A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Nafplio vs. Alicante for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Old Town

Should you visit Nafplio or Alicante?

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

Should I visit Nafplio 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.

Nafplio

Nafplio is a beautiful, picturesque, and romantic 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

Alicante is a cultural, colorful, and authentic city. It's also popular because of the beaches, shopping, and museums.

Nafplio and Alicante: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nafplio or Alicante?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Nafplio. Although Nafplio and Alicante are both popular with visitors, Nafplio has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Nafplio is more touristy than Alicante and is popular for its romantic atmosphere, beautiful architecture, and impressive Venetian castles. It is also home to Palamidi Castle. Alicante is popular for its sandy beaches, vibrant nightlife, and authentic restaurants.

How is Nafplio different from Alicante?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

You'll find a number of great museums and attractions in both Alicante and Nafplio.

Nafplio offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There are a number of historic sights that are accessible from the town. One of the most iconic sights is the Palamidi Castle. You'll also find several fortresses in the area. There's also an archeological museum in town as well as the Folklore Museum.

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.

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

Both Nafplio and Alicante offer a number of great restaurants to choose from.

Nafplio has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The local restaurants serve up traditional Greek dishes that are local to the region and country. You'll find fresh seafood on most menus as well as moussaka, souvlaki, the famous Greek salad.

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.

Is Nafplio or Alicante Better for Nightlife?

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

Nafplio is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. You'll find a good concentration of bars and clubs along the waterfront. There are also a number of smaller bars and cafes near Syntagma Square and the nearby streets. In the later hours, many bars turn up the music and turn into dance clubs.

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 Nafplio or Alicante Better for Beaches?

For a relaxing beach holiday, both Nafplio and Alicante are good choices.

Nafplio is a good option for a beach vacation. If you head outside of the city, you'll find some nice beaches where you can spend a day. The most notable beaches in the area are Tolo, Kandia, and Nea Kios.

Many people head to Alicante to enjoy the beach. 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.

Is Nafplio or Alicante Better for its Old Town?

Nafplio 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 Nafplio. The charming old town spreads out from Syntagma Square. It's a great place to start your day with many cafes spilling into the streets.

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 Nafplio or Alicante?

Shoppers can find a variety of good stores in both Nafplio and Alicante.

Nafplio has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Shopping in the old town is charming, but for the best retail options, you'll actually want to visit the new town. There are a variety of clothing and fashion outlets, with some of the best shopping streets being Sidiras Merarchias, Argous, and Asklipiou.

Alicante is a great destination for shopping. 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 Nafplio or Alicante Better for Families?

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

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Alicante. 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 Nafplio. The charming, car-free center is fun to explore for all ages. There are several archeological sights around town as well as playgrounds and a great castle.

Is Nafplio or Alicante Better for Couples?

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

Nafplio makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Many people consider this to be one of the most romantic towns in Greece. You can explore the quaint village center and sample the cuisine at one of the many restaurants. It's easy to reach from Athens and the seaside setting is perfect any time of the year.

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 Nafplio or Alicante Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Nafplio and Alicante are both good destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Nafplio. There are pensions and other affordable accommodation options around town, if you decide to spend a night here.

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.

Is Nafplio or Alicante Better for Students?

Alicante is a popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Nafplio is not popular with students.

Plenty of students 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.

Nafplio is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find good public transit in both Nafplio and Alicante.

Nafplio has some public transit options. There are buses through the region that are operated by KTEL Argolidas. Most routes leave from the central bus station.

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 Nafplio or Alicante a more walkable city?

Nafplio is terrific for its high level of walkability. Also, Alicante is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Getting around Nafplio on foot is easy. There are parts of the center of town that are car-free and there are many great areas that you can explore on foot.

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 Nafplio Worth Visiting? and Is Alicante Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Alicante or Nafplio?

How long in Nafplio or Alicante?

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

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

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

One day in Nafplio or Alicante?

The beautiful city of Nafplio offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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 Nafplio or Alicante?

Nafplio 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 Nafplio, 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 Nafplio or Alicante?

Nafplio 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 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 Nafplio or Alicante?

Nafplio 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.

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 Luxury Tours to Greece, The Best Budget Tours to Greece, The Best 3-Week Tours in Spain, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain.

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

Which is Bigger, Nafplio or Alicante?

Alicante has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Nafplio. When comparing the sizes of Nafplio 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 Nafplio 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 Nafplio or Alicante in the Summer?

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

In July, Nafplio is generally around the same temperature as Alicante. Daily temperatures in Nafplio average around 25°C (76°F), and Alicante fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

In Alicante, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Nafplio. In the summer, Nafplio often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Alicante. Nafplio gets 352 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Alicante receives 341 hours of full sun.

Nafplio usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Alicante. Nafplio gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Alicante receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nafplio or Alicante in the Autumn?

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

Nafplio is around the same temperature as Alicante in the autumn. The daily temperature in Nafplio averages around 19°C (66°F) in October, and Alicante fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Alicante this time of the year. In Nafplio, it's very sunny this time of the year. Nafplio usually receives less sunshine than Alicante during autumn. Nafplio gets 202 hours of sunny skies, while Alicante receives 225 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Nafplio gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Nafplio usually receives more rain than Alicante. Nafplio gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Alicante receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Nafplio or Alicante in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Nafplio as well as Alicante. Many visitors come to Nafplio 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.

In the winter, Nafplio is around the same temperature as Alicante. Typically, the winter temperatures in Nafplio in January average around 10°C (51°F), and Alicante averages at about 11°C (52°F).

In the winter, Nafplio often gets less sunshine than Alicante. Nafplio gets 135 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Alicante receives 178 hours of full sun.

Nafplio receives a lot of rain in the winter. Nafplio usually gets more rain in January than Alicante. Nafplio gets 113 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Alicante receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nafplio or Alicante in the Spring?

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

In April, Nafplio is generally around the same temperature as Alicante. Daily temperatures in Nafplio average around 15°C (58°F), and Alicante fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

It's quite sunny in Alicante. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Nafplio. Nafplio usually receives less sunshine than Alicante during spring. Nafplio gets 217 hours of sunny skies, while Alicante receives 243 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Nafplio usually receives more rain than Alicante. Nafplio gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Alicante receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Alicante and Nafplio