A Travel Price Comparison for Spain Alicante vs. Zaragoza for Attractions, Food, Old Town, and Families

Should you visit Alicante or Zaragoza?

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

Alicante

Alicante is a vibrant, cultural, and colorful city. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and food.

Zaragoza

Zaragoza is a compact, authentic, and cultural 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 Zaragoza: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Alicante or Zaragoza?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Alicante than Zaragoza. While Zaragoza is larger than Alicante, Alicante has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Alicante is more popular for its beaches, while Zaragoza is known for its historical sights, shopping, 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. Zaragoza is popular for its grand landmarks, local cuisine, and rich cultural scene.

How is Alicante different from Zaragoza?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Zaragoza can be an interesting and educational experience. For such a small city, it really has a large number of cultural and historical attractions. The Basilica of Our Lady of Pilar is the most recognizable sight, but there's also the Museum of the Roman Forum of Caesaraugusta, the cathedral of Zaragoza, and the Aljafería Palace, among others.

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

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

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.

Zaragoza has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. There are authentic restaurants that cater to locals and tourists alike. You'll also find some interesting food tours around town. Tapas are popular, as is chocolate and fresh, traditional recipes.

Is Alicante or Zaragoza Better for Nightlife?

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

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 Zaragoza has a few options to choose from. The nightlife is at its best on weekends, when students and young locals head out on the town. Many evenings start with tapas and wine, but there are nightclubs and dancing as well.

Is Alicante or Zaragoza Better for Beaches?

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

Zaragoza is not a beach destination.

Is Alicante or Zaragoza Better for its Old Town?

Zaragoza 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 Zaragoza. The old town is small but filled with monumental buildings and an authentic atmosphere.

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 Zaragoza?

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

Zaragoza is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city has many local shops selling locally produced items and interesting souvenirs. There are also boutiques, markets, and vintage shops that are fun to browse though.

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 Zaragoza Better for Families?

Alicante is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Zaragoza is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Alicante is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Zaragoza is a family-friendly city. When your kids get their fill of architecture and history, you can head to the Zaragoza Aquarium. Also worth a visit is the Emoz Museum, which is an origami museum. And if you need a break from sightseeing, take a kayak out on the Ebro River.

Is Alicante or Zaragoza Better for Couples?

Both Alicante and Zaragoza 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.

Zaragoza is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Filled with culture, beauty, and monumental buildings, this is a small and romantic city. It's particularly romantic at night when the streets are quiet and many of the buildings are lit up.

Is Alicante or Zaragoza Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Alicante and Zaragoza are good 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 Zaragoza. There are enough hostels around town to choose from, and while it's not the backpacker haven that some Spanish cities are, it still sees a good number of young travelers.

Is Alicante or Zaragoza Better for Students?

Alicante and Zaragoza 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 Zaragoza. International students enjoy this small city because it has a local vibe where they can practice their Spanish and enjoy an authentic experience.

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

Zaragoza 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.

Zaragoza has some very good public transit options. There are buses and trams around 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 Zaragoza a more walkable city?

Zaragoza 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.

Zaragoza is a very walkable city. The city center is very walkable.

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 Zaragoza Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Zaragoza or Alicante?

How long in Alicante or Zaragoza?

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

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

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

One day in Alicante or Zaragoza?

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 city of Zaragoza offers food and shopping. 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 Zaragoza?

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.

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

Five days in Alicante or Zaragoza?

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.

Zaragoza 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 Zaragoza?

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.

Zaragoza 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 Adventure Tours to Spain, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain.

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

Which is Bigger, Alicante or Zaragoza?

Zaragoza has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Alicante. When comparing the sizes of Alicante and Zaragoza, 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 Zaragoza?

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 Zaragoza in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Alicante is around the same temperature as Zaragoza. Typically, the summer temperatures in Alicante in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Zaragoza averages at about 26°C (79°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Zaragoza this time of the year. In Alicante, it's very sunny this time of the year. Alicante usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Zaragoza during summer. Alicante gets 341 hours of sunny skies, while Zaragoza receives 344 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Alicante usually receives less rain than Zaragoza. Alicante gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Zaragoza receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Alicante or Zaragoza in the Autumn?

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

In October, Alicante is generally a little warmer than Zaragoza. Daily temperatures in Alicante average around 20°C (68°F), and Zaragoza fluctuates around 17°C (63°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 Zaragoza. Alicante gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zaragoza receives 196 hours of full sun.

Alicante usually gets more rain in October than Zaragoza. Alicante gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Zaragoza receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Alicante or Zaragoza in the Winter?

Both Zaragoza 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 Zaragoza for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Alicante is a little warmer than Zaragoza in the winter. The daily temperature in Alicante averages around 11°C (52°F) in January, and Zaragoza fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

Alicante usually receives more sunshine than Zaragoza during winter. Alicante gets 178 hours of sunny skies, while Zaragoza receives 131 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Alicante usually receives less rain than Zaragoza. Alicante gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Zaragoza receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Alicante or Zaragoza in the Spring?

Both Zaragoza 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 Zaragoza because of the natural beauty.

In the spring, Alicante is around the same temperature as Zaragoza. Typically, the spring temperatures in Alicante in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Zaragoza averages at about 15°C (58°F).

In Zaragoza, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Alicante. In the spring, Alicante often gets more sunshine than Zaragoza. Alicante gets 243 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zaragoza receives 217 hours of full sun.

Alicante usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Zaragoza. Alicante gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Zaragoza receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Zaragoza and Alicante