Which place is cheaper, Madeira Islands or Marbella?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Marbella or Madeira Islands?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Marbella or Madeira Islands, 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 Madeira Islands?
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.
Madeira Islands
Madeira, Portugal is an archipelago consisting of four islands, each covered with lush vegetation and mountainous landscapes. Madeira is famous for its fresh fish and namesake Madeira wine, which can be found throughout the main island. This area is the perfect blend of relaxing beaches and thrill-inducing activities such as paragliding and mountain biking. Portuguese is the main language here, although English is spoken widely by those in the tourism industry.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Portugal, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Portugal.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMarbella €117Madeira Islands €95
The average daily cost (per person) in Marbella is €117, while the average daily cost in Madeira Islands is €95. 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 Madeira Islands in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMarbella €61Madeira Islands €52
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMarbella €122Madeira Islands €104
Compare Hotels in Marbella and Madeira Islands
Looking for a hotel in Marbella or Madeira Islands? 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 Madeira Islands Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Marbella €24Madeira Islands €9.87
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
- TRANSFER MALAGA AIRPORT from OR to MARBELLA-PRICE ALL INCLUSIVE: $104
- Private Transfer from Torrox to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $120
- Private Transfer from Torrox Costa to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $120
- Private Transfer from Torre del Mar to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $97
- Private Transfer from Sabinillas to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $174
- Private Transfer from Riogordo to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $97
- Private Transfer from Los Monteros to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $107
- Private Transfer from Lomas De Cabopino to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $97
- Private Transfer from La Quinta Golf Resort to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $132
- Private Transfer from Guadalmina to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $131
- Private Transfer from Fuengirola to Malaga (AGP) airport: $64
Is it cheaper to fly into Marbella or Madeira Islands?
Prices for flights to both Madeira Islands 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 €38Madeira Islands €33
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
- Gourmet Cooking Class & Culture in the rural Montes de Malaga.: $190
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Marbella €19Madeira Islands €15
Tours and Activities in Marbella
For Marbella, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2 h Estepona Bay Tour: $47
- 2 hours Quad Tour in Marbella - 1 quad for 1/2 persons 160€: $174
- Antequera Classic Winery Tour: $206
- Authentic Andalusia - Jeep Eco Tour (pick up from Marbella - Estepona) : $98
- Bike City Tour Marbella: $32
- Buggy Adventure with Incredible Views of the Sea and the Reservoir: $109
- Caminito del Rey and Ardales Guided Tour from Costa del Sol: $75
- Canyoning Experience Near Marbella (Benahavís River Walk): $43
- Discover Marbella's Old Town with five-star private tour: $97
- Dolphin Watching Adventure in Estepona Bay: $38
- Dolphin Watching Tour on Sailboat in Marbella: $71
- E-Bike Tour through Marbella/ Puerto Banús and San Pedro: $101
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMarbella €5.71Madeira Islands €16
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: $271
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Marbella and Madeira Islands, we can see that Marbella is more expensive. And not only is Madeira Islands much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Madeira Islands would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Madeira Islands 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 Marbella would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Marbella than you might in Madeira Islands.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Marbella Expensive? and Is Madeira Islands Expensive?.
Which has a larger population, Marbella or Madeira Islands?
Madeira Islands has a larger population, and is about 99% larger than the population of Marbella. When comparing the sizes of Marbella and Madeira Islands, 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.
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.