A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Alicante vs. San Remo for Food, Beaches, Old Town, and Families

Should you visit Alicante or San Remo?

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 San Remo 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 beaches, shopping, and museums.

San Remo

San Remo is a beautiful, scenic, and authentic coastal city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the beaches, shopping, and nightlife.

Alicante and San Remo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Alicante or San Remo?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Alicante than San Remo, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Alicante is more popular for its museums, while San Remo is known for its beaches, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Alicante is popular for its sandy beaches, vibrant nightlife, and authentic restaurants. It is also home to the Castillo de Santa Bárbara. San Remo is popular for its olives, lemons, and flower market.

How is Alicante different from San Remo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Alicante is a very popular place for its museums and history. However, San Remo does not have 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.

San Remo does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Alicante and San Remo.

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.

San Remo has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The local restaurants are charming and sell a number of local specialties. Many traditional dishes are made with rabbit or chicken. There are also vegetable pies and sardenaira, which is a type of pizza that's made with tomatoes, garlic, and anchovies. Also make sure you pick up Baci di Sanremo, which are soft chocolate biscuits that are available in local bakeries.

Is Alicante or San Remo Better for Nightlife?

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

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 San Remo has a few options to choose from. The city has a number of clubs and bars where you can enjoy a drink or hang out late into the evening. It's a pretty mellow nightlife scene, but there's still plenty of places to go as well as a local vibe that doesn't have the influx of tourists that you find in many of other Italian cities.

Is Alicante or San Remo Better for Beaches?

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

San Remo is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. The beautiful sandy beaches are nice to visit and it's possible to rent chairs and umbrellas in many places. The main beach in town is Spiaggia dei Porti. Other popular nearby beaches include Spiaggia dei tre ponti, which is a large public beach, and Cala degli Orsi, which is one of the most beautiful public beaches in the area.

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 San Remo Better for its Old Town?

San Remo 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 San Remo. The old quarter of Pigna is a Medieval area with narrow streets that feel as if they're frozen in time. The hills offer impressive city views and the area has a unique historic character.

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 San Remo?

Shopping is a popular activity in both San Remo 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.

San Remo has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are local and international brands as well as a shopping mall and outlets where you can enjoy shopping.

Is Alicante or San Remo Better for Families?

You'll find great kid-friendly activities in either Alicante or San Remo.

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 San Remo. The area offers plenty of outdoor activities that the whole family will enjoy. There's horseback riding, hiking, rowing, snorkeling, cooking classes, farm tours and more. There are also a number of hotels in the area that have kid-friendly activities.

Is Alicante or San Remo Better for Couples?

Both Alicante and San Remo 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.

San Remo is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. It's known as the city of flowers, and the many beautiful gardens make this a truly romantic place to visit. Couples will enjoy soaking up the city's history and enjoy the vibrant culture and outdoor activities that are available.

Is Alicante or San Remo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Alicante is a popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, San Remo is lacking in good options for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers 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.

San Remo is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There aren't many hostels in town, and most backpackers head to more popular Italian destinations. If you're looking for a more off-the-beaten path destination, then this may be your style.

Is Alicante or San Remo Better for Students?

Alicante is a popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, San Remo 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.

San Remo is not popular with students.

Is Alicante or San Remo 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 San Remo.

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 San Remo offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are local buses around town.

Is Alicante or San Remo a more walkable city?

San Remo 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.

San Remo is a very walkable coastal city. The old quarter is fun to explore on foot and there are a number of walking tours through town.

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 San Remo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in San Remo or Alicante?

How long in Alicante or San Remo?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Alicante than San Remo 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 Alicante.

One day in Alicante or San Remo?

The city of Alicante 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.

The beautiful coastal city of San Remo 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 San Remo?

Alicante 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 Alicante, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

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

Five days in Alicante or San Remo?

Alicante 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.

San Remo 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 San Remo?

Alicante is a great place to explore. 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.

San Remo 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 coastal 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 Sightseeing Tours in Italy, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Alicante or San Remo?

Alicante has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of San Remo. When comparing the sizes of Alicante and San Remo, 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 San Remo?

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 San Remo in the Summer?

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

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Remo. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Alicante this time of the year. In the summer, Alicante often gets more sunshine than San Remo. Alicante gets 341 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Remo receives 295 hours of full sun.

Alicante usually gets less rain in July than San Remo. Alicante gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while San Remo receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Alicante or San Remo in the Autumn?

Both San Remo 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 shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to San Remo this time of year.

In October, Alicante is generally a little warmer than San Remo. Daily temperatures in Alicante average around 20°C (68°F), and San Remo fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Alicante. Alicante usually receives more sunshine than San Remo during autumn. Alicante gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while San Remo receives 183 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in San Remo. In October, Alicante usually receives less rain than San Remo. Alicante gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while San Remo receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Alicante or San Remo in the Winter?

Both San Remo 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. Also, many travelers come to San Remo for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Alicante is a little warmer than San Remo in the winter. The daily temperature in Alicante averages around 11°C (52°F) in January, and San Remo fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In the winter, Alicante often gets more sunshine than San Remo. Alicante gets 178 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Remo receives 127 hours of full sun.

Alicante usually gets less rain in January than San Remo. Alicante gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while San Remo receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Alicante or San Remo in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Alicante and San Remo. Many travelers come to Alicante for the beaches. Also, many visitors come to San Remo in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Alicante is a little warmer than San Remo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Alicante in April average around 16°C (60°F), and San Remo averages at about 13°C (56°F).

In Alicante, it's very sunny this time of the year. Alicante usually receives more sunshine than San Remo during spring. Alicante gets 243 hours of sunny skies, while San Remo receives 198 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Alicante usually receives less rain than San Remo. Alicante gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while San Remo receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for San Remo and Alicante