Malaga Vs Seville: Which City Is Best To Visit?

Malaga and Seville are two beautiful Andalusian destinations and among the most popular choices for travellers. But which one is better? Malaga or Seville?

There’s always been a big debate between Malagueños and Sevillanos (people from Malaga and Sevilla) about which city is better.

I must admit that these two cities are close to my heart: Malaga is my hometown, and I have close family who were born in Seville, including my mum, so yes, I’m half Sevillana. Both destinations are special to me.

While Malaga has a mix of beaches and sights, I think that Seville is best for visiting historic buildings and landmarks.

My top advice is to visit both if you have the opportunity, as each city offers something unique. However, if you don’t have time to visit both and are wondering which is better, this Malaga vs Seville article will help you decide which suits your travel style. 

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Attractions and historical sites

Malaga

Many travellers associate Malaga with sun and beaches, but there’s much more than that. Malaga is home to beautiful historic buildings and over 40 different museums and art galleries, from the famous Picasso Museum and the Centre Pompidou to the unique Automobile and Fashion Museum.

You can’t miss attractions like the Alcazaba de Málaga, a beautiful Moorish fortress-palace, Gibralfaro Castle and Malaga Cathedral. These are the three main historical buildings in the city.

If you don’t have much time in the city, the Malaga Picasso Museum is a must-see, but the Carmen Thyssen Museum is also worth visiting. 

Best activities and tours in Malaga

• Evening Wine and Tapas Tour
• Flamenco Show at Tablao Alegría
• Caminito del Rey from Malaga and Costa del Sol

Seville

Seville has several impressive UNESCO World Heritage Sites, so it isn’t surprising that Seville is one of the most visited cities in Spain.

The most iconic place in Seville is Plaza de España, a beautiful square with a mix of architectural styles, tiled benches representing different Spanish cities and an incredible atmosphere. Many street singers come here to show off their flamenco skills.

There’s also no visit to Seville without going to Seville Cathedral, one of the biggest cathedrals in the world. Its tower, called La Giralda, makes it a unique place to visit.

Other beautiful places to visit in Seville are the Alcazar of Seville and Casa de Pilatos, two palaces where you can see incredible Mudejar architecture. 

Best activities and tours in Seville

• Royal Alcazar, Cathedral, and Giralda Guided Tour
• Guadalquivir Yacht Tour with Drink & Food Options
• Flamenco Show with Optional Flamenco Museum Ticket

Which city is better to visit for sightseeing?: Seville. It has more historical landmarks than Malaga. At the same time, these must-see places in Seville have much more history and more impressive architecture than those in Malaga.

Beaches

Malaga

Not only does Malaga City have beaches, but its surroundings do, too. If you’re staying near the centre, the closest beach is La Malagueta, just next to the port. This is the liveliest and busiest beach, so if you want a less crowded beach close to the city centre, try Huelin or El Palo. 

Head to Costa Del Sol towns like Nerja and Marbella for the best beaches in the area.

Seville

Seville isn’t by the coast, so if you want to go to the beach, you’ll have to visit other Andalusian cities. Cadiz beaches are a popular option among “Sevillanos” (people from Seville). However, Huelva is also another good destination for beaches.

Which city is better to visit for a beach holiday?: This is a clear winner, Malaga, as Seville doesn’t have beaches.

Food and drinks

Malaga

Malaga’s traditional food is influenced by the landscape. Due to the proximity to the coast, it isn’t a surprise that many typical dishes contain fish.

The most popular dishes include espeto de sardinas (sardine skewers), fritura malagueña (a mix of fried fish and seafood), ensalada malagueña (Malaga-style salad), and gazpachuelo (a fish soup topped with mayonnaise). 

But you can also find non-fish dishes like ajoblanco (almond soup) and plato de los montes (a meat-based dish with pork loin, chips, black pudding, fried egg, and green peppers).

If you’re a wine lover, you’ll also love to know that Malaga has some of the best wineries in Southern Spain. Make sure to try Malaga’s sweet wine. You can do this by booking a food tour with a local guide, visiting restaurants like El Pimpi or going on a day trip to a winery in Ronda.

Seville 

Seville’s traditional cuisine is diverse and includes dishes you either love or hate. 

Some popular dishes are rabo de toro (oxtail), caracoles (snails), manitas de cerdo (pig trotters), and huevos a la flamenca (fried potatoes with fried eggs and chorizo).

If you’d like to try typical drinks of Seville, order a rebujito, a cocktail made with sherry wine and lemonade. It’s a popular drink at the Seville Fair.

Which city is better to visit for foodies? It really depends on your food taste and preferences. Personally, I prefer Malaga cuisine. It’s light and refreshing, whereas Seville cuisine is more hearty. 

Accommodation

Malaga

When it comes to accommodation, Malaga is full of options. You can either stay at an incredible 5-star hotel next to the beach or at a hostel close to the main attractions.

You can really choose how much you want to spend and how close you want to be to the city centre. 

Something to consider when you visit Malaga is that if you come during peak season (like July and August), you can expect higher prices. 

Hotel recommendations in Malaga: 

📍Luxury: Gran Hotel Miramar

📍Mid-range: Room Mate Collection Valeria

📍Budget: Urban Jungle Hostel

Seville 

Seville is similar to Malaga in this aspect. You can find a range of accommodation, from luxury hotels to budget-friendly hostels.

Luxury hotels in Seville are incredible as they are filled with history and architecture. An example of this is Hotel Alfonso XIII.

Hotel recommendations in Seville:

📍 Luxury: Hotel Alfonso XIII

📍 Mid-range: One Shot Palacio Conde Torrejón

📍 Budget: Hotel Patio de las Cruces

Which city has better accommodation? Malaga and Seville have excellent and affordable accommodations, but the top-notch accommodations in Seville are the best!

Day trips

Malaga

You can go on fantastic day trips from Malaga. You have plenty of options if you want to discover some of the best beaches in Costa del Sol, go hiking, or explore the beautiful whitewashed towns in Malaga or Cadiz.

Here are some of my favourite day trips from Malaga:

• Frigiliana: one of the prettiest towns in Spain. Wander its cobblestone and whitewashed streets, admire its coastal views and try its traditional sugar cane honey. Then, head to Nerja, which is only 10 10-minute drive, and relax at Burriana Beach, one of the best beaches in Nerja.

• Gibraltar: the best day trip for a fun day with friends or family. Discover the Upper Nature Reserve, enjoy the views from the Rock of Gibraltar and do some shopping.

• Granada: perfect for travellers who want to learn about Andalusian culture and see impressive landmarks like Alhambra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Seville

Seville is near lovely towns and other fantastic Andalusian cities too. These are some popular day trips from Seville:

• Carmona: the easiest day trip from Seville. This small town offers many things – from impressive historic buildings to mouthwatering cakes made by nuns.

• Cordoba: spend a day in Cordoba visiting its most famous attraction (the Mosque-Cathedral), exploring the Jewish Quarter and taking photos of the pretty Andalusian patios.

• Cadiz: one of the best day trips to escape the warm weather of Seville. However, Cadiz is also a great city to visit for history buffs. It’s one of the oldest cities in Europe.

Which city is better to visit for day trips? Both cities have incredible day trips. It depends on the type of day trip you prefer.

Airport

Malaga

Malaga-Costa del Sol Airport (AGP) is one of the biggest airports in Spain. You can easily find many flight routes and airlines that travel from Europe. 

The airport is very well-connected to the city, and you can use the bus, train or taxi to get to Malaga city centre and other coastal towns like Torremolinos, Benalmadena and Fuengirola. 

Alternatively, many car rentals are available where you can easily hire a car. 

Seville 

Seville Airport (SVQ) is the sixth busiest airport in Spain. The airport has many connections across Europe and Northern Africa. 

It isn’t a big airport, but you’ll always find many people. 

You have a few options to go from the airport to Seville city centre: bus, taxi, or hire a car. 

Which city has a better airport? Malaga because it has a bigger airport, plenty of connections, and it’s well-connected to the city and surroundings. Seville Airport is also quite good, but smaller, and doesn’t have many transport options from the airport to the city or nearby towns. 

Seville

Seville is also a budget-friendly destination. However, attraction entry tickets can be expensive. Some attractions offer free entry on specific dates and times, so I recommend checking their website before going.

Eating in Seville is cheap; you can find fantastic tapas bars that offer delicious food at reasonable prices. However, as in most big cities, avoid eating at restaurants near attractions. They raise their prices because of their convenient location and don’t always offer authentic cuisine.

Last but not least, accommodation varies depending on your preferences. You can find all sorts of hotels and hostels. To get a room at a good price, check out neighbourhoods close to the city centre.

Which city is cheaper? Malaga is slightly cheaper than Seville, but you won’t see the price difference between these two cities. Most Andalusian destinations are more affordable than those in central and northern Spain. 

Transport

Malaga

Moving around Malaga is easy and comfortable. If you’re visiting the city centre, you won’t need to take public transport or a car as all the attractions are close to each other. Overall, Malaga is very walkable. 

If you want to visit other parts of the city, you can take the buses or the underground. Bus services are good and cover everywhere, whereas the metro is slowly expanding its network.

Last but not least, Malaga is well connected to coastal towns like Torremolinos and Fuengirola. You can take the RENFE train from Maria Zambrano station. 

Alternatively, the coach station has plenty of buses that take you to small towns and big cities. 

If you want the freedom to travel whenever you want and access off-the-beaten-path destinations, renting a car is the best option for you. 

Seville

Like Malaga, Seville is a walkable city. You can walk to the main attractions, such as the cathedral or the Setas de Sevilla viewpoint. 

However, if you want to maximise your time in the city and spend less time walking, take the underground, buses or even an Uber, as these aren’t expensive when moving near the city centre. 

When visiting other nearby towns, you have two options: take the train from Santa Justa station or rent a car to avoid waiting times and get access to hidden gems. 

Which city has better transport? Both cities have good public transport at reasonable prices, so there isn’t a clear winner. 

Weather

Malaga

Malaga is one of Spain’s sunniest cities, so people call it Costa del Sol (Coast of the Sun). Whether you visit Malaga in winter or summer, you’ll enjoy the sun and clear sky.

In the winter, you’ll love the mild temperatures. There are days when it’s 20 degrees (68°F) during the day, allowing you to do many outdoor activities. 

In the summer, temperatures can reach up to 40 degrees (104°F), but if you’re in Malaga City or a coastal town, you’ll feel a bit of the sea breeze.

If you want to sightsee in Malaga, the best times to visit are spring and autumn. However, if you want the ultimate summer holiday, book your trip in the summer.

Seville 

Seville is also a warm destination year-round. 

Winter in Seville is mild and sunny. You can enjoy sitting outdoors and having a few tapas with friends. 

Summer in Seville is extremely hot. Most days, you’ll see the thermostat reach 40 degrees (104°F), and temperatures don’t drop much in the evening. 

This is why many locals escape Seville in summer. They go to coastal cities like Cadiz and Malaga to cool down and enjoy days at the beach with family or friends.

I had never experienced extreme heat until I visited Seville in June. I remember stepping out of the car with a warm wind gust hitting my face. It was 37 degrees at 9 pm. 

If you plan a trip to Seville, the best time to visit is spring, especially in April.

Which city has better weather? Malaga. Although Seville’s weather is nice from autumn to spring, it’s quite challenging in summer. 

Conclusion on Malaga or Seville

Overall, Malaga and Seville offer different things, so I highly encourage you to visit both if possible, and even go on an Andalucia road trip to discover other beautiful cities and lesser-known towns.

However, if time is a problem, choose the city that meets your travel needs. If you want to spend time at the beach but still do a bit of sightseeing, choose Malaga. If you only want to see historical buildings and immerse yourself in Andalusian culture, go to Seville.

If you’re considering moving to one of these cities and wondering if it’s better to live in Seville or Malaga, Malaga is my top choice. There’s a large expat community, plenty of leisure activities, and it’s close to the beach.

However, Seville is also a popular destination for expats and digital nomads. The only thing to remember is that being in Seville during the summer months is challenging because of the extreme heat, and if you don’t like the heat, you may want to reconsider whether Seville is your best option.

Safe adventures!

Cristina xx

Read more about Malaga and Sevilla

Do you want to discover more about these two cities? Check out the travel guides below:

• The Perfect 2 Days in Seville Itinerary
• Is Seville Worth Visiting?
• Best Cafes in Seville You Must Visit
• The Correct Pronunciation of Seville
• Seville to Gibraltar Day Trip (Best Itinerary & Tour)
• How to Spend One Day in Malaga
• The Best Free Things To Do in Malaga
• Incredible Day Trips From Malaga You Shouldn’t Miss