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

Should you visit Granada or Ouarzazate?

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

Should I visit Granada 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: Granada or Ouarzazate?

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.

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 10-Day Tours from Barcelona, The Best 2-Week Tours from Madrid, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Morocco, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Morocco.


Which place is cheaper, Ouarzazate or Granada?

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

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Granada 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 Granada and Ouarzazate in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Granada 59
    Ouarzazate 20
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Granada 118
    Ouarzazate 40
Compare Hotels in Granada and Ouarzazate

Looking for a hotel in Granada 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 Granada


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: Granada Hotel Prices and Ouarzazate Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Granada 22
    Ouarzazate 3.20
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Granada

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


  • 7 Trip Bus Pass
    5.00

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Granada

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

  • From Granada; Private transfer to Sierra Nevada (all hotels): $188
  • Granada Airport Private Departure Transfer: $49
  • Granada Airport to Granada City Private Arrival Transfer: $49
  • Granada City to Malaga Airport (AGP) - Departure Private Transfer: $135
  • Granada Private Intercity Transfer to Malaga: $191
  • Granada airport private arrival transfer, Mercedes Sedan: $155
  • Granada airport private arrival transfer, Mercedes minivan: $239
  • Private Luxury Airport Transfer: $53
  • Via Ferrata Moclín with Transfers: $94
  • Private Transfer Granada City to Granada Airport GRX by Sedan: $60
  • Private Transfer Granada to Granada Train Station by Luxury van: $71
  • Private Transfer from Motril to Malaga (AGP) airport : $229

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:

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

Is it cheaper to fly into Granada or Ouarzazate?

Prices for flights to both Ouarzazate 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Granada 64
    Ouarzazate 26
Typical Food Prices in Granada

For Granada, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Sangria
    2.50
  • Sandwich to go
    3.00
  • 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 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.
    Granada 28
    Ouarzazate 9.97

Tours and Activities in Granada

For Granada, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Granada Walking Tour - The Ideal Way to Discover the City: $1.78
  • Sacromonte Caves Museum Admission Ticket: $5.87
  • Church of San Nicolas and Tower Access Ticket: $5.87
  • Granada City Train 1 or 2-Day Hop-On Hop-Off Ticket: $8.46
  • Monastery of San Jerónimo Entry Ticket: $12
  • Royal Chapel of Granada Entry Ticket: $12
  • Cathedral of Granada Entry Ticket: $12
  • Basilica of San Juan de Dios Ticket & Audio Guide: $12
  • Monastery of La Cartuja Entry Ticket: $12
  • Moorish Monuments Entrance Tickets: $15
  • Historic Center and Lower Albaicin Walking Tour: $15
  • Alhambra Night Visit Entry Ticket: $16

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
    Granada 24
    Ouarzazate -

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 Ouarzazate, we can see that Granada is more expensive. And not only is Ouarzazate much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Granada 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 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 Ouarzazate.

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


Which is Bigger, Granada or Ouarzazate?

Granada has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Ouarzazate. When comparing the sizes of Granada 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.