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

Should you visit Marbella or Venice?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Marbella or Venice, 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 high energy, ritzy, and glamorous resort town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and live music.

Venice

Venice is a magical, historic, and beautiful city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and food.

Marbella and Venice: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Marbella or Venice?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Venice than Marbella, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Venice is more popular for its museums, historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Marbella is known for its nightlife, music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches. Venice is more touristy than Marbella and is known for its many canals, famous gondolas, iconic architecture, romantic squares, and beautiful bridges. It is also home to St. Mark's Basilica. Marbella is popular for its luxury hotels, beautiful beaches, and lively nightlife.

How is Marbella different from Venice?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

The museums and tourist attractions in Venice are world-renowned. The many historic and famous landmarks in town include St. Mark's Basilica, St. Mark's Square, Doge's Palace, and the Rialto Bridge.

Marbella does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Both Marbella and Venice offer good local cuisine and restaurants.

Marbella has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The area is filled with tourists, so finding an authentic dining experience can be difficult. Several favorite dishes include croquetas, boquerones, and pulpo.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Venice area. For the best dining experience, you should try to avoid the touristy restaurants that serve the typical pizza and pasta. Instead, find a local eatery that specializes in the region's traditional flavors like fish and vegetables.

Is Marbella or Venice Better for Nightlife?

Marbella is a world-class destination for its evening party scene. However, Venice is not a good destination 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.

Most people don't head to Venice specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. If you want to party, your best option is to head to the Lido area where you'll find night clubs and bars. A better alternative for enjoying your evening is to order a late night meal and a glass of wine at a local restaurant in Venice.

Is Marbella or Venice Better for Music?

Marbella is great for its music scene. However, Venice is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Marbella draws a good crowd. Some of the best music venues include Starlite, Kitch Social Club, and Momento.

Venice is not a live music destination.

Is Marbella or Venice Better for Resorts?

Marbella is a world-class destination for its luxury resorts. However, Venice 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.

Venice is not a resort destination.

Is Marbella or Venice Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Marbella is a world-class destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Venice 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.

Venice is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Marbella or Venice Better for Beaches?

Marbella is a world-class destination for the beach. However, Venice 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.

Venice is not a beach destination.

Is Marbella or Venice Better for its Old Town?

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

Venice has a world-famous historical area. The city's historic area is unlike anywhere else in the world. The canals, colorful buildings, are world-renowned architecture, make this among the most recognized historic settings in the world.

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 Venice?

Shoppers can find a variety of terrific stores in both Marbella and Venice.

Known for shopping, Marbella draws large crowds to its stores. This area attracts vacationers from around Europe and the shopping is some of the best in Europe.

Venice is a world class destination for shoppers. There are many unique items that people purchase in town. Some of the most popular include Murano glass, Burano lace, Venetian masks, and local fabrics.

Is Marbella or Venice Better for Families?

Marbella and Venice are both excellent destinations for the whole family.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Marbella is very family-friendly. The area has beautiful, family-friendly beaches and many resorts with pools that are great for kids.

Venice is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Even for kids, visiting this city is all about soaking up the atmosphere and sense of place. It is unlike anywhere else in the world. The canals, historic buildings, gondolas, and plazas offer a special environment, even for kids who may be burned out from exploring cities. Attractions that appeal to kids include visiting the prisons at Doge's Palace, shopping for masks, and taking a ride on a gondola.

Is Marbella or Venice Better for Couples?

Marbella and Venice 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.

Venice is a great resort town for couples, as it has plenty to offer. With its many truly unique romantic experiences, this city makes for a truly memorable honeymoon or romantic getaway. Ride a gondola, get lost in the city, and enjoy pasta and music around town to make the experience unlike any other.

Is Marbella or Venice Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Venice 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 Venice. Many backpackers stay just out of town to save a bit of money, but, even though it's not cheap, this city is well-established on the backpacker trail.

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 Venice Better for Students?

Venice is very popular for its student-friendly activities. However, Marbella is not popular with students.

Venice is a great destination for students. Because of its well-established reputation, this city attracts many international students for both semester and full length programs. There are many programs to choose between, and many students focus on the region's art, architecture, history, and language.

Marbella is not popular with students.

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

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

Venice has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. There is a comprehensive boat and ferry system that includes aporettos, alilagunas, private water taxis, gondolas, and traghettos.

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 Venice a more walkable city?

Venice 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 Venice. Because it is small, it's easy to walk to all of the major tourist attractions.

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 Venice Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Venice or Marbella?

How long in Marbella or Venice?

Both Marbella and Venice have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Venice than in Marbella. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Marbella, and 2-7 days is enough time in Venice.

Couples should spend more time in Marbella than Venice. 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 Venice 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 Venice.

One day in Marbella or Venice?

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.

The beautiful city of Venice offers food and shopping. 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.

A weekend in Marbella or Venice?

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.

Venice 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 Venice, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Marbella or Venice?

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.

Venice is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Venice, 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 Venice?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the high energy 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.

Venice is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Venice has to offer. 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 Sightseeing Tours in Italy, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Marbella or Venice?

Venice has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Marbella. When comparing the sizes of Marbella and Venice, 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 Venice?

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 Venice in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Marbella and Venice. 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 Venice because of the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Marbella is around the same temperature as Venice. Typically, the summer temperatures in Marbella in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Venice averages at about 23°C (73°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Venice this time of the year. In Marbella, it's very sunny this time of the year. Marbella usually receives more sunshine than Venice during summer. Marbella gets 348 hours of sunny skies, while Venice receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Marbella usually receives less rain than Venice. Marbella gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Venice receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Marbella or Venice in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Marbella as well as Venice. The autumn months attract visitors to Marbella because of the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Venice this time of year.

In October, Marbella is generally a little warmer than Venice. Daily temperatures in Marbella average around 19°C (67°F), and Venice fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Marbella this time of the year. In the autumn, Marbella often gets more sunshine than Venice. Marbella gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Venice receives 134 hours of full sun.

Marbella usually gets less rain in October than Venice. Marbella gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Venice receives 67 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Marbella or Venice in the Winter?

Both Venice and Marbella are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Marbella this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Venice for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Venice. Marbella is much warmer than Venice in the winter. The daily temperature in Marbella averages around 12°C (54°F) in January, and Venice fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

Marbella usually receives more sunshine than Venice during winter. Marbella gets 171 hours of sunny skies, while Venice receives 88 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Marbella usually receives more rain than Venice. Marbella gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Venice receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Marbella or Venice in the Spring?

Both Venice and Marbella during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Marbella for the beaches and the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Venice in the spring for the natural beauty.

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

It's quite sunny in Marbella. In the spring, Marbella often gets more sunshine than Venice. Marbella gets 220 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Venice receives 154 hours of full sun.

Marbella usually gets less rain in April than Venice. Marbella gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Venice receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Venice and Marbella