A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Volos vs. Marbella for Nightlife, Scuba Diving & Snorkeling, Beaches, and Couples

Should you visit Volos or Marbella?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Volos and Marbella can help you decide which place is right for you.

Volos

Volos is a vibrant, youthful, and authentic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the shopping, nightlife, and food.

Marbella

Marbella is a glamorous, fun-filled, and high energy resort town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the live music, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Volos and Marbella: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Volos or Marbella?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Marbella than Volos. While Volos is larger than Marbella, Marbella has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Marbella is better known for its nightlife, music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Volos is more popular for its museums, food, and big city activities. Marbella is more touristy than Volos and is known for its luxury hotels, beautiful beaches, and lively nightlife. Also, Marbella is famous for Plaza de los Naranjos. Volos is well known for its vibrant seaside setting and its access to nearby natural beauty.

How is Volos different from Marbella?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Marbella and Volos. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Volos or Marbella?

Volos is a decent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Marbella does not have museums and landmarks.

While most people don't head to Volos specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. There are a couple of museums in town including the Archaeological Museum of Volos.

Marbella does not have museums and landmarks.

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

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

Volos has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Greece cuisine is very regional specific, and this area has its own dishes that are very different from elsewhere in the country. Deep fried kolitsianoi (sea anemone), boubari (local sausage), and spetzofai (sausage, tomato, and peppers) are just some of the unique dishes in the area.

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 Volos or Marbella Better for Nightlife?

Marbella is a world-class destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Volos is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

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.

Volos is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The universities around town keep the nightlife scene active and fun. There are a number of bars and clubs that are fun throughout the year.

Is Volos or Marbella Better for Music?

Marbella is a very popular place for its live music scene. However, Volos is not a live music destination.

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.

Volos is not a live music destination.

Is Volos or Marbella Better for Resorts?

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

Volos is not a resort destination.

Is Volos or Marbella Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Marbella is a world-class destination for its diving and snorkeling. Also, Volos is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for snorkeling and scuba diving.

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.

Volos has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. There are some snorkeling and dive shops in town that offer day trips.

Is Volos or Marbella Better for Beaches?

Marbella is a world-class destination for the beache. Also, Volos is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for the beach.

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.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Volos. If you're willing to travel out of town, this region has some of the best beaches in Greece. The summers are cooler than other parts of the country and the winters are milder, so this is both a beautiful and a comfortable place to explore.

Is Volos or Marbella Better for its Old Town?

Marbella is very good for its old town. However, Volos does not have a historic old town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Marbella. Head into the old town to explore a quaint area with small, meandering streets, churches, restaurants, shops, and cafes.

Volos does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Volos or Marbella?

Marbella is a world-class destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Volos is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

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.

Many visitors go to Volos to go shopping. There are shopping malls and shopping centers around town that have a variety of retail options including clothing, jewelry, and home goods.

Is Volos or Marbella Better for Families?

Marbella is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Volos is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Volos. If your kids are adventurous, they'll enjoy horseback riding or exploring the area's beaches. There's also the Archaeological Museum of Volos and Agios Konstantinos Park.

Is Volos or Marbella Better for Couples?

Marbella is a world-class destination for its romantic activities. Also, Volos is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

For those traveling as a couple, Marbella has plenty to offer. 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.

Volos is a good city for couples to visit. There are gardens and outdoor activities that couples can enjoy. There are also museums and beaches.

Is Volos or Marbella Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Marbella is very good for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Volos is lacking in good options for backpackers.

Marbella is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

Volos is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not a popular backpacker destination and you won't find that many hostels in the area.

Is Volos or Marbella Better for Students?

Volos is a nice place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Marbella is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Volos. You'll find several universities in town. The port city also offers access to different parts of the country.

Marbella is not popular with students.

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

Volos is a nice place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Marbella is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Volos has some public transit options. There is a bus system that travels around town.

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 Volos or Marbella a more walkable city?

Volos and Marbella are excellent when it comes to walkability.

Volos is a very walkable city. The city is flat and there's a historic district that you can explore on foot.

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 Volos Worth Visiting? and Is Marbella Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Marbella or Volos?

How long in Volos or Marbella?

In either Volos or Marbella, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Marbella than Volos because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Volos, and 2-5 days is enough time in Marbella.

Families should spend more time in Marbella than Volos. 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.

Couples should spend more time in Marbella than Volos. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Marbella that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Marbella than Volos 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 Marbella.

One day in Volos or Marbella?

The city of Volos offers food and scuba diving and snorkeling. Most people come for the beaches. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

In Marbella, many people enjoy the live music and food that this fun-filled destination offers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. This resort town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Volos or Marbella?

Volos 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. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Volos, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Marbella. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Volos or Marbella?

Volos is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Marbella is a fun place to experience. In Marbella, many people enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping that this destination offers. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A week in Volos or Marbella?

Volos is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. 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.

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the fun-filled destination of Marbella. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Athens, The Best 10-Day Tours from Athens, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Volos and Marbella, we can see that Marbella is more expensive. And not only is Volos much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Volos would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Volos 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 Volos.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Volos Expensive? and Is Marbella Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Volos or Marbella?

Volos has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Marbella. When comparing the sizes of Volos 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.

When is the best time to visit Volos or Marbella?

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 Volos or Marbella in the Summer?

Both Marbella and Volos are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The beaches, snorkeling, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Volos this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Marbella for the beaches, snorkeling, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Volos is around the same temperature as Marbella in the summer. The daily temperature in Volos averages around 26°C (78°F) in July, and Marbella fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

It's quite sunny in Marbella. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Volos. Volos usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Marbella during summer. Volos gets 330 hours of sunny skies, while Marbella receives 348 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Volos usually receives more rain than Marbella. Volos gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Marbella receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Volos or Marbella in the Autumn?

Both Marbella and Volos during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Volos for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Marbella in the autumn for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Volos is cooler than Marbella. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Volos in October average around 17°C (62°F), and Marbella averages at about 19°C (67°F).

In Marbella, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Volos often gets less sunshine than Marbella. Volos gets 165 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marbella receives 213 hours of full sun.

Volos usually gets less rain in October than Marbella. Volos gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Marbella receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Volos or Marbella in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Volos and Marbella. Many visitors come to Volos in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Marbella for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.

In January, Volos is generally much colder than Marbella. Daily temperatures in Volos average around 6°C (42°F), and Marbella fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Volos usually receives less sunshine than Marbella during winter. Volos gets 112 hours of sunny skies, while Marbella receives 171 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Volos usually receives less rain than Marbella. Volos gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Marbella receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Volos or Marbella in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Volos as well as Marbella. Most visitors come to Volos for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Marbella because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

Volos is cooler than Marbella in the spring. The daily temperature in Volos averages around 14°C (56°F) in April, and Marbella fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marbella. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Volos this time of the year. In the spring, Volos often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Marbella. Volos gets 209 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marbella receives 220 hours of full sun.

Volos usually gets less rain in April than Marbella. Volos gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Marbella receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Marbella and Volos