Should I Visit Valencia or Malaga? Which is Better for Food, Nightlife, Old Town, and Backpackers? Which is Cheaper? Which is More Expensive? | Budget Your Trip (2024)

Should you visit Valencia or Malaga?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Valencia or Malaga, 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.

Valencia

Valencia is a cultural, historic, and architectural coastal city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. You'll find world class beauty here as well. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Malaga

Malaga is a historic, beautiful, and friendly port city. 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.

Valencia and Malaga: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Valencia or Malaga?

You'll generally find more things to do in Valencia than Malaga. Valencia is bigger than Malaga, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Valencia is better known for its museums, food, resorts, historical sights, hiking, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Malaga is more popular for its music and scuba diving & snorkeling. Valencia is well known for its rich cultural, world class museums, beautiful old town, and local cuisine (which includes paella). Also, Valencia is famous for La Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències. Malaga is well known for its perfect blend of sandy beaches, beautiful culture, fascinating history, and a lively nightlife scene.

How is Valencia different from Malaga?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Valencia or Malaga?

Valencia is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Malaga does not have museums and landmarks.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Valencia. The city is famous for its architecture and culture. Most of the main attractions are concentrated in Ciutat Vella and can be easily accessed on foot. Notable landmarks include La Lonja de Seda, Catedral de València, and Plaza de la Virgen. There are also several world class museums including Oceanogràfic de València and La Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències de València.

Malaga does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Valencia or Malaga? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Valencia is a must-visit destination for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Malaga is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its restaurants.

Eat your way through Valencia, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. The city is famous as the birthplace of paella, which is one of Spain's most famous dishes. Beyond the paella, there are a number of other amazing traditional dishes. Fideuà is similar to paella but made with noodles instead of rice. All i pebre is an eel and potato dish and clóchinas are tiny local mussels. For dessert make sure you try the flan de calabaza, which is pumpkin flavored. Many restaurants also have tapas that can be shared. Restaurants in the old town are charming and delicious, but out by the beaches the quality isn't as good.

Malaga has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Head to any of the local food markets and seafood shops to try local cuisine. Also make sure you try tapas and a filling Andalusian breakfast.

Is Valencia or Malaga Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Valencia and Malaga.

Valencia has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. Dinner starts late, so you can expect the nightlife to pick up even later. During the summer there are all night terrace parties and year round you'll find nightclubs filled from evening to dawn. If all night raves aren't really your thing, you'll also find plenty of local bars where you can hang out with friends in a more relaxed setting. The nightlife scene really is varied enough that there's something for everyone.

Malaga is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. The city has some of the most active nightlife in Europe. There are plenty of opportunities to party in Malaga and you'll find the most vibrant nightlife in the Centro Historico.

Is Valencia or Malaga Better for Music?

Malaga is well known for its live music scene. However, Valencia is not a live music destination.

Music is a popular form of entertainment in Malaga. The city has venues that offer pop, rock, blues, soulful, and more. Some of the most popular include ZZ club, Clarence Jazz Club, and Velvet Club.

Valencia is not a live music destination.

Is Valencia or Malaga Better for Resorts?

Valencia is a good destination for its resorts. However, Malaga is not a resort destination.

With a selection of resorts, Valencia makes a nice vacation spot. You can choose between staying near the old town (Ciutat Vella) or out by the beach. One of the best beach areas is El Cabanyal. It's still close enough in to be well connected by public transit but offers a great coastal vibe as well.

Malaga is not a resort destination.

Is Valencia or Malaga Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Malaga is a nice place to visit for its diving and snorkeling. However, Valencia is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Malaga has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. Water temperatures are mild enough for diving or snorkeling near Malaga. For the best diving, head to Cala del Canuelo Beach. Closer by, Penon del Cuervo Beach offers diving and snorkeling as well.

Valencia is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Valencia or Malaga Better for Beaches?

Both Valencia and Malaga have notable beaches worth visiting.

Valencia has a beach worth visiting. There are several urban beaches in town that are accessible by public transit. Many offer surprisingly long stretches of sand with wide beaches and plenty of activity. The beaches can get crowded during the summer months, but they are generally large enough to accommodate the crowds. La Malvarrosa Beach is one of the most popular because of its proximity to the city. El Saler Beach is further out and popular with the locals and Port Saplaya is a colorful area with shopping and beaches.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Malaga. There are some nice beaches around Malaga, but for the best options you'll have to travel further outside of the city.

Is Valencia or Malaga Better for its Old Town?

Valencia is a must-visit destination for its old town. Also, Malaga is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its historic old town charm.

The rich history of Valencia can be explored in its historical center. For culture, history, and the majority of the city's attractions, you'll want to spend your time in Ciutat Vella (old town).

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Malaga. The city's old town is compact and small, making it a fun place to walk. There are historic buildings, museums, churches, and squares, as well as many restaurants and shops.

Is Valencia or Malaga Better for Hiking?

Valencia is a good destination for the nearby hiking options. However, Malaga is not a hiking destination.

Valencia offers some nice hiking trails. Most people miss out on the beautiful hikes through the nearby countryside, but if you venture out of town you can enjoy some beautiful walking trails. Many run along the coastline or pass through rolling hills. There is varied landscape in the area with pine forests, orange groves, and vineyards all common.

Malaga is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Valencia or Malaga?

Valencia is a well-known place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Malaga is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its shopping areas.

Valencia is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. As the third largest city in Spain, you'll find most designer brands around town. The main shopping street is Calle Colon where you'll find the well-known European brands mixed in with the lesser-known Spanish brands. For a more local experience head to Mercado Central where you'll find local produce, colorful seafood, and a unique foodie vibe.

Malaga has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are a number of shopping areas in the city with both local boutiques and name brands.

Is Valencia or Malaga Better for Families?

Valencia is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Malaga is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Valencia is a very kid-friendly coastal city. The city has some kid-friendly museums, an impressive zoo, and the largest aquarium in Europe (with its own dolphin show). Head to the Science Museum or simply wander around the museum complex. There are water activities and a beautiful futuristic style that attracts families and influencers with its photogenic atmosphere. There are also countless playgrounds of all sizes around town and a number of parks and outdoor spaces where kids can run around. There's a city park that runs through town and has playgrounds and bike trails. You can also spend a fun-filled day at the beach.

Malaga is a family-friendly coastal city. The city has castles that you can explore as well as a waterpark.

Is Valencia or Malaga Better for Couples?

Valencia is a well-known place for its romantic activities. Also, Malaga is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for couples.

Valencia is a very popular place to visit for couples. The city is filled with interesting culture, beautiful weather, and delightful cuisine. There are sandy beaches and luxury hotels that will make for an amazing romantic getaway. There are also many beautiful gardens and charming neighborhoods that you can explore. Couples can split a paella and sip sangrias in one of the many charming restaurants around town.

Malaga is a good coastal city for couples to visit. It has a beautiful coastline and a rich history that makes it unique.

Is Valencia or Malaga Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Malaga is an amazing port city to visit for backpackers. Also, Valencia is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Malaga. From an endless supply of hostels to plenty of opportunities to meet other backpackers, this is a very backpacker friendly area.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Valencia. It's often overlooked for more popular destinations, but this city has plenty to offer in the form of affordable accommodation and food as well as interesting sights.

Is Valencia or Malaga Better for Students?

Valencia is a must-visit destination for students. Also, Malaga is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Valencia is a very popular place to visit for students. The city is young and vibrant with a lot of culture and beautiful neighborhoods. It's also well connected to the rest of Spain with a convenient central train station.

Malaga is a very popular coastal city for students and younger travelers. The city has many opportunities to learn Spanish. It's also an affordable city with a young population and a lively atmosphere that appeals to international students.

Is Valencia or Malaga Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Valencia and Malaga.

You'll find some public transit in Valencia, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Public transit is available in the form of buses and a tram/metro system but the system isn't as comprehensive as it could be and much of the city is surprisingly dependent on cars.

While Malaga offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is an efficient bus system as well as a light metro system.

Is Valencia or Malaga a more walkable city?

Valencia and Malaga both are great when exploring on foot.

Valencia is a very walkable coastal city. Walking is the best way to explore many parts of the city and you can walk from one side of the Ciutat Vella to the other in about 20 minutes. This area is where you'll find most of the city's main attractions. There are other neighborhoods that are a bit less pedestrian-friendly.

Malaga is a very walkable destination. It has a very compact and walkable historic center with most of the tourist attractions easily accessible on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Valencia Worth Visiting? and Is Malaga Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Malaga or Valencia?

How long in Valencia or Malaga?

Both Valencia and Malaga have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Malaga than in Valencia. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Valencia, and 3-7 days is enough time in Malaga.

Families should spend more time in Valencia than Malaga. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Valencia, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

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

One day in Valencia or Malaga?

Valencia is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The beautiful port city of Malaga offers shopping 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 Valencia or Malaga?

Valencia 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.

Malaga is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Valencia or Malaga?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Valencia. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Malaga is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that nightlife is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Malaga, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Valencia or Malaga?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the cultural big city of Valencia. This coastal city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Malaga is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that nightlife is why people visit. 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 Malaga has to offer. This port city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Spain, The Best 3-Day Tours from Madrid, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Madrid, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Barcelona.

When comparing the travel costs between Valencia and Malaga, we can see that Malaga 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 Valencia Expensive? and Is Malaga Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Valencia or Malaga?

Valencia has a larger population, and is about 46% larger than the population of Malaga. When comparing the sizes of Valencia and Malaga, 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 Valencia or Malaga?

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 Valencia or Malaga in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Valencia and Malaga. Many travelers come to Valencia for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Malaga in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Valencia is around the same temperature as Malaga in the summer. The daily temperature in Valencia averages around 25°C (76°F) in July, and Malaga fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Malaga this time of the year. In Valencia, it's very sunny this time of the year. Valencia usually receives less sunshine than Malaga during summer. Valencia gets 303 hours of sunny skies, while Malaga receives 348 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Valencia usually receives more rain than Malaga. Valencia gets 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Malaga receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Valencia or Malaga in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Valencia as well as Malaga. Many visitors come to Valencia in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, most visitors come to Malaga for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Valencia is around the same temperature as Malaga. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Valencia in October average around 19°C (66°F), and Malaga averages at about 19°C (67°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Malaga. In the autumn, Valencia often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Malaga. Valencia gets 198 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Malaga receives 213 hours of full sun.

Valencia usually gets more rain in October than Malaga. Valencia gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Malaga receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Valencia or Malaga in the Winter?

Both Malaga and Valencia are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Valencia for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Malaga because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.

In January, Valencia is generally around the same temperature as Malaga. Daily temperatures in Valencia average around 12°C (53°F), and Malaga fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Valencia usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Malaga during winter. Valencia gets 162 hours of sunny skies, while Malaga receives 171 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Valencia usually receives less rain than Malaga. Valencia gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Malaga receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Valencia or Malaga in the Spring?

Both Malaga and Valencia during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Valencia because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Malaga this time of year.

Valencia is around the same temperature as Malaga in the spring. The daily temperature in Valencia averages around 15°C (60°F) in April, and Malaga fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

In Malaga, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Valencia. In the spring, Valencia often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Malaga. Valencia gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Malaga receives 220 hours of full sun.

Valencia usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Malaga. Valencia gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Malaga receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Malaga and Valencia