Seville Or Malaga: Which City Is Better To Visit (2024)
Are you wondering whether to visit Seville or Malaga for your next city break?
I visited both cities, so I’ve got you covered!
Seville is one of the most vibrant and authentic Spanish cities I’ve ever been to, and Malaga is a popular coastal city with a lively atmosphere and unique landmarks.
Overall, I like Seville better, but if you’re traveling in the summer I’d go for Malaga.
However, you might like different things than me, so I’ve gathered everything you need to know about these two cities to help you decide!
Let’s jump right in!
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Overview: Seville vs Malaga
While both cities are in the same Spanish region – Andalucia, I found them quite different.
In fact, I’d say Malaga reminded me more of Barcelona than Seville, despite the proximity of the two.
Here’s a quick Malaga vs Seville overview of what you can expect from these two cities!
| Seville | Malaga |
|---|---|
| Plaza de Espana, Alcazar, Cathedral | Malaga Alcazba, Gibralfaro Castle |
| Inland | Beaches |
| Cobblestone streets, traditional | Modern |
| Better city break destination | Better summer holiday destination |
| International airport | International airport |
Tourist Attractions
- Winner: Seville
The most important aspect of choosing a travel destination is what you can see there.
While both Malaga and Seville have plenty of tourist attractions, I found Seville slightly more interesting.
The main difference between Malaga and Seville is that Malaga is a coastal city and Seville is inland.
The cities are similar in size, but Malaga feels more like a big, modern city than Seville.
Seville is a vibrant Andalucian city, with colorful buildings, cobblestone pedestrian streets, and a lively nightlife with flamenco, and sangria.
Malaga also has several impressive historical attractions, a pedestrian zone lined with bars and shops, and a long sandy beach in the city center.
TOP Things to do in Seville
1. Visit the Royal Alcazar Of Seville
Royal Alcazar of Seville is the main tourist attraction in Seville. This Moorish royal palace dates back to the 10th century and it served as a royal residence since the Islamic era.
The palace was also featured in the popular TV show Game of Thrones!
You can visit the interior of the palace and admire the intricate architectural details or stroll the royal gardens.
Together with Sevilla’s Cathedral and Archivo de Indias, the Alcazar makes the UNESCO World Heritage-listed heart of Seville.
2. Admire Plaza de Espagna
The next stop on your Seville itinerary should be the impressive Plaza de Espagna.
This unique square was built for the Ibero-American Exhibition in the early 20th century.
The square is completely free to visit, and you can easily spend an hour admiring the complex tiled decorations lining the alcoves along the square.
This is also the place to catch a free flamenco performance!
3. Stroll the cobblestone streets
I absolutely loved the historic center of Seville and the charming Barrio Santa Cruz, also known as the Jewish quarter of Seville.
The Old Town of Seville is perfect for strolling around and getting lost in the maze of cobblestone streets.
4. Admire Seville Cathedral
Seville Cathedral is another UNESCO site in Seville, and it is quite impressive to see!
Similar to Cordoba’s Mosque-Cathedral, Seville Cathedral started as a mosque in the 11th century. When the Spanish conquered Andalucia, they turned it into a Cathedral.
The building you see today looks nothing like a mosque, but one element survived the test of time – the bell tower called The Giralda, which is a former minaret!
5. Watch flamenco and drink sangria
When I think of Andalucia I think of flamenco, tapas, and sangria, and that is exactly what you’ll find in Seville.
There is not a single place where you can go to experience all these things, but it is all over the city.
There are several flamenco houses where you can watch the performances or you can catch the free performance in La Carboneria bar as I did!
TOP Things to do in Malaga
1. Visit Malaga Alcazba
Malaga had an important historical role, dating back to Phoenician times! Unfortunately, you can’t see much from that period today, but some quite impressive monuments remain!
Roman Theater in the city center is free to visit and stands as a token of Roman influence.
Alcazaba Fortress and the Gibralfaro Castle date back to the Moorish times, and they are the main tourist attractions in the city.
Malaga Alcazba is not as intricate as the one in Seville or Granada, but it is well worth visiting if it’s your first time in the area to learn more about the history of the region.
2. Admire the view from Gibralfaro
My favorite spot in Malaga was the Gibralfaro viewpoint!
It is a bit of a hike to get there, but don’t worry! The path is paved and you don’t have to be very sporty to do it. Alternatively, you can always take a bus up there.
You’ll get to see a panoramic view of the whole city and the Mediterranean Sea. You can also visit the hilltop castle. The entry is included in the Alcazba ticket, so it is worth checking it out.
It is also a great spot to watch the sunset over Malaga!
3. Visit the Picasso Museum
The famous Spanish artist Pablo Ruiz Picasso was born in Malaga, and there is a whole museum dedicated to his work.
If you’re an art enthusiast, you have to visit the Picasso Museum and see over 250 of his works – from paintings to sculptures!
Alternatively, you can also visit the free Malaga Museum and see some of Picasso’s work that way!
4. Enjoy the beaches
The main difference between Malaga and Seville is that Malaga is a coastal town with beaches right in the city center!
If you’re looking for a getaway that combines beaches and sightseeing, Malaga is the one for you.
Even if you’re short on time, you can squeeze in a quick dip on Playa de la Malagueta in the city center like I did!
If you have several days in Malaga, it is worth venturing out of the city as the best beaches are in the coastal towns along Costa del Sol.
5. Hike Caminito del Rey
While Malaga is best known for its beaches, it is situated in a quite mountainous region.
If you like hiking, you have to hike the popular Caminito del Rey!
This hiking trail outside of Malaga is one of the most scenic trails in Spain but it is not for the faint-hearted.
You’ll walk on the paths along the
One thing to note is that you need to buy a ticket to hike the trail, and the tickets are timed and limited!
The trail is about 60km from Malaga, and you can drive there, take a bus, or join an organized tour.
⛰️ Join the Caminito del Rey tour and don’t worry about the transport!
Getting There
- Winner: Both
Both Malaga and Seville have an international airport with many daily departures all over Europe.
The airports are served by budget airlines, like easyJet and Ryanair, so you can often find affordable flight options.
If you’re flying to Spain, and your city has a connection to either of these airports, there is no difference in the ease of access.
Also, the cities are about 200km from each other, so you could fly into one and take a train or a bus to the other.
If you’re already backpacking Spain, Seville is closer to Madrid than Malaga.
However, you can also take a flight from Madrid to Malaga if you’re short on time. Domestic flights are quite affordable in Spain.
Accommodation
- Winner: Both
There is no shortage of accommodation options in either of the cities.
From staying in backpacker hostels to family-run pensions and upscale hotels, there is something for everyone.
I didn’t notice a dramatic price difference when it came to accommodation. However, Malaga is a popular beach destination, so prices increase in the summer compared to the prices in Seville.
Where to stay in Seville
- Backpacker Hostel: Onefam Catedral Hostel
- Mid-range Option: Hostal Callejon del Agua
- TOP Pick: Hotel Casa del Poeta
Where to stay in Malaga
- Backpacker Hostel: The Urban Jungle Hostel
- Mid-range Option: Hostal Vidamia
- TOP Pick: H10 Croma Málaga
Getting Around
- Winner: Both
Malaga and Spain are quite large cities, but most tourist attractions are in the city center.
I chose accommodation in the city center, so I simply walked everywhere. Both cities are very walkable!
However, both cities offer reliable and frequent public transportation options if your accommodation is a bit farther from the city center or you’re figuring out how to get from the airport to the city.
Malaga also has a metro, which I took to go to the airport!
I didn’t need to use public transport at all in Seville, as everything I wanted to see was within walking distance.
Many tourist attractions in Malaga, like the Caminito del Rey and beach towns, are outside the city. You don’t need to rent a car as they are all easily accessible by public transport.
Nightlife
- Winner: Both, but Malaga has more clubbing options
The Spanish love nightlife, so it is not surprising that the country is one of the best European nightlife destinations!
You can’t go wrong with either of the cities really.
Nightlife in Malaga is slightly more upscale and cosmopolitan, with options for everyone.
The city center of Malaga is dotted with bars and nightclubs, so you don’t even have to worry about getting there. My hostel in the city center was right across from one of the nightclubs!
If you’re a fan of calmer nightlife – grabbing a drink and dinner and enjoying the lively atmosphere, you can do it in both cities.
Flamenco is not really a thing in Malaga, so if you want to grab a glass of sangria and watch the performance you should head to Seville.
Cost of travel
- Winner: Both, but Malaga gets more expensive in the summer
The budget for your trip is another factor to take into account.
However, I didn’t notice a dramatic difference in my spending in Seville and Malaga.
I visited in June, before the peak summer season, so the prices in Malaga hadn’t fully increased yet.
Generally, you can expect to spend 40-90€ per day in both cities as a budget traveler.
If you’re backpacking Europe on a budget and staying in hostels, your average will be closer to 40€.
As a solo female traveler who likes to stay in more comfortable accommodation options, you can spend closer to 80€ per day, as you’ll pay at least 50€ for a room.
Both Seville and Malaga have plenty of free things to do, and fun paid activities. On average, entry tickets for tourist attractions and museums are about 15€.
Food and drinks are where different travelers’ budgets will differentiate, but you can expect an average meal in a casual restaurant to be around 12€.
Seville is better for you …
If you want to discover a Spanish town with a vibrant atmosphere, unique monuments, charming cobblestone streets, and lively nightlife – Seville is the one for you.
I absolutely loved the
Seville is also a great base for day trips in the region, and you can easily visit Granda or Cordoba on a day trip from Seville.
The best time to visit Seville is spring and autumn, but it is also a great European destination in the winter, as the weather doesn’t get too cold.
Seville makes for a perfect sunny city break destination!
Malaga is better for you…
If you’re seeking a beachfront town for your next summer getaway, Malaga offers a fun blend of sightseeing and beaches.
If you’re deciding between Malaga or Seville in the summer, Malaga has a beach to cool off in the heat.
Malaga Beach wasn’t my favorite beach in Europe, but it is easily accessible and quite convenient if you’re visiting Spain in the summer!
The sandy beaches of Costa del Sol around Malaga are a popular European summer destination and a great place to spend several days soaking up the sun and swimming in crystal clear seas.
Should you visit both?
Sure! You don’t have to decide between Malaga or Seville.
If you have enough time, visit both Malaga and Seville.
Despite being in the same region of Spain and relatively close to each other, these two cities feel very different.
You’d need at least 3 days to get the best of both cities. I’d spend 2 days in Seville, and 1 day in Malaga is enough to see the main tourist attractions.
If you’re traveling in the summer, you might want an additional day to enjoy the beaches of Costa del Sol.
I spent 3 days in each city when I was backpacking Andalucia, and it was plenty of time for sightseeing and relaxing on the beach.
Final Thoughts: Seville or Malaga
Deciding between Seville and Malaga might seem complicated because these two beautiful cities are so different!
If you’re seeking a city break destination, with lively culture and impressive historical attractions, head to Seville.
If you like a versatile beachfront city, with long shopping streets, bars, and restaurants, then Malaga is the one for you.
I liked the architecture and vibes in Seville more, but Malaga could be a better choice for hot Spanish summers!
Finally, Seville is a place where I’d love to go back to, and I feel like Malaga is a place I visited and I don’t have to return to.
Ultimately, the cities are well connected, so you can easily fit both into your Southern Spain itinerary!
