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

Should you visit Alicante or Lake Garda?

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 Lake Garda can help you decide which place is right for you.

Alicante

Alicante is a cultural, colorful, and authentic city. Visitors also love the beaches, shopping, and museums.

Lake Garda

Lake Garda is a fun, energetic, and scenic lake. 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 Lake Garda: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Alicante or Lake Garda?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Lake Garda than Alicante, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Lake Garda is better known for its nightlife, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Alicante is more popular for its museums and historical sights. Lake Garda is more touristy than Alicante and is popular for its beautiful setting, charming towns, and fun amusement parks. Also, Lake Garda is famous for Sirmione. Alicante is well known for its sandy beaches, vibrant nightlife, and authentic restaurants.

How is Alicante different from Lake Garda?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Alicante is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. Also, Lake Garda is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

Alicante offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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 Lake Garda. While most people come for the natural beauty, there are also great castles that you can explore. Castello Scaligeri, Grotte di Catullo, and Castello Scaligero.

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

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

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.

Lake Garda has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. You'll find many great local restaurants in the area. Most make use of local ingredients such as olive oil, lemons, wine, and fish. Pasta and risotto are both popular throughout the area as well.

Is Alicante or Lake Garda Better for Nightlife?

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

Lake Garda is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. You'll find clubs and bars in various towns that make for a great nightlife scene. You'll even find beach parties and fireworks shows during the most popular times of the year.

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 Lake Garda Better for Beaches?

Lake Garda is well known for the beache. Also, Alicante is still popular, but not quite as popular for the beach.

Lake Garda is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. Despite there being no ocean, there are many great swimming beaches in the area. Many have sand and great places to relax. There's also plenty of watersports to choose from.

Alicante has a beach worth visiting. 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.

Is Alicante or Lake Garda Better for its Old Town?

Alicante is a popular place for its old town. However, Lake Garda does not have a historic old town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Alicante. The old district is filled with charming streets and some interesting museums. There are also a number of good restaurants in the area.

Lake Garda does not have a historic old town.

Is Alicante or Lake Garda Better for Hiking?

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

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Lake Garda. There are many great walking and hiking trails in the area that take you through the natural beauty, connect the charming towns, and offer spectacular viewpoints.

Alicante is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Alicante or Lake Garda?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Lake Garda 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.

Lake Garda has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Many villages around the lake are great for shopping. You'll find clothing stores, jewelry shops, and souvenir vendors with something for everyone.

Is Alicante or Lake Garda Better for Families?

Lake Garda is terrific for its family-friendly activities. Also, Alicante is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Lake Garda is one of the most popular family destinations. The nearby amusement parks, including Gardaland, make this a popular destination for families. The area also has many places to swim, trails to explore, and castles to experience. Kids and adults alike will love this amazing kid-friendly area.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Alicante. 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.

Is Alicante or Lake Garda Better for Couples?

Both Alicante and Lake Garda are great 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.

Lake Garda is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. You'll find a lot of families in the area because of the amusement parks, but that doesn't mean that this isn't a romantic and beautiful spot for couples. There are many charming towns to explore and scenic viewpoints to check out. There are also excellent romantic restaurants that you should try.

Is Alicante or Lake Garda Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Alicante and Lake Garda are notable places to visit 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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Lake Garda. There are a few good hostels around the lake that are affordable and fun. The area also see enough backpackers to keep the atmosphere fun and social.

Is Alicante or Lake Garda Better for Students?

Alicante is a popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Lake Garda 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.

Lake Garda is not popular with students.

Is Alicante or Lake Garda Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Lake Garda 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.

Lake Garda has some very good public transit options. There are ferries, buses, and trains in the area.

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 Lake Garda a more walkable city?

Lake Garda 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.

Lake Garda is a very walkable lake. There are walking trails that connect the villages around the lake and this how many people choose to get around.

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 Lake Garda Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Lake Garda or Alicante?

How long in Alicante or Lake Garda?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Lake Garda 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 Lake Garda.

One day in Alicante or Lake Garda?

With museums and nightlife around the colorful city of Alicante, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The beautiful lake of Lake Garda offers food and shopping. 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 Lake Garda?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Alicante, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Lake Garda is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this lake makes for a great vacation. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Lake Garda, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Alicante or Lake Garda?

Alicante, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Lake Garda 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 Lake Garda?

Alicante is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Lake Garda 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 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 Tours for Seniors to Italy, and The Best Contiki Tours to Italy.

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

When is the best time to visit Alicante or Lake Garda?

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 Lake Garda in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Alicante as well as Lake Garda. Most visitors come to Alicante for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Lake Garda because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

Alicante is around the same temperature as Lake Garda in the summer. The daily temperature in Alicante averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Lake Garda fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lake Garda. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Alicante this time of the year. In the summer, Alicante often gets more sunshine than Lake Garda. Alicante gets 341 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lake Garda receives 286 hours of full sun.

Alicante usually gets less rain in July than Lake Garda. Alicante gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Alicante or Lake Garda in the Autumn?

Both Lake Garda and Alicante are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Alicante because of the shopping scene. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Lake Garda this time of year.

In the autumn, Alicante is a little warmer than Lake Garda. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Alicante in October average around 20°C (68°F), and Lake Garda averages at about 14°C (57°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Alicante. Alicante usually receives more sunshine than Lake Garda during autumn. Alicante gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Lake Garda receives 137 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Alicante usually receives less rain than Lake Garda. Alicante gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Alicante or Lake Garda in the Winter?

Both Lake Garda and Alicante during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Alicante this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Lake Garda for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Lake Garda. In January, Alicante is generally much warmer than Lake Garda. Daily temperatures in Alicante average around 11°C (52°F), and Lake Garda fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

In the winter, Alicante often gets more sunshine than Lake Garda. Alicante gets 178 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lake Garda receives 98 hours of full sun.

Alicante usually gets less rain in January than Lake Garda. Alicante gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Alicante or Lake Garda in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Alicante and Lake Garda. Many travelers come to Alicante for the beaches. Furthermore, many visitors come to Lake Garda in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

Alicante is a little warmer than Lake Garda in the spring. The daily temperature in Alicante averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Lake Garda fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In Alicante, it's very sunny this time of the year. Alicante usually receives more sunshine than Lake Garda during spring. Alicante gets 243 hours of sunny skies, while Lake Garda receives 169 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Alicante usually receives less rain than Lake Garda. Alicante gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Lake Garda receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Lake Garda and Alicante