A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Marbella vs. Hvar for Nightlife, Scuba Diving & Snorkeling, Beaches, and Couples

Should you visit Marbella or Hvar?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Marbella or Hvar, 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. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the beaches, shopping, and nightlife.

Hvar

Hvar is a beautiful, vibrant, and energetic island. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Marbella and Hvar: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Marbella or Hvar?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Marbella than Hvar, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Marbella is better known for its music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, and shopping, while Hvar is more popular for its museums, food, and hiking. Hvar is more touristy than Marbella and is popular for its wild parties, beautiful buildings, and world class cuisine. Marbella is well known for its luxury hotels, beautiful beaches, and lively nightlife. Also, Marbella is famous for Plaza de los Naranjos.

How is Marbella different from Hvar?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Hvar offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Wandering around the old town you'll see many historic buildings such as the Cathedral of St. Stephen. You can also visit the nearby Hvar Fort or explore the Franciscan Monastery.

Marbella does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Hvar is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Marbella is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Hvar has a huge number of terrific restaurants. It's an island, so you'll find no shortage of seafood in the restaurants. There's fish, crab, lobster, squid, and octopus on the menus around town. Many dishes are prepared with risotto or pasta and you'll find a lot of olive oil and wine.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Marbella area. The area is filled with tourists, so finding an authentic dining experience can be difficult. Several favorite dishes include croquetas, boquerones, and pulpo.

Is Marbella or Hvar Better for Nightlife?

The first-rate nightlife scene is relatively similar in Marbella and Hvar.

Marbella is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. 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.

People head to Hvar just to party. The island has a reputation as a party island, and it's well earned. Most of the activity is found in Hvar Town, particularly between the months of June and September. Young people flock to the island for the all night parties and wild beach bars and clubs.

Is Marbella or Hvar Better for Music?

Marbella is notable for its live music scene. However, Hvar 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.

Hvar is not a live music destination.

Is Marbella or Hvar Better for Resorts?

Marbella is renowned for its resorts. However, Hvar 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.

Hvar is not a resort destination.

Is Marbella or Hvar Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Marbella is renowned for its diving and snorkeling. Also, Hvar is not as famous, but is still a good island to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving.

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.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery in Hvar. The water is clear and there are snorkeling day trips that leave from town. This is a great way to get out on the water and glimpse the undersea world.

Is Marbella or Hvar Better for Beaches?

Marbella is renowned for the beache. Also, Hvar is not as famous, but is still a good island to visit for the beach.

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.

Many people visit Hvar for it's beautiful beaches. The island has hilly bays and coves that are fun to explore. The best beaches are found to the south and southwest of the island and many are pebbly or gravelly.

Is Marbella or Hvar Better for its Old Town?

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

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

Hvar does not have a historic old town.

Is Marbella or Hvar Better for Hiking?

Hvar is a nice place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Marbella is not a hiking destination.

Hvar has hiking trails worth exploring. There are a number of hikes on the island that cater to every skill level and take you through natural areas or past historic sights.

Marbella is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Marbella or Hvar?

Marbella is renowned for its shopping opportunities. Also, Hvar is not as famous, but is still a good island to visit for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Marbella make it a world-class shopping destination. This area attracts vacationers from around Europe and the shopping is some of the best in Europe.

Hvar has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. In the town you'll find galleries, boutiques, jewelry shops and other beach stores. It's fun to pop in and look at the different items.

Is Marbella or Hvar Better for Families?

Marbella and Hvar are both high quality destinations for the whole family.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Marbella is very family-friendly. The area has beautiful, family-friendly beaches and many resorts with pools that are great for kids.

Hvar is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. There are adventure parks, water parks, and other fun activities for kids. There are also beaches where everyone can swim and sea kayaking trips. Hvar Observatory is also a unique and fun place to visit as a family.

Is Marbella or Hvar Better for Couples?

Marbella is renowned for its romantic activities. Also, Hvar is not as famous, but is still a good island to visit for couples.

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.

Hvar makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are some romantic hotels and beautiful beaches that make this a wonderful destination for couples. Anyone who enjoys a coastal setting with clear waters and a variety of water sports will enjoy their time here.

Is Marbella or Hvar Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Hvar is extremely popular for backpackers. The island has long been a popular stop with backpackers who enjoy the affordable prices, abundance of hostels, and active nightlife scene. You'll have no trouble meeting other travelers, particularly during the peak summer months.

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 Hvar Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Hvar 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.

Hvar has some public transit options. Buses are operated by Cazmatrans Hva and they travel between the major municipalities.

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 Hvar a more walkable city?

Marbella is notable for its high level of walkability. Also, Hvar is not as famous, but is still a good island to visit for its ease of walking around.

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.

Hvar is a somewhat walkable resort town. Hvar Town can be explored on foot, but you'll need a vehicle to explore other parts of the island.

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

Should I spend more time in Hvar or Marbella?

How long in Marbella or Hvar?

It's fun to spend time in either Marbella or Hvar. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Marbella due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Marbella, and 2-4 days is enough time in Hvar.

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

One day in Marbella or Hvar?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the destination of Marbella. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

The beautiful island of Hvar offers museums and nightlife. Most people come for the beaches. 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 Hvar?

Marbella is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

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

Five days in Marbella or Hvar?

Visitors enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the ritzy destination of Marbella. This resort town offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

Hvar is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that nightlife 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.

A week in Marbella or Hvar?

The ritzy resort town of Marbella offers scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week 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.

Hvar is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that nightlife is why people visit. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This island 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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Croatia, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Croatia.

When comparing the travel costs between Marbella and Hvar, 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 Hvar Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Marbella or Hvar?

Marbella has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Hvar. When comparing the sizes of Marbella and Hvar, 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 Hvar?

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 Hvar in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Marbella as well as Hvar. 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 Hvar for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

Marbella is around the same temperature as Hvar in the summer. The daily temperature in Marbella averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Hvar fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hvar. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Marbella this time of the year. In the summer, Marbella often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Hvar. Marbella gets 348 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hvar receives 345 hours of full sun.

Marbella usually gets less rain in July than Hvar. Marbella gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Hvar receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Marbella or Hvar in the Autumn?

Both Hvar 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 Hvar in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Marbella is around the same temperature as Hvar. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Marbella in October average around 19°C (67°F), and Hvar averages at about 18°C (64°F).

It's quite sunny in Hvar. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marbella. Marbella usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Hvar during autumn. Marbella gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Hvar receives 200 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Marbella usually receives less rain than Hvar. Marbella gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Hvar receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Marbella or Hvar in the Winter?

Both Hvar 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 Hvar for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In January, Marbella is generally a little warmer than Hvar. Daily temperatures in Marbella average around 12°C (54°F), and Hvar fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Marbella often gets more sunshine than Hvar. Marbella gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hvar receives 128 hours of full sun.

Marbella usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Hvar. Marbella gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Hvar receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Marbella or Hvar in the Spring?

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

Marbella is around the same temperature as Hvar in the spring. The daily temperature in Marbella averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Hvar fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hvar 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 Hvar during spring. Marbella gets 220 hours of sunny skies, while Hvar receives 212 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Marbella usually receives less rain than Hvar. Marbella gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Hvar receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Hvar and Marbella