Should you visit Antalya or Zadar?
Should I visit Antalya or Zadar? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Antalya
Antalya is the largest city along Turkey's Mediterranean coast and the eighth largest city in the country with over one million people in the metropolitan area. The city dates back to about 200 BC when it was settled by the Attalid Dynasty of Pergamon and soon conquered by the Romans. The city was ruled by several different groups and most recently was transferred to Italian suzerainty following World War I. It became part of Turkey following the War of Independence. The city has seen an influx of development in recent years and it has grown into a tourism mecca with more than 12 million visitors in 2014.
Zadar
You'll find Zadar in northern Dalmatia, Croatia. It is located on the Adriatic Sea and is the center of Zadar County. It is both the historic center for the region and the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Zadar. There are a handful of sights around town, most of which can be explored on foot.
The climate for the city is a mix between humid subtropical and a Mediterranean climate. The winters are usually mild and wet, and the summers are humid and warm. The hottest months are July and August when temperatures can exceed 30 degrees Celsius. Average yearly rainfall usually exceeds 917 mm. Fall months often remain warm and temperatures are often around 30 degrees Celsius as well. In general, the temperatures rarely drop below freezing, even during the coldest month of January. The rainiest months are October and November, although winter is considered the wet season. July is usually the driest month. Water temperatures are around 25 degrees Celsius in July and August and it may be possible to swim any time between May and October.
Which city is cheaper, Zadar or Antalya?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Antalya is $54, while the average daily cost in Zadar is $72. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Antalya and Zadar in more detail.
Accommodation
An average hotel room with basic furnishings costs about $52 in Antalya For the most convenient locations and nicer amenities you can expect to pay a bit more.
If you're traveling alone, you may be able to find a budget hotel or hostel for around $47. But for two people in a standard two-person hotel room in Zadar the cost is $94 on average.
Food
On average, meal and food prices in Antalya cost around $18 per person, per day. While this price can vary widely by location, the type of restaurant, and the amount of food ordered, a typical meal often costs around $7.20.
On average, meal and food prices in Zadar cost around $21 per person, per day. While this price can vary widely by location, the type of restaurant, and the amount of food ordered, a typical meal often costs around $8.40.
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Food
Meals for one day
Antalya $18
Zadar $21
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Antalya
For Antalya, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Giza Pyramids Sound and Light Show with Dinner:
$83
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zadar
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zadar.
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Traditional Dalmatian dinner:
$61
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Zadar Market Tour and Cooking Class:
$75
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Zadar - Private Market Tour & Cooking Class:
$167
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From Taste Dalmatian Peka - Countryside Cooking Class:
$253
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Dalmatian dinner in rented holiday home:
$773
Local Transportation
Antalya's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $8.64 per person, per day on transportation in Antalya.
The average price of local transportation around Zadar is $5.85 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Antalya
Also for Antalya, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Transfers:
$5.00
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One-Way Shared Transfer: Antalya City & Beach to Antalya Airport:
$9.95
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One-Way Shared Transfer: Antalya Airport to Belek:
$11
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Private Airport Transfer: from Antalya Airport (AYT) to Antalya:
$13
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Private Airport Transfer: from Antalya to Antalya Airport (AYT):
$13
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One-Way Shared Transfer: Antalya Airport to Kemer:
$14
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One-Way Shared Transfer: Antalya Airport to Side:
$14
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One-Way Shared Transfer: Antalya Airport to Alanya:
$14
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Antalya Airport - Antalya City Hotels Private Transfers (Lara, Kundu, Old Town):
$17
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Private Departure Transfer: Kundu / Lara Region Hotels to Antalya Airport:
$22
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Private Departure Transfer from Antalya, Kundu or Lara to Antalya Airport:
$22
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Private Arrival Transfer: Antalya Airport to Antalya, Kundu or Lara:
$22
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zadar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zadar:
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Zrmanja Rafting Private Tour & FREE transfer from or to the airport included:
$945
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Zadar to Zagreb - Private One-Way Transfer:
$523
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Zadar to Split Private One-Way Transfer:
$244
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Zadar to Pula Private One-Way Transfer:
$672
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Zadar to Novalja Private One-Way Transfer:
$212
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Zadar to Medugorje Private One-Way Transfer:
$485
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Zadar to Dubrovnik transfer:
$425
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Zadar to Dubrovnik Private One-Way Transfer:
$597
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Zadar CITY to Zadar AIRPORT | Private transfer:
$60
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Zadar Airport Transfers:
$33
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Zadar - Budapest Transfer:
$551
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Vip Transfer Service:
$182
Entertainment
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Antalya can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $14 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Zadar's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $2.61 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Tours and Activities in Antalya
For Antalya, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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Skip the Line: Yoruk Parki Kemer Admission Ticket:
$5.75
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Admission Ticket to Sandland Antalya:
$7.46
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Shopping Tour From Kemer:
$10
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Sapadere Canyon Full-Day Sightseeing Tour from Alanya:
$28
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Canyoning and Rafting Tours from Antalya:
$29
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Antalya Rafting Tour:
$31
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Antalya Local Bazaar Tour:
$33
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Koprulu Canyon Water Rafting Adventure with Lunch from Antalya:
$34
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Turkey: Day Tour of Ancient Lycia:
$36
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Day Tour to Xanthos City, Saklikent Canyon and Patara Beach:
$36
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Antalya Rafting Tour:
$37
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Rafting Tour:
$44
Tours and Activities in Zadar
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Zadar are as follows:
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4 day Zadar highlights tour:
$473
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BEST OF LONG ISLAND - DUGI OTOK TOUR, Small Group–max 12 ppl, 7 Stops, Full Day:
$95
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Croatia Islands Speedboat Experience:
$459
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Croatian Homeland War Walking Tour:
$30
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Daysailing & SUP experience:
$144
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Dugi Otok - half day kayak adventure:
$87
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Dugi otok Self-Guided Bike Tour:
$100
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Explore Zadar Bike Tour:
$54
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From Zadar - National Park Plitvice Lakes transport and Skip the line:
$40
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From Zadar to Plitvice Lakes with drop off in Zagreb - Private tour:
$338
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From Boskinac Gourmet Tour and Visit to the City of Pag:
$324
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From Full Day Public Saharun Beach Tour:
$70
Alcohol
Typically, people visiting Antalya spend on average $8.03 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
The average person spends about $4.45 on alcoholic beverages in Zadar per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
Sample the Local Flavors in Zadar
Also in Zadar, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Antalya and Zadar, we can see that Zadar is more expensive. And not only is Antalya much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Antalya would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Antalya 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 Zadar would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zadar than you might in Antalya.
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