Which place is cheaper, Ouarzazate or Marbella?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Marbella or Ouarzazate?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Marbella or Ouarzazate, 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 Ouarzazate?
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.
Ouarzazate
Morocco can be quite an energetic country, but if you're looking for more of a quiet getaway, consider Ouarzazate. Small by Moroccan standards, this town is built up mostly around a main street – the Avenue Mohammad V. Ouarzazate. The name "Ouarzazate" comes from the Berber language meaning "without noise" or "without confusion." It was once a crossroad for a African traders traveling to northern cities in Morocco and Europe. Today, Ouarzazate is the largest town in the Moroccan Sahara, and its central location serves as a good home base touring the rest of Morocco.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Morocco, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Morocco.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMarbella €117Ouarzazate €40
The average daily cost (per person) in Marbella is €117, while the average daily cost in Ouarzazate is €40. 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 Ouarzazate in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMarbella €61Ouarzazate €20
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMarbella €122Ouarzazate €40
Compare Hotels in Marbella and Ouarzazate
Looking for a hotel in Marbella or Ouarzazate? 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 Ouarzazate Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Marbella €24Ouarzazate €3.17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Marbella
Also for Marbella, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Costa del Sol: Private 1-Way Transfer to/from Malaga Airport: $75
- From Malaga: Private Transfer Malaga Airport to Marbella: $235
- Private Transfer from Algarrobo to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $109
- Private Transfer from Alhaurín El Grande to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $68
- Private Transfer from Alozaina to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $112
- Private Transfer from Atalaya Park to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $127
- Private Transfer from Benahavís to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $132
- Private Transfer from Benaoján to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $214
- Private Transfer from Cómpeta to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $138
- Private Transfer from Coín to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $80
- Private Transfer from El Paraíso to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $135
- Private Transfer from Estepona to Malaga (AGP) airport: $155
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ouarzazate
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Ouarzazate are as follows:
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Taxi Ride€1.87
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ouarzazate
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ouarzazate:
- Private Transfer from Marrakech to Dades Gorges: $187
- Private Transfer between Ouarzazate & Marrakech: $309
- Ouarzazate Airport: Private Transfer: $41
- "Ouarzazate to Marrakech: Your Comfortable Private Transfer": $107
Is it cheaper to fly into Marbella or Ouarzazate?
Prices for flights to both Ouarzazate 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 €38Ouarzazate €15
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
- The Mediterranean Diet & Lifestyle Cooking Class.: $180
- Gourmet Cooking Class & Culture in the rural Montes de Malaga.: $191
Typical Food Prices in Ouarzazate
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Ouarzazate:
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Dinner for Two€10
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ouarzazate
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Ouarzazate.
- Oases Fint Tour With Dinner: $65
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Marbella €19Ouarzazate €9.88
Tours and Activities in Marbella
For Marbella, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Discover the Old Town through a Self-Guided Tour: $4.60
- Marbella Old Town Walking Tour : $15
- Sightseeing Walking Tour: $21
- Guided tour and olive oil tasting in Alhaurin el Grande (Málaga) : $22
- Marbella Old Town: Group Tour with a True Local: $24
- Marbella Old Town group tour with a True Local: $24
- group walking Tour: $26
- Explore Marbella Old Town: Tapas Tasting Adventure: $27
- Marbella like a Local: Customized Guided Tour: $32
- Bike City Tour Marbella: $32
- Dolphin Watching Adventure in Estepona Bay: $38
- 2 h Estepona Bay Tour: $47
Tours and Activities in Ouarzazate
Here are a few actual costs in Ouarzazate for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 1 Hour Horse Riding Adventure in Ait Ben Haddou: $26
- 3 days group tour from Marrakech to Merzouga desert: $125
- 3-Day Desert Adventure: Ouarzazate to Merzouga: $100
- 4 day Fantastic Desert Tour From Fes To Marrakech via desert: $464
- 7 night 8 day Casablanca morocco tour via merzouga: $1,508
- Ait-Ben-Haddou - City Tour: $22
- Casablanca: 6 Days Tour Blue City, Fes, Desert & Marrakech: $1,082
- Desert by Quad: 5 Days of Pure Adventure from Ouarzazate: $2,884
- Experience of kasbah ait Ben Haddou and Ouarzazate city: $131
- Fez to Merzouga & Marrakech Combined 3 Day Desert Tour: $213
- From Agadir : 4-Day Private Desert Tour To Zagora & Merzouga: $571
- From Agadir or Taghazout: 2-Day Sahara Desert Tour to Zagora: $382
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMarbella €5.71Ouarzazate -
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: $272
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Marbella and Ouarzazate, we can see that Marbella is more expensive. And not only is Ouarzazate much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Marbella is in Europe and Ouarzazate is in Africa, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Ouarzazate would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ouarzazate 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 Ouarzazate.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Marbella Expensive? and Is Ouarzazate Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Marbella or Ouarzazate?
Marbella has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Ouarzazate. When comparing the sizes of Marbella and Ouarzazate, 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.