Which place is cheaper, Essaouira or Granada?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Granada or Essaouira?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Granada or Essaouira? 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: Granada or Essaouira?
Granada
Granada is a city of southern Spain located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in the autonomous community of Andalucia. Perhaps the most notable feature of the city is its medieval architecture that dates to the Moorish occupation of Spain. Each example stands from another time and place, strong fortresses and castles against the backdrop of lumbering mountains. Yet they are surrounded by a city thriving with modern day quirks. From castles and fortresses to bars, restaurants, and cafes, Granada is a unique setting for an otherworldly getaway.
Essaouira
Essaouira is a beautiful beach town on the Atlantic coast of Morocco. The city has a pleasant medina that has been named a UNESCO World Heritage site and is interesting to explore. It's an 18th century fortified town with a lot of character and charm. The city is rich and culture and you'll find a handful of art galleries throughout the town. The city is also a gathering place for artists and musicians, particularly during the Gnaoua Festival of World Music, which takes place the last week of June. This event attracts about 450,000 visitors yearly.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Barcelona, The Best 2-Week Tours from Madrid, The Best 10-Day Tours in Morocco, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Morocco.
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Granada Prices
Spain PricesEssaouira Prices
Morocco Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGranada €150Essaouira €52
The average daily cost (per person) in Granada is €150, while the average daily cost in Essaouira is €52. 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 Granada and Essaouira in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGranada €59Essaouira €24
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGranada €118Essaouira €48
Compare Hotels in Granada and Essaouira
Looking for a hotel in Granada or Essaouira? 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: Granada Hotel Prices and Essaouira Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Granada €22Essaouira €1.89
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Granada
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Granada are as follows:
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7 Trip Bus Pass€5.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Granada
Also for Granada, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private transfer Granada downtown to Málaga airport (Agp): $316
- Granada airport private arrival transfer, Mercedes minivan: $239
- Private Transfer from Motril to Malaga (AGP) airport : $229
- Granada Private Intercity Transfer to Malaga: $191
- From Granada; Private transfer to Sierra Nevada (all hotels): $188
- Granada airport private arrival transfer, Mercedes Sedan: $155
- Granada City to Malaga Airport (AGP) - Departure Private Transfer: $135
- Via Ferrata Moclín with Transfers: $94
- Private Transfer Granada to Granada Train Station by Luxury van: $71
- Private Transfer Granada City to Granada Airport GRX by Sedan: $60
- Private Transfers in Granada and Andalusia: $57
- Private Luxury Airport Transfer: $53
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Essaouira
Also for Essaouira, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfert Marrakech to Essaouira Or Essaouira to Marrakech : $114
- Transfer from Essaouira to your Riad or Hotel in Marrakech: $179
- Transfer from Essaouira to Marrakech city or Marrakech airport: $143
- Transfer from Essaouira to Marrakech city or Marrakech airport: $127
- Transfer from Essaouira to Marrakech city or Marrakech airport: $128
- Transfer Airport Essaouira Mogador : $24
- Private transfer Marrakech to Essaouira or Essaouira toMarrakech : $114
- Private transfer Essaouira to Marrakech or Marrakech / essaouira : $119
- Private transfer Essaouira Safi.: $112
- Private transfer Essaouira Ouarzazate.: $240
- Private Transfer from Marrakech to Essaouira 1 to 4 people: $109
- Private Transfer From Essaouira To Marrakech: $96
Is it cheaper to fly into Granada or Essaouira?
Prices for flights to both Essaouira and Granada 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 dayGranada €64Essaouira €22
Typical Food Prices in Granada
For Granada, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Sangria€2.50
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Sandwich to go€3.00
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Bocadillo & Drink€6.25
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Granada
For Granada, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Flamenco Show with Dinner at Jardines de Zoraya: $63
- Dinner with Paella on a Terrace in the Albayzín and Live Flamenco: $68
- Sacromonte Caves Flamenco Show with Dinner: $68
- The Granada Morning Food Tour: $76
- Walking Food Tour: $82
- Spanish Cooking Class in Granada: $90
- Food Tour in Granada: $116
Typical Food Prices in Essaouira
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Essaouira:
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Baklava€1.32
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Breakfast Crepes€0.47
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Fish for Lunch€14
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Essaouira
For Essaouira, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Traditional Moroccan Cooking Class: $39
- Essaouira Moroccan Cooking Class Experience: $42
- Essaouira Sunset Experience, Waterfall Walk & Romantic Dinner: $43
- Al Aaila Farm Moroccan Natural And Healthy Cooking Experience: $54
- l'Atelier - Moroccan Cooking Workshop in Essaouira: $72
- Essaouira Food Tour: $88
- Berber Cooking Class at a Farm in the Countryside & shopping at a rural Souk.: $106
- 3 hours Camel Ride in Essaouira with Dinner and Overnight in Berber Camp: $219
- 3 Hours Horse Riding with Dinner and Overnight Berber Camp: $220
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Granada €28Essaouira €11
Tours and Activities in Granada
For Granada, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Seville Tour with Alcazar, Cathedral and Giralda from Granada: $251
- 2-Hour Guided Tour of Alhambra Gardens and Alcazaba in Granada: $54
- 4 neighborhoods 4 cultures. Half day private tour in Granada: $179
- Adventure Cahorros, Monachil/ Climbing and abseiling Granada: $100
- Adventure in e-MTB: Challenge Pico Veleta at 3398m altitude: $90
- Albaicín & Sacromonte Walking Tour: $19
- Albaicín & Sacromonte: Tour with Flamenco Show: $34
- Albaicín and Sacromonte Sunset tour + Flamenco show : $71
- Albaicin & Sacramonte Electric Bike Tour in Granada : $54
- Albaicin and Sacromonte: Guided tour and sunset at Mirador San Nicolas: $34
- Albaicin guided tour with dogs: $30
- Albayzín and Sacromonte Private Guided Walking Tour in Granada: $72
Tours and Activities in Essaouira
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Essaouira.
- Big Cap Sim dunes and forest 3 hours tour.: $76
- 1 Day Horseback Riding Tour with Overnight Stay in Berber Tent: $298
- 1 Hour Quad Bike Adventure in Essaouira Forest Beach: $42
- 1-Day Quad Adventure in Essaouira near Marrakech: $211
- 2 Hour Quad & ATV Experience: $59
- 2 Hours Dromedary Ride Tour in Essaouira Morocco: $54
- 3-Days Desert Tour From Fes to Marrakech : $227
- 3-Hour Quad Biking Adventure in Essaouira: $89
- Authentic Berber Tour near Essaouira – Fishing,Tagine & Waterfall: $72
- Big dunes and atlantic coast tour 2 HOURS: $62
- Day Tour on Dromedary and Overnight Stay Near Essaouira Morocco: $298
- Discovery Tour around Essaouira by Electric Motorcycle: $116
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGranada €24Essaouira €8.66
Sample the Local Flavors in Granada
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Granada:
- Winefulness wine tasting, mindfulness, and senses that awaken: $47
- Traditional Tapas and Wine Tour: $81
- Granada Tapas and wine tour!: $81
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Granada and Essaouira, we can see that Granada is more expensive. And not only is Essaouira much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Granada is in Europe and Essaouira 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 Essaouira would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Essaouira 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 Granada would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Granada than you might in Essaouira.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Granada Expensive? and Is Essaouira Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Granada or Essaouira?
Granada has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Essaouira. When comparing the sizes of Granada and Essaouira, 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.