Which place is cheaper, Braga or Marbella?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Marbella or Braga?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Marbella or Braga, 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: Marbella or Braga?
Marbella
Marbella is a city in southern Spain in the province of Malaga. It is part of the Costa del Sol (Coast of the Sun) and is located on the Mediterranean Sea between Malaga and the Strait of Gibraltar. It is one of the most important tourist cities in the area and receives many national and international tourists year round due to its climate and tourism structures. Marbella is a bit of a glamorous city due to its beauty and resort-type environment. The old town with its narrow cobbled streets and flower-filled plazas is packed with shops and art galleries selling boutique clothes and accessories, and handmade wares. The city has significant archaeological and historical heritage and many events and performances throughout the year.
Braga
Located in the Cavado Valley of Northern Portugal, Braga is a medium sized city with both historical and modern characteristics. There is a university in town, known as Universidade do Minho, which gives the city a young feel with a lot of life. There are also many bars, clubs, and activities around to keep you entertained.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Porto, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Portugal.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMarbella €117Braga €112
The average daily cost (per person) in Marbella is €117, while the average daily cost in Braga is €112. 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 Marbella and Braga in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMarbella €61Braga €54
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMarbella €122Braga €108
Compare Hotels in Marbella and Braga
Looking for a hotel in Marbella or Braga? 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: Marbella Hotel Prices and Braga Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Marbella €24Braga €20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Marbella
Also for Marbella, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Vip Transfer from Malaga Airport to Fuengirola or Marbella: $21
- Private Transfer from Fuengirola to Malaga (AGP) airport: $64
- Private Transfer from Alhaurín El Grande to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $68
- Costa del Sol: Private 1-Way Transfer to/from Malaga Airport: $75
- Private Transfer from Coín to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $80
- Private Transfer from Torre del Mar to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $97
- Private Transfer from Lomas De Cabopino to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $97
- Private Transfer from Marbesa to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $97
- Private Transfer from Vélez-Málaga to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $97
- TRANSFER MALAGA AIRPORT from OR to MARBELLA-PRICE ALL INCLUSIVE: $104
- Private Transfer from Los Monteros to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $107
- Private Transfer from Algarrobo to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $109
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Braga
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Braga:
- Traditional Vinho Verde Tour in Bowl with Private Transfer (Porto and Braga): $131
- Braga Private Transfer:To/From the Oporto Airport: $102
Is it cheaper to fly into Marbella or Braga?
Prices for flights to both Braga and Marbella 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 dayMarbella €38Braga €40
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Marbella
For Marbella, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Food Tour: $87
- The Mediterranean Diet & Lifestyle Cooking Class.: $180
- Gourmet Cooking Class & Culture in the rural Montes de Malaga.: $191
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Braga
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Braga.
- Small-Group Braga Food Tour With A Local Guide: $84
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Marbella €19Braga €16
Tours and Activities in Marbella
For Marbella, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Discover the Old Town through a Self-Guided Tour: $4.60
- Marbella Old Town Walking Tour : $15
- Sightseeing Walking Tour: $21
- Guided tour and olive oil tasting in Alhaurin el Grande (Málaga) : $22
- Marbella Old Town: Group Tour with a True Local: $24
- Marbella Old Town group tour with a True Local: $24
- group walking Tour: $26
- Explore Marbella Old Town: Tapas Tasting Adventure: $27
- Marbella like a Local: Customized Guided Tour: $32
- Bike City Tour Marbella: $32
- Dolphin Watching Adventure in Estepona Bay: $38
- 2 h Estepona Bay Tour: $47
Tours and Activities in Braga
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Braga are as follows:
- KAYAK TOUR I Going down the Lima River in Kayak | AV: $66
- 1h Buggy Tour | Arches of Valdevez | Peneda Gerês: $76
- 2h Buggy Tour | Arcos de Valdevez | Peneda Gerês: $131
- 4X4 Tour – Minho Litoral - Beaches and Mountains between Viana do Castelo and Caminha: $82
- 4X4 Tour - Discovering Serra d´ Arga: $175
- Alto Douro Walk & WineTour: $197
- TOUR HD BRAGA MERCEDES V EXT LONG: $225
- TOUR HD BRAGA SEDAN: $198
- Barcelos, Braga & Guimarães Tour: $109
- Braga & Guimarães: Premium Day Tour: $321
- Braga Private Walking Tour: $254
- Braga Private Walking Tour with a Professional Guide: $216
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMarbella €5.71Braga €21
Sample the Local Flavors in Marbella
Also in Marbella, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Manilva & Gaucin Wine Tour from the Costa del Sol: $152
- From Manilva Sunset Wine Tasting Tour with Tapas: $159
- Ronda Full Day Wine Tour from Marbella: $195
- From Antequera Wine Tour with Tastings and Lunch: $213
- From Axarquia Wine Tour with Wine Pairing Lunch: $234
- Full-Day Private Ronda Wine Tour Experience from Marbella: $262
- VIP Ronda Wine Tour and Tasting and Gourmet Lunch Experience with Winemaker: $272
Sample the Local Flavors in Braga
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Braga:
- Wine Tasting & Lunch | Quinta de Santa Cristina Vinho Verde: $50
- Green Wine Region-Small Group Tour with Lunch and Wine Tastings, from Porto city: $142
- Douro Valley Private Tour from Lunch & Wine Tour: $288
- Vinho Verde Private Wine Tour: $535
When comparing the travel costs between Marbella and Braga, we can see that Marbella is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Marbella Expensive? and Is Braga Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Marbella or Braga?
Braga has a larger population, and is about 1% larger than the population of Marbella. When comparing the sizes of Marbella and Braga, 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 Marbella or Braga?
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 Marbella or Braga in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Marbella as well as Braga. Many visitors come to Marbella in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Marbella is a little warmer than Braga. Typically, the summer temperatures in Marbella in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Braga averages at about 21°C (69°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Braga. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Marbella this time of the year. In the summer, Marbella often gets more sunshine than Braga. Marbella gets 348 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Braga receives 308 hours of full sun.
Marbella usually gets less rain in July than Braga. Marbella gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Braga receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMarbella 25°C (77°F)Braga 21°C (69°F)
Should I visit Marbella or Braga in the Autumn?
Both Braga and Marbella are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Marbella for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In October, Marbella is generally a little warmer than Braga. Daily temperatures in Marbella average around 19°C (67°F), and Braga fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marbella. Marbella usually receives more sunshine than Braga during autumn. Marbella gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Braga receives 184 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Braga. In October, Marbella usually receives less rain than Braga. Marbella gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Braga receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMarbella 19°C (67°F)Braga 17°C (62°F)
Should I visit Marbella or Braga in the Winter?
Both Braga and Marbella during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Marbella because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.
Marbella is a little warmer than Braga in the winter. The daily temperature in Marbella averages around 12°C (54°F) in January, and Braga fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).
In the winter, Marbella often gets more sunshine than Braga. Marbella gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Braga receives 124 hours of full sun.
Braga gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Marbella usually gets less rain in January than Braga. Marbella gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Braga receives 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMarbella 12°C (54°F)Braga 10°C (50°F)
Should I visit Marbella or Braga in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Marbella and Braga. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Marbella this time of year.
In the spring, Marbella is a little warmer than Braga. Typically, the spring temperatures in Marbella in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Braga averages at about 14°C (56°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Braga this time of the year. In Marbella, it's very sunny this time of the year. Marbella usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Braga during spring. Marbella gets 220 hours of sunny skies, while Braga receives 217 hours of full sun in the spring.
Braga receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Marbella usually receives less rain than Braga. Marbella gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Braga receives 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMarbella 16°C (60°F)Braga 14°C (56°F)
Typical Weather for Braga and Marbella
| Marbella | Braga | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (54°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 169 mm (6.7 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (57°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 14°C (56°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| May | 19°C (66°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (78°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (74°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (67°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (60°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
| Dec | 13°C (55°F) | 102 mm (4 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 176 mm (6.9 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.