A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sydney vs. Malaga for Nightlife, Beaches, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Sydney or Malaga?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sydney or Malaga, 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.

Sydney

Sydney is a energetic, outdoorsy, and adventurous city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. The beauty of Sydney is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the beaches, hiking, and shopping. See Sydney travel costs.

Malaga

Malaga is a historic, beautiful, and friendly port city. With stunning beauty, Malaga attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches. See Malaga travel costs.

Sydney and Malaga: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sydney or Malaga?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Sydney than Malaga, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Sydney is more popular for its museums and attractions, beaches, hiking, shopping, and big city activities, while Malaga is known for its music and historical sights. Sydney is popular for its iconic buildings, world-renowned beaches, colorful nightlife, and cosmopolitan restaurants. It is also home to the Sydney Opera House. Malaga is popular for its perfect blend of sandy beaches, beautiful culture, fascinating history, and a lively nightlife scene.

How is Sydney different from Malaga?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Sydney or Malaga?

Sydney is a must-visit destination for its sights and museums. However, Malaga does not have museums and landmarks.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Sydney are among the most recognizable in the world. The city is filled with iconic and world famous landmarks such as the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. There's also the famous Royal Botanic Garden and the Sydney Tower Eye.

Malaga does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Sydney or Malaga? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Sydney and Malaga can be an enjoyable experience.

Dining out in Sydney is an experience not to be missed. There are international restaurants offering impressive dishes from around the world. You'll also find some local Australian favorites around town. Seafood is abundant, as are a number of Asian cuisines. Barramundi is a local fish that you'll find on many menus. Oysters, prawns, and John Dory (a local fish) are also popular.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Malaga. Head to any of the local food markets and seafood shops to try local cuisine. Also make sure you try tapas and a filling Andalusian breakfast.

Is Sydney or Malaga Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Sydney and Malaga.

The nightlife in Sydney is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. The city is filled with nightclubs and DJ hosted dance parties. There's a huge young crowd that brings together residents, students, and backpackers in a vibrant nightlife scene. Some of the best areas for nightlife are Kings Cross, Oxford Street, Surry Hills or Darling Harbour.

Malaga is a world class party destination. The city has some of the most active nightlife in Europe. There are plenty of opportunities to party in Malaga and you'll find the most vibrant nightlife in the Centro Historico.

Is Sydney or Malaga Better for Music?

Malaga is well known for its music scene. However, Sydney is not a live music destination.

Music is a popular form of entertainment in Malaga. The city has venues that offer pop, rock, blues, soulful, and more. Some of the most popular include ZZ club, Clarence Jazz Club, and Velvet Club.

Sydney is not a live music destination.

Is Sydney or Malaga Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

You'll find good snorkeling or scuba diving in both Sydney and Malaga.

Sydney has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. There's some good snorkeling and diving nearby with a diversity of marine life and interesting ecosystems. Some of the best snorkeling spots are at Palm Beach, Shelly Beach, and Clifton Gardens.

It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life in Malaga. Water temperatures are mild enough for diving or snorkeling near Malaga. For the best diving, head to Cala del Canuelo Beach. Closer by, Penon del Cuervo Beach offers diving and snorkeling as well.

Is Sydney or Malaga Better for Beaches?

Sydney is a must-visit destination for the beach. Also, Malaga is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for the beach.

Sydney offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. There are more than 100 beaches near the city with everything from hidden coves to world famous destinations. Bondi Beach is the most famous beach in town and it has all of the tourist sights and activities that you could need. Surfers often head to Bronte Beach, which isn't too far away. Divers and snorkelers love Gordons Bay. Manly is also a nearby suburb with family-friendly beaches that can be reached by ferry.

Malaga is a good option for a beach vacation. There are some nice beaches around Malaga, but for the best options you'll have to travel further outside of the city.

Is Sydney or Malaga Better for its Old Town?

Malaga is well known for its historic old town charm. However, Sydney does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Malaga to see the historical old town. The city's old town is compact and small, making it a fun place to walk. There are historic buildings, museums, churches, and squares, as well as many restaurants and shops.

Sydney does not have a historic old town.

Is Sydney or Malaga Better for Hiking?

Sydney is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Malaga is not a hiking destination.

Sydney is a popular spot for hiking. The city offers a number of coastal and inland trails that are easily accessible from town. There are short paths as well as multi-day routes not far and pass by stunning landscapes and viewpoints.

Malaga is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sydney or Malaga?

Sydney is a must-visit destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Malaga is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Sydney make it a world-class shopping destination. There's a wonderful mix of shopping streets, modern malls, and boutique vendors who sell local fashions. For souvenirs or local art, go to The Rocks, which is not far from Sydney Opera House. The Queen Victoria Building and Strand Arcade are also popular shopping areas.

Malaga has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are a number of shopping areas in the city with both local boutiques and name brands.

Is Sydney or Malaga More Beautiful?

You'll find a similar quality of great scenery and beauty in both Sydney and Malaga.

With stunning beauty, Sydney attracts visitors from all around. The waterfront setting and grand buildings make this a truly beautiful city. It also has a lot of natural beauty with impressive beaches and nice green spaces.

Malaga is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. The city has a rich history and beautiful architecture, making it one of the most beautiful cities in Spain.

Is Sydney or Malaga Better for Families?

Sydney is a must-visit destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Malaga is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Sydney is very family-friendly. The city has great beaches where kids can learn to surf, zoos and aquariums with local wildlife, and outdoor activities that take advantage of the city's waterfront location. There's everything from whale watching to visiting the Olympic Park, all of which will fascinate kids of all ages.

Malaga is a family-friendly city. The city has castles that you can explore as well as a waterpark.

Is Sydney or Malaga Better for Couples?

Sydney is a must-visit destination for its romantic activities. Also, Malaga is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for couples.

Sydney is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. It's a romantic city that's filled with iconic landmarks like the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House. There are also award winning restaurants and world class beaches. Wander around the botanical gardens or take a sailing cruise on the harbor. There is an endless supply of romantic activities to choose from.

Malaga is a good city for couples to visit. It has a beautiful coastline and a rich history that makes it unique.

Is Sydney or Malaga Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sydney and Malaga are world-class places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Sydney is a very popular city to visit for backpackers. It's popular for its adventure sports, active beaches, and vibrant nightlife. While it's not a particularly cheap city to visit, there are plenty of hostels around town and no shortage of backpackers to hang out with.

Many backpackers frequent Malaga. From an endless supply of hostels to plenty of opportunities to meet other backpackers, this is a very backpacker friendly area.

Is Sydney or Malaga Better for Students?

Sydney is a must-visit destination for students. Also, Malaga is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Sydney is a very popular place to visit for students. Students love the energy and plethora of outdoor activities in this beautiful city. Many international students come not only for the excellent universities but also for the diverse environment and many things to do.

Malaga is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. The city has many opportunities to learn Spanish. It's also an affordable city with a young population and a lively atmosphere that appeals to international students.

Is Sydney or Malaga Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Sydney is a must-visit destination for its public transit. Also, Malaga is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Sydney has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. There are a variety of types of public transit in town including buses, trains, ferries and light rail.

Malaga has some public transit options. There is an efficient bus system as well as a light metro system.

Is Sydney or Malaga a more walkable city?

Sydney and Malaga both are great when exploring on foot.

Sydney is a very walkable destination. The city center and nearby suburbs are relatively easy to walk around. On the western side of the city, the suburbs are much less walkable.

Malaga is very walkable. It has a very compact and walkable historic center with most of the tourist attractions easily accessible on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Sydney Worth Visiting? and Is Malaga Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Malaga or Sydney?

How long in Sydney or Malaga?

Both Sydney and Malaga have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, Sydney has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Sydney than Malaga. However, 3-7 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Sydney than Malaga 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 Sydney.

One day in Sydney or Malaga?

Sydney is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. 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.

Many travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the destination of Malaga. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Sydney or Malaga?

Sydney 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.

Malaga is a great place to explore. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. 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 Sydney or Malaga?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Sydney. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Malaga. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Sydney or Malaga?

Sydney is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Many travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the welcoming destination of Malaga. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to Australia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Australia, The Best 10-Day Tours from Madrid, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Barcelona.

When comparing the travel costs between Sydney and Malaga, we can see that Sydney is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Sydney is in Pacific and Malaga is in Europe, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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

Which is Bigger, Sydney or Malaga?

Sydney has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Malaga. When comparing the sizes of Sydney 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.

When is the best time to visit Sydney or Malaga?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Sydney is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Malaga has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Sydney or Malaga in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Sydney and Malaga. Many travelers come to Sydney for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Malaga in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In January, Sydney is generally cooler than Malagain July. Daily temperatures in Sydney average around 23°C (73°F), and Malaga fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Malaga this time of the year. In Sydney, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sydney usually receives less sunshine than Malaga during summer. Sydney gets 236 hours of sunny skies, while Malaga receives 348 hours of full sun in the summer.

Sydney gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Sydney usually receives more rain than Malagain July. Sydney gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Malaga receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Sydney or Malaga in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Sydney as well as Malaga. Many visitors come to Sydney in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, most visitors come to Malaga for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Sydney is around the same temperature as Malaga in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sydney averages around 19°C (65°F) in April, and Malaga fluctuates around 19°C (67°F)in October.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Malaga. In the autumn, Sydney often gets less sunshine than Malagain October. Sydney gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Malaga receives 213 hours of full sun.

Sydney receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Sydney usually gets more rain in April than Malagain October. Sydney gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Malaga receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sydney or Malaga in the Winter?

Both Malaga and Sydney are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Sydney for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Malaga because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.

In the winter, Sydney is around the same temperature as Malaga. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sydney in July average around 12°C (53°F), and Malaga averages at about 12°C (54°F)in January.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sydney. Sydney usually receives more sunshine than Malaga during winter. Sydney gets 208 hours of sunny skies, while Malaga receives 171 hours of full sun in the winter.

In July, Sydney usually receives less rain than Malagain January. Sydney gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Malaga receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Sydney or Malaga in the Spring?

Both Malaga and Sydney during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Sydney because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Malaga this time of year.

In October, Sydney is generally a little warmer than Malagain April. Daily temperatures in Sydney average around 18°C (64°F), and Malaga fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

In Malaga, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Sydney. In the spring, Sydney often gets more sunshine than Malagain April. Sydney gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Malaga receives 220 hours of full sun.

Sydney usually gets more rain in October than Malagain April. Sydney gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Malaga receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Malaga and Sydney