A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Gran Canaria vs. Ouarzazate for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Gran Canaria or Ouarzazate?

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

Should I visit Gran Canaria or Ouarzazate? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Gran Canaria or Ouarzazate?

Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria is one of Spain's Canary Islands, located just off the coast of northwestern Africa. It is the third largest of the islands, and is known for its variety of volcanic beaches. This island is sometimes called a "Miniature Continent" due to the different climates and variety of landscapes found, which allow for a range of activities like hiking, biking, surfing, and scuba diving.

Ouarzazate

Morocco can be quite an energetic country, but if you're looking for more of a quiet getaway, consider Ouarzazate. Small by Moroccan standards, this town is built up mostly around a main street – the Avenue Mohammad V. Ouarzazate. The name "Ouarzazate" comes from the Berber language meaning "without noise" or "without confusion." It was once a crossroad for a African traders traveling to northern cities in Morocco and Europe. Today, Ouarzazate is the largest town in the Moroccan Sahara, and its central location serves as a good home base touring the rest of Morocco.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain, The Best Luxury Tours to Spain, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Morocco, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Morocco.


Which place is cheaper, Ouarzazate or Gran Canaria?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Gran Canaria Prices
    Spain Prices
    Ouarzazate Prices
    Morocco Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Gran Canaria 150
    Ouarzazate 51

The average daily cost (per person) in Gran Canaria is €150, while the average daily cost in Ouarzazate is €51. 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 Gran Canaria and Ouarzazate in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Gran Canaria 63
    Ouarzazate 20
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Gran Canaria 126
    Ouarzazate 40
Compare Hotels in Gran Canaria and Ouarzazate

Looking for a hotel in Gran Canaria or Ouarzazate? 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.

Hotels in Gran Canaria


Hotels in Ouarzazate


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: Ouarzazate Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Gran Canaria 46
    Ouarzazate 3.20

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Gran Canaria

Also for Gran Canaria, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • BEST BUGGY TOUR POR afternoon with Transfers only South Zone: $90
  • El Salobre: Horse Riding Adventure with Transfer Options: $42
  • From Playa del Inglés: Guided Jet Ski Tour & Hotel Transfers: $176
  • Gran Canaria Airport (LPA) to Playa del Ingles - Arrival Transfer: $59
  • Gran Canaria Airport LPA to Las Palmas-RoundTrip Private Transfer: $96
  • Gran Canaria Airport(LPA) to Las Palmas- Arrival Private Transfer: $48
  • Gran Canaria Port to Las Palmas - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $151
  • Gran Canaria Port to Las Palmas City Hotels Private Transfer : $75
  • Gran Canaria Private Transfer from Agüimes to Las Palmas (LPA) airport: $33
  • Gran Canaria Private Transfer from Bahía Feliz to Las Palmas (LPA) airport: $45
  • Gran Canaria Private Transfer from Costa Meloneras to Las Palmas (LPA) airport: $45
  • Gran Canaria Private Transfer from Fataga to Las Palmas (LPA) airport: $215

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ouarzazate

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Ouarzazate are as follows:


  • Taxi Ride
    1.89

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ouarzazate

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ouarzazate:

  • "Ouarzazate to Marrakech: Your Comfortable Private Transfer": $115
  • Private Ouarzazate Airport Transfer: $30
  • Ouarzazate Airport Transfer: $30

Is it cheaper to fly into Gran Canaria or Ouarzazate?

Prices for flights to both Ouarzazate and Gran Canaria 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Gran Canaria 59
    Ouarzazate 26

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Gran Canaria

For Gran Canaria, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Origen Dinner Show at Sala Scala: $73
  • Sunset Tour with Champagne & Optional Dinner.: $81
  • Gran Canaria Food Tour with Distillery Visit and Local Lunch: $105
  • Sala Scala Gran Canaria Dinner Show : $110

Typical Food Prices in Ouarzazate

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Ouarzazate:


  • Dinner for Two
    10

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ouarzazate

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Ouarzazate.

  • Private Berber Cooking Class at Fint Oasis with Lunch: $48

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Gran Canaria 20
    Ouarzazate 9.97

Tours and Activities in Gran Canaria

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Gran Canaria.

  • Walking tour Vegueta (old town Las Palmas): $8.22
  • Las Palmas Interactive City Tour: $8.36
  • Agüimes: Cocodrilo Park Zoo Entry Ticket: $12
  • Holiday World Maspalomas Wooland Ticket: $15
  • Angry Birds Activity Park Entry Ticket: $15
  • Holiday World Maspalomas Wooland Ticket: $16
  • Maspalomas: Bowling Session Entry Ticket at Holiday World: $16
  • Banana World Guided Tour & Tasting: $18
  • Guided tour of the Banana World : $18
  • UD Las Palmas Gran Canaria Stadium Guided Tour: $20
  • Puerto de Mogan: Friday Market Experience: $26
  • Maspalomas: Tickets to Sioux City Park: $29

Tours and Activities in Ouarzazate

Here are a few actual costs in Ouarzazate for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 1 Hour Horse Riding Adventure in Ait Ben Haddou: $26
  • 3 Days Group Tour from Marrakech to Merzouga Desert: $119
  • Ait-Ben-Haddou - City Tour: $24
  • Guided tour of the Palmerie de Skoura by electric mountain bike : $54
  • Marrakech Half-Day Guided City Tour : $72
  • Marrakech Palm Grove 2-Hour Quad Biking Adventure.: $54
  • Ouarzazate ‘Hollywood of Morocco’ Private Full-Day Tour with Ait Ben Haddou: $227
  • Ouzoud Waterfall Day Tour from Marrakech: $32
  • Private Full-Day Tour of Ouarzazate and Oasis Fint: $173
  • Private One Day Tour AIT BENHADDOU and TELOUET via Ouarzazate: $119
  • Private Quad Experience in the Ouarzazate Desert: $54
  • Private half-day mountain bike tour discover Palmeraie Skoura: $33

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Gran Canaria 7.14
    Ouarzazate -

Sample the Local Flavors in Gran Canaria

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Gran Canaria:

  • Guided Tour at Ron Arehucas Distillery: $13
  • Las Palmas: Gourmet Tapas and Wine Tour in the Old Town: $47
  • Gourmet Tapas and Wine Tour in the Old Town of Las Palmas: $48
  • Spanish Cured Meats & Wine Tasting Tour in Mogan: $58
  • Spanish Tapas and Wine Tasting Tour in Mogan: $65
  • Private GRAN CANARIA WINE TASTING, TAPAS lunch & best sightseeing: $247


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Gran Canaria and Ouarzazate, we can see that Gran Canaria is more expensive. And not only is Ouarzazate much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Gran Canaria is in Europe and Ouarzazate is in Africa, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Ouarzazate would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ouarzazate 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 Gran Canaria would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Gran Canaria than you might in Ouarzazate.

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


Which is Bigger, Gran Canaria or Ouarzazate?

Gran Canaria has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Ouarzazate. When comparing the sizes of Gran Canaria and Ouarzazate, 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.

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