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

Should you visit Alicante or Como?

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

Alicante

Alicante is a cultural, colorful, and authentic city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Como

Como is a fun, vibrant, and scenic lake area. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and nightlife.

Alicante and Como: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Alicante or Como?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Como than Alicante. While Alicante is larger than Como, Como has more sights and attractions for tourists. Como is more popular for its food, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Alicante is known for its museums and historical sights. Como is more touristy than Alicante and is popular for its long-running history as a resort retreat for upscale travelers. It is also home to the lakeside setting. Alicante is popular for its sandy beaches, vibrant nightlife, and authentic restaurants.

How is Alicante different from Como?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Alicante is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Como is lacking in options for its museums and landmarks.

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.

Como offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. Most people visit for the lakeside setting, but there's history throughout, with notable buildings including the Duomo, Museo Civico, and Basilica di Sant'Abbondio.

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

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

Como has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. The area has its own style of Italian food. Polenta is one of the most popular dishes and it's usually served with meat, fish, or cheese. You can also enjoy several different types of fish such as misultitt (dried fish), salmon trout, pike, bleak, lavarello, and perch.

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 Como Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Como has a few options to choose from. It is more known for its glamour and sophistication than its raging party scene. There are fine dining restaurants where you can sip wine and enjoy the view. There are also theaters and jazz clubs that offer a relaxing vibe and a nice night out.

Is Alicante or Como Better for Beaches?

Alicante and Como 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.

Como has a beach worth visiting. You'll find lakeside beaches where you can relax, sunbath, or swim. Many are affiliated with clubs and the atmosphere is often trendy and upscale. Don't expect a secluded and natural setting, but there are often nice restaurants nearby.

Is Alicante or Como Better for its Old Town?

Alicante is a nice place to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Como does not have a historic old town.

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.

Como does not have a historic old town.

Is Alicante or Como Better for Hiking?

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

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Como. There's a wide variety of hiking trails in the area that take you through the mountains or along the water's edge. One of the most popular trails is the Greenway del Lago di Como.

Alicante is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Alicante or Como?

Como is terrific for its shopping opportunities. Also, Alicante is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Como make it a world-class shopping destination. The shopping is comparable to major cities, with everything from high end boutiques to outlets and local markets. There are clothing shops, jewelry stores, and places to pick up local souvenirs. Shopping is a favorite activity for many visitors to Lake Como.

Alicante has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. The city is known for its leather goods, but you'll also find international brands and shopping streets with fashion and different European names.

Is Alicante or Como Better for Families?

You'll find excellent kid-friendly activities in either Alicante or Como.

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 Como. It has parks and gardens to explore, as well as Vezio Castle and many nice walking trails. A highlight for many kids is a visit to Lake Como Adventure Park.

Is Alicante or Como Better for Couples?

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

For those traveling as a couple, Como has plenty to offer. Its beautiful walks, charming towns, and surrounding natural setting make this a great honeymoon and couple's getaway destination. Dine on Italian cuisine as you sip wine and look out on the pristine waters of Lake Como.

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 Como Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Como is a great lake area to visit for backpackers. It's a popular destination with all types of travelers, so you'll find a decent selection of hostels to choose from, and a number of other backpackers around to hang out with.

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 Como Better for Students?

Alicante is a nice place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Como 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.

Como is not popular with students.

Is Alicante or Como 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 Como.

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 Como offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses, ferries, and a funicular that travel to different towns around the lake.

Is Alicante or Como a more walkable city?

Como 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.

Como is a very walkable lake area. The entire area is very walkable and you'll enjoy many great views during your stroll.

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 Como Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Como or Alicante?

How long in Alicante or Como?

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

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

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

One day in Alicante or Como?

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 beautiful lake area of Como offers nightlife and food. 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 Como?

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.

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

Five days in Alicante or Como?

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.

Como 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 Como?

The vibrant 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.

Como is a great place to explore. 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 lake area 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Rome, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Rome.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Alicante and Como, we can see that Como 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 Como would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Como 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 Como Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Alicante or Como?

Alicante has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Como. When comparing the sizes of Alicante and Como, 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 Como?

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 Como in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Alicante as well as Como. The beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Alicante this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Como for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Alicante is around the same temperature as Como. Typically, the summer temperatures in Alicante in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Como averages at about 23°C (73°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Como. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Alicante this time of the year. In the summer, Alicante often gets more sunshine than Como. Alicante gets 341 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Como receives 250 hours of full sun.

Alicante usually gets less rain in July than Como. Alicante gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Como receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Alicante or Como in the Autumn?

Both Como and Alicante are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Alicante for the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Como in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Alicante is generally a little warmer than Como. Daily temperatures in Alicante average around 20°C (68°F), and Como fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Alicante. Alicante usually receives more sunshine than Como during autumn. Alicante gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Como receives 152 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Como. In October, Alicante usually receives less rain than Como. Alicante gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Como receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Alicante or Como in the Winter?

Both Como and Alicante during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Alicante in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Como for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Como can be very cold during winter. Alicante is much warmer than Como in the winter. The daily temperature in Alicante averages around 11°C (52°F) in January, and Como fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Alicante often gets more sunshine than Como. Alicante gets 178 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Como receives 119 hours of full sun.

Alicante usually gets less rain in January than Como. Alicante gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Como receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Alicante or Como in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Alicante and Como. Most visitors come to Alicante for the beaches during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Como because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Alicante is a little warmer than Como. Typically, the spring temperatures in Alicante in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Como averages at about 13°C (55°F).

In Alicante, it's very sunny this time of the year. Alicante usually receives more sunshine than Como during spring. Alicante gets 243 hours of sunny skies, while Como receives 176 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Alicante usually receives less rain than Como. Alicante gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Como receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Como and Alicante