Cost of a holiday in Malaga

Last updated: June 2026

Planning a holiday in Málaga but worried about costs? Wondering if it’s an expensive city? In this post, we crunch the numbers and break down what you’ll pay for things like accommodation, eating out and attractions. We’ve also included some tips on how you can stretch your budget or get much more for your money..

The short answer to “how much does a holiday in Malaga cost?” is not much. We think you’ll find it cheaper than expected, especially if you’re coming from a northern European city. Yes, prices have risen over the last few years, but most people find Malaga is a low-cost destination that doesn’t break the bank.

But low-cost doesn’t mean low quality and we think you’re going to be pleasantly surprised about how much you get for your money in Malaga. So, getting down to the nitty-gritty: how much does a holiday in Malaga cost?

Note that the prices in this article are all FROM.

Accommodation

Like all Spanish cities, Malaga offers great value for money when it comes to hotels. You’ll find a reasonably good selection of hotels, hostels and self-catering holiday lets in Malaga with accommodation prices to suit most budgets.

Read our comprehensive guide to where to stay in Malaga, covering every district in the city.

In our Where to Stay in  Malaga section, we’ve included a range of options and here’s what you can expect to pay for accommodation in Malaga for a double room in low season (November to April excluding Easter Week). For the rest of the year, add at least 20 per cent.

• Budget accomodation with shared bathroom – from €50
• Budget accomodation with private bathroom – from €75
• Boutique B&B – from €130
• 3-star hotel – from €100
• 4-star hotel – from €150
• 5-star hotel – from €220

Top tip unless it’s included in the price don’t bother paying for breakfast at the hotel. Pop out to one of the nearby cafés or bars and breakfast for €3.

Eating Out

Even if you decide to treat yourself to a gourmet dinner created by a Michelin-starred chef, you’ll find eating out in Malaga considerably cheaper than most cities in northern Europe. Here’s an idea:

• Breakfast (drink, orange juice plus toast) – from €4
• Chocolate and churros – from €3
• Tapa – from €3
• Sandwich (filling in baguette bread) – from €3.50
• Half-portion – from €5
• Full portion – from €8
• Plate of fried fish – from €8
• Sardine espeto – from €4
• Main course – from €10

Note that you’ll find the above prices at venues slightly off the beaten track, or where locals go. Expect to pay at least 50% more if you choose a restaurant catering exclusively for tourists.

Top tip Check out the menú del día, available at many bars at lunchtime. Priced from €10, it includes a choice of starters, mains and desserts, and usually a drink. Portions are usually generous too.

We think you’ll agree that eating out in Malaga is excellent value. How many other tourist hot spots do you know where you can get a good cup of coffee for €1.80?

Public transport

Most visitors say they’re surprised how cheap public transport is in Malaga. It has never been expensive, but since 2022 getting around by bus, train or metro is super cheap. This is because of government (local, regional and national) subsidies designed to encourage people to travel by public transport instead of getting their car out.

Bus fares in Malaga

A regular ticket costs €1.50 a ride, but if you buy a 10-journey ticket, it works out at €0.50 (€5 in total). Note, however, that the airport bus costs €4 each way and there’s no discount available.

Read our guide to getting around Malaga by bus.

Metro fares in Malaga

If you use the metro just once, a ticket costs €1.35, but if you buy a 10-journey ticket, it costs €0.49 (€4.90 for 10). Note that there’s a charge of €0.30 for the rechargeable card (€1.80 if you buy a PVC one.

Find out how to get around Malaga on the metro.

Taxi fares in Malaga

Unlike the bus and metro, taxis aren’t cheap. However, they’re convenient and quick, especially if there are several of you. In 2026, taxi fares are as follows:

Monday to Friday 6am to 10pm

• Minimum charge – €4.65
• Flag down charge – €1.88
• Km charge – €1.05
• Waiting time – €24.15 per hour

So, if you travelled 3km by taxi on a Friday morning, you’d pay €1.88 + €1.05 x 3 = €5.03

Monday to Thursday 10pm to 6am and weekends 6am to 10pm

• Minimum charge – €5.61
• Flag down charge – €2.27
• Km charge – €1.25
• Waiting time – €28.98 per hour

So, if you travelled 3km by taxi on a Sunday afternoon, you’d pay €2.27 + €1.25 x 3 = €6.02.

Note that these charges also apply on public holidays in Malaga, at Easter and during Malaga Fair.

Friday 10pm to midnight, weekends 10pm to 6am.

• Minimum charge – €6.40
• Flag down charge – €2.59
• Km charge – €1.43
• Waiting time – €30.00 per hour

Note also that there’s a minimum charge of €6.40 or €25.80 for a taxi ride to or from Malaga Airport, respectively.

Sights

There’s a long list of monuments, museums, sights and art museums in Malaga and the good news is that admission prices are extremely reasonable. Here’s an idea:

• Art museums – from €6
• Churches – usually free
• Historic monuments – from €7
• Museums – from €6

And don’t forget that children under 14, students and those over 65 usually get reduced rates. You may be asked for proof of status so have some ID handy.

Top tip Many sights are free on Sunday afternoons, after 2pm for the Alcazaba and Gibralfaro, and after 4pm for art museums.

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