A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Valencia vs. Annecy for Food, Nightlife, Old Town, and Couples

Should you visit Valencia or Annecy?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Valencia or Annecy, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Valencia

Valencia is a architectural, friendly, and coastal coastal city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and hiking.

Annecy

Annecy is a charming, stunning, and breathtaking alpine town. It also offers plenty of small town charm and also has plenty of sights and activities. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the museums, nightlife, and food.

Valencia and Annecy: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Valencia or Annecy?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Valencia than Annecy, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Valencia is better known for its museums, nightlife, resorts, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Annecy is more popular for its hiking and small town charm. Annecy is more touristy than Valencia and is popular for its charming old town and its beautiful, lakefront, alpine setting. Valencia is well known for its rich cultural, world class museums, beautiful old town, and local cuisine (which includes paella). Also, Valencia is famous for La Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències.

How is Valencia different from Annecy?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Valencia or Annecy?

Valencia is a great coastal city for its historical sights. Also, Annecy is not as popular, but is still a nice alpine town for its sights and museums.

Many visitors head to Valencia specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The city is famous for its architecture and culture. Most of the main attractions are concentrated in Ciutat Vella and can be easily accessed on foot. Notable landmarks include La Lonja de Seda, Catedral de València, and Plaza de la Virgen. There are also several world class museums including Oceanogràfic de València and La Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències de València.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Annecy. The old town and lakefront setting is what brings the tourists, but there are several unique landmarks around town as well. Palais de l'Île is the most photographed spot in the old town. Also worth visiting are Musée-Château d'Annecy, Eglise Saint-Maurice, and Cathédrale Saint-Pierre.

Is the Food Better in Valencia or Annecy? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Valencia and Annecy can be difficult as they are each terrific in their own way.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Valencia is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The city is famous as the birthplace of paella, which is one of Spain's most famous dishes. Beyond the paella, there are a number of other amazing traditional dishes. Fideuà is similar to paella but made with noodles instead of rice. All i pebre is an eel and potato dish and clóchinas are tiny local mussels. For dessert make sure you try the flan de calabaza, which is pumpkin flavored. Many restaurants also have tapas that can be shared. Restaurants in the old town are charming and delicious, but out by the beaches the quality isn't as good.

Many restaurants in Annecy have been singled out for their culinary prowess. Fresh caught fish and local French specialties make this town a wonderful culinary destination. The old town is filled with restaurants, cafes, and markets where you can enjoy local ingredients. There are many local dishes to try with some of the most popular being Tartiflette, Raclette, and Gratin de crozets. Fondue is also popular. You'll find cheese is a common component in many dishes.

Is Valencia or Annecy Better for Nightlife?

Valencia is renowned for nightlife and partying. Also, Annecy is not as popular, but is still a nice alpine town for its evening party scene.

Valencia is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. Dinner starts late, so you can expect the nightlife to pick up even later. During the summer there are all night terrace parties and year round you'll find nightclubs filled from evening to dawn. If all night raves aren't really your thing, you'll also find plenty of local bars where you can hang out with friends in a more relaxed setting. The nightlife scene really is varied enough that there's something for everyone.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Annecy. There are bars and pubs to visit with one of the most popular bar-hopping streets being Rue Sainte-Claire.

Is Valencia or Annecy Better for Resorts?

Valencia is very good for its luxury resorts. However, Annecy is not a resort destination.

With a selection of resorts, Valencia makes a nice vacation spot. You can choose between staying near the old town (Ciutat Vella) or out by the beach. One of the best beach areas is El Cabanyal. It's still close enough in to be well connected by public transit but offers a great coastal vibe as well.

Annecy is not a resort destination.

Is Valencia or Annecy Better for Beaches?

Valencia is very good for the beache. However, Annecy is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Valencia to enjoy the beach. There are several urban beaches in town that are accessible by public transit. Many offer surprisingly long stretches of sand with wide beaches and plenty of activity. The beaches can get crowded during the summer months, but they are generally large enough to accommodate the crowds. La Malvarrosa Beach is one of the most popular because of its proximity to the city. El Saler Beach is further out and popular with the locals and Port Saplaya is a colorful area with shopping and beaches.

Annecy is not a beach destination.

Is Valencia or Annecy Better for its Old Town?

Valencia and Annecy both have terrific historical old towns that attract visitors.

Valencia offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. For culture, history, and the majority of the city's attractions, you'll want to spend your time in Ciutat Vella (old town).

Annecy has a world-famous historical area. This is among the most beautiful old towns in Europe. It sits along the banks of Lake Annecy and the water integrates beautifully into the setting.

Is Valencia or Annecy Better for Hiking?

Annecy is well known for its hiking experiences. Also, Valencia is still popular, but not quite as popular for hiking.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Annecy. There are a range of hikes just out of town that cover all ability levels. There are flat, waterfront strolls as well as more strenuous mountain treks. La Tournette is one of the most famous hikes in the area. Other options include Circuit des 3 Croix de Sevrier and Gorges du Fier.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Valencia. Most people miss out on the beautiful hikes through the nearby countryside, but if you venture out of town you can enjoy some beautiful walking trails. Many run along the coastline or pass through rolling hills. There is varied landscape in the area with pine forests, orange groves, and vineyards all common.

Is the Shopping Better in Valencia or Annecy?

Valencia is a great coastal city for its shopping opportunities. Also, Annecy is not as popular, but is still a nice alpine town for its shopping areas.

Valencia is well-known for its shopping. As the third largest city in Spain, you'll find most designer brands around town. The main shopping street is Calle Colon where you'll find the well-known European brands mixed in with the lesser-known Spanish brands. For a more local experience head to Mercado Central where you'll find local produce, colorful seafood, and a unique foodie vibe.

Many visitors go to Annecy to go shopping. Three times a week you can check out the Old Town Market. Another popular shopping street is Rue Royale.

Is Valencia or Annecy Better for Families?

Valencia and Annecy are both excellent destinations for the whole family.

Valencia is a very kid-friendly coastal city. The city has some kid-friendly museums, an impressive zoo, and the largest aquarium in Europe (with its own dolphin show). Head to the Science Museum or simply wander around the museum complex. There are water activities and a beautiful futuristic style that attracts families and influencers with its photogenic atmosphere. There are also countless playgrounds of all sizes around town and a number of parks and outdoor spaces where kids can run around. There's a city park that runs through town and has playgrounds and bike trails. You can also spend a fun-filled day at the beach.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Annecy. Families can enjoy getting out on the lake by renting a boat or going for a swim. Check out Wibit Water Park or let the kids play at Leisure Center Orange Montisel. There's also a great playground for kids right by the waterfront. Hiking and exploring are also fun for the whole family.

Is Valencia or Annecy Better for Couples?

Annecy is an amazing alpine town to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Valencia is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Annecy has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. It's a romantic French mountain town with beautiful scenery and a wonderful lake. Couples can enjoy outdoor activities or wandering through one of the best old towns in the region. The beauty and natural setting make this a wonderful couples destination.

Valencia is a great coastal city if you're traveling as a couple. The city is filled with interesting culture, beautiful weather, and delightful cuisine. There are sandy beaches and luxury hotels that will make for an amazing romantic getaway. There are also many beautiful gardens and charming neighborhoods that you can explore. Couples can split a paella and sip sangrias in one of the many charming restaurants around town.

Is Valencia or Annecy Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Valencia is a great coastal city for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Annecy is not as popular, but is still a nice alpine town for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Valencia. It's often overlooked for more popular destinations, but this city has plenty to offer in the form of affordable accommodation and food as well as interesting sights.

It's common for backpackers to visit Annecy. It's a world class mountain destination that attracts families and vacationers, but there aren't as many hostels around town as backpackers would like.

Is Valencia or Annecy Better for Students?

Valencia is renowned for its student-friendly activities. However, Annecy is not popular with students.

Students come from all over the world to visit Valencia. The city is young and vibrant with a lot of culture and beautiful neighborhoods. It's also well connected to the rest of Spain with a convenient central train station.

Annecy is not popular with students.

Is Valencia or Annecy Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Valencia and Annecy.

You'll find some public transit in Valencia, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Public transit is available in the form of buses and a tram/metro system but the system isn't as comprehensive as it could be and much of the city is surprisingly dependent on cars.

While Annecy offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The Sibra public transport system offers buses that travel through Annecy and around the lake, stopping at many towns along the way.

Is Valencia or Annecy a more walkable city?

Valencia and Annecy both are excellent when exploring on foot.

Valencia is a very walkable coastal city. Walking is the best way to explore many parts of the city and you can walk from one side of the Ciutat Vella to the other in about 20 minutes. This area is where you'll find most of the city's main attractions. There are other neighborhoods that are a bit less pedestrian-friendly.

Annecy is a very walkable destination. The old town is filled with pedestrian streets that are perfect to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Valencia Worth Visiting? and Is Annecy Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Annecy or Valencia?

How long in Valencia or Annecy?

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Valencia than Annecy 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 Valencia.

One day in Valencia or Annecy?

Valencia is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Annecy is a small town where visitors enjoy the 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.

A weekend in Valencia or Annecy?

Valencia is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

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

Five days in Valencia or Annecy?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Valencia. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Annecy is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that food 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.

A week in Valencia or Annecy?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the friendly big city of Valencia. This coastal city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Annecy is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that food 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 alpine town offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Spain, The Best 3-Day Tours from Madrid, The Best Historical Tours in France, and The Best 10-Day Tours in France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Valencia or Annecy?

Valencia has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Annecy. When comparing the sizes of Valencia and Annecy, 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 Valencia or Annecy?

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 Valencia or Annecy in the Summer?

Both Annecy and Valencia during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Valencia for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Annecy because of the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Valencia is a little warmer than Annecy in the summer. The daily temperature in Valencia averages around 25°C (76°F) in July, and Annecy fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

In Annecy, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Valencia. In the summer, Valencia often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Annecy. Valencia gets 303 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Annecy receives 285 hours of full sun.

Valencia usually gets less rain in July than Annecy. Valencia gets 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Annecy receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Valencia or Annecy in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Valencia and Annecy. The autumn months attract visitors to Valencia because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Annecy this time of year.

In the autumn, Valencia is a little warmer than Annecy. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Valencia in October average around 19°C (66°F), and Annecy averages at about 14°C (56°F).

Valencia usually receives more sunshine than Annecy during autumn. Valencia gets 198 hours of sunny skies, while Annecy receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Valencia usually receives more rain than Annecy. Valencia gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Annecy receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Valencia or Annecy in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Valencia as well as Annecy. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Valencia this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Annecy for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Annecy. In January, Valencia is generally much warmer than Annecy. Daily temperatures in Valencia average around 12°C (53°F), and Annecy fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

In the winter, Valencia often gets more sunshine than Annecy. Valencia gets 162 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Annecy receives 62 hours of full sun.

Valencia usually gets less rain in January than Annecy. Valencia gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Annecy receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Valencia or Annecy in the Spring?

Both Annecy and Valencia are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Valencia for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Annecy in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

Valencia is a little warmer than Annecy in the spring. The daily temperature in Valencia averages around 15°C (60°F) in April, and Annecy fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Valencia. Valencia usually receives more sunshine than Annecy during spring. Valencia gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Annecy receives 174 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Valencia usually receives less rain than Annecy. Valencia gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Annecy receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Annecy and Valencia