A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Alicante vs. Annecy for Food, Old Town, Couples, and Attractions

Should you visit Alicante or Annecy?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Alicante and Annecy can help you decide which place is right for you.

Alicante

Alicante is a authentic, vibrant, and cultural city. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Annecy

Annecy is a storybook, charming, and stunning alpine town. It also offers plenty of small town charm and also has plenty of sights and activities. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Alicante and Annecy: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Alicante or Annecy?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Annecy than Alicante, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Annecy is better known for its food, historical sights, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Alicante is more popular for its museums and beaches. Annecy is more touristy than Alicante and is popular for its charming old town and its beautiful, lakefront, alpine setting. Also, Annecy is famous for Palais de l'Isle. Alicante is well known for its sandy beaches, vibrant nightlife, and authentic restaurants.

How is Alicante different from Annecy?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Annecy and Alicante. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Alicante or Annecy?

Alicante is a great city for its historical sights. Also, Annecy is not as popular, but is still a nice alpine town for its sights and museums.

Many visitors head to Alicante specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. This port city has a number of cultural and historical sights that are worth checking out. Castillo de Santa Bárbara, Museo Arqueológico Provincial de Alicante, and Basilica de Santa María are among the most well known.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Annecy. The old town and lakefront setting is what brings the tourists, but there are several unique landmarks around town as well. Palais de l'Île is the most photographed spot in the old town. Also worth visiting are Musée-Château d'Annecy, Eglise Saint-Maurice, and Cathédrale Saint-Pierre.

Is the Food Better in Alicante or Annecy? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Annecy is terrific for its restaurant scene. Also, Alicante is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Annecy has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. Fresh caught fish and local French specialties make this town a wonderful culinary destination. The old town is filled with restaurants, cafes, and markets where you can enjoy local ingredients. There are many local dishes to try with some of the most popular being Tartiflette, Raclette, and Gratin de crozets. Fondue is also popular. You'll find cheese is a common component in many dishes.

Alicante has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. It's by the sea, so you'll find plenty of seafood. Rice is the main staple for many dishes in town. This is also a vegetable growing region, so many recipes incorporate fresh vegetables. Popular dishes include arroz a banda, arroz con costra, and olleta alicantina.

Is Alicante or Annecy Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Alicante and Annecy.

Alicante has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. For the city's best nightlife, head to El Barrio Antiguo, which is the old district. This is where you'll find the highest concentration of bars and clubs, many of them having live music.

If you're looking for night time activities Annecy has a few options to choose from. There are bars and pubs to visit with one of the most popular bar-hopping streets being Rue Sainte-Claire.

Is Alicante or Annecy Better for Beaches?

Alicante is very good for the beache. However, Annecy is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Alicante to enjoy the beach. If you step away from the touristy areas, you'll find some nice sandy beaches with blue water. Playa la Fustera is northeast of the city and popular with families and couples. If you have a car you can drive to the town of Moraira, which is near several nice beaches as well.

Annecy is not a beach destination.

Is Alicante or Annecy Better for its Old Town?

Annecy is terrific for its old town. Also, Alicante is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town charm.

Annecy has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. This is among the most beautiful old towns in Europe. It sits along the banks of Lake Annecy and the water integrates beautifully into the setting.

Alicante has an old town worth visiting. The old district is filled with charming streets and some interesting museums. There are also a number of good restaurants in the area.

Is Alicante or Annecy Better for Hiking?

Annecy is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Alicante is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Annecy. There are a range of hikes just out of town that cover all ability levels. There are flat, waterfront strolls as well as more strenuous mountain treks. La Tournette is one of the most famous hikes in the area. Other options include Circuit des 3 Croix de Sevrier and Gorges du Fier.

Alicante is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Alicante or Annecy?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Annecy and Alicante.

Alicante offers some nice shopping areas. The city is known for its leather goods, but you'll also find international brands and shopping streets with fashion and different European names.

Annecy has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Three times a week you can check out the Old Town Market. Another popular shopping street is Rue Royale.

Is Alicante or Annecy Better for Families?

You'll find very good kid-friendly activities in either Alicante or Annecy.

Alicante is a very kid-friendly city. This seaside city has many kid-friendly resorts, long sandy beaches, and adrenaline-filled theme parks. There's the Terra Mitica Park as well as a waterpark - Aqua Natura. Tabarca Island is also well worth a visit.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Annecy. Families can enjoy getting out on the lake by renting a boat or going for a swim. Check out Wibit Water Park or let the kids play at Leisure Center Orange Montisel. There's also a great playground for kids right by the waterfront. Hiking and exploring are also fun for the whole family.

Is Alicante or Annecy Better for Couples?

Annecy is terrific for its romantic activities. Also, Alicante is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

For those traveling as a couple, Annecy has plenty to offer. It's a romantic French mountain town with beautiful scenery and a wonderful lake. Couples can enjoy outdoor activities or wandering through one of the best old towns in the region. The beauty and natural setting make this a wonderful couples destination.

Alicante is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Nice resorts, long sandy beaches, and nearby vineyard tours make this a wonderful place for a couple's getaway. There are good restaurants and nice places where couples can take a stroll, hand in hand.

Is Alicante or Annecy Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Alicante and Annecy are notable places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Alicante is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are hostels around town, as well as many budget-friendly hotels, so this is an affordable oceanfront destination for the budget-minded.

It's common for backpackers to visit Annecy. It's a world class mountain destination that attracts families and vacationers, but there aren't as many hostels around town as backpackers would like.

Is Alicante or Annecy Better for Students?

Alicante is very good for its student-friendly activities. However, Annecy is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Alicante. It's by the water and it's an affordable city, making it a good option for students. The beaches and active nightlife will keep you entertained when you take a break from your studies.

Annecy is not popular with students.

Is Alicante or Annecy Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Alicante and Annecy.

You'll find some public transit in Alicante, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There's a comprehensive bus system through the city and region.

While Annecy offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The Sibra public transport system offers buses that travel through Annecy and around the lake, stopping at many towns along the way.

Is Alicante or Annecy a more walkable city?

Annecy is well known for its high level of walkability. Also, Alicante is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Annecy is a very walkable alpine town. The old town is filled with pedestrian streets that are perfect to explore on foot.

Alicante is a somewhat walkable city. There are many parts of the city that can be explored on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Alicante Worth Visiting? and Is Annecy Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Annecy or Alicante?

How long in Alicante or Annecy?

It's fun to spend time in either Alicante or Annecy. In our opinion, Annecy has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Annecy than Alicante. However, 2-4 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Annecy than Alicante. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Annecy, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Annecy than Alicante. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Annecy that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Annecy than Alicante if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Annecy.

One day in Alicante or Annecy?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Alicante. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Annecy is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and shopping. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Alicante or Annecy?

Alicante is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Annecy is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this alpine town makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Annecy, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Alicante or Annecy?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Alicante. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Annecy is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Alicante or Annecy?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the vibrant destination of Alicante. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Annecy is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This alpine town offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Week Tours in Spain, The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain, The Best Historical Tours in France, and The Best 10-Day Tours in France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Alicante and Annecy, we can see that Annecy is more expensive. And not only is Alicante much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Alicante would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Alicante and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Annecy would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Annecy than you might in Alicante.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Alicante Expensive? and Is Annecy Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Alicante or Annecy?

Alicante has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Annecy. When comparing the sizes of Alicante and Annecy, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Alicante or Annecy?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Alicante or Annecy in the Summer?

Both Annecy and Alicante during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Alicante because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Annecy this time of year.

Alicante is a little warmer than Annecy in the summer. The daily temperature in Alicante averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Annecy fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

In Annecy, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Alicante. In the summer, Alicante often gets more sunshine than Annecy. Alicante gets 341 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Annecy receives 285 hours of full sun.

Alicante usually gets less rain in July than Annecy. Alicante gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Annecy receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Alicante or Annecy in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Alicante and Annecy. The shopping scene are the main draw to Alicante this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Annecy for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Alicante is a little warmer than Annecy. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Alicante in October average around 20°C (68°F), and Annecy averages at about 14°C (56°F).

In Alicante, it's very sunny this time of the year. Alicante usually receives more sunshine than Annecy during autumn. Alicante gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Annecy receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Alicante usually receives less rain than Annecy. Alicante gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Annecy receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Alicante or Annecy in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Alicante as well as Annecy. Many travelers come to Alicante for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, many visitors come to Annecy in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Annecy can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Alicante is generally much warmer than Annecy. Daily temperatures in Alicante average around 11°C (52°F), and Annecy fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

In the winter, Alicante often gets more sunshine than Annecy. Alicante gets 178 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Annecy receives 62 hours of full sun.

Alicante usually gets less rain in January than Annecy. Alicante gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Annecy receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Alicante or Annecy in the Spring?

Both Annecy and Alicante are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Alicante in the spring for the beaches. Also, most visitors come to Annecy for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months.

Alicante is a little warmer than Annecy in the spring. The daily temperature in Alicante averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Annecy fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Alicante. Alicante usually receives more sunshine than Annecy during spring. Alicante gets 243 hours of sunny skies, while Annecy receives 174 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Alicante usually receives less rain than Annecy. Alicante gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Annecy receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Annecy and Alicante