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

Should you visit Alicante or Nantes?

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 Nantes 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.

Nantes

Nantes is a welcoming, friendly, and historical city. 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 Nantes: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Alicante or Nantes?

Both Nantes and Alicante have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Alicante is more popular for its beaches, while Nantes is known for its food, nightlife, shopping, and impressive beauty. Alicante is popular for its sandy beaches, vibrant nightlife, and authentic restaurants. Nantes is popular for its castles and historical landmarks, local wine, and beautiful parks and gardens.

How is Alicante different from Nantes?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Plenty of people visit the excellent sights and museums in both Alicante and Nantes.

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 Nantes can be an interesting and educational experience. The city is filled with historical monuments, particularly in the Bouffay District. Highlights include Cathédrale Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul, Château des Ducs de Bretagne, and the Musée d'Arts de Nantes.

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

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

Nantes has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. The region lends itself to unique flavors with a great mix of seafood from the Atlantic, freshwater fish from the Loire, and dairy from the surrounding countryside. The region is also famous for its wine. Local dishes that you should try include Filet de Sandre au Beurre Blanc (fresh fish in butter sauce), Crepes Bretonnes (breakfast crepes), and Le Canard Nantais (duck with Muscadet wine).

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 Nantes Better for Nightlife?

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

Nantes is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The large student population heavily influences the nightlife scene. You'll find a young vibe with a lot of bars and clubs to choose from, particularly around Île de Nantes.

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 Nantes Better for Beaches?

Alicante is a nice place to visit for the beach. However, Nantes 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.

Nantes is not a beach destination.

Is Alicante or Nantes Better for its Old Town?

Alicante and Nantes 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.

Nantes has an old town worth visiting. The city's old town is in the Bouffay District and it is filled with half-timbered houses and a maze of streets and shops.

Is the Shopping Better in Alicante or Nantes?

Nantes is well known for its shopping opportunities. Also, Alicante is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

Nantes is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. There are impressive shopping streets, boutique stores, and grand shopping malls. Make sure you check out Rue Crébillon, Passage Pommeraye, and the shops around the Bouffay District. Talensac Market is also a historical covered market that you can explore.

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 Nantes Better for Families?

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

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 Nantes. It's filled with gardens, museums, and theme parks, making it a great combination of fascinating activities for adults and kids alike. Some of the top kid-friendly activities include a visit to Machine of the Isle of Nantes (both a theme park and a museum), seeing a show at Le Lieu Unique, or experiencing Naudières Park (a smaller theme park). Kids will also enjoy seeing Goulaine Castle or wandering around Jardin Extraordinaire or the Botanical Gardens.

Is Alicante or Nantes Better for Couples?

Both Alicante and Nantes are excellent 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.

Nantes is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. There is a mix of both natural and historical beauty. Couples can enjoy a nice meal, stroll through one of the many parks and gardens, or even spend the day at the spa.

Is Alicante or Nantes Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Alicante is a nice place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Nantes is lacking in good options for backpackers.

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.

Nantes is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There aren't as many hostels as you would expect in the area, so finding an affordable and social place to stay may be a bit challenging.

Is Alicante or Nantes Better for Students?

Alicante and Nantes are good places to visit for students.

Alicante is popular with students. 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.

It's common for students to visit Nantes. There's a decent sized student population and the city has a welcoming atmosphere. It's also easy to get around with public transportation.

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

Nantes 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.

Nantes has some very good public transit options. There are both trams and buses throughout the city that are operated by TAN (Transport de l'Agglomeration Nantaise).

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 Nantes a more walkable city?

Nantes 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.

Nantes is a very walkable city. The city is very walkable. Both locals and tourists alike choose to walk in Nantes.

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 Nantes Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Nantes or Alicante?

How long in Alicante or Nantes?

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

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

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

One day in Alicante or Nantes?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Alicante. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The beautiful city of Nantes offers food and shopping. 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 Nantes?

Alicante is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

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

Five days in Alicante or Nantes?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Alicante. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Nantes 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 Nantes?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the cultural destination of Alicante. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Nantes is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. 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 in France, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Alicante or Nantes?

Alicante has a larger population, and is about 14% larger than the population of Nantes. When comparing the sizes of Alicante and Nantes, 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 Nantes?

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 Nantes in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Alicante is a little warmer than Nantes. Typically, the summer temperatures in Alicante in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Nantes averages at about 19°C (67°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Nantes. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Alicante this time of the year. In the summer, Alicante often gets more sunshine than Nantes. Alicante gets 341 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nantes receives 267 hours of full sun.

Alicante usually gets less rain in July than Nantes. Alicante gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Alicante or Nantes in the Autumn?

Both Nantes 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 Nantes in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Alicante is generally a little warmer than Nantes. Daily temperatures in Alicante average around 20°C (68°F), and Nantes fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Alicante. Alicante usually receives more sunshine than Nantes during autumn. Alicante gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Nantes receives 141 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Alicante usually receives less rain than Nantes. Alicante gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Alicante or Nantes in the Winter?

Both Nantes 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. Also, most visitors come to Nantes for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Alicante is much warmer than Nantes in the winter. The daily temperature in Alicante averages around 11°C (52°F) in January, and Nantes fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

In the winter, Alicante often gets more sunshine than Nantes. Alicante gets 178 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nantes receives 72 hours of full sun.

Alicante usually gets less rain in January than Nantes. Alicante gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Alicante or Nantes in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Alicante is a little warmer than Nantes. Typically, the spring temperatures in Alicante in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Nantes averages at about 11°C (51°F).

In Alicante, it's very sunny this time of the year. Alicante usually receives more sunshine than Nantes during spring. Alicante gets 243 hours of sunny skies, while Nantes receives 187 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Alicante usually receives less rain than Nantes. Alicante gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Nantes and Alicante