Which place is cheaper, Malaga or Sofia?
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 Sofia or Malaga?
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 Sofia and Malaga. 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: Sofia or Malaga?
Sofia
Sofia is the capital of Bulgaria and also its largest city. Some people have tried to compare it to Budapest, but the cities are actually quite different. In Sofia you will find wonderful European style architecture intertwined with Communist style buildings. It's fascinating to see the two dramatically different building styles immediately next to each other. There are also many Orthodox Churches around town, with their beautiful domes and intricate details.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Bulgaria, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Bulgaria, The Best 10-Day Tours from Madrid, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Barcelona.
-
Sofia Prices
Bulgaria PricesMalaga Prices
Spain Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySofia $86Malaga $194
The average daily cost (per person) in Sofia is $86, while the average daily cost in Malaga is $194. 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 Sofia and Malaga in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSofia $44Malaga $87
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSofia $88Malaga $174
Compare Hotels in Sofia and Malaga
Looking for a hotel in Sofia or Malaga? 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: Sofia Hotel Prices and Malaga Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sofia $9.26Malaga $36
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sofia
Also for Sofia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from Sofia airport to hotel in Sofia OR vice versa: $21
- Sofia Airport to Borovets Shared Transfer (Max 90 Min Wait): $28
- Private Airport Transfer to Sofia City Center: $41
- Private Transfer from Sofia (SOF) Airport to Sofia City: $45
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Sofia APT-HTL (SOF): $48
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Sofia HTL-APT (SOF): $48
- Sofia City Private Transfer to Sofia Airport SOF in Business Car: $58
- Sofia Airport SOF Private Transfer to Sofia City in Business Car: $58
- Korali Hot Spring with Private Transfers: $65
- Private Departure Transfer from Sunny Beach to Burgas Airport: $71
- Private Transfers from Sofia to Borovets OR Borovets to Sofia: $71
- Transfer from the Sofia Airport to your hotel in Sofia by VIP Mercedes V class: $71
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Malaga
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Malaga:
- Malaga Airport (AGP): Private Transfer to Granada city: $425
- Transfer from Malaga Airport to Tarifa: $314
- Transfer from Malaga Airport to Granada: $311
- Private Transfer from Malaga Airport (AGP) to Las Chapas: $295
- Private Transfer from Malaga Airport (AGP) to Pizarra: $286
- Cancelada to Malaga Airport (AGP) - Departure Private Transfer: $286
- Private Transfer from Malaga Airport (AGP) to Algarrobo : $283
- Private Transfer from Malaga Airport (AGP) to Mezquitilla: $283
- Malaga to Seville Airport (SVQ) - Departure Private Transfer: $282
- Private Transfer Malaga Airport to Ronda: $270
- Private Transfer from Malaga Airport (AGP) to Alhaurín El Grande: $223
- Private Transfer from Malaga Airport (AGP) to Campanillas: $209
Is it cheaper to fly into Sofia or Malaga?
Prices for flights to both Malaga and Sofia 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 daySofia $35Malaga $71
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sofia
For Sofia, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- 1980s Communism-Era Dinner with Local Host: $35
- Market Food Tour: $55
- Cooking Class in Sourdough Pancakes, Wine & Culture: $59
- Sofia by Night: Panoramic City Tour and Folklore Dinner: $116
- Private Sofia Night Tour with Bulgarian Folklore & Dinner: $118
- Bulgarian Food tasting, cullinary-historical tour, Cooking class: $137
- Sofia by Night Panoramic Tour with Dinner and Folklore Show: $161
Typical Food Prices in Malaga
Some typical examples of dining costs in Malaga are as follows:
-
Dinner for 2$35
-
Dinner for 2$52
-
Breakfast for 2$9.39
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
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sofia $6.54Malaga $36
Tours and Activities in Sofia
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sofia.
- Rila Monastery: Monastery & Museums Self-Guided Audio Tour 7 lang: $5.95
- Self-guided Tour in the Museum of Socialist Art: $8.57
- Sofia Self Guided Audio Experience: $9.00
- City Monuments Guided Walking Tour with Audio Guide: $12
- Guided Walking Tour of Sofia: $12
- Sofia’s Roots: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- Bulgarian Rose Aromatic Experience : $17
- Private Kayak Tour on the Pancharevo Lake: $18
- Walking tour: Communist architecture in downtown Sofia: $18
- City Highlights Sightseeing Walking Tour: $19
- Communist Walking Tour: $21
- Communist Walking Tour of Sofia: $21
Typical Entertainment Prices in Malaga
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Malaga are as follows:
-
Entrance to Castillos$8.33
-
Concert$36
Tours and Activities in Malaga
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Malaga are as follows:
- Guided tour of Tangier from the Costa del Sol: $185
- Malaga Coffee and City Tour with Real Spanish Tapas: $90
- 1 Hour Guided Adventure at Quads ATV in Mijas Malaga: $102
- 2 Hours Sunset Buggy Tour in Sierra de Mijas : $262
- 2-Hour Ronda Walking Tour: $96
- 2h E-bike tours+1day extra in Malaga: $41
- 3-Hours Catamaran Tour in Malaga with Paella: $54
- 3-hour Buggy Tour in Almuñecar with Picnic: $227
- 90-min Buggy Tour in Almuñecar with Picnic : $155
- Alcazaba and Gibralfaro Private Tour. Skip The Line: $294
- Alcazaba to Picasso: Málaga’s Best in a Self-Guided Tour: $1.17
- Andalucia's City Of Dreams: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Ronda: $15
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one daySofia $9.26Malaga $26
Sample the Local Flavors in Sofia
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Sofia:
- Sofia's Hidden Bars: 4-Hour Pub Crawl: $24
- Sofia Pub Crawl Tour of The Hidden Unique Bars: $24
- Wine and Tapas Boutique Bulgarian Wine Tasting : $29
- Wine and Tapas - Bulgarian's Wine Tasting Experience: $29
- Wine Tasting in Heart of Sofia: $36
- Special Selection Bulgarian Wine Tasting: $46
- Special Selection Bulgarian Wine Tasting: $46
- Wine Tasting: Bulgarian Wine Grape Varieties: $48
- From Rozhen monastery and Melnik with wine tasting: $107
- Sofia – Kazanluk Rose Valley & Oil Distillery Tour: $115
- Plovdiv Old Town & Thracian Wine Tasting – Day Tour from Sofia: $137
- Plovdiv and Thracia Valley with Wine Tasting: $173
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 Sofia and Malaga, we can see that Malaga is more expensive. And not only is Sofia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Sofia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sofia 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 Sofia.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Sofia Expensive? and Is Malaga Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sofia or Malaga?
Sofia has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Malaga. When comparing the sizes of Sofia and Malaga, 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.