A Travel Price Comparison for Spain Cordoba vs. Alicante for Attractions, Old Town, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Cordoba 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 Cordoba 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.

Cordoba

Cordoba is a colorful, flower-filled, and historical town. The beauty of Cordoba is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Cordoba travel costs.

Alicante

Alicante is a vibrant, cultural, and colorful city. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and beaches. See Alicante travel costs.

Cordoba and Alicante: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cordoba or Alicante?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Cordoba. Although Cordoba and Alicante are about the same size, Cordoba has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Cordoba is more popular for its museums and attractions, nightlife, historical sights, and impressive beauty, while Alicante is known for its beaches. Cordoba is more touristy than Alicante and is known for its mix of Roman, Islamic, and Spanish architecture, its whitewashed buildings and streets filled with flowers, and its handcrafted leatherwork. It is also home to La Mezquita. Alicante is popular for its sandy beaches, vibrant nightlife, and authentic restaurants.

How is Cordoba different from Alicante?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Cordoba is terrific for its museums and landmarks. Also, Alicante is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Cordoba are among the most recognizable in the world. The city is filled with monuments that reflect its past. The Great Mosque (La Mezquita) is one of the most iconic sights. You can also visit Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos, Palacio de Viana, and Puente Romano.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Alicante can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

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

Both Cordoba and Alicante offer a number of superb restaurants to choose from.

Dining out in Cordoba is an experience not to be missed. Like much of Spain, international travelers will have to adjust to the shifted meal schedule which means most meals are served are later than they are in other parts of Europe. The ingredients are fresh and popular dishes include Salmorejo (a tomato based soup), Rabo De Toro (stewed oxtail), and Flamenquín (deep-fried pork roll).

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in 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.

Is Cordoba or Alicante Better for Nightlife?

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

Cordoba is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. There are cocktail bars, Flamenco shows, tapas tours, and local pubs that make for a great night out. The city offers something for everyone, whatever your style.

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 Cordoba or Alicante Better for Beaches?

Alicante is a city with good options for the beach. However, Cordoba is not a beach destination.

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.

Cordoba is not a beach destination.

Is Cordoba or Alicante Better for its Old Town?

Cordoba is terrific for its old town. Also, Alicante is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town charm.

Cordoba has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. It's old town is one of the most enchanting in Andalusia. There are whitewashed houses that line flower-filled streets and its compact enough to take a leisurely stroll.

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 Cordoba or Alicante?

Both Cordoba and Alicante are good shopping destinations.

Many visitors go to Cordoba to go shopping. You'll find souvenir shops selling local pottery, traditional jewelry, and handcrafted leatherwork, so this is a nice place to pick up something to remember your trip.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Alicante. 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 Cordoba or Alicante More Beautiful?

Cordoba is well known for its scenery and beauty. However, Alicante is not a destination known for its beauty.

The beauty of Cordoba is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. The city is beautifully lit up at night, making this a great time to explore.

Alicante is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Cordoba or Alicante Better for Families?

Alicante is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Cordoba is not as famous, but is still a good town 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.

Cordoba is a family-friendly town. Horse-drawn carriage rides and then a visit to the Royal Stables of Cordoba is a great option for horse-lovers. The city also has a zoo and an impressive park - Ciudad de Los Niños. If you're willing to head out of town, about 10 kilometers away you'll find Aquasierra Waterpark.

Is Cordoba or Alicante Better for Couples?

Both Cordoba and Alicante are superb destinations for a couple's getaway.

Cordoba is a very popular place to visit for couples. Beautifully lit up at night, this is a truly romantic city. There are horse-drawn carriage rides, nice parks, and an impressive botanical garden. There are also many great restaurants that couples can explore.

Alicante makes for a fun place to visit for 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 Cordoba or Alicante Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cordoba is well known for backpackers. Also, Alicante is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Cordoba is a great town to visit for backpackers. It's well-established on the backpacker circuit, so you'll find plenty of hostels around town and many opportunities to meet up with other travelers.

It's common for backpackers to 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 Cordoba or Alicante Better for Students?

Cordoba is terrific for students. Also, Alicante is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Students come from all over the world to visit Cordoba. It's a top study abroad destination for international students. The university is excellent and the city is easy to navigate. It's a cultural city with a great student-friendly atmosphere.

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.

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

Both Cordoba and Alicante offer good public transit options.

Cordoba has a few public transit options. There are 15 bus lines that are operated by Aucorsa.

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

Is Cordoba or Alicante a more walkable city?

Cordoba 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.

Cordoba is a very walkable town. It's small and compact enough to explore on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Alicante or Cordoba?

How long in Cordoba or Alicante?

It's fun to spend time in either Cordoba or Alicante. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Alicante due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Cordoba, and 2-4 days is enough time in Alicante.

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

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

One day in Cordoba or Alicante?

The beautiful town of Cordoba 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, 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.

A weekend in Cordoba or Alicante?

Cordoba 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. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Cordoba, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

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.

Five days in Cordoba or Alicante?

Cordoba is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that museums 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.

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.

A week in Cordoba or Alicante?

Cordoba is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that museums is why people visit. 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 town offers something for everyone.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Spain, The Best 10-Day Tours in Spain, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Spain, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Spain.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Cordoba or Alicante?

Cordoba has a larger population, and is about 2% larger than the population of Alicante. When comparing the sizes of Cordoba 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 Cordoba 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 Cordoba or Alicante in the Summer?

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

In July, Cordoba is generally around the same temperature as Alicante. Daily temperatures in Cordoba average around 27°C (81°F), and Alicante fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Alicante this time of the year. In Cordoba, it's very sunny this time of the year. Cordoba usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Alicante during summer. Cordoba gets 358 hours of sunny skies, while Alicante receives 341 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Cordoba usually receives more rain than Alicante. Cordoba gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Alicante receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Cordoba or Alicante in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Cordoba as well as Alicante. Most visitors come to Cordoba 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.

Cordoba is around the same temperature as Alicante in the autumn. The daily temperature in Cordoba averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, 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 Cordoba this time of the year. In the autumn, Cordoba often gets less sunshine than Alicante. Cordoba gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Alicante receives 225 hours of full sun.

Cordoba usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Alicante. Cordoba gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Alicante receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cordoba or Alicante in the Winter?

Both Alicante and Cordoba are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Cordoba 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.

In the winter, Cordoba is cooler than Alicante. Typically, the winter temperatures in Cordoba in January average around 10°C (50°F), and Alicante averages at about 11°C (52°F).

Cordoba usually receives less sunshine than Alicante during winter. Cordoba gets 162 hours of sunny skies, while Alicante receives 178 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Cordoba usually receives more rain than Alicante. Cordoba gets 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Alicante receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Cordoba or Alicante in the Spring?

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

In April, Cordoba is generally around the same temperature as Alicante. Daily temperatures in Cordoba average around 16°C (60°F), and Alicante fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

In Alicante, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Cordoba. In the spring, Cordoba often gets less sunshine than Alicante. Cordoba gets 203 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Alicante receives 243 hours of full sun.

Cordoba usually gets more rain in April than Alicante. Cordoba gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Alicante receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Alicante and Cordoba