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

Should you visit Alicante or Taormina?

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

Alicante

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

Taormina

Taormina is a historic, beautiful, and exclusive town. As this is a charming small town, visitors also come to explore the sights and local activities. 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 Taormina: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Alicante or Taormina?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Alicante. Although Alicante and Taormina are both popular with visitors, Alicante has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Alicante is more popular for its museums and historical sights, while Taormina is known for its nightlife, resorts, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Taormina is more touristy than Alicante and is popular for its long history as a seaside resort town with luxury accommodation and beautiful views. Alicante is popular for its sandy beaches, vibrant nightlife, and authentic restaurants. It is also home to the Castillo de Santa Bárbara.

How is Alicante different from Taormina?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Alicante is a great city for its historical sights. Also, Taormina is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its sights and museums.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Alicante. 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.

Taormina is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The main landmark in town is the Greek Theater which dates back to the 3rd century BC. Also visit Madonna della Rocca as well as Castello di Taormina, which is perched above the sea.

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

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

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.

Taormina has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The local dishes draw on traditional Italian flavors such as pasta, tomato sauce, and vegetables, but they're also heavily influenced by the island's many historical invaders. You'll find a variety of ingredients in recipes including red chilies, tuna, swordfish, sardines, pine nuts, capers, and olives.

Is Alicante or Taormina Better for Nightlife?

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

Taormina is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The town has a bit of an exclusive vibe and that's felt in the nightlife scene as well. There are lounges and exclusive clubs that serve fine wine and cocktails. You'll also find some late night dance clubs around town.

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 Taormina Better for Resorts?

Taormina is well known for its resorts. However, Alicante is not a resort destination.

Vacationers can choose from a number of terrific resorts in Taormina. There are a number of high end resorts and hotels in and near town that have pools and five star facilities.

Alicante is not a resort destination.

Is Alicante or Taormina Better for Beaches?

Alicante and Taormina 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.

Taormina has a beach worth visiting. The easiest beaches to access from town are Mazzaro Beach and Isola Bella Beach. The beaches are near hotels and there are restaurants as well as beach umbrellas and chairs that you can rent.

Is Alicante or Taormina Better for its Old Town?

Alicante is a city with good options for its historic old town charm. However, Taormina 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.

Taormina does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Alicante or Taormina?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Taormina 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.

Taormina has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. It's a fashion-conscious town and you'll find boutiques and shops that carry high end Italian brands. There are also shops that sell local pottery and other items.

Is Alicante or Taormina Better for Families?

Alicante is a great city for its kid-friendly activities. However, Taormina is not known for its family-friendly activities.

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.

Taormina is not the most family-friendly destination. Kids may not appreciate everything that the adults enjoy about this town, but they will likely have fun taking a ride on the cable car and visiting the Greek Theater. There are also wonderful desserts that kids will enjoy.

Is Alicante or Taormina Better for Couples?

Both Alicante and Taormina are superb 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.

Taormina is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. It's a truly beautiful town with impressive views and a great atmosphere. It makes a wonderful stop off for couples or honeymooners who want to soak up the region's beauty.

Is Alicante or Taormina Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Alicante is a city with good options for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Taormina is not known for backpackers.

Alicante is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are hostels around town, as well as many budget-friendly hotels, so this is an affordable oceanfront destination for the budget-minded.

Taormina is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. There aren't many hostels around town and you won't find a large backpacker crowd here. The town has the feel of an exclusive resort community with high end resorts more common than anything else.

Is Alicante or Taormina Better for Students?

Alicante is a city with good options for its student-friendly activities. However, Taormina is not popular with students.

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.

Taormina is not popular with students.

Is Alicante or Taormina 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 Taormina.

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 Taormina offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are minibuses that travel to the more far-reaching parts of the town.

Is Alicante or Taormina a more walkable city?

Taormina 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.

Taormina is a very walkable town. Walking is one of the best ways to explore the 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 Taormina Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Taormina or Alicante?

How long in Alicante or Taormina?

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

Families should spend more time in Alicante than Taormina. 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.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Alicante than Taormina 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 Taormina?

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.

Taormina is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and shopping. It's also a relaxing resort destination. 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 Taormina?

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.

Taormina is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Taormina, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Alicante or Taormina?

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.

Taormina 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 Taormina?

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.

Taormina is a great place to explore. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy, and The Best Walking Tours in Italy.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Alicante or Taormina?

Alicante has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Taormina. When comparing the sizes of Alicante and Taormina, 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 Taormina?

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 Taormina in the Summer?

Both Taormina and Alicante during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Alicante for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Taormina in the summer for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Alicante is around the same temperature as Taormina. Typically, the summer temperatures in Alicante in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Taormina averages at about 27°C (80°F).

In Taormina, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Alicante. In the summer, Alicante often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Taormina. Alicante gets 341 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Taormina receives 332 hours of full sun.

Alicante usually gets less rain in July than Taormina. Alicante gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Taormina receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Alicante or Taormina in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Alicante and Taormina. Many visitors come to Alicante in the autumn for the shopping scene. Furthermore, most visitors come to Taormina for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Alicante is generally around the same temperature as Taormina. Daily temperatures in Alicante average around 20°C (68°F), and Taormina fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).

In Alicante, it's very sunny this time of the year. Alicante usually receives more sunshine than Taormina during autumn. Alicante gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Taormina receives 189 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Taormina receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Alicante usually receives less rain than Taormina. Alicante gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Taormina receives 128 mm (5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Alicante or Taormina in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Alicante as well as Taormina. Most visitors come to Alicante for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Taormina because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Alicante is cooler than Taormina in the winter. The daily temperature in Alicante averages around 11°C (52°F) in January, and Taormina fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the winter, Alicante often gets more sunshine than Taormina. Alicante gets 178 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Taormina receives 115 hours of full sun.

Alicante usually gets less rain in January than Taormina. Alicante gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Taormina receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Alicante or Taormina in the Spring?

Both Taormina and Alicante are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Alicante because of the beaches. Also, the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Taormina this time of year.

In the spring, Alicante is around the same temperature as Taormina. Typically, the spring temperatures in Alicante in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Taormina averages at about 16°C (60°F).

It's quite sunny in Taormina. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Alicante. Alicante usually receives more sunshine than Taormina during spring. Alicante gets 243 hours of sunny skies, while Taormina receives 207 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Alicante usually receives less rain than Taormina. Alicante gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Taormina receives 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Taormina and Alicante