residents being from countries other than Sweden. This diversity is evident within Malmo, which is rich in culture, interesting food, and an array of entertainment options. Historically, Malmo was an industrial city with a ship building company, Kockums being the area's largest employer. Today, however, the city is much more economicaly diverse with many eco friendly neighborhoods and plenty of suburban style housing.
Barcelona
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain with a population of over 1.5 million people. It's also the capital of Catalonia and is located on the northeastern part of the Mediterranean coast. Barcelona is one of the country's most popular travel destinations because of its rich history, interesting architecture, and vibrant culture. Barcelona hosted the 1992 Summer Olympic games and that had a strong influence over tourism in the area. Many different neighborhoods were renovated and rebuilt. Modern design became the norm in many parts of the city, although there is still an old city feel and many efforts at preservation.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Sweden, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Sweden, The Best Contiki Tours to Spain, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Spain.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMalmo $81Barcelona $167
The average daily cost (per person) in Malmo is $81, while the average daily cost in Barcelona is $167. 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 Malmo and Barcelona in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMalmo $48Barcelona $103
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMalmo $96Barcelona $206
Compare Hotels in Malmo and Barcelona
Looking for a hotel in Malmo or Barcelona? 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.
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: Malmo Hotel Prices and Barcelona Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Malmo $7.88Barcelona $20
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Malmo
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Malmo:
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Malmö Bus Card$18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Malmo
Also for Malmo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Malmo City Center to Malmo Airport (MMX) - Departure Private Transfer: $27
- Malmo Airport (MMX) to Malmo City Center - Arrival Private Transfer: $27
- Malmo Airport (MMX) to Malmo City Center - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $55
- Malmo Private Transfer from Malmo airport to Central Malmo : $95
- Malmo Private Transfer from Central Malmo to Malmo Airport: $95
- Private Transfer from Malmo Airport MMX to Fredericia Port: $96
- Private Direct Transfer From Malmo to Copenhagen: $121
- Malmö City to Copenhagen hotel/address Private Departure Transfer: $128
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Barcelona
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Barcelona are as follows:
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10 Trip Metro Ticket$8.36
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Airport Bus$5.36
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Metro$2.25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Barcelona
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Barcelona:
- transfer with wheelchair Accessible from Bcn airport/ port/city: $285
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Barcelona APT-HTL (BCN): $55
- Transfers From Cruise Port to Barcelona Airport: $37
- Transfers From Cruise Port to Barcelona Airport: $41
- Transfers From Barcelona Sants Train Station to Hotel bcn: $31
- Transfers From Barcelona Cruise Port to Barcelona Airport: $40
- Transfer to Montserrat Monastery from Barcelona: $27
- Transfer in private vehicle from Barcelona City - Barcelona Airport (BCN): $33
- Transfer in private vehicle from Barcelona Airport (BCN) - Barcelona City: $33
- Transfer in private minivan from Barcelona City - Barcelona Airport (BCN): $49
- Transfer in private minivan from Barcelona Airport (BCN) - Barcelona City: $44
- Transfer from cruise port to barcelona sants station : $35
Is it cheaper to fly into Malmo or Barcelona?
Prices for flights to both Barcelona and Malmo 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
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Food Meals for one dayMalmo $25Barcelona $35
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Malmo
For Malmo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Self-guided Food Tour in Malmö: $59
- Guided Food Tour in Malmö (Private): $120
Typical Food Prices in Barcelona
Some typical examples of dining costs in Barcelona are as follows:
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Hot Cocoa & Churro$4.45
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Sandwich$1.82
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Baguette & Horchata$4.07
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Tapas on the beach$8.88
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Gelatto$2.68
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Barcelona
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Barcelona.
- Barcelona Street Food Tour with Local Market & City Center Visit: $21
- Barcelona Guided Street Food Tour and Gothic Quarter Visit: $21
- Flamenco at El Patio Andaluz with Optional Dinner: $27
- Walking Tour + Flamenco + Tapas Dinner (choose options): $27
- Hard Rock Cafe Barcelona with Set Lunch or Dinner: $30
- La Barceloneta: Tapas Food Tour: $37
- Barcelona La Barceloneta Tapas Food Tour: $38
- Barcelona Street Food Tour: Local Market & Gothic Quarter with Expert Guide: $43
- Boqueria Market & Barrio Gotico Street Food Tour: $56
- Wine Tasting and Tapas 5-Course Pairing Dinner: $59
- Paella Cooking Experience & Wine: $59
- Paella Cooking Experience and Wine in Barcelona: $60
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Malmo $16Barcelona $36
Tours and Activities in Malmo
For Malmo, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Lund's Medieval and Modern History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
- Self-guided audio tour in Lund: explore the story of the Locus Peccatorum murder: $9.35
- Malmö Ghost Story: A self-guided audio walking tour: $9.35
- Canal Sightseeing Boat Tour of Malmö: $21
- Half Day Walking Tour in Lund City and University: $33
- Malmö Photography Tour: $58
- Malmo Walking Tour, 3 hours (small group): $66
- Joyful Malmo Walking Tour for Couples: $147
- Exploring Malmo Walking Tour: $147
Typical Entertainment Prices in Barcelona
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Barcelona are as follows:
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Picasso Walking Tour and Museum Pass$45
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Souvenir Gaudi Book$9.16
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Admission to Museo Picasso$6.43
Tours and Activities in Barcelona
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Barcelona are as follows:
- Barcelona Christmas Walking Tour: $29
- Cruise into Barcelona? Get the Most out of Your Visit!: $117
- Dali Museum, Besalu & Girona Tour from Barcelona by Fast Train : $120
- Girona and Costa Brava with Lunch: VIP Small Group Tour: $16
- Montserrat Mountains Half - Day Private Tour - From Barcelona : $261
- Private Guides Barcelona Tour with Skip The Line in Cathedral: $217
- Private Mountain Bike Tour in Barcelona: $33
- Sagrada Familia "Fast Track" Guided Tour in Barcelona: $106
- Sagrada Familia Bike Tour in Small Group: $86
- Sagrada Familia Comedy Tour: $3.26
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Legends of the Gothic Quarter: $10
- Skip The Line - Early Picasso Museum and Born Neighborhood: $56
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMalmo $35Barcelona $18
Sample the Local Flavors in Barcelona
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Barcelona:
- Barcelona Pub Crawl by King - Bar & Nightclub Hopping Tour: $14
- Barcelona Pub Crawl by KING - Nightlife Party Experience: $16
- Estrella Damm Brewery Guided Tour with Tasting: $16
- Night Pub Crawl Tour in Barcelona: $16
- Barcelona Bar Crawl: 4+ Venues, Free shots, Free Club Entry: $19
- Estrella Damm Old Brewery Tour with Tasting: $21
- Estrella Damm Old Brewery Barcelona Guided Tour with Beer Tasting: $22
- Nightlife Tour - Barcelona Bar Crawl with Flamingos: $23
- Barcelona Bar Crawl: $26
- Barcelona Weekend Pub Crawl with 1.5 hour open bar@Hostel: $27
- Catalan Nightlife Pub Crawl Tour & VIP Club Entry: $29
- Barcelona Art & Wine Tour: $31
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Malmo and Barcelona, we can see that Barcelona is more expensive. And not only is Malmo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Malmo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Malmo 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 Barcelona would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Barcelona than you might in Malmo.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Malmo Expensive? and Is Barcelona Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Malmo or Barcelona?
Barcelona has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Malmo. When comparing the sizes of Malmo and Barcelona, 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 Malmo or Barcelona?
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 Malmo or Barcelona in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Malmo as well as Barcelona. Additionally, many travelers come to Barcelona for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Malmo is generally cooler than Barcelona. Daily temperatures in Malmo average around 17°C (62°F), and Barcelona fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Barcelona. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Malmo this time of the year. In the summer, Malmo often gets less sunshine than Barcelona. Malmo gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Barcelona receives 308 hours of full sun.
Malmo usually gets more rain in July than Barcelona. Malmo gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 22 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMalmo 17°C (62°F)Barcelona 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Malmo or Barcelona in the Autumn?
Both Barcelona and Malmo are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Barcelona in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Malmo is much colder than Barcelona in the autumn. The daily temperature in Malmo averages around 10°C (50°F) in October, and Barcelona fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).
Malmo usually receives less sunshine than Barcelona during autumn. Malmo gets 104 hours of sunny skies, while Barcelona receives 181 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Malmo usually receives less rain than Barcelona. Malmo gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMalmo 10°C (50°F)Barcelona 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Malmo or Barcelona in the Winter?
Both Barcelona and Malmo during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Barcelona for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Malmo can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Malmo is much colder than Barcelona. Typically, the winter temperatures in Malmo in January average around 0°C (32°F), and Barcelona averages at about 9°C (48°F).
In the winter, Malmo often gets less sunshine than Barcelona. Malmo gets 36 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Barcelona receives 146 hours of full sun.
Malmo usually gets less rain in January than Barcelona. Malmo gets 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMalmo 0°C (32°F)Barcelona 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Malmo or Barcelona in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Malmo and Barcelona. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Barcelona because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
In April, Malmo is generally much colder than Barcelona. Daily temperatures in Malmo average around 5°C (42°F), and Barcelona fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Barcelona this time of the year. Malmo usually receives less sunshine than Barcelona during spring. Malmo gets 173 hours of sunny skies, while Barcelona receives 204 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Malmo usually receives less rain than Barcelona. Malmo gets 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMalmo 5°C (42°F)Barcelona 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Barcelona and Malmo
| Malmo | Barcelona | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 0°C (32°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | -0°C (32°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| Mar | 2°C (35°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 5°C (42°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| May | 11°C (51°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (62°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
| Aug | 17°C (62°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Sep | 14°C (57°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 10°C (50°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Nov | 6°C (42°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Dec | 2°C (36°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.