Which place is cheaper, Merzouga or Malaga?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Malaga or Merzouga?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Malaga and Merzouga. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Malaga or Merzouga?
Malaga
Malaga is a port city in the southern part of Spain. It is the 6th largest city in Spain and the southernmost large city in Europe. Malaga lies on the Mediterranean on the Costa del Sol, only 62 miles east of the Strait of Gibraltar, and 80 miles north of Africa. Malaga's history dates back about 2,800 years, which makes it one of the oldest cities in the world. The archaeological remains and monuments from the Phoenician, Roman, Arabic and Christian eras make the historic center of the city an "open museum", displaying its history of more than 3,000 years. Because of its important cultural infrastructure and the artistic heritage, Malaga has been nominated for the European Capital of Culture. Malaga's most important economic contributors include tourism, technology, and construction, but transportation and logistics are becoming increasingly important factors as well.
Merzouga
Let's say you want to truly get away. I don't mean putting your ear buds in on some beach with a stronger on the next chair over. I mean really get away, and find yourself deserted. Merzouga, Morocco lets you do just that. This land of sand dune after sand dune is ideal for anyone yearning to ride a camel to the ends of civilization. And you'll find plenty of options to get here with a tour, or even on your own.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Madrid, The Best 10-Day Tours from Barcelona, The Best Budget Tours to Morocco, and The Best Luxury Tours to Morocco.
-
Malaga Prices
Spain PricesMerzouga Prices
Morocco Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMalaga €165Merzouga €20
The average daily cost (per person) in Malaga is €165, while the average daily cost in Merzouga is €20. 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 Malaga and Merzouga in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMalaga €75Merzouga €9.66
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMalaga €150Merzouga €19
Compare Hotels in Malaga and Merzouga
Looking for a hotel in Malaga or Merzouga? 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: Malaga Hotel Prices and Merzouga Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Malaga €31Merzouga -
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Malaga
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Malaga:
- Transfer from Malaga City Center to Malaga Airport (AGP): $34
- Malaga Airport (Costa del Sol) Private Departure Transfer: $50
- Benalmadena: AGP Airport to Downtown|Hotels Private Transfer: $51
- Private Transfer from Malaga airport (AGP) to Malaga city: $52
- Arrival Transfer from Malaga airport AGP to Malaga City by Sedan: $55
- Private Transfer from Malaga Cruise Port to Málaga Airport (AGP): $56
- Private Transfer from Malaga hotels to Malaga Cruise Port: $56
- Departure Transfer: Malaga to Malaga Airport AGP by Business Car: $59
- Vip Transfer from Malaga Airport to Malaga Fuengirola or Marbella: $60
- Private Transfer Malaga airport AGP to Malaga City by Luxury Van: $64
- Private 1-Way Transfer from or to AGP Airport: $65
- Airport Transfer: Malaga Airport AGP to Malaga by Business Car: $65
Is it cheaper to fly into Malaga or Merzouga?
Prices for flights to both Merzouga and Malaga 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 dayMalaga €60Merzouga €9.68
Typical Food Prices in Malaga
Some typical examples of dining costs in Malaga are as follows:
-
Dinner for 2€30
-
Dinner for 2€44
-
Breakfast for 2€8.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Malaga
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Malaga.
- Authentic Flamenco Dinner Show at Restaurant VinoMio: $8.81
- Hard Rock Cafe Entrance with Lunch or Dinner: $38
- Málaga: Morning Guided Food Tour: $68
- Malaga Atarazanas Market Guided Food Tour with Tastings: $71
- Dinner and Show at Alegría Flamenco & Restaurant in Malaga: $72
- Paella Cooking Class with English Guide in Malaga: $73
- The Málaga Morning Food Tour By Food Lover Tour: $77
- Málaga: Spanish Cooking Workshop with Paella and Sangria: $78
- Malaga Food Tour with Tapas & Drinks with a Local: $84
- Pedregalejo Food Tour: Explore Malaga's most iconic quarter: $87
- Authentic Paella Cooking Class with Sangría: $88
- Málaga: Tapas, Wine & Rooftops Small Group Food Tour: $94
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Merzouga
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Merzouga.
- Exclusive Merzouga Desert Safari: Camel Ride, Sandsurf & Dinner: $47
- From 1 Night in the luxury camp. Camel ride and dinner: $60
- Cooking class in Merzouga Make Berber Madfouna in Sand: $60
- Merzouga Luxury AC Camp: Camel Ride, Dinner & breakfast: $66
- Sunset With Dinner And Berber Music in Merzouga Desert With 4WD : $66
- Private Trip By Jeep In Merzouga Desert, Lunch with Berber Pizza: $90
- Magical Dinner and Camel Trek with 1 Night In Merzouga Luxury Desert Camp: $105
- 2 Nights Private Camp in Merzouga with Dinner and Camel Ride: $200
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Malaga €31Merzouga -
Typical Entertainment Prices in Malaga
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Malaga are as follows:
-
Entrance to Castillos€7.10
-
Concert€31
Tours and Activities in Malaga
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Malaga are as follows:
- Alcazaba to Picasso: Málaga’s Best in a Self-Guided Tour: $1.17
- Malaga's historic center: Self-guided tour created by a local Official Guide: $4.70
- Skip the Line: Picasso's Birthplace Museum Entrance Ticket: $4.79
- Malaga Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $5.15
- Malaga Highlights Exploration Game and Tour: $5.98
- Guided Walking Tour of the Old Town of Frigiliana: $5.99
- Malaga Self Guided Audio Experience: $9.00
- Málaga Exploration Game and City Tour on your Phone: $9.57
- Malaga City Center's Architecture: A Self Guided Walking Tour: $9.99
- Málaga: Picasso Birthplace Museum Ticket & City Audio Guide: $11
- Picasso Birthplace Museum Ticket with Digital Audio Guide: $11
- Audioguide City Walk Malaga for cruises (German & English): $12
Tours and Activities in Merzouga
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Merzouga are as follows:
- Merzouga Quad and Buggy Desert Tour: $40
- ATV Quad bikes experience & sandboarding : $41
- Merzouga Jeep Tour with or without local lunch: $42
- Merzouga 4x4 Desert Excursion - Sahara 4WD Adventure: $45
- 4WD Desert tour Adventure Experience: $45
- Merzouga 4x4 Tour Excursion Around Erg Chebbi Dunes: $47
- Ultimate Desert Adventure – Quads, Buggies, Motorcycles & Camels!: $47
- Merzouga Explorer Tour: Desert Life, Nomads and Gnawa Music: $48
- Merzouga Desert Excursion - Sahara 4x4 Adventure: $48
- Merzouga Desert Quad bike Adventure with Sand boarding: $48
- Sahara Desert Quad & Buggy Adventure in Merzouga: $48
- Sanding Ball in Experience the sand dunes on a zorbing activity: $54
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayMalaga €22Merzouga -
Sample the Local Flavors in Malaga
Also in Malaga, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Málaga: Pub Crawl Málaga Madness: $14
- Malaga Nightlife Pub Crawl Tour with Drinks and Clubs Entry: $19
- Andalusian Wine Tasting Tapas and DE wine tastings: $47
- RONDA WINE EXPERIENCE Wine Tastings DE Olive Oil and Tapas: $59
- C/Echegaray 5 Málaga center: Malagueño Massage: Massage + Wine Tasting: $65
- Artisan Spanish Wine Tasting of 6 Wines: $66
- Ronda Wine Tasting with Tapas in a Scenic Vineyard: $66
- Málaga: Traditional Andalusian Tapas and Wine Tour: $77
- White Village, Vineyard, and Wine Tasting Wine Tour: $106
- Málaga Small‑Group Wine Tour – Álora Castle Views & 4 Tastings: $108
- Flamenco, Tapas, and Wine Tour: $110
- OLIVE OIL & WINE TOUR Organic fields - 5 Wines + 3Olive Oils: $112
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Malaga and Merzouga, we can see that Malaga is more expensive. And not only is Merzouga much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Malaga is in Europe and Merzouga 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 Merzouga would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Merzouga 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 Malaga would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Malaga than you might in Merzouga.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Malaga Expensive? and Is Merzouga Expensive?.
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.