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

Should you visit Marbella or Zurich?

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

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

Zurich

Zurich is a beautiful, historic, and liberal city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and live music.

Marbella and Zurich: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Marbella or Zurich?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Marbella than Zurich. While Zurich is larger than Marbella, Marbella has more sights and attractions for tourists. Marbella is better known for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches, while Zurich is more popular for its museums, food, and historical sights. Marbella is well known for its luxury hotels, beautiful beaches, and lively nightlife. Also, Marbella is famous for Plaza de los Naranjos. Zurich is well known for its beautiful setting on Lake Zurich as well as its cafes, restaurants, and high prices.

How is Marbella different from Zurich?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Zurich 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 Zurich can be an interesting and educational experience. Make sure you check out the Museum of Fine Arts, the Fraumünster, as well as the Swiss National Museum.

Marbella does not have museums and landmarks.

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

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

Zurich has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Many restaurants have a strong German influence, but you'll also find traditional Swiss dishes such as cheese and chocolate fondue. There are also several Michelin star restaurants in town.

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 Zurich Better for Nightlife?

Marbella is a must-visit destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Zurich is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

Marbella is a world class party destination. 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.

Zurich has a large number of nightlife venues. The city has some of the best nightlife in Switzerland. There are a high concentration of bars and clubs around town, or you could check out one of the badis, which are pools that also act as bars during the summer months. They're usually located by the lake.

Is Marbella or Zurich Better for Music?

It can be fun to see live music in either Marbella and Zurich.

It's worth checking out the music scene in Marbella while you're in town. Some of the best music venues include Starlite, Kitch Social Club, and Momento.

Music is a popular form of entertainment in Zurich. There are many nightclubs that offer a variety of music types including electronic music, rock, and even reggae.

Is Marbella or Zurich Better for Resorts?

Marbella is a must-visit destination for its resorts. However, Zurich is not a resort destination.

Vacationers flock to Marbella for its luxury resorts. 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.

Zurich is not a resort destination.

Is Marbella or Zurich Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Marbella is a must-visit destination for its diving and snorkeling. However, Zurich is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

People travel from around the world to go scuba diving and snorkeling in Marbella. 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.

Zurich is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Marbella or Zurich Better for Beaches?

Marbella is a must-visit destination for the beache. However, Zurich is not a beach destination.

Marbella offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around 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.

Zurich is not a beach destination.

Is Marbella or Zurich Better for its Old Town?

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

Zurich has a world-famous historical area. The city has an old town that is split into two parts on each side of the Limmat River. The historic districts are filled with churches, squares, and charming areas that are fun to explore. Walking tours are the best way to explore the old town.

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 Zurich?

Shoppers can find a variety of world-class stores in both Marbella and Zurich.

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.

Zurich is a world class destination for shoppers. Visitors often buy chocolate, watches, and jewelry in this city. You'll find brand names and luxury items that are of high quality. Each neighborhood has its own character with stores ranging from traditional to international.

Is Marbella or Zurich Better for Families?

Marbella and Zurich are both great 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.

Zurich is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. It's a surprisingly mellow city with a relaxing vibe that makes it easy to explore with kids. Popular family-friendly activities include swimming in the Limmat River, sailing on Lake Zurich, and visiting Josefwiese park, which has a large playground.

Is Marbella or Zurich Better for Couples?

Marbella is a must-visit destination for its romantic activities. Also, Zurich is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

Marbella is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. 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.

Zurich makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. One of the most romantic experiences you can have in town is visiting the Zurich Thermal Baths and Spa. There's an outdoor rooftop thermal pool as well as many ways that you can pamper yourselves.

Is Marbella or Zurich Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Marbella and Zurich 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.

Zurich is a good resort town to visit for backpackers. The city has a number of hostels to choose from, but, like most of Switzerland, the city is expensive in general.

Is Marbella or Zurich Better for Students?

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

Zurich is a great destination for students. The city offers a number of unique experiences for international students. The academics are good and the university campuses are nice.

Marbella is not popular with students.

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

Zurich 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 Zurich can get you around easily. The system is made up of streetcars and buses.

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 Zurich a more walkable city?

Marbella and Zurich are great 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.

Zurich is a very walkable destination. There are paths that lead along the rivers and the lake connecting the old town areas to other parts of the city.

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

Should I spend more time in Zurich or Marbella?

How long in Marbella or Zurich?

In either Marbella or Zurich, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. You can fill a similar amount of time in either place. However, 2-5 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

One day in Marbella or Zurich?

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 Zurich offers museums and nightlife. 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 Zurich?

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.

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

Five days in Marbella or Zurich?

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.

Zurich is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that shopping is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Zurich, 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 Zurich?

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.

Zurich is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that shopping 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 Sightseeing Tours in Switzerland, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Switzerland.

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

Which is Bigger, Marbella or Zurich?

Zurich has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Marbella. When comparing the sizes of Marbella and Zurich, 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 Zurich?

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 Zurich in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Marbella as well as Zurich. Many travelers come to Marbella for the beaches, snorkeling, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Zurich in the summer for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences.

Marbella is a little warmer than Zurich in the summer. The daily temperature in Marbella averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Zurich fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Zurich. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Marbella this time of the year. In the summer, Marbella often gets more sunshine than Zurich. Marbella gets 348 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zurich receives 241 hours of full sun.

Marbella usually gets less rain in July than Zurich. Marbella gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Marbella or Zurich in the Autumn?

Both Zurich and Marbella are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Marbella in the autumn for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Zurich for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Marbella is a little warmer than Zurich. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Marbella in October average around 19°C (67°F), and Zurich averages at about 13°C (56°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marbella. Marbella usually receives more sunshine than Zurich during autumn. Marbella gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Zurich receives 120 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Marbella usually receives less rain than Zurich. Marbella gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Marbella or Zurich in the Winter?

Both Zurich and Marbella during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Marbella for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Zurich because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Zurich can be very cold. In January, Marbella is generally much warmer than Zurich. Daily temperatures in Marbella average around 12°C (54°F), and Zurich fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

In the winter, Marbella often gets more sunshine than Zurich. Marbella gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zurich receives 55 hours of full sun.

Marbella usually gets more rain in January than Zurich. Marbella gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Marbella or Zurich in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Marbella and Zurich. The spring months attract visitors to Marbella because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Zurich this time of year.

Marbella is a little warmer than Zurich in the spring. The daily temperature in Marbella averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Zurich fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In Marbella, it's very sunny this time of the year. Marbella usually receives more sunshine than Zurich during spring. Marbella gets 220 hours of sunny skies, while Zurich receives 150 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Marbella usually receives less rain than Zurich. Marbella gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Zurich and Marbella