Comparison · Málaga vs Tangier · Spain / Morocco
Málaga vs Tangier
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Kiban, CC BY-SA 3.0
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Quick answer
Choose Málaga for Picasso and Alcazaba; choose Tangier for Strait of Gibraltar, Kasbah and lower day-to-day costs. Tangier is generally less expensive, and the two are about 166 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 166 km
- Less expensive
- Tangier
- Best time for Málaga
- April–June and September–October
- Best time for Tangier
- April–June and September–October
Side by side
| Málaga | Tangier | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Spain | Morocco |
| Known for | Picasso, Alcazaba and Espetos | Strait of Gibraltar, Kasbah and Medina |
| Best time to visit | April–June and September–October | April–June and September–October |
| Ideal stay | 4 days | 4 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $130–$220 | $90–$170 |
| Cost level | Affordable | Affordable |
| Warmest month | July, 31°C (88°F) | July, 28°C (82°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 17°C (63°F) | January, 16°C (61°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 9 | 10 |
| Day trips in our guide | 7 | 5 |
| Beaches | La Malagueta | City beach |
| Airports | AGP | TNG |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Málaga for…
Picasso and Alcazaba. Málaga is the capital of the Costa del Sol and the birthplace of Pablo Picasso, a port city where a Moorish fortress, a Roman theatre and an unfinished Renaissance cathedral sit within a few minutes' walk of each other. The Museo Picasso, the Carmen Thyssen…
Choose Tangier for…
Strait of Gibraltar, Kasbah and lower day-to-day costs. Tangier faces Spain across the Strait of Gibraltar, about 30 km of water at its narrowest, at the point where the Mediterranean meets the Atlantic. Its whitewashed medina tumbles down a hill from the kasbah to the port, with the Grand Socco square at its…
Top sights compared
| # | Málaga | Tangier |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alcazaba of Málaga | Kasbah Museum (Dar el Makhzen) |
| 2 | Gibralfaro Castle | Tangier medina |
| 3 | Museo Picasso Málaga | Petit Socco |
| 4 | Málaga Cathedral | Grand Socco |
| 5 | Roman Theatre | Mendoubia Gardens |
Food compared
| Málaga | Tangier |
|---|---|
| Espetos de sardinas | Bissara |
| Fried fish | Kalinte |
| Boquerones | Harira |
| Ajoblanco | Tagine |
Which is cheaper?
Tangier is usually the less expensive of the two: a mid-range day costs about $90–$170 per person there, against $130–$220 in Málaga (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Tangier on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Málaga and Tangier are about 166 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 4 days in Málaga and 4 in Tangier.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Málaga or Tangier cheaper?
Tangier is usually less expensive: about $90–$170 a day mid-range against $130–$220 (estimates).
+Is Málaga or Tangier better for a first trip?
Pick Málaga for Picasso and Alcazaba, or Tangier for Strait of Gibraltar, Kasbah and lower day-to-day costs.
+How far is Málaga from Tangier?
About 166 km in a straight line.