Which place is cheaper, Nice or Marbella?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Marbella or Nice, 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 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.
Nice is a trendy, chic, and glamourous seaside destination. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Because of its quaint atmosphere, it draws plenty of visitors, too. Visitors also love the shopping, nightlife, and food.
Travelers will generally find more things to do in Marbella than Nice. While Nice is larger than Marbella, Marbella has more sights and attractions for tourists. Marbella is better known for its music, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping, while Nice is more popular for its food, historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Nice is more touristy than Marbella and is popular for its beachfront setting in the French Riviera as well as its popularity with A-list celebrities. Marbella is well known for its luxury hotels, beautiful beaches, and lively nightlife. Also, Marbella is famous for Plaza de los Naranjos.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Nice and Marbella. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Nice 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, Nice is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The cuisine brings together fresh regional ingredients and mixes Provençal and Niçoise flavors. You'll find a lot of Italian influence as well. Fresh seafood is the thing to try while you're in town, but other local favorites include socca, Ratatouille, and Salade niçoise.
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.
The first-rate nightlife scene is relatively similar in Marbella and Nice.
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 Nice just to party. The city has some of the best nightlife on the Cote d'Azur. You'll find a number of nightclubs along the seaside as well a bars and pubs in the Old Town. Some of the best clubs are along Promenade des Anglais.
Marbella is a well-known place for its live music scene. However, Nice is not a live music destination.
The music scene in Marbella is very popular with diverse venues. Some of the best music venues include Starlite, Kitch Social Club, and Momento.
Nice is not a live music destination.
With a similar set of options, first-rate resorts can be found in both Marbella and Nice.
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.
Nice is a world class resort vacation destination. The city has boutique hotels as well high end luxury resorts. Popular options include Hyatt Regency Nice Palais de la Méditerranée, Hôtel Suisse, and AC Hotel by Marriott.
Marbella is renowned for its diving and snorkeling. Also, Nice is not as famous, but is still a good seaside destination 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 Nice. There are some places where you can arrange a snorkeling or dive trip to explore the underwater setting.
Marbella is renowned for the beache. Also, Nice is not as famous, but is still a good seaside destination 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 Nice for it's beautiful beaches. The city has about 4 miles of beach along its coastline and there are both public and private beaches available. La Réserve is a public beach with a laid back and fun vibe. Plage Beau Rivage is a private beach with many amenities, making it a favorite for visitors. Blue Beach is another private beach that is very family-friendly.
Nice 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 Nice to see the historical old town. Wandering around the charming old town is a quintessential part of visiting this city. There are many historic churches and squares, as well as great restaurants and shops that you can pop in.
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.
Marbella is renowned for its shopping opportunities. Also, Nice is not as famous, but is still a good seaside destination 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.
Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Nice. The city has long been a favorite for the rich and famous, so you'll find plenty of shopping opportunities around town. The boutique shops are chic, trendy, and fashionable, but for those on a budget, you can sometimes find a unique local purchase in your budget.
Marbella is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Nice is not as famous, but is still a good seaside destination to visit for its kid-friendly activities.
Marbella is a very kid-friendly resort town. The area has beautiful, family-friendly beaches and many resorts with pools that are great for kids.
Nice is a family-friendly resort town. The town has many fun playgrounds, kid-friendly beaches, and unique cultural opportunities that kids can enjoy. It also makes a great base for exploring the French Riviera and everything that it has to offer.
Marbella and Nice are both first-rate 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.
Nice is a great resort town for couples, as it has plenty to offer. The old town is filled with romance and charm. You can also take a walk along the Promenade Des Anglais or soak up the romantic countryside that surrounds the town.
Marbella and Nice are both notable 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.
Nice is a good resort town to visit for backpackers. Because it's one of the most popular tourist destinations in France, many backpackers make their way here. Nice is known for its high end vibe, so it can be challenging to find affordable options, but if you know where to look, they are around.
Nice 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 Nice can get you around easily. There are both buses and trams.
Public transit is generally limited in Marbella. There is a bus system through the area, but most visitors prefer to get around by car.
Nice is very popular for its high level of walkability. Also, Marbella is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.
It's very easy to get around on foot in Nice. You should definitely spend some time exploring the 7 kilometer long Promenade des Anglais.
Marbella is a very walkable destination. 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.
For even more information, also check out Is Marbella Worth Visiting? and Is Nice Worth Visiting?.
In either Marbella or Nice, 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 Nice. In general, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Marbella, and 3-5 days is enough time in Nice.
Families should spend more time in Marbella than Nice. 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.
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 seaside destination of Nice offers food and scuba diving and snorkeling. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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.
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.
Nice is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.
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.
Nice is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Nice, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.
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.
Nice is a great place to explore. 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 seaside destination 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 10-Day Tours in France, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Marbella is €117, while the average daily cost in Nice is €131. 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 Nice in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Marbella or Nice? 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.
Also for Marbella, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Nice:
Prices for flights to both Nice 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.
For Marbella, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Some typical examples of dining costs in Nice are as follows:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Nice.
For Marbella, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Nice are as follows:
Also in Marbella, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
Also in Nice, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
When comparing the travel costs between Marbella and Nice, we can see that Nice 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 Nice Expensive?.
Nice has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Marbella. When comparing the sizes of Marbella and Nice, 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.
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.
The summer brings many poeple to Marbella as well as Nice. The beaches, snorkeling, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Marbella this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Nice for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.
Marbella is around the same temperature as Nice in the summer. The daily temperature in Marbella averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Nice fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
Marbella usually gets less rain in July than Nice. Marbella gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Nice receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Nice 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 Nice in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Marbella is a little warmer than Nice. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Marbella in October average around 19°C (67°F), and Nice averages at about 17°C (63°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Nice. In October, Marbella usually receives less rain than Nice. Marbella gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Nice receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Both Nice 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. Also, most visitors come to Nice for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.
In January, Marbella is generally a little warmer than Nice. Daily temperatures in Marbella average around 12°C (54°F), and Nice fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).
Marbella usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Nice. Marbella gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Nice receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Marbella and Nice. Most visitors come to Marbella for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Nice because of the beaches and the natural beauty.
Marbella is a little warmer than Nice in the spring. The daily temperature in Marbella averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Nice fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).
In April, Marbella usually receives less rain than Nice. Marbella gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Nice receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Marbella | Nice | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 12°C (54°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
Mar | 14°C (57°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
May | 19°C (66°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
Aug | 25°C (78°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
Sep | 23°C (74°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
Oct | 19°C (67°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) |
Nov | 15°C (60°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
Dec | 13°C (55°F) | 102 mm (4 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |