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

Should you visit Cadiz or Alicante?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Cadiz and Alicante can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Cadiz

Cadiz is a historic, authentic, and friendly port city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Alicante

Alicante is a vibrant, cultural, and colorful city. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches.

Cadiz and Alicante: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cadiz or Alicante?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Alicante than Cadiz. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Alicante is very popular for its museums, food, and beaches, while Cadiz attracts visitors for its historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty. Alicante is more touristy than Cadiz and is known for its sandy beaches, vibrant nightlife, and authentic restaurants. It is also well known for the Castillo de Santa Bárbara. Cadiz is famous for its long-running maritime history and its charming old town.

How is Cadiz different from Alicante?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Alicante and Cadiz. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Cadiz or Alicante?

Alicante is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Cadiz is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its museums and history.

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.

Cadiz offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. As the oldest city in Europe, there are countless historic sights and monuments to see. Some of the most interesting historic sights include Catedral Nueva, the Arcos de los Blancos, Torre Tavira, and Museo de Cádiz.

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

Alicante is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Cadiz is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Alicante makes for a great culinary experience. 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.

Cadiz has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The restaurants are good, but if you don't have reservations you're out of luck. Many restaurants fill up during the peak summer months. If you do have reservations then you can expect fresh seafood including everything from oysters to prawns and even fresh caught fish like Bluefin tuna. Make sure you try the shrimp fritters and papas con choco (cuttlefish and potato stew). Tapas are a great way to sample a number of small local dishes. Also finish your meal off with some churros.

Is Cadiz or Alicante Better for Nightlife?

Both Cadiz and Alicante are nice when it comes to partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Cadiz. The nightlife scene is diverse, with both cultural activities and dance clubs to choose from. Whether you're looking for a late night party or a more mellow evening on the town, there are a number of options available.

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.

Is Cadiz or Alicante Better for Beaches?

Alicante is a city with good options for its beaches. However, Cadiz is not a good port city for the beache.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Alicante. 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.

You can check out the beach in Cadiz. The beaches remain relatively undiscovered on the international level, so you won't have to deal with the crowds that you find at many Spanish beaches. They are urban beaches that make a good place to cool off, but aren't particularly scenic. The beaches are popular with nearby locals, and the atmosphere remains chill and relaxed. While there are many beaches to choose from outside of town, the closest in town beach is La Caleta. It's even been featured in a few Hollywood films such as Die Another Day.

Is Cadiz or Alicante Better for its Old Town?

Cadiz 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 Cadiz. The old town offers a patchwork network of cobblestone streets that intertwine plazas, churches, and historic buildings.

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 Cadiz or Alicante?

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

Cadiz is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. There's a diverse mix of local boutiques, food markets, shopping centers, and street markets where you can pick up everything from local items to European fashion. If you happen to be in town on a weekend, keep in mind that many shops are only open in the morning on Saturdays and closed all day Sundays.

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 Cadiz or Alicante Better for Families?

Alicante is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Cadiz is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Alicante is 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.

Cadiz is a family-friendly port city. The city has beaches where everyone can splash around, as well as some parks and playgrounds where kids can get their energy out. Outside of town you'll find waterparks and other fun activities as well.

Is Cadiz or Alicante Better for Couples?

Alicante is a well-known place for romance. Also, Cadiz is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its romantic activities.

Alicante is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

Cadiz makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. With its history and beaches, there are many romantic activities that couples can enjoy. Wander around old town and enjoy local cuisine. Visit the historic ruins and take a hike outside of the city.

Is Cadiz or Alicante Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Cadiz and Alicante are nice destinations for backpackers.

Cadiz is a good port city to visit for backpackers. One of the biggest draws to the city is there huge Carnival festival every February. This is a popular time to visit and backpackers will appreciate the lively atmosphere.

Plenty of backpackers 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.

Is Cadiz or Alicante Better for Students?

Alicante is a city with good options for students. However, Cadiz is not popular with students.

Alicante is a good city to visit for 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.

Cadiz is not popular with students.

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

Both Cadiz and Alicante offer nice public transit options.

Cadiz has a few public transit options. There are five bus lines around town. The buses are comfortable and air conditioned.

Alicante has some public transit options. There's a comprehensive bus system through the city and region.

Is Cadiz or Alicante a more walkable city?

Cadiz 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.

Cadiz is a very walkable port city. It is a walkable city that is historic and compact enough to explore on foot. It can be a bit of a walk to get from the old town to the beach though.

Alicante is a somewhat walkable port city. There are many parts of the city that can be explored on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Cadiz Worth Visiting? and Is Alicante Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Alicante or Cadiz?

How long in Cadiz or Alicante?

It's fun to spend time in either Cadiz or Alicante. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Alicante due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Cadiz, and 2-4 days is enough time in Alicante.

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

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

The port city of Cadiz 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.

In Alicante, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this authentic destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Cadiz or Alicante?

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Alicante. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Cadiz or Alicante?

Cadiz 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.

Alicante is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Alicante. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Cadiz or Alicante?

Cadiz 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 port city offers something for everyone.

You'll find food and shopping around the cultural destination of Alicante. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to Spain, The Best G Adventures Tours to Spain, The Best 3-Day Tours from Madrid, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Madrid.

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

Which is Bigger, Cadiz or Alicante?

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

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 Cadiz or Alicante in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Cadiz and Alicante. Many visitors come to Cadiz in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Alicante for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Alicante this time of the year. In Cadiz, it's very sunny this time of the year. Cadiz usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Alicante during summer. Cadiz gets 356 hours of sunny skies, while Alicante receives 341 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Cadiz usually receives less rain than Alicante. Cadiz gets 0 mm (0 in) of rain, while Alicante receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Cadiz or Alicante in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Cadiz as well as Alicante. Most visitors come to Cadiz for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Alicante because of the shopping scene.

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Alicante. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cadiz this time of the year. In the autumn, Cadiz often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Alicante. Cadiz gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Alicante receives 225 hours of full sun.

Cadiz usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Alicante. Cadiz gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Alicante receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cadiz or Alicante in the Winter?

Both Alicante and Cadiz are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Cadiz because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Alicante this time of year.

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

Cadiz usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Alicante during winter. Cadiz gets 174 hours of sunny skies, while Alicante receives 178 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Cadiz usually receives more rain than Alicante. Cadiz gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Alicante receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Cadiz or Alicante in the Spring?

Both Alicante and Cadiz during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Cadiz this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Alicante for the beaches.

In the spring, Cadiz is around the same temperature as Alicante. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cadiz in April average around 17°C (63°F), and Alicante averages at about 16°C (60°F).

In Alicante, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Cadiz. In the spring, Cadiz often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Alicante. Cadiz gets 253 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Alicante receives 243 hours of full sun.

Cadiz usually gets more rain in April than Alicante. Cadiz gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Alicante receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Alicante and Cadiz