A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Alicante vs. Toulon for Attractions, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Alicante or Toulon?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Alicante and Toulon can help you decide which place is right for you.

Alicante

Alicante is a vibrant, cultural, and colorful city. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Alicante travel costs.

Toulon

Toulon is a real world, industrial, and authentic port city. Toulon is a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Toulon travel costs.

Alicante and Toulon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Alicante or Toulon?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Alicante. Although Alicante and Toulon are about the same size, Alicante has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Alicante is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, and historical sights, while Toulon attracts visitors for its scuba diving & snorkeling, shopping, and impressive beauty. Alicante is more touristy than Toulon and is known for its sandy beaches, vibrant nightlife, and authentic restaurants. It is also well known for the Castillo de Santa Bárbara. Toulon is famous for its old town, its coastal setting, and its popularity with local vacationers.

How is Alicante different from Toulon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Alicante is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its museums and history.

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.

Toulon offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Many of the sights are found in the old town and harbor areas. Some of the most interesting attractions include the Opera House, the Allied Landings Museum, the Naval Museum, and Cathédrale Sainte-Marie-de-la-Seds.

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

Alicante is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its restaurants.

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.

Toulon has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are a variety of cafes and restaurants that are found along the harbor or in the old town. Whether you want waterfront views or a charming street front cafe, there are great options available. Many restaurants offer local seafood but you'll also find pastries, traditional local food, a several Italian restaurants.

Is Alicante or Toulon Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Alicante and Toulon.

Alicante has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Toulon has a few options to choose from. It's a relatively large city and traditionally a sailor's town, so the city has a long running tradition of partying into the night. While it doesn't have the party-hard reputation of some places, you likely won't be bored at night. Head to the harbor area or the beaches around Mourillon for the most lively bars and cafes.

Is Alicante or Toulon Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Toulon is a port city with a few options for its diving and snorkeling. However, Alicante is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Toulon has a few snorkeling spots. There are a few beaches in the area that are worth checking out with a mask and snorkel. You'll likely see some underwater life hanging out by the rocks in the quieter areas.

Alicante is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Alicante or Toulon Better for Beaches?

Alicante and Toulon are nice choices for a beach vacation.

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.

Toulon has a beach worth visiting. The beaches are sandy and less crowded than some of the more popular areas. The most accessible beach is Mourillon Beach which has public facilities and restaurants. If you're willing to venture a little farther from the center of town you'll find Mitre Beach which has some snorkeling. Battere Basse Beach is a bit quieter and also has snorkeling. Anse de Méjean is a popular spot with the locals.

Is Alicante or Toulon Better for its Old Town?

Alicante is very good for its historic old town. However, Toulon is not a good port city for its old town.

Many visitors go to Alicante to see the historical old town. The old district is filled with charming streets and some interesting museums. There are also a number of good restaurants in the area.

You can check out the historic old town in Toulon. The old town has plazas, terraced cafes, and plenty of outdoor shopping opportunities that visitors can enjoy.

Is the Shopping Better in Alicante or Toulon?

Toulon is well known for its shopping opportunities. Also, Alicante is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

Toulon is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. If you're looking for traditional local shopping opportunities then this is your place. There are a number of traditional Provençal markets around town but the most famous is Cours Lafayette. You can shop with the locals looking for produce or flowers. There's also a weekend farmers market, Petit Cours, that is fun to explore.

Alicante has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. 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 Alicante or Toulon More Beautiful?

Toulon is very good for its scenery and beauty. However, Alicante is not a destination known for its beauty.

Toulon is a beautiful place to visit, too. Located on the French Riviera, you won't be disappointed by the beauty. Despite being less touristy than many nearby towns, there is still plenty to see and do.

Alicante is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Alicante or Toulon Better for Families?

Alicante is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Alicante is 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.

Toulon is a family-friendly city. The city may be known as a hub for the French navy, but there are also activities that kids and adults alike can enjoy. There are several military themed museums, a few good beaches, and local shopping. There's also the enjoyable cable car ride that you can take to the top of Mont Faron as well as several nice seaside walks in the area.

Is Alicante or Toulon Better for Couples?

Alicante is a well-known place for romance. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its romantic activities.

Alicante is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

Toulon makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples will appreciate the walks along the coast or through the harbor. There are also nice restaurants, interesting art galleries, and a few good hotels around town that make for a nice couple's weekend.

Is Alicante or Toulon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Alicante and Toulon are nice places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Toulon. It doesn't have the reputation of many nearby towns along the French Riviera, so you can still find some affordable hostels and cafes in the area. You also won't find the crowds so you can enjoy a touch of the authentic local culture.

Is Alicante or Toulon Better for Students?

Alicante is very good for students. However, Toulon is not popular with students.

Alicante is a good city to visit for students. 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.

Toulon is not popular with students.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Alicante and Toulon.

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.

While Toulon offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses as well as petits trains (little tourist trains) that you can take around town.

Is Alicante or Toulon a more walkable city?

Toulon 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.

Toulon is a very walkable port city. You can walk around the old town and harbor area where many of the sights are concentrated.

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 Alicante Worth Visiting? and Is Toulon Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Toulon or Alicante?

How long in Alicante or Toulon?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Alicante or Toulon to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Alicante than Toulon because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Alicante, and 1-2 days is enough time in Toulon.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Alicante than Toulon 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 Alicante.

One day in Alicante or Toulon?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Alicante. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The port city of Toulon offers food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Alicante or Toulon?

Alicante 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.

Toulon is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this port city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Toulon, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Alicante or Toulon?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Alicante. 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.

Toulon 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.

A week in Alicante or Toulon?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the cultural destination of Alicante. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Toulon is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This port city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Madrid, The Best 2-Week Tours from Barcelona, The Best Luxury Tours to France, and The Best Budget Tours to France.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Alicante or Toulon?

Alicante has a larger population, and is about 5% larger than the population of Toulon. When comparing the sizes of Alicante and Toulon, 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 Alicante or Toulon?

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 Alicante or Toulon in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Alicante and Toulon. The summer months attract visitors to Alicante because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Toulon this time of year.

In July, Alicante is generally around the same temperature as Toulon. Daily temperatures in Alicante average around 25°C (77°F), and Toulon fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Toulon this time of the year. In Alicante, it's very sunny this time of the year. Alicante usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Toulon during summer. Alicante gets 341 hours of sunny skies, while Toulon receives 366 hours of full sun in the summer.

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

Should I visit Alicante or Toulon in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Alicante as well as Toulon. The shopping scene are the main draw to Alicante this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Toulon for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Alicante is a little warmer than Toulon in the autumn. The daily temperature in Alicante averages around 20°C (68°F) in October, and Toulon fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Toulon. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Alicante this time of the year. In the autumn, Alicante often gets more sunshine than Toulon. Alicante gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toulon receives 205 hours of full sun.

Alicante usually gets less rain in October than Toulon. Alicante gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Toulon receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Alicante or Toulon in the Winter?

Both Toulon and Alicante are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Alicante for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Toulon in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Alicante is much warmer than Toulon. Typically, the winter temperatures in Alicante in January average around 11°C (52°F), and Toulon averages at about 7°C (44°F).

Alicante usually receives more sunshine than Toulon during winter. Alicante gets 178 hours of sunny skies, while Toulon receives 150 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Alicante usually receives less rain than Toulon. Alicante gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Toulon receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Alicante or Toulon in the Spring?

Both Toulon and Alicante during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Alicante in the spring for the beaches. Also, most visitors come to Toulon for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Alicante is generally a little warmer than Toulon. Daily temperatures in Alicante average around 16°C (60°F), and Toulon fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In Toulon, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Alicante. In the spring, Alicante often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Toulon. Alicante gets 243 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toulon receives 245 hours of full sun.

Alicante usually gets less rain in April than Toulon. Alicante gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Toulon receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Toulon and Alicante