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

Should you visit Alicante or Lille?

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 Lille 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 museums, nightlife, and food.

Lille

Lille is a culinary, friendly, and historic city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the food, shopping, and nightlife.

Alicante and Lille: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Alicante or Lille?

Both Lille and Alicante have plenty of things to do for visitors. Both offer a variety of sights, activities, and attractions for tourists. Alicante is better known for its museums and beaches, while Lille is more popular for its food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty. Alicante is well known for its sandy beaches, vibrant nightlife, and authentic restaurants. Lille is well known for its beautiful architecture, excellent shopping, and world class food scene.

How is Alicante different from Lille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Alicante is notable for its sights and museums. However, Lille is a mediocre city for its museums and history.

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.

While most people don't head to Lille specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. The city offers an amazing atmosphere, with many of the most beautiful buildings near Place du Général de Gaulle (the main square). Top rated attractions in town include Palais des Beaux-Arts, Musée du Louvre-Lens, and Eglise Saint-Maurice.

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

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

Lille has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. The city has a cuisine all its own. There are many local dishes that are recommended with some of the most popular being les moules (mussels), the Welsh (a beer and cheddar cheese dish), and la carbonade flamande (beef stew). Most dishes are served with a hearty side of fries. The mussels are a favorite and are served with various toppings including local cheese. You can expect your very own pot of mussels with each order. Many of the restaurants around the main square (General de Gaulle Square) offer these local specialties. Outside the old town you'll also find plenty of international restaurants including Asian street food.

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 Lille Better for Nightlife?

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

Lille is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. With its young population and countless places to hang out, there's rarely a dull night around town. The most popular nightlife areas are Rue Masséna and Rue Solférino. The city also offers plenty of theaters and shows that you can enjoy.

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 Lille Better for Beaches?

Alicante is a nice place to visit for the beache. However, Lille is not a beach destination.

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.

Lille is not a beach destination.

Is Alicante or Lille Better for its Old Town?

Lille 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 Lille. The old town (Le Vieux Lille) is charming to explore. Many of the buildings are from the 16th or 17th centuries and feature very ornate architecture. The area is filled with shops and restaurants and it stays active throughout the day. This is an area where locals and tourists alike live and play.

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 Lille?

Lille 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 Lille make it a world-class shopping destination. The city is filled with shopping opportunities. Almost any store you could want is in or around the old town and the two main shopping centers in town are McArthur Glen and A l'Usine. Also by the train station is a shopping mall.

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 Lille Better for Families?

Alicante is notable for its family-friendly activities. However, Lille is a mediocre city for its kid-friendly activities.

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.

Lille is not always a place people visit with their families. There are a handful of kid-focused activities like a small zoo, a small amusement park, several museums and even a puppet theater. Many of the restaurants also have kid's menus that are reasonably priced.

Is Alicante or Lille Better for Couples?

Alicante is notable for its romantic activities. Also, Lille is not as famous, but is still a good 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.

Lille is a good city for couples to visit. Couples who enjoy shopping, dining out, and exploring beautiful cities will enjoy a visit. There are many great restaurants worth experiencing, as well as beautiful architecture and fun shops.

Is Alicante or Lille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Alicante and Lille 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 Lille. This small city flies under the radar for most backpackers, but there are a handful of hostels and a great experience for those who venture here. It feels more off the beaten path than some French cities, but you'll find great food and a nice atmosphere.

Is Alicante or Lille Better for Students?

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

Lille is very popular with students. The city is home to a number of students, both local and international. It has a lower cost of living than many places in France as well as a youthful vibe with fun activities and plenty of shopping.

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

Lille 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.

Lille has some very good public transit options. There is a metro as well as trams and buses throughout the city.

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 Lille a more walkable city?

Lille 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 Lille on foot is easy. The old town in particular is compact and best explored on foot, but even outside of the old town, many areas are easily explored 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 Lille Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Lille or Alicante?

How long in Alicante or Lille?

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

Families should spend more time in Alicante than Lille. 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.

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

One day in Alicante or Lille?

In Alicante, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this cultural destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

The beautiful city of Lille offers nightlife and food. 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 Lille?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Alicante. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

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

Five days in Alicante or Lille?

Alicante is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Alicante. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Lille 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 Lille?

You'll find food and shopping around the cultural destination of Alicante. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Lille is a great place to explore. 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 city 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 10-Day Tours from Paris, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris.

When comparing the travel costs between Alicante and Lille, 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 Lille Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Alicante or Lille?

Alicante has a larger population, and is about 5% larger than the population of Lille. When comparing the sizes of Alicante and Lille, 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 Lille?

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 Lille in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Alicante and Lille. The beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Alicante this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Lille for the family-friendly experiences.

Alicante is a little warmer than Lille in the summer. The daily temperature in Alicante averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Lille fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Lille this time of the year. In Alicante, it's very sunny this time of the year. Alicante usually receives more sunshine than Lille during summer. Alicante gets 341 hours of sunny skies, while Lille receives 202 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Alicante usually receives less rain than Lille. Alicante gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Lille receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Alicante or Lille in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Alicante as well as Lille. Many travelers come to Alicante for the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Lille in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Alicante is much warmer than Lille. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Alicante in October average around 20°C (68°F), and Lille averages at about 12°C (54°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 Lille. Alicante gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lille receives 105 hours of full sun.

Alicante usually gets less rain in October than Lille. Alicante gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Lille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Alicante or Lille in the Winter?

Both Lille and Alicante are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Alicante in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Lille for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Lille can be very cold during winter. In January, Alicante is generally much warmer than Lille. Daily temperatures in Alicante average around 11°C (52°F), and Lille fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

Alicante usually receives more sunshine than Lille during winter. Alicante gets 178 hours of sunny skies, while Lille receives 47 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Alicante usually receives less rain than Lille. Alicante gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Lille receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Alicante or Lille in the Spring?

Both Lille and Alicante during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Alicante for the beaches during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Lille because of the natural beauty.

Alicante is much warmer than Lille in the spring. The daily temperature in Alicante averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Lille fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

It's quite sunny in Alicante. In the spring, Alicante often gets more sunshine than Lille. Alicante gets 243 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lille receives 158 hours of full sun.

Alicante usually gets less rain in April than Lille. Alicante gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Lille receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Lille and Alicante