Seville vs Málaga: which city is the best choice?

Seville vs Málaga: struggling to choose? I visited both cities multiple times and help you decide with this honest comparison of atmosphere and sights.

Choosing between Seville and Málaga

During my travels through southern Spain, Seville and Málaga have always been regular stops. They are the two main cities of Andalusia, and although they are barely two hours apart, the experience and atmosphere are completely different.

In Seville, you are immediately immersed in classic Spain: flamenco, orange trees, Moorish palaces, and endless tapas on sfeervolle squares. It feels like an open-air museum, romantic and intense. Málaga is the large port city that has undergone a massive transformation in recent years. It feels a bit lighter, airier, and more modern. Here, you can easily combine culture (like the Picasso Museum) with an afternoon on the beach and feasting on fresh grilled fish at a seaside terrace.

Since both cities are fantastic destinations for a city break, choosing can be quite a challenge. In this article, I compare Seville vs Málaga on six points: atmosphere, sights, food & drink, climate, transportation, and day trips. This will help you decide which city best suits your travel style.

Seville vs Málaga? A comparison

Seville and Málaga are both popular destinations for a city trip in the south of Spain, but each has a very distinct character. To help you choose, I will compare them on six points. Let’s start with the atmosphere.

Atmosphere

The atmosphere determines your city break. Do you want to dive into history and imagine yourself in another time, or are you looking for more of a laid-back “beach vibe”? This is where the cities differ the most.

Seville feels like the Spain from the guidebooks. The city is beautiful, with monumental buildings and narrow streets in the Santa Cruz district that you immediately fall in love with. The atmosphere here is a bit more traditional and proud. Life takes place entirely outdoors, but the pace is slow, especially in summer, because of the heat. Seville feels chic and romantic, truly a place to feast your eyes.

Málaga feels a bit more “loose.” It used to be primarily the “port of arrival” for tourists heading to the Costa del Sol, but the city has become a hip destination in its own right. The atmosphere is a mix of a modern city and a relaxed seaside resort. The wide promenades by the port and beach give it a spacious feel. It is less “poetic” than Seville, but lively, young, and very accessible. Because the famous artist Picasso grew up in Málaga, it also has a somewhat arty vibe.

Winner: Seville. If you go for the truly authentic Spanish atmosphere, Seville wins. Málaga is wonderfully relaxed, but Seville feels like a completely different world.

Things to do

You won’t be bored for a moment in either city, but the types of sights differ greatly. Seville is all about culture and history, while Málaga is all about art and great beaches.

Seville Seville is full of World Heritage Sites. You practically trip over the impressive buildings here. These are the absolute highlights:

• Real Alcázar: The royal palace is perhaps the most beautiful building in Spain (and known as Dorne from Game of Thrones!). The gardens are an oasis of tranquility.
• Plaza de España: A huge, semicircular square decorated with colorful tiles (azulejos). You can even rent a boat there.
• The Cathedral & La Giralda: One of the largest cathedrals in the world. Climb the Giralda Tower (there are no stairs, just ramps!) for an incredible view.
• Metropol Parasol (Las Setas): For a modern contrast: this wooden structure shaped like mushrooms gives you a great view of the city, especially at sunset.

Read more: 16 great things to do in Seville

Málaga

Málaga has developed in recent years into a real city of museums, but it also has plenty of history and, of course, that wonderful beach.

• Alcazaba & Gibralfaro: This Moorish fortress towers high above the city. It looks a bit like the Alhambra in Granada, but smaller and overlooking the sea.
• Museo Picasso: Pablo Picasso was born in Málaga. The beautiful Buenavista Palace houses a large collection of his work.
• Muelle Uno: The renovated port promenade full of shops and restaurants. Here you will also find the colorful Centre Pompidou (“The Cube”).
• La Manquita: The cathedral of Málaga is also called “the one-armed lady” because the second tower was never finished due to a lack of funds. You can also climb to the roof, which is highly recommended at sunset.
• Malagueta Beach: From the center, you can walk straight onto the sandy beach. Ideal!

Read more: 23 Best things to do in Málaga

Winner: Málaga. While Seville has the most beautiful sights as far as I’m concerned (the Real Alcázar and the Plaza de España are truly in a league of their own), Málaga offers a bit more variety. If you’re traveling with someone, chances are you’ll both find plenty to enjoy in Málaga.

Food & drinks

Good food is never an issue in Andalusia; you can truly feast on delicious tapas on every street corner. Still, both cities have their own unique specialties.

In Seville, the “tapas culture” is sacred. It is very common here to hop from bar to bar (tapear). You will find great places especially in the Triana neighborhood and around Alameda de Hércules. Be sure to order Espinacas con garbanzos (spinach with chickpeas) or Salmorejo (cold tomato soup). The quality of the food is high, and the atmosphere in the traditional bodegas is one of a kind.

Málaga has an asset that Seville lacks: the sea. This is where you eat the very best fish. A must-do is lunch at one of the “chiringuitos” (beach bars) in the El Palo or Pedregalejo districts. Order Espetos de sardinas here: sardines grilled on a skewer over an open fire on the beach. In the center, you can also find more and more hip rooftop bars and fusion restaurants, alongside great places for tapas.

Winner: Draw. Do you love fish and enjoy your food with the sound of the waves in the background? Then Málaga wins. Are you looking for the ultimate, traditional tapas experience in historic bars? Then Seville is your place.

Climate

Both cities are in the south of Spain, where it is almost always warm. Yet the climate differs more than you might think. This is a very important point to factor into your choice, especially if you are traveling in the summer.

Seville is known as the “frying pan” of Spain. In the summer months (July and August), temperatures here regularly rise above 40 degrees. Because the city is located inland, the heat lingers for a long time. In contrast, spring and fall are warm and sunny. Winters are mild, but it can feel a bit cooler in the evening than on the coast. I once visited Seville at Christmas; it was almost 25 degrees during the day, but only 8 degrees in the morning. The differences can be quite large.

Málaga has a great advantage: its location by the sea. The sea breeze provides cooling, making summers much more pleasant than in Seville. It gets hot, but rarely unbearably hot. Even in winter, Málaga is one of the warmest places in Europe, making it a perfect destination for a winter sun vacation. I once took a city trip to Málaga with a friend in November, and we were able to wear shorts and t-shirts every day. Which was awesome!

Winner: Málaga. Mainly because of the milder summers. For many people, Seville in July and August is simply too hot for a city break. Are you traveling in spring (April/May)? Then Seville is just perfect.

Transportation

For a city trip, a rental car is not always practical. That’s why it’s good to consider the transportation options in the city you want to visit. How easy is it to get there, and how do you get around?

Seville has a compact historic center that is largely car-free. You can walk almost everywhere. There is also an excellent tram network, a metro (although you won’t need it much as a tourist), and a good bike-share system (Sevici). Seville has an airport, but it often has fewer direct international connections than Málaga, and flights can be slightly more expensive.

Málaga has one of the largest airports in Spain with many (affordable) connections from all over Europe and beyond. From the airport, the train takes you to the heart of the city in just 12 minutes. The center is car-free and everything is walkable, including the route to the beach. If you want to explore the surrounding neighborhoods, the bus or metro are great options.

Winner: Málaga. Purely because of accessibility. More airlines fly to Málaga and the train connection from the airport to the city is ideal.

Day trips

Want to see more of Andalusia? You can take wonderful trips from both cities.

From Seville, you can easily catch the high-speed train to Córdoba to see the iconic Mezquita. The beautiful city of Cádiz on the coast is also easily accessible by train. And if you’re feeling adventurous, you can even reach Portugal in no time from Seville. Portugal’s Algarve is completely different from Andalusia again.

Málaga is the perfect base if you want to see more of the coast or nature. The famous hiking trail Caminito del Rey (the King’s Path) is an hour’s drive away. The beautiful mountain village of Ronda, with its famous bridge, is also easy to do as a day trip. In addition, you can easily visit other coastal towns from Málaga, such as the charming Nerja.

Also read: 10 fun day trips from Malaga

Winner: Seville. Although you have plenty of options from Málaga, I find the day trips from Seville to be a little more varied, and the city is just more centrally located.

Seville or Málaga: the winner!

Which city should you choose for your next trip? Based on the points in this article, Málaga is the winner! But honestly, it all depends on what you are looking for.

Choose Seville if you are visiting Andalusia for the first time and want to experience authentic Spanish culture. The architecture is phenomenal, and there is a truly magical atmosphere. It is the best choice for a spring or fall city trip full of culture and amazing food.

Choose Málaga if you are looking for a relaxing city break that combines the city and the beach. It is the perfect choice in summer (thanks to that sea breeze) or if you love a modern vibe with great museums and trendy hotspots.

My personal favorite? Although I love visiting Málaga for its laid-back atmosphere, Seville stole my heart. The city is so incredibly beautiful; it’s a place you simply have to experience for yourself at least once.