A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Antalya vs. Dubrovnik for Food, Resorts, Beaches, and Old Town

Should you visit Antalya or Dubrovnik?

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

Should I visit Antalya or Dubrovnik? 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.

Antalya

Antalya is a high energy, relaxing, and luxurious vacation spot. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and live music.

Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is a charming, famous, and cultural coastal town. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Antalya and Dubrovnik: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Antalya or Dubrovnik?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Antalya. Although Antalya and Dubrovnik are popular destinations, Antalya has more sights and attractions for tourists. Antalya is very popular for its nightlife, music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping, while Dubrovnik attracts visitors for its food, historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Antalya is famous for its turquoise waters, hotel lined beaches, and nearby archeological sights. It is also well known for Hadrian's Gate. Dubrovnik is famous for its well-preserved medieval old town that is surrounded by stone walls and has been the production sight for many major movies and television shows.

How is Antalya different from Dubrovnik?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Antalya or Dubrovnik?

You'll find a number of high quality museums and attractions in both Dubrovnik and Antalya.

Antalya offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city combines history with a relaxing resort vacation. Sights in the area include the Antalya Museum and the Yivli Minare.

Many visitors head to Dubrovnik specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The old town is a living museum that is filled with historic landmarks like the old town walls, the Dubrovnik Cathedral and Treasury, and Loggia Square.

Is the Food Better in Antalya or Dubrovnik? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dubrovnik is an amazing coastal town to visit for its restaurants. Also, Antalya is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

For foodies, Dubrovnik is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. Restaurants are usually locally-sourced with fresh produce and seafood. Traditional local dishes include black risotto (made with squid ink), pašticada (a beef dish), and various pasta dishes.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Antalya makes for a great culinary experience. Food is excellent throughout Turkey and this city is no exception. The local cuisine offers a combination of fresh caught seafood as well as various grilled meats. Local specialties include meatball skewers, kulakli soup, and even lentil ice cream. The traditional Turkish breakfast is also popular, which usually includes hard boiled eggs, cheese, tomatoes, cucumber, olives, and Turkish breads or pastries. It's almost always served with Turkish tea.

Is Antalya or Dubrovnik Better for Nightlife?

Antalya is a great vacation spot for its evening party scene. Also, Dubrovnik is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for nightlife.

The nightlife in Antalya has something for everybody. The city has an insane nightlife scene with huge glamorous dance clubs that fill to the brink as well as low key bars and pubs that everyone can enjoy.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Dubrovnik. There are many bars around town that take advantage of the unique architecture of the city. There are far less clubs, but for a drink in a laid back setting, you'll find plenty of options.

Is Antalya or Dubrovnik Better for Music?

Antalya is a popular place for its music scene. However, Dubrovnik is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Antalya is active and vibrant. Live music ranges from rock concerts to symphonies as well as a number of local music venues.

Dubrovnik is not a live music destination.

Is Antalya or Dubrovnik Better for Resorts?

Antalya is a must-visit destination for its luxury resorts. Also, Dubrovnik is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for its resorts.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Antalya is a great choice. The city is famous for its resorts that range from luxury to family-friendly. Some of the most popular resorts in the area include Xanadu Resort Hotel, Susesi, and Lara Barut, but there are many more.

Vacationers can choose from a number of terrific resorts in Dubrovnik. The old town is the most famous and charming part of the city, but you'll find most of the resorts spanning the coastline outside of town. Inside the old town there are a few boutique hotels and a number of rooms available for rent, but make sure you book early during peak seasons. For a resort, look outside of the old town with popular options including Hotel Dubrovnik Palace, the Hilton Imperial, and Rixos Premium.

Is Antalya or Dubrovnik Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Antalya is a popular place for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Dubrovnik is not known for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling.

Antalya has a few good snorkeling spots. Outside of town, in the region of Antalya, you'll find some of the best snorkeling and scuba diving in Turkey.

Snorkeling is an option in Dubrovnik. On clear days, snorkeling can be a fun activity, but the weather and visibility can vary so conditions are unpredictable. Buža is a popular snorkeling spot in town, but you can also organize tours to other areas.

Is Antalya or Dubrovnik Better for Beaches?

Antalya is a must-visit destination for the beach. Also, Dubrovnik is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for its beaches.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Antalya. Beaches in Antalya are among the best in Turkey. They are sandy with warm water and a number of resorts nearby.

Many people head to Dubrovnik to enjoy the beach. The old town is the main appeal of the area, but there are several beaches that are nice for taking a swim or sunbathing. They are often pebbly, but the water is blue and the views are beautiful.

Is Antalya or Dubrovnik Better for its Old Town?

Dubrovnik is an amazing coastal town to visit for its historic old town charm. Also, Antalya is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its historic old town.

Dubrovnik offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. This walled old town is among the most famous in Europe. It's sits beautifully along the coast and it is pedestrian only. You can spend plenty of time exploring the historic lanes, popping in shops and restaurants, and soaking up the charming atmosphere.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Antalya. The city has a beautiful old town area, Kaleiçi, that is known for its narrow streets and historic buildings. The area has many sights including Hadrian's Gate.

Is Antalya or Dubrovnik Better for Hiking?

If you're looking to go hiking, Antalya and Dubrovnik both have high quality trails.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Antalya. Outside of town you'll find coastal hikes with scenic views as well as trails that wander through historic ruins.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Dubrovnik. There are a number of hikes outside of town that take you along the dramatic coastal. The paths offer spectacular views back towards town or along the water.

Is the Shopping Better in Antalya or Dubrovnik?

Antalya is a must-visit destination for its shopping areas. Also, Dubrovnik is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for shopping.

Many people travel to Antalya specifically to go shopping. Antalya combines modern high end malls with more traditional bazaars. From luxury fashion brands to souvenirs and local trinkets, the area has everything.

Dubrovnik is a great destination for shopping. The old town offers some nice boutique shops where you can buy designer clothes, jewelry, or trinkets.

Is Antalya or Dubrovnik Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Antalya or Dubrovnik.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Antalya. The city has beautiful beaches, historic ruins, and resorts that cater specifically to families. It's a popular family-friendly destination in Turkey.

Dubrovnik is a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has nice beaches, beautiful hikes, and historic city walls that are fun to explore with kids. The food is also kid-friendly and the locals love meeting children.

Is Antalya or Dubrovnik Better for Couples?

Dubrovnik is an amazing coastal town to visit for couples. Also, Antalya is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Dubrovnik makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. With its beautiful old town, nice beaches, and laid back atmosphere, this makes the perfect couple's getaway destination. Pop in a local restaurant and try the seafood before exploring the charming squares and historic buildings.

Couples visit Antalya frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Antalya is a top-rated honeymoon destination in Turkey. It's beautiful beaches, romantic resorts, and great shopping put it at the top of many couples' list.

Is Antalya or Dubrovnik Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Dubrovnik is an amazing coastal town to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Antalya is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Dubrovnik, as it is a very popular coastal town for budget travelers. It's not hard to find a room in a local's home near old town at an affordable price. The food is delicious and affordable as well, and you'll find plenty of other backpackers in town to hang out with.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Antalya. Despite the many resorts in town, there are also budget accommodation options available including hostels. Backpackers appreciate Antalya's impressive old town as well as the area's stunning beaches.

Is Antalya or Dubrovnik Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Antalya is a great vacation spot for times when you don't have a car. Also, Dubrovnik is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for its public transit.

The public transit in Antalya can get you to most places easily. Buses and minibuses will help you get around town.

Dubrovnik has a few public transit options. There are 12 bus lines that connect all parts of the city with the city center.

Is Antalya or Dubrovnik a more walkable city?

Dubrovnik is an amazing coastal town to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Antalya is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Dubrovnik. The old town is completely pedestrian-only and you can also explore the city's historic walls on foot.

Antalya is somewhat walkable. The historic area in particular is compact, filled with historic sights, and easy to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Antalya Worth Visiting? and Is Dubrovnik Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Dubrovnik or Antalya?

How long in Antalya or Dubrovnik?

In either Antalya or Dubrovnik, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. In our opinion, Antalya has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Antalya than Dubrovnik. In general, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Antalya, and 1-5 days is enough time in Dubrovnik.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Dubrovnik than Antalya 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 Dubrovnik.

One day in Antalya or Dubrovnik?

You'll find shopping and museums around the vacation spot of Antalya. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

In Dubrovnik, you'll find nightlife and food. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. One reason most visitors come is for the food. This coastal town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Antalya or Dubrovnik?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historic destination of Antalya. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this vacation spot has to offer. This vacation spot offers a variety of activities to choose from.

In Dubrovnik, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One reason most visitors come is for the food. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Dubrovnik has to offer.

Five days in Antalya or Dubrovnik?

You'll find nightlife and live music around the relaxing vacation spot of Antalya. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this vacation spot makes for a great vacation. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this vacation spot has to offer.

Dubrovnik is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Dubrovnik has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Antalya or Dubrovnik?

Antalya is a popular choice for travelers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Dubrovnik. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Dubrovnik. One reason most visitors come is for the food. It's also a relaxing resort destination. 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 10-Day Tours in Turkey, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Turkey, The Best 2-Week Tours from Split, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Croatia.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Antalya or Dubrovnik?

Antalya has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Dubrovnik. When comparing the sizes of Antalya and Dubrovnik, 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 Antalya or Dubrovnik?

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 Antalya or Dubrovnik in the Summer?

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

Antalya is a little warmer than Dubrovnik in the summer. The daily temperature in Antalya averages around 28°C (83°F) in July, and Dubrovnik fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

In July, Antalya usually receives less rain than Dubrovnik. Antalya gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Dubrovnik receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Antalya or Dubrovnik in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Antalya is a little warmer than Dubrovnik. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Antalya in October average around 21°C (69°F), and Dubrovnik averages at about 18°C (64°F).

It's quite rainy in Dubrovnik. Antalya usually gets less rain in October than Dubrovnik. Antalya gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Dubrovnik receives 162 mm (6.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Antalya or Dubrovnik in the Winter?

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

In January, Antalya is generally a little warmer than Dubrovnik. Daily temperatures in Antalya average around 11°C (51°F), and Dubrovnik fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Dubrovnik. It's quite rainy in Antalya. In January, Antalya usually receives more rain than Dubrovnik. Antalya gets 239 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Dubrovnik receives 139 mm (5.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Antalya or Dubrovnik in the Spring?

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

Antalya is a little warmer than Dubrovnik in the spring. The daily temperature in Antalya averages around 16°C (62°F) in April, and Dubrovnik fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

Dubrovnik gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Antalya usually gets less rain in April than Dubrovnik. Antalya gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Dubrovnik receives 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Dubrovnik and Antalya