A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Alicante vs. Carcassonne for Attractions, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Alicante or Carcassonne?

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

Alicante

Alicante is a cultural, colorful, and authentic city. Other reasons to visit include food, beaches, and shopping.

Carcassonne

Carcassonne is a historical, fairytale, and medieval town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the food and museums.

Alicante and Carcassonne: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Alicante or Carcassonne?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Alicante. Although Alicante and Carcassonne are popular destinations, Alicante has more sights and attractions for tourists. Alicante is very popular for its nightlife, beaches, and shopping, while Carcassonne attracts visitors for its small town charm and impressive beauty. Carcassonne is more touristy than Alicante and is popular for its medieval history, walled fortifications, and well-known castle. Alicante is famous for its sandy beaches, vibrant nightlife, and authentic restaurants. It is also well known for the Castillo de Santa Bárbara.

How is Alicante different from Carcassonne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Carcassonne can be an interesting and educational experience. The town is filled with medieval sights including the Château Comtal, the Basilica of Saints Nazarius and Celsus, and the Carcassonne Cathedral.

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

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

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.

Carcassonne has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. There are a number of local restaurants that serve regional specialties such as cassoulet. You can spend a few hours exploring the castle and then grab a delicious bite to eat.

Is Alicante or Carcassonne Better for Nightlife?

Alicante is a good destination for nightlife. However, Carcassonne is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Alicante. 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.

Carcassonne is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Alicante or Carcassonne Better for Beaches?

Alicante is a good destination for its beaches. However, Carcassonne is not a beach destination.

Alicante offers a nice beach destination. 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.

Carcassonne is not a beach destination.

Is Alicante or Carcassonne Better for its Old Town?

Alicante and Carcassonne are both popular destinations with charming historical areas.

Many people head to Alicante to see the old town. The old district is filled with charming streets and some interesting museums. There are also a number of good restaurants in the area.

Carcassonne has an old town worth visiting. The medieval walled city is seeped in history and filled with atmosphere. Cars are not allowed in town.

Is the Shopping Better in Alicante or Carcassonne?

Alicante is a good destination for shopping. However, Carcassonne is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Alicante. The city is known for its leather goods, but you'll also find international brands and shopping streets with fashion and different European names.

Carcassonne is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Alicante or Carcassonne Better for Families?

Alicante is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Carcassonne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Alicante is a very family-friendly destination. 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 kid-friendly things to do in Carcassonne. Kids who love castles will enjoy wandering the maze of rooms and getting lost in the medieval atmosphere.

Is Alicante or Carcassonne Better for Couples?

Alicante is a very popular place for romance. Also, Carcassonne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Alicante makes for a fun place to visit for 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.

Carcassonne makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's a medieval city with an impressive castle and walled fortifications. It's a uniquely European sight that is great for couples who enjoy history.

Is Alicante or Carcassonne Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Carcassonne is a great town to visit for backpackers. There are interesting hostels in the area including a converted 17th century convent.

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 Carcassonne Better for Students?

Alicante is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Carcassonne is not popular with students.

Plenty of students 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.

Carcassonne is not popular with students.

Is Alicante or Carcassonne 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 Carcassonne.

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 Carcassonne offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. You can reach the town by train from Dijon, Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, or Bordeaux and many people visit the town as a day trip.

Is Alicante or Carcassonne a more walkable city?

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

Getting around Carcassonne on foot is easy. Cars aren't allowed in the medieval city so it's best 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 Carcassonne Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Carcassonne or Alicante?

How long in Alicante or Carcassonne?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Alicante or Carcassonne to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Alicante than Carcassonne 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 Carcassonne.

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

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

One day in Alicante or Carcassonne?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the authentic city of Alicante. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

The town of Carcassonne offers museums and food. 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 Carcassonne?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the authentic destination of Alicante. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Carcassonne 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. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Carcassonne, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Alicante or Carcassonne?

The cultural city of Alicante offers shopping and museums. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Carcassonne is a popular choice for travelers. 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 Carcassonne?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Alicante. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Carcassonne is a great place to explore. 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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in France, and The Best Historical Tours in France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Alicante and Carcassonne, we can see that Alicante is more expensive. And not only is Carcassonne much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Carcassonne would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Carcassonne 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 Carcassonne.

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

Which is Bigger, Alicante or Carcassonne?

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

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 Carcassonne in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Alicante as well as Carcassonne. Many visitors come to Alicante in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Carcassonne for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Alicante is generally around the same temperature as Carcassonne. Daily temperatures in Alicante average around 25°C (77°F), and Carcassonne fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Carcassonne. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Alicante this time of the year. In the summer, Alicante often gets more sunshine than Carcassonne. Alicante gets 341 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Carcassonne receives 275 hours of full sun.

Alicante usually gets less rain in July than Carcassonne. Alicante gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Alicante or Carcassonne in the Autumn?

Both Carcassonne and Alicante are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Alicante for the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Carcassonne because of the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area.

Alicante is a little warmer than Carcassonne in the autumn. The daily temperature in Alicante averages around 20°C (68°F) in October, and Carcassonne fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Alicante. Alicante usually receives more sunshine than Carcassonne during autumn. Alicante gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Carcassonne receives 161 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Alicante usually receives less rain than Carcassonne. Alicante gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Alicante or Carcassonne in the Winter?

Both Carcassonne and Alicante during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Alicante because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Carcassonne this time of year.

In the winter, Alicante is a little warmer than Carcassonne. Typically, the winter temperatures in Alicante in January average around 11°C (52°F), and Carcassonne averages at about 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Alicante often gets more sunshine than Carcassonne. Alicante gets 178 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Carcassonne receives 88 hours of full sun.

Alicante usually gets less rain in January than Carcassonne. Alicante gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Alicante or Carcassonne in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Alicante and Carcassonne. The beaches are the main draw to Alicante this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Carcassonne for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In April, Alicante is generally a little warmer than Carcassonne. Daily temperatures in Alicante average around 16°C (60°F), and Carcassonne fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

In Alicante, it's very sunny this time of the year. Alicante usually receives more sunshine than Carcassonne during spring. Alicante gets 243 hours of sunny skies, while Carcassonne receives 178 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Alicante usually receives less rain than Carcassonne. Alicante gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Carcassonne and Alicante