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

Should you visit Alicante or Bari?

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

Alicante

Alicante is a authentic, vibrant, and cultural city. It's also popular because of the food, beaches, and shopping. See Alicante travel costs.

Bari

Bari is a local, cultural, and authentic port city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Bari travel costs.

Alicante and Bari: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Alicante or Bari?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Bari. Although Alicante and Bari are roughly the same size, Bari has more sights and attractions for tourists. Alicante is more touristy than Bari and is popular for its sandy beaches, vibrant nightlife, and authentic restaurants. Bari is popular for its authentic old town and its role as a ferry port for travelers headed across the Adriatic. It is also home to San Nicola.

How is Alicante different from Bari?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Plenty of people visit the high quality sights and museums in both Alicante and Bari.

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.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Bari can be an interesting and educational experience. The city is filled with historical sights and archeological ruins. San Nicola is the main basilica in town and a popular tourist sight. The Castello is also a highlight, as is San Sabino.

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

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

Bari has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. It's off-the-beaten-path vibe means that you won't find the overpriced tourist restaurants that have taken over more touristy cities. Instead you'll find locally owned pasta shops that cater to the town's residents. You can taste authentic Pugliese cuisine, which is centered around wheat and olive oil. Orecchiette is the local pasta and seafood is one of the most common staples.

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 Bari Better for Nightlife?

Bari is well known for nightlife and partying. Also, Alicante is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

Bari is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The city really comes to life at night with many dance clubs, bars, and other fun venues. There's plenty of live music as well as jazz clubs and other local bars.

If you're looking for night time activities Alicante has a few options to choose from. 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.

Is Alicante or Bari Better for Beaches?

Alicante and Bari are good choices for a beach vacation.

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.

Bari has a beach worth visiting. There's a sandy beach that you can reach by bus outside of the city center. There are also many great beaches around Puglia if you're willing to take a day trip or travel a bit farther.

Is Alicante or Bari Better for its Old Town?

Bari is well known for its old town. Also, Alicante is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town charm.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Bari. The old town is filled with historic sights, mazelike streets, and great food. It's pedestrian-only and, because Bari is not as popular with tourists, it holds on to its authentic charm.

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 Bari?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Bari 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.

Bari has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You won't find the souvenir shops that you find in more touristy cities, so if you take the time to do some shopping while you're in town, you can enjoy a truly authentic and cultural experience.

Is Alicante or Bari Better for Families?

You'll find high quality kid-friendly activities in either Alicante or Bari.

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 Bari. There are historical sites and castles to explore as well as the fun-filled Miragica amusement park. There's also an impressive underground city that will spark the kid's imagination. Other fun activities include visiting the nearby beaches, taking a kayak tour, or wandering around the old town.

Is Alicante or Bari Better for Couples?

Alicante is a great city for couples. Also, Bari is not as popular, but is still a nice port city for romance.

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.

Bari is a nice destination for couples. The old town is filled with mazelike streets and the city has many unique activities that appeal to history buffs and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

Is Alicante or Bari Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bari is well known for backpackers. Also, Alicante is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Bari is a great port city to visit for backpackers. There's plenty of hostels around town and the prices are usually very reasonable. Many backpackers pass through this port city on their way to Greece or other Adriatic destinations.

It's common for backpackers to visit Alicante. There are hostels around town, as well as many budget-friendly hotels, so this is an affordable oceanfront destination for the budget-minded.

Is Alicante or Bari Better for Students?

Bari is well known for students. Also, Alicante is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Bari is very popular with students. It's a great student city that offers access to many nearby Mediterranean destinations. There are also a number of historical sights within town that students can visit.

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.

Is Alicante or Bari 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 Bari.

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 Bari offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses around town that are operated by the AMTAB.

Is Alicante or Bari a more walkable city?

Bari 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.

Bari is a very walkable port city. The old town is pedestrian-only and best explored on foot. It's also about a 20 minute walk from the central train station.

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 Bari Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bari or Alicante?

How long in Alicante or Bari?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Alicante and Bari. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Alicante than in Bari. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Alicante, and 1-3 days is enough time in Bari.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bari 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 Bari.

One day in Alicante or Bari?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Alicante. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

The port city of Bari 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 Bari?

Alicante is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

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

Five days in Alicante or Bari?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the colorful destination of Alicante. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Bari 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 Bari?

The authentic city of Alicante offers nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week 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.

Bari is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that food 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 port city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Madrid, The Best 2-Week Tours from Barcelona, The Best Historical Tours in Italy, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Alicante and Bari, we can see that Alicante is more expensive. And not only is Bari much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Bari would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bari 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 Alicante would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Alicante than you might in Bari.

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

Which is Bigger, Alicante or Bari?

Bari has a larger population, and is about 0% larger than the population of Alicante. When comparing the sizes of Alicante and Bari, 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 Bari?

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 Bari in the Summer?

Both Bari and Alicante during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Alicante in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Bari for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Alicante is around the same temperature as Bari. Typically, the summer temperatures in Alicante in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Bari averages at about 25°C (76°F).

In Bari, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Alicante. In the summer, Alicante often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bari. Alicante gets 341 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bari receives 336 hours of full sun.

Alicante usually gets less rain in July than Bari. Alicante gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Bari receives 9 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Alicante or Bari in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Alicante and Bari. Most visitors come to Alicante for the shopping scene during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Bari because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Alicante is generally around the same temperature as Bari. Daily temperatures in Alicante average around 20°C (68°F), and Bari fluctuates around 18°C (65°F).

In Alicante, it's very sunny this time of the year. Alicante usually receives more sunshine than Bari during autumn. Alicante gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Bari receives 178 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Alicante usually receives around the same amount of rain as Bari. Alicante gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Bari receives 70 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Alicante or Bari in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Alicante as well as Bari. The winter months attract visitors to Alicante because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Bari this time of year.

Alicante is a little warmer than Bari in the winter. The daily temperature in Alicante averages around 11°C (52°F) in January, and Bari fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

In the winter, Alicante often gets more sunshine than Bari. Alicante gets 178 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bari receives 110 hours of full sun.

Alicante usually gets less rain in January than Bari. Alicante gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Bari receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Alicante or Bari in the Spring?

Both Bari and Alicante are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches are the main draw to Alicante this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bari for the beaches and the activities around the city.

In the spring, Alicante is a little warmer than Bari. Typically, the spring temperatures in Alicante in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Bari averages at about 14°C (58°F).

It's quite sunny in Bari. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Alicante. Alicante usually receives more sunshine than Bari during spring. Alicante gets 243 hours of sunny skies, while Bari receives 203 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Alicante usually receives around the same amount of rain as Bari. Alicante gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Bari receives 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bari and Alicante