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

Should you visit Marbella or Galway?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Marbella or Galway, 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 ritzy, glamorous, and fun-filled resort town. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and food.

Galway

Galway is a friendly, cultural, and historical city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Marbella and Galway: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Marbella or Galway?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Marbella than Galway. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Marbella is very popular for its nightlife, music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Galway attracts visitors for its museums and big city activities. Marbella is more touristy than Galway and is popular for its luxury hotels, beautiful beaches, and lively nightlife. It is also well known for Plaza de los Naranjos. Galway is famous for its many festivals, its traditional pubs, and its live Irish folk music.

How is Marbella different from Galway?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Galway offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Popular landmarks and sights in town include Eyre Square, St. Nicholas' Church, the Galway Cathedral, and the Galway City Museum.

Marbella does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Both Marbella and Galway offer nice 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 Galway area. There are local pubs and traditional restaurants offering authentic Irish dishes. Popular options include Irish Stew, Cockles and Mussels, and Galway Oysters.

Is Marbella or Galway Better for Nightlife?

Marbella is an unbeatable place for nightlife. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

The nightlife in Marbella is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. 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.

Galway has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The nightlife scene is among the best in Ireland. The city embraces the friendly Irish hospitality and there are laid back pubs and bars around town as well as a few trendy nightclubs.

Is Marbella or Galway Better for Music?

Marbella is notable for live music. However, Galway is not a live music destination.

If you love music, you'll find something to enjoy in Marbella. Some of the best music venues include Starlite, Kitch Social Club, and Momento.

Galway is not a live music destination.

Is Marbella or Galway Better for Resorts?

Marbella is an unbeatable place for its resorts. However, Galway is not a resort destination.

Marbella is a world class resort vacation destination. 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.

Galway is not a resort destination.

Is Marbella or Galway Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Marbella is an unbeatable place for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Galway is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Marbella is a world class destination for scuba diving and snorkeling. 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.

Galway is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Marbella or Galway Better for Beaches?

Marbella is an unbeatable place for its beaches. However, Galway is not a beach destination.

Marbella is considered to be a world-class beach destination. 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.

Galway is not a beach destination.

Is Marbella or Galway Better for its Old Town?

Marbella is a resort town with good options for its historic old town. However, Galway does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Marbella to see the historical old town. Head into the old town to explore a quaint area with small, meandering streets, churches, restaurants, shops, and cafes.

Galway does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Marbella or Galway?

Marbella is an unbeatable place for shopping. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Marbella is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. This area attracts vacationers from around Europe and the shopping is some of the best in Europe.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Galway. You'll find shopping both in the city center as well as at suburban shopping malls. For some of the best shopping head to The Latin Quarter, The Westend or the outdoor market which is found in Church lane by St Nicholas' Church.

Is Marbella or Galway Better for Families?

Marbella is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

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

Galway is a family-friendly resort town. Kids will enjoy the National Aquarium Galway or simply wandering around the Latin Quarter. About 15 minutes outside of the city is the Wildlands Adventure Park which has ziplines, ropes courses, and other adrenaline filled activities. Brigit's Garden is another fun place to let kids stretch their legs.

Is Marbella or Galway Better for Couples?

Marbella is an unbeatable place for romance. Also, Galway is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

Marbella is a great resort town for couples, as it has plenty to offer. 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.

Galway makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are nice restaurants, beautiful walks, and a few parks to explore. There are also several romantic places just outside of town that make for a great day trip.

Is Marbella or Galway Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Galway is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Marbella is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Galway. There are plenty of hostels in the area and it's easy to meet other travelers.

Marbella is a good resort town to visit for backpackers. 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.

Is Marbella or Galway Better for Students?

Galway is a nice place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Marbella is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Galway. The city has a solid student population with a number of activities and entertainment options.

Marbella is not popular with students.

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

Galway 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.

Galway has some public transit options. There are two bus companies in Galway, Bus Eireann and City Direct.

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 Galway a more walkable city?

Marbella and Galway are high quality when it comes to walkability.

Marbella is a very walkable resort town. 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.

Galway is a very walkable destination. If you stay in central Galway, the area is generally compact and walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Galway or Marbella?

How long in Marbella or Galway?

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

Families should spend more time in Marbella than Galway. 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 Galway. 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 Galway than Marbella 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 Galway.

One day in Marbella or Galway?

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 Galway offers food and shopping. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Marbella or Galway?

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.

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

Five days in Marbella or Galway?

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.

Galway 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 Galway?

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.

Galway 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 Ireland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Ireland.

When comparing the travel costs between Marbella and Galway, we can see that Galway 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 Galway Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Marbella or Galway?

Marbella has a larger population, and is about 70% larger than the population of Galway. When comparing the sizes of Marbella and Galway, 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 Galway?

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 Galway in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Marbella as well as Galway. The beaches, snorkeling, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Marbella this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Galway for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Marbella is generally much warmer than Galway. Daily temperatures in Marbella average around 25°C (77°F), and Galway fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Marbella this time of the year. In the summer, Marbella often gets more sunshine than Galway. Marbella gets 348 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Galway receives 142 hours of full sun.

Marbella usually gets less rain in July than Galway. Marbella gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Galway receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Marbella or Galway in the Autumn?

Both Galway and Marbella are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Marbella for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Galway in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Marbella is much warmer than Galway in the autumn. The daily temperature in Marbella averages around 19°C (67°F) in October, and Galway fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marbella. Marbella usually receives more sunshine than Galway during autumn. Marbella gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Galway receives 96 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Galway. In October, Marbella usually receives less rain than Galway. Marbella gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Galway receives 142 mm (5.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Marbella or Galway in the Winter?

Both Galway and Marbella during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Marbella in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Galway for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Marbella is much warmer than Galway. Typically, the winter temperatures in Marbella in January average around 12°C (54°F), and Galway averages at about 6°C (42°F).

In the winter, Marbella often gets more sunshine than Galway. Marbella gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Galway receives 59 hours of full sun.

Galway gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Marbella usually gets less rain in January than Galway. Marbella gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Galway receives 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Marbella or Galway in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Marbella and Galway. Most visitors come to Marbella for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Galway because of the activities around the city.

In April, Marbella is generally much warmer than Galway. Daily temperatures in Marbella average around 16°C (60°F), and Galway fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In Marbella, it's very sunny this time of the year. Marbella usually receives more sunshine than Galway during spring. Marbella gets 220 hours of sunny skies, while Galway receives 153 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Marbella usually receives less rain than Galway. Marbella gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Galway receives 52 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Galway and Marbella