In the expanding field of cultural tourism, artistic tourism and creative tourism represent two distinct yet complementary approaches to cultural experiences. While both aim to enhance cultural heritage and identity, they differ in their orientation toward visitors, experiential dynamics, and modes of cultural production. Artistic tourism favors contemplation and the consumption of artistic works within institutional settings, whereas creative tourism emphasizes participation, co-creation, and immersive engagement with local communities. This article attempts to fill a gap in the literature by conducting a comparative analysis of both models, using two bibliometric corpora and a shared conceptual framework. Findings highlight significant differences in motivations, spatial logics, territorial impacts, and theoretical underpinnings, while also identifying convergences around authenticity, sustainability, and meaning-making. By combining methodological approaches and key analytical dimensions, this study provides an integrated understanding of how these two models coexist and complement each other in the era of experiential tourism. The results offer actionable insights for scholars, tourism professionals, and policymakers aiming to integrate artistic valorization and creative engagement into cultural tourism strategies.