Which place is cheaper, Essaouira or Marbella?
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 Marbella or Essaouira?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Marbella or Essaouira, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Marbella or Essaouira?
Marbella
Marbella is a city in southern Spain in the province of Malaga. It is part of the Costa del Sol (Coast of the Sun) and is located on the Mediterranean Sea between Malaga and the Strait of Gibraltar. It is one of the most important tourist cities in the area and receives many national and international tourists year round due to its climate and tourism structures. Marbella is a bit of a glamorous city due to its beauty and resort-type environment. The old town with its narrow cobbled streets and flower-filled plazas is packed with shops and art galleries selling boutique clothes and accessories, and handmade wares. The city has significant archaeological and historical heritage and many events and performances throughout the year.
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 Budget Tours to Spain, The Best Tours for Seniors to Spain, The Best 10-Day Tours in Morocco, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Morocco.
-
Marbella Prices
Spain PricesEssaouira Prices
Morocco Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMarbella €145Essaouira €52
The average daily cost (per person) in Marbella is €145, 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 Marbella and Essaouira in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMarbella €61Essaouira €24
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMarbella €122Essaouira €48
Compare Hotels in Marbella and Essaouira
Looking for a hotel in Marbella 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: Marbella Hotel Prices and Essaouira Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Marbella €24Essaouira €1.89
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Marbella
Also for Marbella, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Las Chapas to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $295
- Private Transfer from Torreblanca to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $258
- Private Transfer from Alhaurín El Grande to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $223
- Private Transfer from La Quinta Golf Resort to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $171
- Costa del Sol: Private 1-Way Transfer to/from Malaga Airport: $160
- TRANSFER MALAGA AIRPORT from OR to MARBELLA-PRICE ALL INCLUSIVE: $120
- Vip Transfer from Malaga Airport to Marbella: $112
- Vip Malaga Private Transfer to Marbella: $100
- Marbella to Malaga Airport (AGP) - Departure Private Transfer: $56
- Vip One Way Transfer from Malaga Airport to Malaga City: $39
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: $127
- Transfer from Essaouira to Marrakech city or Marrakech airport: $127
- 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 from Marrakech to Essaouira 1 to 4 people: $109
- Private Transfer Essaouira-Essaouira Airport: $23
- Private Transfer from or to Essaouira Airport : $40
- Private Transfer from or to Essaouira Aéroport : $36
- Essaouira P5: Quad EN route DE la mer (free transfer): $38
Is it cheaper to fly into Marbella or Essaouira?
Prices for flights to both Essaouira and Marbella 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 dayMarbella €66Essaouira €22
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Marbella
For Marbella, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Flamenco Show & Dinner in Fuengirola/Mijas - Tipi Tapa Restaurant: $34
- Marbella Food Tour with Tapas & Drinks with a Local: $95
- Explore Marbella Old Town: Authentic Tapas Food Tour: $105
- Marbella Food Tour: Tapas, Drinks and Delights with a Local: $106
- Marbella Old Town: Authentic Tapas Food Tour With Local Guide: $106
Typical Food Prices in Essaouira
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Essaouira:
-
Baklava€1.32
-
Breakfast Crepes€0.47
-
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
- l'Atelier - Moroccan Cooking Workshop in Essaouira: $71
- Essaouira Food Tour: $88
- 3 Hours Horse Riding with Dinner and Overnight Berber Camp: $220
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Marbella €19Essaouira €11
Tours and Activities in Marbella
For Marbella, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Guided tour to Caminito del Rey from the Costa del Sol: $67
- 2 Hour Private Picnic Brunch Experience: $82
- 2 h Estepona Bay Tour: $47
- 2 hours Quad Tour Marbella - 170€ per Quad up to 2 people: $100
- 2 hours Quad Tour in Marbella - 1 quad for 1/2 persons 170€: $101
- 2-Hour Catamaran Tour along the Costa Tropical and Malaga Coast: $45
- 3-Hour Private Guided Bicycle Tour in Marbella: $82
- Active Sailing Experience in Marbella: $118
- Authentic Andalusia - Jeep Eco Tour (pick up from Marbella - Estepona) : $138
- Boat experience in Marbella: $576
- Buggy Adventure with Incredible Views of the Sea and the Reservoir: $119
- Caminito del Rey and Ardales Guided Tour from Costa del Sol: $84
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 Hours Dromedary Ride Tour in Essaouira Morocco: $54
- 3-Hour Quad Biking Adventure in Essaouira: $89
- Authentic Berber Tour near Essaouira – Fishing,Tagine & Waterfall: $71
- 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: $115
- Essaouira Dar Sultan Palace Horseback Tour Experience: $54
- Essaouira Donkey Tours : $30
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayMarbella €5.71Essaouira €8.66
Sample the Local Flavors in Marbella
Also in Marbella, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- From Antequera Wine Tour with Tastings and Lunch: $816
- From Axarquia Wine Tour with Wine Pairing Lunch: $1,110
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Marbella and Essaouira, we can see that Marbella is more expensive. And not only is Essaouira much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Marbella 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 Marbella would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Marbella 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 Marbella Expensive? and Is Essaouira Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Marbella or Essaouira?
Marbella has a larger population, and is about 70% larger than the population of Essaouira. When comparing the sizes of Marbella 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.