Which place is cheaper, Merzouga or Marbella?
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 Marbella or Merzouga?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Marbella or Merzouga, 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 Merzouga?
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.
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 Budget Tours to Spain, The Best Tours for Seniors to Spain, The Best Budget Tours to Morocco, and The Best Luxury Tours to Morocco.
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Marbella Prices
Spain PricesMerzouga Prices
Morocco Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMarbella €145Merzouga €20
The average daily cost (per person) in Marbella is €145, 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 Marbella and Merzouga in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMarbella €61Merzouga €9.66
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMarbella €122Merzouga €19
Compare Hotels in Marbella and Merzouga
Looking for a hotel in Marbella 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: Marbella Hotel Prices and Merzouga Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Marbella €24Merzouga -
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Marbella
Also for Marbella, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Vip One Way Transfer from Malaga Airport to Malaga City: $39
- Marbella to Malaga Airport (AGP) - Departure Private Transfer: $56
- Vip Malaga Private Transfer to Marbella: $100
- Vip Transfer from Malaga Airport to Marbella: $112
- TRANSFER MALAGA AIRPORT from OR to MARBELLA-PRICE ALL INCLUSIVE: $120
- Costa del Sol: Private 1-Way Transfer to/from Malaga Airport: $160
- Private Transfer from La Quinta Golf Resort to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $171
- Private Transfer from Alhaurín El Grande to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $223
- Private Transfer from Torreblanca to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $258
- Private Transfer from Las Chapas to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $295
Is it cheaper to fly into Marbella or Merzouga?
Prices for flights to both Merzouga 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
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Food Meals for one dayMarbella €66Merzouga €9.68
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
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Marbella €19Merzouga -
Tours and Activities in Marbella
For Marbella, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Magic Blocks in Estepona: Quest Experience: $5.95
- The Magic Coins of Outdoor Escape Adventure: $7.15
- Tourist Bus Velez Malaga to Torre del Mar: $8.35
- Glorious Grazalema Self Guided Walking Tour: $9.99
- City Highlights Tour: $18
- Sightseeing Walking Tour: $22
- City Highlights Tour: $24
- Marbella Old Town: Group Tour with a True Local: $26
- Marbella Guided Hiking and Foraging Adventure: $35
- Private Walking Tour with a Local: $35
- Manilva Oceanfront Wine Experience in the Marbella Area: $36
- Beachfront Yoga and Cava Experience: $41
Tours and Activities in Merzouga
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Merzouga are as follows:
- 3 hour Jeep Tour in Merzouga Desert : $119
- Overnight Sahara Tours luxury camp : $72
- Private Desert Tour and Visit to Nomadic Families: $108
- 1 Hour Merzouga Buggy Desert Tour: $143
- 1 Hour Merzouga Desert Buggy Experience: $153
- 1 Night Camel Trekking Tour in Merzouga Desert Camp : $66
- 1 hour Quad in the Sahara: Merzouga Off Roading Experience: Nature & Wildlife: $82
- 2 days tour in Merzouga Erg Chabbi with 4WD Jeep and Camel Treck : $179
- 2 hours Merzouga Dunes ATV Rental - Desert Quad Biking Tour: $116
- 2-Days Merzouga tour from Errachidia: $200
- 2-Night Desert Camp Experience with Jeep Tour in Merzouga: $140
- 3 Days Tour From Marrakech To Sahara Desert Of Merzouga: $118
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMarbella €5.71Merzouga -
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 Merzouga, we can see that Marbella is more expensive. And not only is Merzouga much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Marbella 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 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 Merzouga.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Marbella 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.