Which place is cheaper, Marbella or Santa Cruz de Tenerife?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Santa Cruz de Tenerife or Marbella?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Santa Cruz de Tenerife or Marbella, 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: Santa Cruz de Tenerife or Marbella?
Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Not everyone traveling to Spain is looking to collapse on a beach somewhere. If you're in search of a bustling, vibrant and colorful Spanish capital city without the crowds of Barcelona, you might want to book a few days in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Located on the eastern tip of the island of Tenerife on the Canary Island chain, Santa Cruz's bright buildings, charming shops and rich, green scenery are there to greet visitors from all over the world - including you.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Madrid, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Barcelona, The Best 10-Day Tours from Madrid, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Barcelona.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySanta Cruz de Tenerife €126Marbella €117
The average daily cost (per person) in Santa Cruz de Tenerife is €126, while the average daily cost in Marbella is €117. 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 Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Marbella in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSanta Cruz de Tenerife €48Marbella €61
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSanta Cruz de Tenerife €96Marbella €122
Compare Hotels in Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Marbella
Looking for a hotel in Santa Cruz de Tenerife or Marbella? 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: Santa Cruz de Tenerife Hotel Prices and Marbella Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Santa Cruz de Tenerife €64Marbella €24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santa Cruz de Tenerife:
- Whale and Dolphin Watching Catamaran with Transfer and Buffet : $64
- Tenerife South Airport Departure Transfer (Playa de las américas to Airport): $59
- Tenerife South Airport Departure Transfer (Costa Adeje Hotels to Airport): $98
- Santa Cruz Tenerife Cruise Port: Transfer to Tenerife hotels: $252
- Mount Teide Tour with Transfer and Optional Cable Car Ticket: $43
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Santa Cruz de Tenerife or Marbella?
Prices for flights to both Marbella and Santa Cruz de Tenerife 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 daySanta Cruz de Tenerife €40Marbella €38
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Santa Cruz de Tenerife €25Marbella €19
Tours and Activities in Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Here are a few actual costs in Santa Cruz de Tenerife for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Full Day Guided Tour of Teide by Cabrio Bus : $75
- Full Day Tour of Santa Cruz and San Cristóbal de La Laguna: $49
- Guided Tour to Teide National Park in Tenerife: $44
- Private Paragliding Flight Experience in Tenerife: $109
- Private VIP Tour Tenerife Magic Circle: $258
- Taucho Flight Experience: $118
- Tenerife: Forestal Park Tenerife Entry Ticket: $28
- Tenerife: Introductory Dive for Cruise Ship Passengers: $128
- Volcano Teide National Park Shared Tour from Costa Adeje Los Cristianos Tenerife: $64
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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySanta Cruz de Tenerife €7.50Marbella €5.71
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 comparing the travel costs between Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Marbella, we can see that Santa Cruz de Tenerife 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 Santa Cruz de Tenerife Expensive? and Is Marbella Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Santa Cruz de Tenerife or Marbella?
Santa Cruz de Tenerife has a larger population, and is about 85% larger than the population of Marbella. When comparing the sizes of Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Marbella, 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.