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

Should you visit Alicante or Catania?

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

Alicante

Alicante is a vibrant, cultural, and colorful city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Catania

Catania is a youthful, fun, and historic 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.

Alicante and Catania: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Alicante or Catania?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Catania than Alicante, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Catania is better known for its food, nightlife, hiking, and big city activities, while Alicante is more popular for its museums & sights. Catania is more touristy than Alicante and is known for its fun nightlife scene, many beaches, and easy access to Mt. Etna. Also, Catania is famous for Mount Etna. Alicante is well known for its sandy beaches, vibrant nightlife, and authentic restaurants.

How is Alicante different from Catania?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Alicante is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Catania is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its museums and history.

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 Catania. There are many examples of beautiful architecture around town including Basilica Cattedrale Sant'Agata and Monastero dei Benedettini. You can also visit Castello Ursino. The main square in town is Piazza del Duomo.

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

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

Catania has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. The city's food scene is excellent. Dishes are influenced by both the sea and the land, and you'll find a large and popular street food setting. If you're sampling the street food, make sure you try the arancino (rice balls). Pasta dishes are also popular and many use a variety of cheeses. You'll also find plenty of fresh vegetables incorporated into 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 Catania Better for Nightlife?

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

Catania is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The city has a reputation for its great nightlife scene that spreads beyond Sicily. The large student population and popularity with tourists mean you can find a party most nights of the week. There are many bars and clubs to check out, many of which are found in the old town center.

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 Catania Better for Beaches?

Alicante and Catania are notable 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.

Catania has a beach worth visiting. The best time to visit the beach is between April and October. There are sandy beaches to the south of town that span a few kilometers and beaches to the north tend to be rocky. Many beaches are also accessible by public transit.

Is Alicante or Catania Better for its Old Town?

Alicante and Catania 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.

Catania has an old town worth visiting. The old town is a bit small. At its center is Piazza Duomo and you'll find many activities and attractions in the area.

Is Alicante or Catania Better for Hiking?

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

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Catania. Many people visit Mt. Etna as a day trip. You can take the bus to Sapienza Refuge to begin your climb. While it's a doable hike for many people, it can be steep and requires some determination. Unless you're a very experienced hiker, a guide is a must as the trail disappears for large sections. There are also buses and cable cars that take people up sections of the mountain.

Alicante is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Alicante or Catania?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Catania 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.

Catania has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. The city has a number of shopping malls where you can pick up anything you may need or might have forgotten. Check out Catania Shopping Center or Etnapolis.

Is Alicante or Catania Better for Families?

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

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 Catania. There's a toy museum as well as the Polo Tactile Multimedia Museum which kids and adults alike will enjoy. A highlight of a visit to the city is a trip up Mt. Etna, which can be done either by hiking, bus, or cable car. The city also has many plazas, gardens, and parks that kids will enjoy exploring. Another fun activity is to spend the day at the beach.

Is Alicante or Catania Better for Couples?

Alicante is notable for its romantic activities. Also, Catania is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for couples.

Alicante is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

Catania is a good city for couples to visit. With interesting architecture, a pleasant urban beach, and plenty of outdoor space, this is a nice couples destination.

Is Alicante or Catania Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Catania is a great port city to visit for backpackers. There's a large number of hostels around town and the city is generally affordable, so backpackers often enjoy spending some time here. There's also a great social scene.

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 Catania Better for Students?

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

Catania is very popular with students. This is a university town with a very social atmosphere. Students love the wide variety of activities around town as well as the frequent night time parties.

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 Catania Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Catania is well known for its public transit. Also, Alicante is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Catania has some very good public transit options. There are many buses around town that offer access to most places. If you drove you can park and take Line 504M to the historic center. You can also take a bus from Piazza Giovanni XXIII to Rifugio Sapienza if you're going to Mt. Etna. It leaves every morning at 8:15 and returns at 4:30 in the afternoon. The city also has a metro, which has one line and ten stops.

While Alicante offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There's a comprehensive bus system through the city and region.

Is Alicante or Catania a more walkable city?

Catania 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.

Catania is a very walkable port city. Many of the city's main sights are close together in the center of town, making them easy to access 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 Catania Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Catania or Alicante?

How long in Alicante or Catania?

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

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

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

One day in Alicante or Catania?

In Alicante, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

The port city of Catania offers food and shopping. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 Catania?

In Alicante, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Alicante has to offer.

Catania 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 spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Catania, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Alicante or Catania?

Alicante is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Catania 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 Catania?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Alicante. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Alicante. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Catania 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 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy, and The Best Walking Tours in Italy.

When comparing the travel costs between Alicante and Catania, we can see that Alicante 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 Catania Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Alicante or Catania?

Alicante has a larger population, and is about 1% larger than the population of Catania. When comparing the sizes of Alicante and Catania, 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 Catania?

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 Catania in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Alicante and Catania. The summer months attract visitors to Alicante because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Catania this time of year.

Alicante is around the same temperature as Catania in the summer. The daily temperature in Alicante averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Catania fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Catania this time of the year. In Alicante, it's very sunny this time of the year. Alicante usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Catania during summer. Alicante gets 341 hours of sunny skies, while Catania receives 325 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Alicante usually receives less rain than Catania. Alicante gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Catania receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Alicante or Catania in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Alicante as well as Catania. The shopping scene are the main draw to Alicante this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Catania for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Alicante is around the same temperature as Catania. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Alicante in October average around 20°C (68°F), and Catania averages at about 19°C (67°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Alicante this time of the year. In the autumn, Alicante often gets more sunshine than Catania. Alicante gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Catania receives 189 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Catania. Alicante usually gets less rain in October than Catania. Alicante gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Catania receives 128 mm (5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Alicante or Catania in the Winter?

Both Catania and Alicante are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Alicante for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Catania in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Alicante is generally around the same temperature as Catania. Daily temperatures in Alicante average around 11°C (52°F), and Catania fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).

Alicante usually receives more sunshine than Catania during winter. Alicante gets 178 hours of sunny skies, while Catania receives 153 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Alicante usually receives less rain than Catania. Alicante gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Catania receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Alicante or Catania in the Spring?

Both Catania and Alicante during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Alicante in the spring for the beaches. Furthermore, most visitors come to Catania for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.

Alicante is around the same temperature as Catania in the spring. The daily temperature in Alicante averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Catania fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

In Catania, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Alicante. In the spring, Alicante often gets more sunshine than Catania. Alicante gets 243 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Catania receives 204 hours of full sun.

Alicante usually gets less rain in April than Catania. Alicante gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Catania receives 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Catania and Alicante