A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Marbella vs. Calais for Nightlife, Beaches, Couples, and Families

Should you visit Marbella or Calais?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Marbella or Calais, 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.

Marbella

Marbella is a fun-filled, high energy, and ritzy resort town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Calais

Calais is a undiscovered, coastal, and authentic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Marbella and Calais: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Marbella or Calais?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Marbella than Calais, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Marbella is more popular for its nightlife, music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Calais is known for its museums and big city activities. Marbella is more touristy than Calais and is popular for its luxury hotels, beautiful beaches, and lively nightlife. It is also home to Plaza de los Naranjos. Calais is popular for being a gateway for travelers to France.

How is Marbella different from Calais?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Marbella or Calais?

Calais is a nice place to visit for its museums and history. However, Marbella does not have museums and landmarks.

Calais offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. It's a port city with a few good museums and landmarks to see. Check out the Town Hall, Burghers of Calais, La Cité de la Dentelle et de la Mode, and Musée de la Guerre de Calais, as well as the Calais Lighthouse.

Marbella does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Marbella or Calais? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Marbella and Calais offer good local cuisine and restaurants.

Marbella has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The area is filled with tourists, so finding an authentic dining experience can be difficult. Several favorite dishes include croquetas, boquerones, and pulpo.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Calais area. The region is known for its mackerel, andouillette sausage, and endive and ham gratin. If you're passing through, this is also a good place to stock up on wine and cheese.

Is Marbella or Calais Better for Nightlife?

Marbella is a must-visit destination for its evening party scene. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

Marbella is a world class party destination. European tourists flock to the town for its beaches and resorts. The town has a glamorous nightlife scene with exclusive clubs and ritzy cocktail bars, particularly in Puerto Banus and along the Golden Mile.

If you're looking for night time activities Calais has a few options to choose from. You'll find bars and pubs around town as well as a few clubs. Places range from trendy and high end to local dive bars.

Is Marbella or Calais Better for Music?

Marbella is well known for its music scene. However, Calais is not a live music destination.

Music is a popular form of entertainment in Marbella. Some of the best music venues include Starlite, Kitch Social Club, and Momento.

Calais is not a live music destination.

Is Marbella or Calais Better for Resorts?

Marbella is a must-visit destination for its resorts. However, Calais is not a resort destination.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Marbella is a great choice. From luxury to family-friendly, this area has plenty of resorts to choose from. Popular resorts in the area include Marbella Club Hotel, Puente Romano Marbella, and Don Carlos Resort and Spa.

Calais is not a resort destination.

Is Marbella or Calais Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Marbella is a must-visit destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Calais is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

The clear water and abundant marine life make Marbella a world-class scuba diving and snorkeling destination. There are more than 100 dive sights and endless snorkeling opportunities in the area. There are deep offshore reefs that you can explore as well as shallower wrecks and caves.

Calais is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Marbella or Calais Better for Beaches?

Marbella is a must-visit destination for the beach. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its beaches.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Marbella. The area boasts some of the best beaches in Europe. They are hubs of activity with lots of energy, and there are more than 18 miles of sandy beach in the area. Popular options include Guadalmina Beach, San Pedro de Alcántara Beach, and Nueva Andalucía Beach.

Many people head to Calais to enjoy the beach. There are some sandy beaches near town that have nice stretches of sand and plenty of sand dunes. Many locals enjoy sunbathing at the beaches.

Is Marbella or Calais Better for its Old Town?

Marbella is a popular place for its historic old town charm. However, Calais does not have a historic old town.

Marbella offers a nice historic old town area. Head into the old town to explore a quaint area with small, meandering streets, churches, restaurants, shops, and cafes.

Calais does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Marbella or Calais?

Marbella is a must-visit destination for its shopping areas. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Marbella is a world class destination for shoppers. This area attracts vacationers from around Europe and the shopping is some of the best in Europe.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Calais. Many visitors stock up on wine and cheese when they're passing through. It's common to head straight to Auchan or Carrefour to stock up on some items.

Is Marbella or Calais Better for Families?

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

Marbella is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The area has beautiful, family-friendly beaches and many resorts with pools that are great for kids.

Calais offers lots of family activities. There's the Nausicaa Aquarium, the Museum of the Atlantic Wall, and the Second World War Museum. There are also beaches and parks to explore as well as some nice playgrounds.

Is Marbella or Calais Better for Couples?

Marbella is a must-visit destination for couples. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Marbella makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. The area has luxury resorts, nice beaches, water sports, golf, and water activities that are perfect for a honeymoon or a romantic weekend or a honeymoon.

Calais is a nice destination for couples. Couples can picnic with wine and cheese or eat their way through the town's great restaurants. There are also some nice beaches where people enjoy sunbathing or relaxing.

Is Marbella or Calais Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Marbella is a popular place for backpackers. However, Calais is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Marbella. There are a few good hostels in the area for backpackers who want to enjoy this part of Spain's cost. There's also a lively nightlife scene and plenty of opportunities to meet others.

Calais is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. This part of France is often overlooked by tourists so you won't find many backpackers or hostels in the area. It does offer a glimpse into an authentic side of France.

Is Marbella or Calais Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Calais is a nice place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Marbella is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Calais has some public transit options. The city has 13 bus lines that run through town and into the surrounding areas. If you're arriving by ferry from the UK, there are shuttle buses that connect the ferry terminal to the train station.

Public transit is generally limited in Marbella. There is a bus system through the area, but most visitors prefer to get around by car.

Is Marbella or Calais a more walkable city?

Marbella is well known for its ease of walking around. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

Marbella is a very walkable destination. The old town is particularly walkable and there are a number of hotels and nice resorts within a short walk of the town along a nice promenade.

Calais is somewhat walkable. Parts of the town are more walkable than others.

For even more information, also check out Is Marbella Worth Visiting? and Is Calais Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Calais or Marbella?

How long in Marbella or Calais?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Marbella and Calais. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Marbella than in Calais. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Marbella, and 1-3 days is enough time in Calais.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Marbella than Calais 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 Marbella.

One day in Marbella or Calais?

Many travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the destination of Marbella. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The city of Calais 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.

A weekend in Marbella or Calais?

Marbella 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.

Calais 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 Calais, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Marbella or Calais?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Marbella. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Most people come for the beaches. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Calais is a popular choice for travelers. 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.

A week in Marbella or Calais?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the high energy destination of Marbella. This resort town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Calais is a great place to explore. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain, The Best Budget Tours to France, and The Best Tours for Seniors to France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Marbella or Calais?

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

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 Calais in the Summer?

Both Calais and Marbella during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Marbella in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Calais for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Marbella is a little warmer than Calais. Typically, the summer temperatures in Marbella in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Calais averages at about 17°C (63°F).

In Calais, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Marbella. In the summer, Marbella often gets more sunshine than Calais. Marbella gets 348 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 212 hours of full sun.

Marbella usually gets less rain in July than Calais. Marbella gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Calais receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Marbella or Calais in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Marbella and Calais. Most visitors come to Marbella for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Calais because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Marbella is generally much warmer than Calais. Daily temperatures in Marbella average around 19°C (67°F), and Calais fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In Marbella, it's very sunny this time of the year. Marbella usually receives more sunshine than Calais during autumn. Marbella gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 119 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Marbella usually receives less rain than Calais. Marbella gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Calais receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Marbella or Calais in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Marbella as well as Calais. The winter months attract visitors to Marbella because of the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Calais this time of year.

It's quite cold in Calais in the winter. Marbella is much warmer than Calais in the winter. The daily temperature in Marbella averages around 12°C (54°F) in January, and Calais fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

In the winter, Marbella often gets more sunshine than Calais. Marbella gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 57 hours of full sun.

Marbella usually gets more rain in January than Calais. Marbella gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Calais receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Marbella or Calais in the Spring?

Both Calais and Marbella are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Marbella this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Calais for the beaches and the activities around the city.

In the spring, Marbella is much warmer than Calais. Typically, the spring temperatures in Marbella in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Calais averages at about 9°C (47°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marbella. Marbella usually receives more sunshine than Calais during spring. Marbella gets 220 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 162 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Marbella usually receives around the same amount of rain as Calais. Marbella gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Calais receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Calais and Marbella