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

Should you visit Alicante or Arles?

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 Arles can help you decide which place is right for you.

Alicante

Alicante is a colorful, authentic, and vibrant city. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Arles

Arles is a compact, quaint, and historic town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Alicante and Arles: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Alicante or Arles?

Both Arles and Alicante have plenty of things to do for visitors. Both offer a variety of sights, activities, and attractions for tourists. Alicante is more popular for its beaches, while Arles is known for its museums, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Alicante is popular for its sandy beaches, vibrant nightlife, and authentic restaurants. Arles is popular for its Roman history and its influence over Vincent van Gogh.

How is Alicante different from Arles?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Arles 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 Arles?

Arles is terrific for its museums and landmarks. Also, Alicante is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Arles are among the most recognizable in the world. It's a small town but it's filled with Roman ruins and remarkable landmarks. Popular sights include L'Amphithéâtre Romain, Les Alyscamps, Cloître Saint-Trophime, and Théâtre Antique.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Alicante can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

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

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Alicante and Arles.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Alicante. 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.

Arles has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The cuisine is heavily influenced by the region's local agriculture. Popular dishes include agriade (beef stew), tellines soup, and fougasse (a local bread).

Is Alicante or Arles Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Arles has a few options to choose from. There are countless bars and pubs where you can enjoy a cold drink and a relaxing night out.

Is Alicante or Arles Better for Beaches?

Alicante is very good for the beach. However, Arles 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.

Arles is not a beach destination.

Is Alicante or Arles Better for its Old Town?

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

Arles has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. The large old town is filled with Roman ruins and historic sights. There are narrow streets and many interesting places to explore.

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 the Shopping Better in Alicante or Arles?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Arles 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.

Arles has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are many boutiques that are filled with local art, crafts, and merchandise.

Is Alicante or Arles Better for Families?

Alicante is well known for its family-friendly activities. However, Arles is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

Alicante is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

For families, Arles is not always the best place to visit. Filled with Roman ruins and beautiful art, this is a great town, but can make for a long day for younger kids.

Is Alicante or Arles Better for Couples?

Both Alicante and Arles are very good destinations to visit as a couple.

Couples visit Alicante frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Arles is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Couples who enjoy history, roman ruins, and beautiful art will appreciate a weekend getaway to this town.

Is Alicante or Arles Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Alicante is very good for backpackers. However, Arles is not particularly known 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.

Arles is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a couple of hostels and apartments in the area.

Is Alicante or Arles Better for Students?

Alicante is very good for students. However, Arles is not popular with students.

Alicante is popular with students. 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.

Arles is not popular with students.

Is Alicante or Arles 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 Arles.

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 Arles offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are shuttle buses that run between the city center and the train station, which is less than a kilometer out of town.

Is Alicante or Arles a more walkable city?

Arles 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.

Arles is a very walkable town. It's a historic walled city that is very walkable.

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 Arles Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Arles or Alicante?

How long in Alicante or Arles?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Alicante or Arles to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Alicante than Arles because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Alicante, and 1-2 days is enough time in Arles.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Alicante than Arles 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 Alicante.

One day in Alicante or Arles?

In Alicante, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this authentic destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

The beautiful town of Arles offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Alicante or Arles?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Alicante. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Arles is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this 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 Arles, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Alicante or Arles?

Alicante is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Alicante. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Arles is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that museums 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 Arles?

You'll find food and shopping around the colorful destination of Alicante. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Arles is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that museums is why people visit. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This 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 Contiki Tours to France, and The Best G Adventures Tours to France.

When comparing the travel costs between Alicante and Arles, we can see that Arles is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Alicante or Arles?

Alicante has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Arles. When comparing the sizes of Alicante and Arles, 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 Arles?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Alicante or Arles in the Summer?

Both Arles and Alicante are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Alicante because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Arles this time of year.

In the summer, Alicante is around the same temperature as Arles. Typically, the summer temperatures in Alicante in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Arles averages at about 24°C (75°F).

It's quite sunny in Arles. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Alicante. Alicante usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Arles during summer. Alicante gets 341 hours of sunny skies, while Arles receives 354 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Alicante usually receives less rain than Arles. Alicante gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Arles receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Alicante or Arles in the Autumn?

Both Arles and Alicante during the autumn are popular places to visit. The shopping scene are the main draw to Alicante this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Arles for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Alicante is generally a little warmer than Arles. Daily temperatures in Alicante average around 20°C (68°F), and Arles fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

It's quite sunny in Alicante. In the autumn, Alicante often gets more sunshine than Arles. Alicante gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arles receives 178 hours of full sun.

Arles gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Alicante usually gets less rain in October than Arles. Alicante gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Arles receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Alicante or Arles in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Alicante and Arles. Many travelers come to Alicante for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Arles in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Alicante is much warmer than Arles in the winter. The daily temperature in Alicante averages around 11°C (52°F) in January, and Arles fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Alicante usually receives more sunshine than Arles during winter. Alicante gets 178 hours of sunny skies, while Arles receives 146 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Alicante usually receives less rain than Arles. Alicante gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Arles receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Alicante or Arles in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Alicante as well as Arles. Many visitors come to Alicante in the spring for the beaches. Also, most visitors come to Arles for the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Alicante is a little warmer than Arles. Typically, the spring temperatures in Alicante in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Arles averages at about 13°C (56°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Arles. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Alicante this time of the year. In the spring, Alicante often gets more sunshine than Arles. Alicante gets 243 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Arles receives 218 hours of full sun.

Alicante usually gets less rain in April than Arles. Alicante gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Arles receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Arles and Alicante