Which place is cheaper, Ouarzazate or Malaga?
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 Malaga or Ouarzazate?
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 Ouarzazate. 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 Ouarzazate?
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.
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 Madrid, The Best 10-Day Tours from Barcelona, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Morocco, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Morocco.
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Malaga Prices
Spain PricesOuarzazate Prices
Morocco Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMalaga €165Ouarzazate €51
The average daily cost (per person) in Malaga is €165, 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 Malaga and Ouarzazate in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMalaga €75Ouarzazate €20
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMalaga €150Ouarzazate €40
Compare Hotels in Malaga and Ouarzazate
Looking for a hotel in Malaga 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.
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 Ouarzazate Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Malaga €31Ouarzazate €3.20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Malaga
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Malaga:
- Airport Transfer: Malaga Airport AGP to Malaga by Business Car: $65
- Airport Transfer: Malaga to Malaga Airport AGP by Luxury Van: $71
- Alegria Flamenco in Malaga, with Transfer, Cocktail and Premium Location: $88
- Arrival Transfer from Malaga airport AGP to Malaga City by Sedan: $55
- Benalmadena: AGP Airport to Downtown|Hotels Private Transfer: $51
- Cancelada to Malaga Airport (AGP) - Departure Private Transfer: $286
- Departure Transfer: Malaga to Malaga Airport AGP by Business Car: $59
- Departure Transfer: Malaga to Malaga Airport AGP by Luxury Van: $66
- Málaga-Costa Airport (AGP): Transfer to Malaga Cruise Port: $120
- Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport (AGP) to Malaga Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $139
- Malaga : Private Transfer to/from Airport and City: $71
- Malaga Airport (AGP) to Granada - Arrival Private Transfer: $135
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ouarzazate
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Ouarzazate are as follows:
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Taxi Ride€1.89
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ouarzazate
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ouarzazate:
- Ouarzazate Airport Transfer: $30
- Private Ouarzazate Airport Transfer: $30
- "Ouarzazate to Marrakech: Your Comfortable Private Transfer": $115
Is it cheaper to fly into Malaga or Ouarzazate?
Prices for flights to both Ouarzazate 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
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Food Meals for one dayMalaga €60Ouarzazate €26
Typical Food Prices in Malaga
Some typical examples of dining costs in Malaga are as follows:
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Dinner for 2€30
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Dinner for 2€44
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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
- Málaga: Spanish Cooking Workshop with Paella and Sangria: $78
- Malaga Food Tour with Tapas & Drinks with a Local: $84
- Malaga Tapas Cooking Class: $84
- Pedregalejo Food Tour: Explore Malaga's most iconic quarter: $87
- Horse and Flamenco Show in Malaga with Dinner: $87
- Authentic Paella Cooking Class with Sangría: $88
- Málaga: Tapas, Wine & Rooftops Small Group Food Tour: $94
Typical Food Prices in Ouarzazate
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Ouarzazate:
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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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Malaga €31Ouarzazate €9.97
Typical Entertainment Prices in Malaga
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Malaga are as follows:
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Entrance to Castillos€7.10
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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 Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $3.58
- Malaga's historic center: Self-guided tour created by a local Official Guide: $4.70
- Skip the Line: Picasso's Birthplace Museum Entrance Ticket: $4.78
- Essential Round Self-guided tour created by a local Official Guide: $4.78
- Guided Walking Tour of the Old Town of Frigiliana: $5.97
- Ronda Old Town Walking Tour with Audioguide on Your Smartphone: $8.35
- Malaga Self Guided Audio Experience: $9.00
- Málaga Exploration Game and City Tour on your Phone: $9.55
- Malaga City Center's Architecture: A Self Guided Walking Tour: $9.99
- Ronda Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $10
- Málaga: Picasso Birthplace Museum Ticket & City Audio Guide: $11
Tours and Activities in Ouarzazate
Here are a few actual costs in Ouarzazate for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Ait-Ben-Haddou - City Tour: $24
- 1 Hour Horse Riding Adventure in Ait Ben Haddou: $26
- Ouzoud Waterfall Day Tour from Marrakech: $32
- Private half-day mountain bike tour discover Palmeraie Skoura: $33
- Royal Private Tour of Ksar Ait Ben Haddou: $42
- Guided tour of the Palmerie de Skoura by electric mountain bike : $54
- Private Quad Experience in the Ouarzazate Desert: $54
- Marrakech Palm Grove 2-Hour Quad Biking Adventure.: $54
- Marrakech Half-Day Guided City Tour : $72
- Private One Day Tour AIT BENHADDOU and TELOUET via Ouarzazate: $119
- 3 Days Group Tour from Marrakech to Merzouga Desert: $119
- Private Full-Day Tour of Ouarzazate and Oasis Fint: $173
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMalaga €22Ouarzazate -
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
- Visit the Oldest Winery of Malaga and Wine Tasting: $23
- C/Echegaray 5 Málaga center: Malagueño Massage: Massage + Wine Tasting: $65
- Ronda Wine Tasting with Tapas in a Scenic Vineyard: $66
- Málaga: Traditional Andalusian Tapas and Wine Tour: $77
- Discover the Hidden Gems of Natural Wine Tasting Tours: $99
- White Village, Vineyard, and Wine Tasting Wine Tour: $106
- Flamenco, Tapas, and Wine Tour: $110
- OLIVE OIL & WINE TOUR Organic fields - 5 Wines + 3Olive Oils: $112
- Caminito Del Rey and Wine Tasting from Malaga: $114
- Flamenco, Tapas and Wine Tour: Best of Málaga in one Evening: $118
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Malaga and Ouarzazate, we can see that Malaga is more expensive. And not only is Ouarzazate much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Malaga 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 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 Ouarzazate.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Malaga Expensive? and Is Ouarzazate Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Malaga or Ouarzazate?
Malaga has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Ouarzazate. When comparing the sizes of Malaga 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.
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.