A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Marbella vs. Interlaken for Families, Couples, Food, and Backpackers

Should you visit Marbella or Interlaken?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Marbella or Interlaken, 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 glamorous, fun-filled, and high energy resort town. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and shopping.

Interlaken

Interlaken is a world-class, stunning, and adventurous town. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. Visitors also love the food, hiking, and skiing.

Marbella and Interlaken: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Marbella or Interlaken?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Marbella. Although Marbella and Interlaken are popular destinations, Marbella has more sights and attractions for tourists. Marbella is very popular for its nightlife, music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, and shopping, while Interlaken attracts visitors for its skiing, food, hiking, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Interlaken is more touristy than Marbella and is known for its adventure sports, alpine setting, and beautiful lakes. Marbella is famous for its luxury hotels, beautiful beaches, and lively nightlife. It is also well known for Plaza de los Naranjos.

How is Marbella different from Interlaken?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Marbella or Interlaken Better for Skiing?

Interlaken is a nice place to visit for skiing and snowboarding. However, Marbella is not a skiing destination.

For winter sports and skiing, Interlaken is a great destination to visit. While the city itself has no skiing, there is access to several ski areas in Jungfrau. There are several different resorts in the area near Grindelwald, Wengen, and Mürren. You'll need to take a train or ski bus to get most places.

Marbella is not a skiing destination.

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

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

Interlaken has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Restaurants in the area serve local classics like fondue, local meats, cheeses, and chocolate. You can finish your meal off with strudel or head to a local bakery and try their samplings. Meals are expensive but the quality is good. You should also out into the countryside and enjoy a meal looking out over the mountains.

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 Interlaken Better for Nightlife?

Marbella is a world-class destination for nightlife. However, Interlaken is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

People head to Marbella just to party. 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.

Interlaken is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Marbella or Interlaken Better for Music?

Marbella is an excellent place to visit for live music. However, Interlaken is not a live music destination.

Whether you like big venues or smaller artists, Marbella has diverse options. Some of the best music venues include Starlite, Kitch Social Club, and Momento.

Interlaken is not a live music destination.

Is Marbella or Interlaken Better for Resorts?

Marbella is a world-class destination for its luxury resorts. However, Interlaken is not a resort destination.

If you're looking for a fantastic resort destination, Marbella is a perfect 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.

Interlaken is not a resort destination.

Is Marbella or Interlaken Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Marbella is a world-class destination for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Interlaken is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

The scuba diving and snorkeling in Marbella is not to be missed. 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.

Interlaken is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Marbella or Interlaken Better for Beaches?

Marbella is a world-class destination for its beaches. However, Interlaken is not a beach destination.

With world-famous beaches, Marbella is a very popular vacation 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.

Interlaken is not a beach destination.

Is Marbella or Interlaken Better for its Old Town?

Marbella is very good for its historic old town. However, Interlaken does not have a historic old town.

Marbella is a good destination for visiting its old town. Head into the old town to explore a quaint area with small, meandering streets, churches, restaurants, shops, and cafes.

Interlaken does not have a historic old town.

Is Marbella or Interlaken Better for Hiking?

Interlaken is very popular for its hiking trails. However, Marbella is not a hiking destination.

Known for its hiking, Interlaken draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. Hikes in the area range from easy to challenging with every option in between. You can experience beautiful waterfalls, breathtaking views, and dramatic ridge hikes. Several of the best hikes in the area include Schynige Platte Ridge Trail, Mt Niesen Panorama Trail, and Giessbach Waterfalls.

Marbella is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Marbella or Interlaken?

Marbella is a world-class destination for shopping. However, Interlaken is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Marbella. This area attracts vacationers from around Europe and the shopping is some of the best in Europe.

Interlaken is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Marbella or Interlaken Better for Families?

Interlaken is very popular for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Marbella is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Interlaken is an amazing family-friendly town to visit. While the city is beautiful, it's really the surrounding areas that you and your family will enjoy. There are amazing hikes, stunning views, playgrounds, lakes, and more. There's also an impressive ropes course that adventurous kids will love, funiculars, gondolas, and so many water sports!

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.

Is Marbella or Interlaken Better for Couples?

Marbella and Interlaken are both terrific to visit as a couple.

Marbella has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. 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.

Interlaken is a great resort town for couples, as it has plenty to offer. The mountaintop views, breathtaking hikes, and beautiful lakes make this a top destination for couples. Make sure you head out of town and fully immerse yourself in everything that the area has to offer. Kayaking, canoeing, paragliding, and more will make this a trip of a lifetime.

Is Marbella or Interlaken Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Marbella and Interlaken are both nice destinations for backpackers.

It's common for backpackers to 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.

Interlaken is a good resort town to visit for backpackers. It's a world class destination with so many activities that backpackers will love, but it's also one of the most expensive areas in one of the most expensive countries. There are hostels in town as well as a few in the nearby towns and countryside, but prices are steep. Cook when you can and enjoy all of the free activities that the area has to offer.

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

Interlaken is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. However, Marbella is lacking in good options for its public transit.

The public transit in Interlaken can get you around easily. Buses travel around town, but to get into the mountains there are trains, cog railways, funiculars, and gondolas.

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 Interlaken a more walkable city?

Marbella is an excellent place to visit for its walkability. Also, Interlaken is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

Marbella is very walkable. 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.

Interlaken is a somewhat walkable place. The old town is relatively walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Interlaken or Marbella?

How long in Marbella or Interlaken?

In either Marbella or Interlaken, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. In our opinion, Marbella has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Marbella than Interlaken. However, 2-5 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Couples should spend more time in Marbella than Interlaken. 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 Interlaken 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 Interlaken?

With live music and food around the high energy resort town of Marbella, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The beautiful town of Interlaken offers food and skiing. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 Interlaken?

With food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the destination of Marbella, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this resort town.

Interlaken is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Interlaken, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Marbella or Interlaken?

Marbella, a popular resort town, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this resort town. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Interlaken is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Interlaken, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Marbella or Interlaken?

Marbella is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Interlaken is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town 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 from Geneva, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Zurich.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Marbella and Interlaken, we can see that Interlaken 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 Interlaken would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Interlaken 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 Interlaken Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Marbella or Interlaken?

Marbella has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Interlaken. When comparing the sizes of Marbella and Interlaken, 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 Interlaken?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Marbella or Interlaken in the Summer?

Both Interlaken and Marbella are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Marbella for the beaches, snorkeling, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Interlaken because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Marbella is generally a little warmer than Interlaken. Daily temperatures in Marbella average around 25°C (77°F), and Interlaken fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

It's quite sunny in Interlaken. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marbella. Marbella usually receives more sunshine than Interlaken during summer. Marbella gets 348 hours of sunny skies, while Interlaken receives 241 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Marbella usually receives less rain than Interlaken. Marbella gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Marbella or Interlaken in the Autumn?

Both Interlaken and Marbella during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Marbella because of the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Interlaken this time of year.

Marbella is a little warmer than Interlaken in the autumn. The daily temperature in Marbella averages around 19°C (67°F) in October, and Interlaken fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

It's quite sunny in Marbella. In the autumn, Marbella often gets more sunshine than Interlaken. Marbella gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Interlaken receives 120 hours of full sun.

Marbella usually gets less rain in October than Interlaken. Marbella gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Marbella or Interlaken in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Marbella and Interlaken. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Marbella this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Interlaken for the skiing and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Interlaken. In the winter, Marbella is much warmer than Interlaken. Typically, the winter temperatures in Marbella in January average around 12°C (54°F), and Interlaken averages at about 3°C (37°F).

Marbella usually receives more sunshine than Interlaken during winter. Marbella gets 171 hours of sunny skies, while Interlaken receives 55 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Marbella usually receives more rain than Interlaken. Marbella gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Marbella or Interlaken in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Marbella as well as Interlaken. Many travelers come to Marbella for the beaches and the natural beauty. Additionally, many visitors come to Interlaken in the spring for the natural beauty.

In April, Marbella is generally a little warmer than Interlaken. Daily temperatures in Marbella average around 16°C (60°F), and Interlaken fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Marbella this time of the year. In the spring, Marbella often gets more sunshine than Interlaken. Marbella gets 220 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Interlaken receives 150 hours of full sun.

Marbella usually gets less rain in April than Interlaken. Marbella gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Interlaken and Marbella