A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Marbella vs. Naples for Food, Nightlife, Couples, and Old Town

Should you visit Marbella or Naples?

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

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

Naples

Naples is a fascinating, historic, and authentic city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Marbella and Naples: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Marbella or Naples?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Naples than Marbella, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Naples is more popular for its museums, food, historical sights, and big city activities, while Marbella is known for its nightlife, music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, shopping, and impressive beauty. Marbella is more touristy than Naples and is popular for its luxury hotels, beautiful beaches, and lively nightlife. Naples is popular for its colorful atmosphere, long running history, and influence on world cuisine as the birthplace of pizza. It is also home to Piazza del Plebiscito.

How is Marbella different from Naples?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Naples is a very popular place for its museums and history. However, Marbella does not have museums and landmarks.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Naples can be an interesting and educational experience. Most of the sights are concentrated in the city's historic center. The Naples Harbor is a gateway to the Mediterranean. Also worth visiting are the National Archeological Museum, Capodimonte Royal Palace, Castel Nuovo, and the Catacombs of San Gennaro.

Marbella does not have museums and landmarks.

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

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

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Naples is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. As the birthplace of pizza, the city has a well known food reputation. Many local dishes, including an authentic Napoli pizza, use simple flavors such as olive oil, garlic, and tomatoes. The dishes are lighter than their northern counterparts and tomatoes are a very popular ingredient. In addition to the pizza, you should try Lasagna Al Forno Napoletana and Spaghetti Alla Vognole. Also check out a pizza making class.

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 Naples Better for Nightlife?

Marbella is a world-class destination for its evening party scene. Also, Naples is still popular, but not quite as popular for 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.

Many people head to Naples for the nightlife scene. The nightlife scene includes small bars, wineries, and dance clubs, but much of the energy and activity is actually focused on being outdoors. There is plenty of live music and many nightclubs are actually "disco bars" that are found tucked away in the city's historic center.

Is Marbella or Naples Better for Music?

Marbella is well known for its music scene. However, Naples 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.

Naples is not a live music destination.

Is Marbella or Naples Better for Resorts?

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

Marbella offers an unforgettable resort vacation. 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.

Naples is not a resort destination.

Is Marbella or Naples Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

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

People travel to Marbella specifically to enjoy its famous scuba diving and snorkeling areas. 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.

Naples is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Marbella or Naples Better for Beaches?

Marbella is a world-class destination for the beach. However, Naples is not a beach destination.

The beaches in Marbella are among the best in the world. 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.

Naples is not a beach destination.

Is Marbella or Naples Better for its Old Town?

Naples is a very popular place for its old town. Also, Marbella is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its historic old town charm.

Many visitors go to Naples to see the historical old town. Most of the city's tourist attractions are found in the historic center, which includes beautiful fountains, grand churches, and an impressive network of catacombs and caves.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Marbella or Naples?

Marbella is a world-class destination for its shopping areas. Also, Naples 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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Naples. There are shopping streets and districts that have boutique clothing vendors, high end brands, and major chains. There's plenty of diversity in the shopping scene and some of the best shopping areas include Via Toledo, the Chiaia District, and Poggioreale Market.

Is Marbella or Naples Better for Families?

Marbella is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Naples 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.

Naples offers lots of family activities. Despite its rough-around-the-edges reputation, the city actually has some fun kid-friendly activities. As the birthplace of pizza, a childhood favorite, eating is a kid approved activity. You can even try your hand at pizza making classes. Other fun kid-friendly activities include exploring the underground city, going to The Science Centre of Citta della Scienza, and running around Parco di Capodimonte.

Is Marbella or Naples Better for Couples?

Marbella is a world-class destination for couples. Also, Naples is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

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.

Naples is a great resort town if you're traveling as a couple. Dining on pizza, wine tasting, or taking a cruise on the Gulf of Naples all make this city a great couples destination. There are also many romantic day trips in the area, so many couples use Naples as a base for exploring the region.

Is Marbella or Naples Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Naples 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 Naples. It's more affordable than most of northern Italy, and it has plenty of hostels to choose from. The city makes a great stop for backpackers who want to see a different part of Italy. While not completely off the backpacker trail, Naples is not inundated with tourists the way some other Italian cities are.

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 Naples Better for Students?

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

Plenty of students visit Naples. It's a large city with a lot to see and do. Students also appreciate the many day trips that are available in the area.

Marbella is not popular with students.

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

Naples 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 Naples can get you around easily. There's a metro with two metro lines as well as four suburban train lines. There are also funiculars, regional trains, and ferries to the surrounding areas.

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 Naples a more walkable city?

Marbella and Naples are superb 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.

Naples is a very walkable destination. The historic center is flat and easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Naples or Marbella?

How long in Marbella or Naples?

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

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

One day in Marbella or Naples?

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.

Naples is a big city with plenty to do. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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 Naples?

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.

Naples 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. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Naples, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Marbella or Naples?

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.

Naples is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that food 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 Naples?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the fun-filled 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.

Naples is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Italy, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Marbella or Naples?

Naples has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Marbella. When comparing the sizes of Marbella and Naples, 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 Naples?

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 Naples in the Summer?

Both Naples and Marbella during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Marbella because of the beaches, snorkeling, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Naples this time of year.

In the summer, Marbella is around the same temperature as Naples. Typically, the summer temperatures in Marbella in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Naples averages at about 23°C (74°F).

In Naples, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Marbella. In the summer, Marbella often gets more sunshine than Naples. Marbella gets 348 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Naples receives 313 hours of full sun.

Marbella usually gets less rain in July than Naples. Marbella gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Naples receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Marbella or Naples in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Marbella and Naples. The shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Marbella this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Naples for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Marbella is generally a little warmer than Naples. Daily temperatures in Marbella average around 19°C (67°F), and Naples fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In Marbella, it's very sunny this time of the year. Marbella usually receives more sunshine than Naples during autumn. Marbella gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Naples receives 189 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Naples receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Marbella usually receives less rain than Naples. Marbella gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Naples receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Marbella or Naples in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Marbella as well as Naples. Many travelers come to Marbella for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Naples in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Marbella is much warmer than Naples in the winter. The daily temperature in Marbella averages around 12°C (54°F) in January, and Naples fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Marbella often gets more sunshine than Naples. Marbella gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Naples receives 115 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Naples. Marbella usually gets less rain in January than Naples. Marbella gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Naples receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Marbella or Naples in the Spring?

Both Naples and Marbella are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Marbella in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Naples for the activities around the city during these months.

In the spring, Marbella is a little warmer than Naples. Typically, the spring temperatures in Marbella in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Naples averages at about 13°C (55°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marbella. Marbella usually receives more sunshine than Naples during spring. Marbella gets 220 hours of sunny skies, while Naples receives 189 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Marbella usually receives less rain than Naples. Marbella gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Naples receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Naples and Marbella