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Malaga or Seville? An honest comparison
The short answer
Pick Seville for Andalusia's grandest monuments — the Alcázar, the cathedral and Plaza de España — plus tapas and flamenco, ideally in spring or autumn. Pick Malaga if you want a beach in the city, an easier summer (about 32°C in July against Seville's 38°C) and a base for the Costa del Sol. Seville is slightly cheaper by our numbers: about €165 a day mid-range against €172.
Malaga: suits families and couples who want a beach, museums and a compact old town, with day trips along the coast.
Seville: suits couples, photographers and older travellers who put historic architecture, gardens and flamenco ahead of the sea.
Side by side
| Malaga | Seville | |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-range day* | €172 | €165 |
| Budget day* | €79 | €77 |
| Value for money | ●●●●●Fair prices, though summer beach hotels cost more. | ●●●●●Slightly cheaper overall; tapas are good value. |
| Crowds (5 = calm) | ●●●●●Cruise-ship days and summer fill the centre; calmer in winter. | ●●●●●Alcázar queues are long; Holy Week and the April Fair are packed. |
| Food | ●●●●●Fried fish, sardine skewers and cold almond soup by the sea. | ●●●●●Some of Spain's best tapas bars, especially in Triana. |
| Nightlife | ●●●●●Old-town bars at weekends; a modest scene overall. | ●●●●●Busy terraces late into the night and many flamenco venues. |
| Family-friendly | ●●●●●Beaches, castles and a compact centre make it easy with kids. | ●●●●●Walkable, but summer heat and late hours tire children. |
| Getting around | ●●●●●Centre on foot; trains to the airport and the coast. | ●●●●●Flat old town on foot, plus a tram and one metro line. |
| Best months | Feb, Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec | Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov |
| Warmest / coolest | Jul 32°C / Jan 17°C | Jul 38°C / Jan 16°C |
| Known for | Alcazaba, Gibralfaro Castle, Picasso Museum, Atarazanas Market | Giralda tower, Alcázar gardens, flamenco, Metropol Parasol, jamón ibérico |
* Per person per day with two sharing a room: bed, food, sights and local transport, from our Malaga and Seville day-cost tables (approximate 2026 prices; other currencies converted at recent rates). Ratings are our editorial judgement.
Which one should you pick?
Pick Malaga if…
- you want to swim in the sea without leaving the city
- you are travelling with children
- you are visiting in summer and want to avoid extreme heat
- you want day trips to Nerja, Ronda or the Caminito del Rey
Pick Seville if…
- Monuments come first: the Alcázar, the cathedral and the Giralda
- you want flamenco in the city most associated with it
- you are visiting between February and May, or in October–November
- you enjoy long evenings moving between tapas bars
Weather month by month
| Month | Malaga high / rainy days | Seville high / rainy days |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 17°C · 5 | 16°C · 4 |
| Feb | 18°C · 5 | 19°C · 5 |
| Mar | 20°C · 10 | 21°C · 9 |
| Apr | 22°C · 7 | 25°C · 5 |
| May | 25°C · 5 | 29°C · 5 |
| Jun | 29°C · 4 | 33°C · 3 |
| Jul | 32°C · 1 | 38°C · 0 |
| Aug | 32°C · 1 | 37°C · 1 |
| Sep | 28°C · 4 | 31°C · 6 |
| Oct | 25°C · 4 | 28°C · 7 |
| Nov | 21°C · 2 | 20°C · 6 |
| Dec | 19°C · 7 | 17°C · 8 |
Average daily high and number of rainy days. Copernicus ERA5, 2021–2023.
What you will eat
Malaga
Grilled sardine skewers · Fried fish · Fried anchovies · Malaga salad · Cold almond soup · Sweet Malaga wine
Where: Mercado Central de Atarazanas, Old town (Centro Histórico), Pedregalejo and El Palo, Soho (Ensanche Heredia)
Seville
Salmorejo · Spinach with chickpeas · Pringá sandwich · Pork tenderloin in whisky sauce · Marinated fried dogfish · Acorn-fed Iberian ham
Where: Mercado de Triana, Triana (Calle Betis, San Jacinto, Pagés del Corro), Mercado de Feria, Alfalfa and Plaza de la Encarnación
Doing both in one trip
6 days: 3 in Seville + 3 in Malaga
Do Seville first for the sightseeing, then finish in Malaga by the sea. Malaga's airport has far more international flights, so ending there usually makes the flight home easier.
Getting between them: Direct train, about 2 h, or intercity bus, about 2 h 45; driving takes roughly 2 h 15 by motorway. Check current timetables, as journey times vary by service. Distance about 156 km as the crow flies. Check current timetables.
- Day 1–3: Seville — Alcázar (book ahead), cathedral and Giralda, Plaza de España, an evening in Triana
- Day 4: Train to Malaga, afternoon at the Alcazaba and Gibralfaro Castle
- Day 5–6: Picasso Museum, Atarazanas Market, a beach afternoon and seafood in Pedregalejo
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Common questions
Is Malaga or Seville cheaper?
Seville, by a small margin. Our mid-range estimate is about €165 per person per day in Seville and €172 in Malaga. Seville's hotels rise sharply during Holy Week and the April Fair, while Malaga's peak is July and August, when beach demand is highest. Tapas and set lunches are good value in both cities.
How do I get from Malaga to Seville?
Direct trains take about 2 hours and are the most comfortable option. Intercity buses run several times a day and take about 2 h 45, often for less money. Driving is roughly 210 km by motorway, about 2 h 15, but parking in central Seville is difficult and expensive. Check current timetables before you travel.
Which is better in summer?
Malaga. July highs average around 32°C, with a sea breeze and beaches to cool off, while Seville averages about 38°C and often goes above 40°C in the afternoon. If you must see Seville in summer, visit sights early in the morning, rest in the afternoon and go out after dark, as locals do.
Can I visit Seville as a day trip from Malaga?
You can, but it is a long day: about four hours of travel in total and only enough time for the cathedral, the Alcázar and a walk through Santa Cruz. Book Alcázar tickets in advance to avoid wasting time in the queue. If you have the time, one night in Seville is much better, because the city is at its best in the evening.