Quick answer: Alicante is the cheaper weekend in our basket: £205–£390 per person against £220–£420 for Málaga. Málaga charges more for the room but less for food, and has the bigger city behind the beach.
Cite this page: Atravel.uk, “Alicante or Málaga”, updated 12 November 2026. https://atravel.uk/compare/alicante-vs-malaga/
| Two-night weekend | Alicante | Málaga |
|---|---|---|
| Flight time from the UK | 2h 40m | 2h 55m |
| Return flights | £40–£120 | £45–£140 |
| Mid-range hotel, per night | £70–£120 | £85–£140 |
| Two nights, per person (sharing) | £70–£120 | £85–£140 |
| Food and drink, two days | £60–£95 | £55–£85 |
| Local transport | £16–£26 | £16–£26 |
| One paid attraction | £18–£30 | £18–£30 |
| Two-night total, per person | £205–£390 | £220–£420 |
| Best months | April to June, September to October | May, June and September |
| Cheapest months | November to February | January and February |
Both columns use the same five-line basket: return flights from the UK, two nights in a mid-range room shared between two, food and drink for two days, local transport and one paid attraction.
The money: the room is the gap
The flight difference is small: £40–£120 to Alicante against £45–£140 to Málaga. The room is what separates them: £70–£120 a night against £85–£140. Food runs the other way, £60–£95 against £55–£85, which softens the gap but does not close it. At the low end Alicante is £15 cheaper per person; at the high end, £30.
Transport and one paid attraction are priced identically, so neither city gains there. If you eat out heavily, Málaga's lower food line eats into Alicante's advantage; if you mostly walk and swim, Alicante stays ahead.
City, beach and the transfer
Alicante puts the beach in front of the old town, with the C6 bus running to the airport every 20 minutes and a tram to Benidorm or Altea for £2–£4. The city centre is 10 km from the airport.
Málaga has the bigger city centre: the old town, the port and a 12-minute train to María Zambrano station for under £2. Dinner for two, mid-range, is £35–£55, and the beach is a short walk from the centre rather than the reason to come.
When to go
Alicante's best months are April to June and September to October, with November to February cheapest. Málaga's are May, June and September; January and February are cheapest if you can live without swimming. Both guides warn against mid-August, when the Spanish coast is at capacity.
Which city suits which trip
- Alicante for the lowest total, a beach-first weekend and easy trips along the Costa Blanca.
- Málaga for a city break with a beach attached, better food value and a faster airport transfer.
- Either for winter sun: both are mild, and both are cheapest in January and February.
Verdict
Alicante wins on the total, and the gap is real but not huge. Málaga is the better city break: more to walk around, cheaper dinners, and a train that puts you in the centre in 12 minutes. If you want the lowest number, pick Alicante; if you want the city, pay the £15–£30.
Plan the two trips
Frequently asked questions
Is Alicante cheaper than Málaga?
Yes, by £15 per person at the low end and £30 at the high end of our two-night basket. The room costs more in Málaga; food costs less there, which narrows the gap.
Which has the cheaper flights?
Alicante's band is £40–£120 return against £45–£140 for Málaga. Both are well served from UK regional airports, so the difference on your dates may be smaller than the annual band suggests.
Which is better in winter?
Both are mild and cheapest in January and February. Alicante's guide puts the best months at April to June and September to October; Málaga's at May, June and September. For a winter weekend, price rather than weather is the better tie-breaker.
More comparisons: all side-by-side guides · weekend cost calculator · what a weekend costs