A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Malang vs. Nelson for Food, Hiking, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Malang or Nelson?

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

Should I visit Malang or Nelson? 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.

Malang

Malang is a under-rated, authentic, and cultural city. It's also known for nightlife, food, and hiking. See Malang travel costs.

Nelson

Nelson is a outdoorsy, adventure-filled, and natural city. Nelson is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches. See Nelson travel costs.

Malang and Nelson: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Malang or Nelson?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Nelson than Malang. While Malang is larger than Nelson, Nelson has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Nelson is more popular for its beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Malang is known for its food. Nelson is more touristy than Malang and is known for its stunning national parks, beautiful coastline, and outdoor adventures. It is also home to Abel Tasman National Park. Malang is popular for its many nearby natural attractions.

How is Malang different from Nelson?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Nelson and Malang. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Malang or Nelson?

Both Malang and Nelson have good landmarks and museums for visitors.

Malang is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are a handful of museums around town that provide information on the city's culture and history. There are also mosques, temples, and the famous Rainbow Village.

Nelson offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. While most people spend their time enjoying the nature-oriented activities, there are several museums in the area as well. Founder's Heritage Park Museum is a village-like setting that you can explore. There's also the Nelson Classic Car Museum and local art and craft galleries that are fun to walk through.

Is the Food Better in Malang or Nelson? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Malang is renowned for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Nelson is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Many restaurants in Malang have been singled out for their culinary prowess. This is a top foodie destination and you'll find plenty of amazing street food. It's also the credited with being the birthplace of bakso (meatballs). Many of the dishes around town are sweet, spicy, and served with peanut sauce. It's been influenced by many different cuisines such as Chinese, Javanese, Madurese, Arabic, Dutch, and Indian.

Nelson has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Local ingredients, vineyards, and craft breweries all make the foodie scene around town interesting. There are many great restaurants that offer seasonal menus that change with the season. Eating is an experience in town, and locals take pride in the food they produce.

Is Malang or Nelson Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Malang and Nelson.

Malang has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The universities around town mean that there's a youthful vibe to the nightlife scene. You'll also find a mix of cultural activities as well as modern and trendy venues. There are dance clubs, upscale lounges, and everything in between.

If you're looking for night time activities Nelson has a few options to choose from. The city attracts a good tourist crowd, and there are bars and clubs that keep things interesting late into the evening.

Is Malang or Nelson Better for Beaches?

Nelson is a must-visit destination for its beaches. However, Malang is not a beach destination.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Nelson. Beaches in the area are sandy and most are great for swimming. There are many water sports available as well such as kayaking, kite surfing, and paddleboarding. You'll find locals and tourists alike hanging out at the beach and enjoying a barbecue.

Malang is not a beach destination.

Is Malang or Nelson Better for Hiking?

Nelson is a must-visit destination for its hiking experiences. Also, Malang is still popular, but not quite as popular for hiking.

People visit Nelson specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. The area is filled with walking and hiking trails that wander along the coast and soak up the spectacular views. There are also three national parks in the area that are filled with trails. Abel Tasman National Park, Kahurangi National Park, and Nelson Lakes National Park each have their own environments and scenery to explore.

Many people include a hike when visiting Malang. Many visitors use this city as a base for hiking Mount Bromo. It's popular to hire a jeep tour from town, or you can hire a private driver or motorbike. Near town you'll also find one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Indonesia - Tumpak Sewu Waterfall. It's possible to hike to the base of the waterfall, but it's a very challenging route.

Is the Shopping Better in Malang or Nelson?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Nelson and Malang.

Malang is a great destination for shopping. You'll find places to pick up many local items. The region is known for its ceramics, wood, and rattan (palms).

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Nelson. There are weekly markets in the area and a variety of retail shops where you can pick up anything you might need.

Is Malang or Nelson More Beautiful?

Nelson is well known for its scenery and beauty. However, Malang is not a destination known for its beauty.

Nelson is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. The city is surrounded by beautiful scenery and wonderful outdoor environments.

Malang is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Malang or Nelson Better for Families?

Nelson is a must-visit destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Malang is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Nelson is a very family-friendly destination. Surrounded by family-friendly national parks, this city has a number of things for kids to do. In particularly, Abel Tasman National Park is a highlight for kids, with canoeing, sailing and other activities. Kids will also enjoy a visit to Cable Bay Adventure Park or seeing the historically themed Founders Park.

Malang offers lots of family activities. If you're willing to head just outside of town, you'll find theme parks and waterparks. Some of the favorites are Batu Secret Zoo, Jatim Park, Selecta Park, and Batu Night Spectacular.

Is Malang or Nelson Better for Couples?

Nelson is a must-visit destination for romance. Also, Malang is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Nelson makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. Wilderness, national parks, beaches, and mountain scenery make this a wonderful couples destination. The area also has beautiful vineyards and gardens as well hiking and outdoor adventures.

Malang makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy culture, museums, temples, and great food will have a good time visiting this city. It is also a bit cooler than much of Indonesia, which can make a nice escape from the heat.

Is Malang or Nelson Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Nelson is a must-visit destination for backpackers. Also, Malang is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Nelson is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. There are many hostels in the area as well as outdoor activities and adventure sports that backpackers will love.

Malang is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Most backpackers pass through town when they're headed to climb Mount Bromo. There are plenty of hostels and cheap places to stay as well as some sights that are worth checking out.

Is Malang or Nelson Better for Students?

Malang is a city with good options for students. However, Nelson is not popular with students.

Malang is a good city to visit for students. The university means that there's a large student population in town.

Nelson is not popular with students.

Is Malang or Nelson Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Malang and Nelson.

Public transit is generally limited in Malang. Angkot or mikrolet are small buses or modified cars that carry passengers around town. Many visitors also hire a motor scooter or driver to get around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Nelson. The city has a local bus network, but to efficiently explore everything that the area has to offer, you'll want to have a car.

Is Malang or Nelson a more walkable city?

Nelson is well known for its walkability. Also, Malang is still popular, but not quite as popular for its high level of walkability.

Nelson is very walkable. There are many great walks in the area and its a wonderful way to get around.

Malang is a somewhat walkable place. The city center is relatively walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Malang Worth Visiting? and Is Nelson Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Nelson or Malang?

How long in Malang or Nelson?

In either Malang or Nelson, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Nelson than Malang because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Malang, and 3-5 days is enough time in Nelson.

Families should spend more time in Nelson than Malang. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Nelson, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Nelson than Malang. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Nelson that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Nelson than Malang if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Nelson.

One day in Malang or Nelson?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Malang. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Nelson. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Malang or Nelson?

Malang is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Nelson is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Malang or Nelson?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Malang. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Nelson. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Malang or Nelson?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the authentic destination of Malang. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the adventure-filled destination of Nelson. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Indonesia, The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Wildlife Tours to New Zealand.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Malang and Nelson, we can see that Nelson is more expensive. And not only is Malang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Malang is in Asia and Nelson is in Pacific, 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 Malang would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Malang 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 Nelson would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nelson than you might in Malang.

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

Which is Bigger, Malang or Nelson?

Malang has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Nelson. When comparing the sizes of Malang and Nelson, 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.