A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sydney vs. Marbella for Nightlife, Scuba Diving & Snorkeling, Beaches, and Families

Should you visit Sydney or Marbella?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sydney or Marbella, 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 glamorous , diverse, and energetic 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. Visitors also love the nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling. See Sydney travel costs.

Marbella

Marbella is a fun-filled, high energy, and ritzy resort town. With stunning beauty, Marbella attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches. See Marbella travel costs.

Sydney and Marbella: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sydney or Marbella?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Sydney than Marbella, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Sydney is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, hiking, and big city activities, while Marbella is known for its music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, 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. Marbella is popular for its luxury hotels, beautiful beaches, and lively nightlife.

How is Sydney different from Marbella?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Marbella 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 Marbella?

Sydney is very popular for its museums and history. However, Marbella does not have museums and landmarks.

The museums and tourist attractions in Sydney are world-renowned. 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.

Marbella does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Sydney is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Marbella is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Sydney has a huge number of terrific restaurants. 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.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Marbella area. The area is filled with tourists, so finding an authentic dining experience can be difficult. Several favorite dishes include croquetas, boquerones, and pulpo.

Is Sydney or Marbella Better for Nightlife?

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

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.

Marbella is a world class party destination. European tourists flock to the town for its beaches and resorts. The town has a glamorous nightlife scene with exclusive clubs and ritzy cocktail bars, particularly in Puerto Banus and along the Golden Mile.

Is Sydney or Marbella Better for Music?

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

Music is a popular form of entertainment in Marbella. Some of the best music venues include Starlite, Kitch Social Club, and Momento.

Sydney is not a live music destination.

Is Sydney or Marbella Better for Resorts?

Marbella is an unbeatable place for its resorts. However, Sydney is not a resort destination.

Marbella offers an unforgettable resort vacation. From luxury to family-friendly, this area has plenty of resorts to choose from. Popular resorts in the area include Marbella Club Hotel, Puente Romano Marbella, and Don Carlos Resort and Spa.

Sydney is not a resort destination.

Is Sydney or Marbella Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Marbella is an unbeatable place for snorkeling and scuba diving. Also, Sydney is still popular, but not quite as popular for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling.

People travel to Marbella specifically to enjoy its famous scuba diving and snorkeling areas. There are more than 100 dive sights and endless snorkeling opportunities in the area. There are deep offshore reefs that you can explore as well as shallower wrecks and caves.

It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life in Sydney. 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.

Is Sydney or Marbella Better for Beaches?

Both Sydney and Marbella have amazing beaches worth visiting.

The beaches in Sydney are among the best in 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.

Marbella is considered to be a world-class beach destination. The area boasts some of the best beaches in Europe. They are hubs of activity with lots of energy, and there are more than 18 miles of sandy beach in the area. Popular options include Guadalmina Beach, San Pedro de Alcántara Beach, and Nueva Andalucía Beach.

Is Sydney or Marbella Better for its Old Town?

Marbella is a nice place to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Sydney does not have a historic old town.

Marbella offers a nice historic old town area. Head into the old town to explore a quaint area with small, meandering streets, churches, restaurants, shops, and cafes.

Sydney does not have a historic old town.

Is Sydney or Marbella Better for Hiking?

Sydney is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Marbella is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Sydney. 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.

Marbella is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Sydney or Marbella?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Marbella and Sydney.

Sydney is a world class destination for shoppers. 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.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Marbella. This area attracts vacationers from around Europe and the shopping is some of the best in Europe.

Is Sydney or Marbella More Beautiful?

You'll find a similar quality of superb scenery and beauty in both Sydney and Marbella.

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.

Marbella is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. With its seemingly endless sunshine, miles of sandy beaches, and surrounding mountain landscape, this is a beautiful destination.

Is Sydney or Marbella Better for Families?

Sydney is very popular for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Marbella is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Sydney is an amazing family-friendly city to visit. 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.

Marbella is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The area has beautiful, family-friendly beaches and many resorts with pools that are great for kids.

Is Sydney or Marbella Better for Couples?

Sydney and Marbella are both amazing to visit as a couple.

Sydney has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. 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.

Marbella is a great city for couples, as it has plenty to offer. The area has luxury resorts, nice beaches, water sports, golf, and water activities that are perfect for a honeymoon or a romantic weekend or a honeymoon.

Is Sydney or Marbella Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sydney is very popular for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Marbella is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Sydney is extremely popular 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.

Marbella is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are a few good hostels in the area for backpackers who want to enjoy this part of Spain's cost. There's also a lively nightlife scene and plenty of opportunities to meet others.

Is Sydney or Marbella Better for Students?

Sydney is very popular for its student-friendly activities. However, Marbella is not popular with students.

Sydney is a great destination 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.

Marbella is not popular with students.

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

Sydney is very popular for times when you don't have a car. However, Marbella is lacking in good options for its public transit.

Sydney has an effecient and thorough public transportation system which can take you anywhere in the city. There are a variety of types of public transit in town including buses, trains, ferries and light rail.

Public transit is generally limited in Marbella. There is a bus system through the area, but most visitors prefer to get around by car.

Is Sydney or Marbella a more walkable city?

Sydney and Marbella both are superb 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.

Marbella is very walkable. The old town is particularly walkable and there are a number of hotels and nice resorts within a short walk of the town along a nice promenade.

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

Should I spend more time in Marbella or Sydney?

How long in Sydney or Marbella?

In either Sydney or Marbella, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Sydney than Marbella because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Sydney, and 2-5 days is enough time in Marbella.

Families should spend more time in Sydney than Marbella. 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.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Sydney than Marbella 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 Marbella?

Sydney is a big city with plenty to do. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Many travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the destination of Marbella. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Sydney or Marbella?

Sydney is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Marbella is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Sydney or Marbella?

Sydney is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Sydney, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Marbella. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Most people come for the beaches. 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 Marbella?

Sydney is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Sydney has to offer. This city offers something for everyone.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the ritzy destination of Marbella. This resort town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting 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 Contiki Tours to Australia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Australia, The Best Budget Tours to Spain, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Spain.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Sydney or Marbella?

Sydney has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Marbella. When comparing the sizes of Sydney and Marbella, 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 Marbella?

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 Marbella has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Sydney or Marbella in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Sydney as well as Marbella. The summer months attract visitors to Sydney because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, the beaches, snorkeling, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Marbella this time of year.

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marbella. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sydney this time of the year. In the summer, Sydney often gets less sunshine than Marbellain July. Sydney gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marbella receives 348 hours of full sun.

Sydney receives a lot of rain in the summer. Sydney usually gets more rain in January than Marbellain July. Sydney gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Marbella receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sydney or Marbella in the Autumn?

Both Marbella and Sydney are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Sydney this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Marbella for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

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

It's quite sunny in Marbella. Sydney usually receives less sunshine than Marbella during autumn. Sydney gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Marbella receives 213 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Sydney. In April, Sydney usually receives more rain than Marbellain October. Sydney gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Marbella receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Sydney or Marbella in the Winter?

Both Marbella and Sydney during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Sydney for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Marbella in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

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

It's quite sunny in Sydney. In the winter, Sydney often gets more sunshine than Marbellain January. Sydney gets 208 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marbella receives 171 hours of full sun.

Sydney usually gets less rain in July than Marbellain January. Sydney gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Marbella receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sydney or Marbella in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Sydney and Marbella. Many visitors come to Sydney in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Marbella for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Marbella this time of the year. In Sydney, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sydney usually receives more sunshine than Marbella during spring. Sydney gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while Marbella receives 220 hours of full sun in the spring.

In October, Sydney usually receives more rain than Marbellain April. Sydney gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Marbella receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Marbella and Sydney