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

Should you visit Granada or Alicante?

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

Should I visit Granada or Alicante? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Granada

Granada is a charming, cultural, and historic city. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Alicante

Alicante is a cultural, colorful, and authentic city. Other reasons to visit include beaches, shopping, and museums.

Granada and Alicante: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Granada or Alicante?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Granada than Alicante. While Alicante is larger than Granada, Granada has more sights and attractions for tourists. Granada is very popular for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Alicante attracts visitors for its food and beaches. Granada is more touristy than Alicante and is popular for its Islamic architecture, charming old town, and the stunningly impressive Alhambra. It is also well known for The Alhambra. Alicante is famous for its sandy beaches, vibrant nightlife, and authentic restaurants.

How is Granada different from Alicante?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Granada 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 Granada are among the most recognizable in the world. Many visitors head to Granada specifically to visit the famed Alhambra. The palace and fortress complex will not disappoint. The gardens are beautifully maintained and the palace is filled with intricate details. It's easy to spend hours wandering around. In addition to The Alhambra, the Granada Cathedral is also impressive to visit. If you have kids or extra time to fill, head to Parque de las Ciencias, which is the city's Science Park.

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 Granada or Alicante? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Alicante is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. Also, Granada is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

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.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Granada. It's a very touristy city so restaurants can be hit or miss. There are some amazing local eateries, but you'll also find a number of places with lower quality, overpriced food. Classic local dishes include Churros, Plato Alpujarreño, and Habas con Jamón. Tapas are very popular and many restaurants provide free tapas with drink orders. There are also a number of Moroccan restaurants around town.

Is Granada or Alicante Better for Nightlife?

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

Granada is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The nightlife scene kicks off around 11 pm, when most people have finished up a late dinner. There's a laid-back atmosphere with pubs, live music, and dance clubs that stay open late into the night. There are several popular streets at night including Calle Elvira, Calle Reyes Católicos, and the Realejo District.

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 Granada or Alicante Better for Beaches?

Alicante is a popular place for its beaches. However, Granada is not a beach destination.

Alicante is a good option for a beach vacation. 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.

Granada is not a beach destination.

Is Granada or Alicante Better for its Old Town?

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

Granada has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. The Old Town spills out around the Granada Cathedral and is filled with charming pedestrian streets, lively plazas, and many great shops.

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 Granada or Alicante Better for Hiking?

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

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Granada. Ruta de Los Cahorros is a great hike about 25 minutes outside of Granada that begins in the town of Monochil. It crosses many bridges and weaves through dramatic canyons. There are places where you can wade in the water or check out a hidden waterfall. It's well worth the time and can be reached by taxi or public bus.

Alicante is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Granada or Alicante?

Shoppers can find a variety of nice stores in both Granada and Alicante.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Granada. The town is filled with souvenir shops and places to buy local items. It's fun to wander through the old town and pop into the many different shops.

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.

Is Granada or Alicante Better for Families?

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

Alicante is a very family-friendly destination. 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 Granada. While the highlight of the city is the Alhambra, kids will likely enjoy exploring the shops or seeing a Flamenco show a bit more. Just outside of town is a wonderful hike, Ruta de Los Cahorros. It begins near the town of Monachil which is easily accessible by taxi or public bus. The hike goes through canyons and across bridges and its a wonderful activity for the whole family.

Is Granada or Alicante Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Granada and Alicante make for a great place to visit.

Granada makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It is a beautiful city that is filled with charm and history. Couples will enjoy exploring the Alhambra, taking in a Flamenco show, or sipping Sangria with tapas. The city is incredibly beautiful with stunning views and many great restaurants.

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.

Is Granada or Alicante Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Granada is a great city to visit for backpackers. It's a touristy city and it's a popular destination for backpackers as well. There are plenty of hostels around town and the city has social atmosphere with many opportunities to meet 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 Granada or Alicante Better for Students?

Granada is well known for students. Also, Alicante is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Granada is very popular with students. It's a popular study abroad destination. Accommodation for students is usually affordable and this is also a great city for integrating into the local culture. You may even end up with a Spanish roommate.

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

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Granada and Alicante.

Granada has some public transit options. There is a comprehensive bus system around town that many tourists take advantage of. Taxis are also very affordable, so for many visitors, that is an easy option.

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.

Is Granada or Alicante a more walkable city?

Granada 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.

Granada is a very walkable city. Most of the touristy areas are easy to explore on foot, but there are some steep hills so put on your walking shoes.

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 Granada Worth Visiting? and Is Alicante Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Alicante or Granada?

How long in Granada or Alicante?

It's fun to spend time in either Granada or Alicante. In our opinion, Granada has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Granada than Alicante. However, 2-4 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

One day in Granada or Alicante?

The beautiful city of Granada offers food and shopping. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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.

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 Granada or Alicante?

Granada 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 Granada, 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 Granada or Alicante?

Granada 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 Granada or Alicante?

Granada is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that museums 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 city 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Madrid, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Barcelona, The Best 10-Day Tours from Madrid, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Barcelona.

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

Which is Bigger, Granada or Alicante?

Alicante has a larger population, and is about 33% larger than the population of Granada. When comparing the sizes of Granada 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 Granada or Alicante?

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 Granada or Alicante in the Summer?

Both Alicante and Granada during the summer are popular places to visit. The hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Granada this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Alicante for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

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

In Alicante, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Granada. In the summer, Granada often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Alicante. Granada gets 348 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Alicante receives 341 hours of full sun.

Granada usually gets less rain in July than Alicante. Granada gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Alicante receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Granada or Alicante in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Granada and Alicante. Many travelers come to Granada for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, many visitors come to Alicante in the autumn for the shopping scene.

In October, Granada is generally around the same temperature as Alicante. Daily temperatures in Granada average around 19°C (67°F), and Alicante fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Alicante this time of the year. In Granada, it's very sunny this time of the year. Granada usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Alicante during autumn. Granada gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Alicante receives 225 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Granada usually receives less rain than Alicante. Granada gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Alicante receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Granada or Alicante in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Granada as well as Alicante. Many visitors come to Granada in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Alicante for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Granada is around the same temperature as Alicante in the winter. The daily temperature in Granada averages around 12°C (54°F) in January, and Alicante fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In the winter, Granada often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Alicante. Granada gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Alicante receives 178 hours of full sun.

Granada usually gets more rain in January than Alicante. Granada gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Alicante receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Granada or Alicante in the Spring?

Both Alicante and Granada are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Granada for the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Alicante because of the beaches.

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

It's quite sunny in Alicante. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Granada. Granada usually receives less sunshine than Alicante during spring. Granada gets 220 hours of sunny skies, while Alicante receives 243 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Granada usually receives more rain than Alicante. Granada gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Alicante receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Alicante and Granada