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

Should you visit Alicante or Varenna?

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

Alicante

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

Varenna

Varenna is a scenic, pristine, and beautiful village. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and food.

Alicante and Varenna: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Alicante or Varenna?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Alicante than Varenna, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Alicante is better known for its museums, nightlife, beaches, and historical sights, while Varenna is more popular for its food, hiking, and impressive beauty. Varenna is more touristy than Alicante and is popular for its beautiful location by Lake Como. Alicante is well known for its sandy beaches, vibrant nightlife, and authentic restaurants. Also, Alicante is famous for the Castillo de Santa Bárbara.

How is Alicante different from Varenna?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Varenna. Most people visit the town for its beautiful setting on Lake Como. There are some popular sights around town though such as the Church of San Giorgio and Castello di Vezio.

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

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

Varenna has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. Despite the touristy nature of the town, the restaurants are surprisingly good and you'll find some excellent Italian food around town.

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 Varenna Better for Nightlife?

Alicante is a good destination for nightlife and partying. However, Varenna is lacking in options for its evening party scene.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Alicante. 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.

Varenna is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. The best way to enjoy the evening is to head to a restaurant and spend the time sipping wine in a laid back setting.

Is Alicante or Varenna Better for Beaches?

Alicante is a good destination for the beache. However, Varenna is not a beach destination.

Alicante offers a nice beach destination. 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.

Varenna is not a beach destination.

Is Alicante or Varenna Better for its Old Town?

Alicante is a good destination for its old town. However, Varenna 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.

Varenna does not have a historic old town.

Is Alicante or Varenna Better for Hiking?

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

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Varenna. There are lakefront trails and other hiking options near town. The Lungolago di Varenna - Baia di Varenna loop follows the water and makes for a pleasant stroll.

Alicante is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Alicante or Varenna?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Varenna 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.

Varenna has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. The streets are lined with artisan shops and boutique venders that are fun to explore.

Is Alicante or Varenna Better for Families?

Alicante is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Varenna is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Alicante is very family-friendly. 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 kid-friendly things to do in Varenna. The charming village has play areas for children and the beautiful Villa Monastero, which are gardens that they'll enjoy exploring. It's also worth visiting the Castle of Vezio.

Is Alicante or Varenna Better for Couples?

Varenna is terrific for its romantic activities. Also, Alicante is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

For those traveling as a couple, Varenna has plenty to offer. This beautiful village has a romantic atmosphere with a "lovers promenade" and many stunning views. It makes the perfect couples trip, whether you're on your honeymoon or just need some time away.

Alicante is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. 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.

Is Alicante or Varenna Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Alicante and Varenna 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 Varenna. There are some hostels and guesthouses that cater to budget travelers. There's also plenty of outdoor activities that are free.

Is Alicante or Varenna Better for Students?

Alicante is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Varenna 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.

Varenna is not popular with students.

Is Alicante or Varenna 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 Varenna.

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 Varenna offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The town is easily accessible by public transit and once you're in town you can walk everywhere.

Is Alicante or Varenna a more walkable city?

Varenna 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 Varenna on foot is easy. Everything is walkable and the town is best 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 Varenna Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Varenna or Alicante?

How long in Alicante or Varenna?

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

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

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

In Alicante, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

The beautiful village of Varenna offers food and shopping. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 Varenna?

In Alicante, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Alicante has to offer.

Varenna is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this village makes for a great vacation. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Varenna, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Alicante or Varenna?

Alicante is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Varenna 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 Varenna?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Alicante. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Alicante. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Varenna is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. 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 village 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 Budget Tours to Italy, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy.

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

Which is Bigger, Alicante or Varenna?

Alicante has a larger population, and is about 370 times larger than the population of Varenna. When comparing the sizes of Alicante and Varenna, 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 Varenna?

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 Varenna in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Alicante as well as Varenna. Many visitors come to Alicante in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Varenna for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Alicante is around the same temperature as Varenna in the summer. The daily temperature in Alicante averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Varenna fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Varenna. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Alicante this time of the year. In the summer, Alicante often gets more sunshine than Varenna. Alicante gets 341 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Varenna receives 250 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Varenna. Alicante usually gets less rain in July than Varenna. Alicante gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Varenna receives 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Alicante or Varenna in the Autumn?

Both Varenna and Alicante are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Alicante for the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Varenna because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Alicante is a little warmer than Varenna. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Alicante in October average around 20°C (68°F), and Varenna averages at about 15°C (58°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Alicante. Alicante usually receives more sunshine than Varenna during autumn. Alicante gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Varenna receives 152 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Varenna. In October, Alicante usually receives less rain than Varenna. Alicante gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Varenna receives 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Alicante or Varenna in the Winter?

Both Varenna and Alicante during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Alicante because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Varenna this time of year.

It's quite cold in Varenna in the winter. In January, Alicante is generally much warmer than Varenna. Daily temperatures in Alicante average around 11°C (52°F), and Varenna fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Alicante often gets more sunshine than Varenna. Alicante gets 178 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Varenna receives 119 hours of full sun.

Alicante usually gets less rain in January than Varenna. Alicante gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Varenna receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Alicante or Varenna in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Alicante and Varenna. The beaches are the main draw to Alicante this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Varenna for the natural beauty.

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

In Alicante, it's very sunny this time of the year. Alicante usually receives more sunshine than Varenna during spring. Alicante gets 243 hours of sunny skies, while Varenna receives 176 hours of full sun in the spring.

Varenna receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Alicante usually receives less rain than Varenna. Alicante gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Varenna receives 152 mm (6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Varenna and Alicante