A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Alexandria vs. Carmel-by-the-Sea for Attractions, Food, Couples, and Nightlife

Should you visit Alexandria or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

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 Alexandria and Carmel-by-the-Sea. 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.

Alexandria

Alexandria is a charming, quaint, and historic city. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. With stunning beauty, Alexandria attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping. See Alexandria travel costs.

Carmel-by-the-Sea

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a quaint, charming, and picturesque town. With amazing attractions and sights, it's also a fun small town not to be missed. With stunning beauty, Carmel-by-the-Sea attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and beaches. See Carmel-by-the-Sea travel costs.

Alexandria and Carmel-by-the-Sea: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Alexandria or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Alexandria. Although Alexandria and Carmel-by-the-Sea are popular destinations, Alexandria has more sights and attractions for tourists. Alexandria is very popular for its museums and attractions, nightlife, and historical sights, while Carmel-by-the-Sea attracts visitors for its beaches and small town charm. Alexandria is famous for its long-running history, beautiful architecture, and small town atmosphere. It is also well known for Mount Vernon. Carmel-by-the-Sea is famous for its storybook architecture, its opulent setting, and its popularity with golf enthusiasts.

How is Alexandria different from Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Carmel-by-the-Sea and Alexandria. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Alexandria or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Alexandria is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Alexandria. George Washington's Mount Vernon home is an iconic destination in Alexandria. There are also many other museums in town that focus on the region's history. The Alexandria History Museum at the Lyceum and the Gadsby's Tavern Museum are both interesting. There's Gunston Hall and the Carlyle House, as well as an archeology museum and many historic landmarks around town.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The Carmel Mission is a beautiful and fascinating Spanish mission that dates back to 1770. It's also well worth visiting the nearby Pebble Beach Golf Course. There are also a few fairytale style cottages in the area with some of the most notable being the Hansel cottage, the Gretel cottage, and the Tuck Box cottage.

Is the Food Better in Alexandria or Carmel-by-the-Sea? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Alexandria and Carmel-by-the-Sea can be an enjoyable experience.

Alexandria has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The food, like the city itself, reflects the area's history. There are many southern classic dishes as well as a lot of seafood. You'll find lots of local restaurants that serve high quality dishes and a quaint atmosphere.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Carmel-by-the-Sea makes for a great culinary experience. For such a small town there is a huge number of bistros and local cafes. Seafood is popular, but you'll also find international restaurants and more casual eateries.

Is Alexandria or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Nightlife?

Alexandria is a city with good options for its evening party scene. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town for nightlife.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Alexandria. There's a great bar scene, as well as tons of restaurants that make for a relaxing night out.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Carmel-by-the-Sea. It's not a late night town, but there are a couple of bars and some decent Happy Hours around town.

Is Alexandria or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Beaches?

Carmel-by-the-Sea is great for the beach. However, Alexandria is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Carmel-by-the-Sea for it's beautiful beaches. It's easy to walk to the beach from the village center. Just head down Ocean Avenue and you'll be at a beautiful beach with great scenery, surfing, and fun activities.

Alexandria is not a beach destination.

Is Alexandria or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for its Old Town?

Alexandria is renowned for its historic old town charm. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea does not have a historic old town.

The old town of Alexandria is one of the most recognized in the world. At the heart of the city is the historic old town. Its lined with townhomes that date back to the 18th century. There are many historic sights that have stories from the early days of the country. There are also cobblestone streets and a great waterfront.

Carmel-by-the-Sea does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Alexandria or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

If you're looking to go shopping, Alexandria and Carmel-by-the-Sea both offer plenty of very good spots.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Alexandria. King Street is the main shopping street in town and it offers the largest concentration of independently owned boutiques in the Washington D.C. area. It's the perfectly place to spend an afternoon shopping.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is an extremely popular place for shoppers. It's easy to walk around the heart of town and pop in the many shops and galleries. The highest concentration of shops is found around the Carmel Plaza which has upscale brands as well as local items.

Is Alexandria or Carmel-by-the-Sea More Beautiful?

You'll find a similar quality of very good scenery and beauty in both Alexandria and Carmel-by-the-Sea.

With stunning beauty, Alexandria attracts visitors from all around. The historic architecture and beautiful waterfront make this an iconic destination.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's a beautiful town with nice beaches and a European atmosphere.

Is Alexandria or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Families?

Neither Alexandria nor Carmel-by-the-Sea are considered to be the most family-friendly destination.

For families, Alexandria is not always the best place to visit. The waterfront area is nice to walk around. You can break up the history with an ice cream shop and kids will also enjoy taking a boat tour.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is not the most family-friendly destination. Carmel is a good place to let the kids stretch their legs. There are also some good kid-friendly walks in the area.

Is Alexandria or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Couples?

Alexandria and Carmel-by-the-Sea both very good destinations for a couple.

Alexandria is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. The charm of the old town makes this a quaint and romantic destination. There's a waterfront area and many historic buildings. There are also romantic restaurants and plenty of places to grab brunch.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a very popular place to visit for couples. It's a charming town with a beautiful coastline and plenty of cute hotels that makes for a great romantic getaway. There's wonderful shopping and many great restaurants where you can enjoy a local meal.

Is Alexandria or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Alexandria is a city with good options for backpackers. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Alexandria is a good city to visit for backpackers. There aren't any true hostels in town, but you will find some cheap motels.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There aren't any real hostels or accommodation options that appeal to backpackers.

Is Alexandria or Carmel-by-the-Sea Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Alexandria is renowned for its public transit. However, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not a good town for times when you don't have a car.

Alexandria has a great public transit system. DASH is the local bus system, but the city is also connected into the Washington DC metro system.

Public transit is mostly limited in Carmel-by-the-Sea. There are a couple of buses, but you can't really depend on them to get around.

Is Alexandria or Carmel-by-the-Sea a more walkable city?

Alexandria is renowned for its ease of walking around. Also, Carmel-by-the-Sea is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its walkability.

It is easy to get around Alexandria on foot. It's a very easy city to walk around, particularly in the historic heart where most tourists spend their time.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is very walkable. The village center is very walkable so it's easy to park you car and shop or walk to the beach.

For even more information, also check out Is Alexandria Worth Visiting? and Is Carmel-by-the-Sea Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Carmel-by-the-Sea or Alexandria?

How long in Alexandria or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Alexandria and Carmel-by-the-Sea. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Alexandria than in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Alexandria, and 1-3 days is enough time in Carmel-by-the-Sea.

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

Couples should spend more time in Alexandria than Carmel-by-the-Sea. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Alexandria that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Alexandria than Carmel-by-the-Sea 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 Alexandria.

One day in Alexandria or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

With shopping and museums around the destination of Alexandria, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It offers something for everyone.

Carmel-by-the-Sea might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Carmel-by-the-Sea, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Alexandria or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

With museums and nightlife around the historic city of Alexandria, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Visiting the old town is also a must. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.

Even though Carmel-by-the-Sea is a small town, it has plenty of activities to choose from. It's also a great beach destination, too. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.

Five days in Alexandria or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historic destination of Alexandria. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Carmel-by-the-Sea, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Alexandria or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Alexandria is a popular choice for travelers. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

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

When comparing the travel costs between Alexandria and Carmel-by-the-Sea, we can see that Alexandria 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 North America, 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 Alexandria Expensive? and Is Carmel-by-the-Sea Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Alexandria or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Alexandria has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Carmel-by-the-Sea. When comparing the sizes of Alexandria and Carmel-by-the-Sea, 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 Alexandria or Carmel-by-the-Sea?

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 Alexandria or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Summer?

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Alexandria during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Alexandria for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Carmel-by-the-Sea because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Alexandria is much warmer than Carmel-by-the-Sea in the summer. The daily temperature in Alexandria averages around 79°F (26°C) in July, and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

Alexandria usually gets more rain in July than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Alexandria gets 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Alexandria or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Alexandria and Carmel-by-the-Sea. The autumn months attract visitors to Alexandria because of the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Carmel-by-the-Sea this time of year.

In the autumn, Alexandria is around the same temperature as Carmel-by-the-Sea. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Alexandria in October average around 60°F (15°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea averages at about 62°F (17°C).

In October, Alexandria usually receives more rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Alexandria gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Alexandria or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Alexandria as well as Carmel-by-the-Sea. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Alexandria this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Carmel-by-the-Sea for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Alexandria in the winter. In January, Alexandria is generally much colder than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Daily temperatures in Alexandria average around 35°F (1°C), and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

Alexandria usually gets more rain in January than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Alexandria gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Alexandria or Carmel-by-the-Sea in the Spring?

Both Carmel-by-the-Sea and Alexandria are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Alexandria for the small town charm and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Carmel-by-the-Sea in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

Alexandria is around the same temperature as Carmel-by-the-Sea in the spring. The daily temperature in Alexandria averages around 56°F (14°C) in April, and Carmel-by-the-Sea fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

In April, Alexandria usually receives more rain than Carmel-by-the-Sea. Alexandria gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Carmel-by-the-Sea receives 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Carmel-by-the-Sea and Alexandria