A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Clearwater vs. Virginia Beach for Beaches, Food, Resorts, and Families

Should you visit Clearwater or Virginia Beach?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Clearwater and Virginia Beach. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Clearwater

Clearwater is a adventure-filled, relaxing, and beautiful coastal city. Visitors also love the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach is a relaxing, bustling, and fun-filled coastal city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife and beaches.

Clearwater and Virginia Beach: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Clearwater or Virginia Beach?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Clearwater than Virginia Beach. While Virginia Beach is larger than Clearwater, Clearwater has more sights and attractions for tourists. Clearwater is very popular for its museums, food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping, while Virginia Beach attracts visitors for its impressive beauty. Clearwater is more touristy than Virginia Beach and is popular for its beautiful white sand beaches, laid back atmosphere, and watersports. It is also well known for Clearwater Beach. Virginia Beach is famous for its fun boardwalk, many seafood restaurants, and classic beach town vibe.

How is Clearwater different from Virginia Beach?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Clearwater or Virginia Beach?

Clearwater is great for its historical sights. However, Virginia Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Clearwater can be an interesting and educational experience. Perhaps most well known is the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, but there are also a surprising number of museums nearby such as the Dalí Museum, the impressive Chihuly Glass Museum, and the Museum of Fine Arts.

Virginia Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Clearwater or Virginia Beach? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Clearwater is great for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Virginia Beach is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Clearwater has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Head to the waterfront for some of the best seafood. Unfortunately this is also where you'll find the highest prices. Shrimp, crab, and a fresh catch of the day are common on many menus.

Virginia Beach may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Seafood is plentiful around town and there are all-you-can-eat buffets as well as high end, waterfront seafood restaurants. Make sure you try the She Crab Soup, soft shell crabs, and oysters.

Is Clearwater or Virginia Beach Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are nice in both Clearwater and Virginia Beach.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Clearwater. You'll find laid back beach clubs, glitzy wine bars, and relaxed bars where you can spend a nice night out.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Virginia Beach. While it's a family-friendly beach, there's still a great nightlife scene with many bars and clubs in the area. Popular places to hang out at night include Omega Bar, Peabody's Nightclub, and Sky Bar.

Is Clearwater or Virginia Beach Better for Resorts?

Clearwater is great for its luxury resorts. Also, Virginia Beach is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its resorts.

Clearwater is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. You'll find a number of nice resorts along the coastline. Some of the most popular are the Sandpearl Resort, the Opal Sands Resort, and the Clearwater Beach Marriott.

Virginia Beach has a few great resort options. Some of the best resorts in the area include the Historic Cavalier Hotel and Beach Club, the Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront, and The Founders Inn and Spa.

Is Clearwater or Virginia Beach Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Clearwater is a nice place to visit for its diving and snorkeling. However, Virginia Beach is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Clearwater has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. There's both snorkeling and diving nearby. Some of the best dive spots are within and hour of the shore and you'll find diving shops that offer trips.

Virginia Beach is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Clearwater or Virginia Beach Better for Beaches?

Clearwater is terrific for the beache. Also, Virginia Beach is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for the beach.

The beaches in Clearwater are among the best in the world. Clearwater Beach is on many lists as one of the best beaches in America. It's the most popular beach in the area and it spreads out over 2.5 miles. Sand Key Beach is another popular destination as is the pristine Caladesi Island State Park.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Virginia Beach. The beaches are long and sandy, but they can get crowded during the summer months. The waves are just the right size for playing in the surf and the water temperature is usually warm enough to swim well into the fall months.

Is the Shopping Better in Clearwater or Virginia Beach?

Clearwater is a nice place to visit for its shopping opportunities. However, Virginia Beach is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Clearwater. You'll find all of the standard shopping options in the area such as malls, shopping centers, and outlets. Westfield Countryside Mall is a popular destination as is the Cleveland Street District.

Virginia Beach is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Clearwater or Virginia Beach Better for Families?

Both Clearwater and Virginia Beach are great family-friendly destinations.

Clearwater is a very family-friendly place to visit. Check out the playground and activities around Pier 60. Less crowded and family-friendly Sand Key Park is another favorite spot and the playgrounds at New Coachman Park and Crest Lake Park are also fun. Clearwater Marine Aquarium is another popular attraction for visitors with kids.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Virginia Beach is very family-friendly. This is a popular family-friendly beach with a nice boardwalk, a fun waterpark, aquarium, and nice beaches. It attracts families in the area for its long beaches and fun atmosphere. Most restaurants have kid's menus and there are ice cream shops and minigolf around.

Is Clearwater or Virginia Beach Better for Couples?

Clearwater is great for its romantic activities. Also, Virginia Beach is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for couples.

Clearwater is a great coastal city if you're traveling as a couple. There are beautiful parks and beaches as well as romantic activities like sunset cruises and dolphin spotting tours. Couples will also enjoy dining on local seafood and shopping at the local venues.

Virginia Beach is a good coastal city for couples to visit. Couples will enjoy a nice escape to the beaches and boardwalk. There are many great seafood restaurants, some with waterfront settings. There's also a variety of activities ranging from many golf to dance clubs.

Is Clearwater or Virginia Beach Better for Students?

Virginia Beach is a good destination for students. However, Clearwater is not popular with students.

Virginia Beach is a good coastal city to visit for students. It's not as popular as more southern beach towns, but you'll still find students heading here for the spring break holidays.

Clearwater is not popular with students.

Is Clearwater or Virginia Beach Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Clearwater is adequate for times when you don't have a car. However, Virginia Beach is not a good destination for its public transit.

Public transit is mostly limited in Clearwater. The Clearwater Jolley Trolley connects some of the area's highlights. There are also public buses that run several routes through town.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Virginia Beach. There is very limited public transit in the area so you'll need to have a car to get around.

Is Clearwater or Virginia Beach a more walkable city?

Clearwater is a nice place to visit for its high level of walkability. However, Virginia Beach is not a good destination for its ease of walking around.

Clearwater is a somewhat walkable place. The waterfront and downtown areas are surprisingly walkable.

Virginia Beach is generally not very walkable. Most people prefer to have a car but do note that parking can be a nightmare, particularly during the summer season.

For even more information, also check out Is Clearwater Worth Visiting? and Is Virginia Beach Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Virginia Beach or Clearwater?

How long in Clearwater or Virginia Beach?

Both Clearwater and Virginia Beach have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Virginia Beach than in Clearwater. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Clearwater, and 5-7 days is enough time in Virginia Beach.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Clearwater than Virginia Beach 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 Clearwater.

One day in Clearwater or Virginia Beach?

In Clearwater, you'll find nightlife and food. Most people come for the beaches. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

With nightlife around the bustling coastal city of Virginia Beach, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Clearwater or Virginia Beach?

Clearwater is a great place to explore. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Anyone can find something fun to do here. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

With nightlife around the destination of Virginia Beach, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Five days in Clearwater or Virginia Beach?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Clearwater. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. It offers something for everyone. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. Because of this, five days is usually enough time for a trip here.

Virginia Beach, a popular coastal city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this coastal city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Clearwater or Virginia Beach?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the coastal city of Clearwater. It's also a great beach destination, too. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. One week 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.

Virginia Beach is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this coastal city makes for a great vacation. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this coastal city has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, The Best Walking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Clearwater and Virginia Beach, we can see that Clearwater is more expensive. And not only is Virginia Beach much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Virginia Beach would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Virginia Beach 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 Clearwater would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Clearwater than you might in Virginia Beach.

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

Which is Bigger, Clearwater or Virginia Beach?

Virginia Beach has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Clearwater. When comparing the sizes of Clearwater and Virginia Beach, 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 Clearwater or Virginia Beach?

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 Clearwater or Virginia Beach in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Clearwater as well as Virginia Beach. Many visitors come to Clearwater in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Virginia Beach for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Clearwater is around the same temperature as Virginia Beach. Typically, the summer temperatures in Clearwater in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Virginia Beach averages at about 79°F (26°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Virginia Beach. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Clearwater this time of the year. In the summer, Clearwater often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Virginia Beach. Clearwater gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Virginia Beach receives 279 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Virginia Beach. Clearwater receives a lot of rain in the summer. Clearwater usually gets more rain in July than Virginia Beach. Clearwater gets 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 5.7 inches (145 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Clearwater or Virginia Beach in the Autumn?

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

In October, Clearwater is generally a little warmer than Virginia Beach. Daily temperatures in Clearwater average around 75°F (24°C), and Virginia Beach fluctuates around 62°F (16°C).

It's quite sunny in Virginia Beach. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Clearwater. Clearwater usually receives more sunshine than Virginia Beach during autumn. Clearwater gets 234 hours of sunny skies, while Virginia Beach receives 211 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Clearwater usually receives less rain than Virginia Beach. Clearwater gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. June to November is the hurricane season in Clearwater.

Should I visit Clearwater or Virginia Beach in the Winter?

Both Virginia Beach and Clearwater during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Clearwater because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the cuisine are the main draw to Virginia Beach this time of year.

It's quite cold in Virginia Beach in the winter. Clearwater is much warmer than Virginia Beach in the winter. The daily temperature in Clearwater averages around 60°F (15°C) in January, and Virginia Beach fluctuates around 39°F (4°C).

It's quite sunny in Clearwater. In the winter, Clearwater often gets more sunshine than Virginia Beach. Clearwater gets 200 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Virginia Beach receives 168 hours of full sun.

Clearwater usually gets less rain in January than Virginia Beach. Clearwater gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Clearwater or Virginia Beach in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Clearwater and Virginia Beach. The beaches are the main draw to Clearwater this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Virginia Beach for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Clearwater is much warmer than Virginia Beach. Typically, the spring temperatures in Clearwater in April average around 71°F (22°C), and Virginia Beach averages at about 58°F (14°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Virginia Beach this time of the year. In Clearwater, it's very sunny this time of the year. Clearwater usually receives more sunshine than Virginia Beach during spring. Clearwater gets 299 hours of sunny skies, while Virginia Beach receives 253 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Clearwater usually receives less rain than Virginia Beach. Clearwater gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Virginia Beach receives 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November in Clearwater is the hurricane season.

Typical Weather for Virginia Beach and Clearwater