Should you visit Barcelona or Zadar?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel cost comparison between Barcelona and Zadar can help. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Barcelona
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain with a population of over 1.5 million people. It's also the capital of Catalonia and is located on the northeastern part of the Mediterranean coast. Barcelona is one of the country's most popular travel destinations because of its rich history, interesting architecture, and vibrant culture. Barcelona hosted the 1992 Summer Olympic games and that had a strong influence over tourism in the area. Many different neighborhoods were renovated and rebuilt. Modern design became the norm in many parts of the city, although there is still an old city feel and many efforts at preservation.
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 Barcelona?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Barcelona is €123, 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 Barcelona and Zadar in more detail.
Accommodation
The average price for accommodation for two people in Barcelona is €150. This is for two people sharing a typical double occupancy hotel room.
If you're traveling alone, you may be able to find a budget hotel or hostel for around €41. But for two people in a standard two-person hotel room in Zadar the cost is €82 on average.
Food
The price of a meal in Barcelona can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is €27 per person, and a typical meal will cost around €11 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
On average, meal and food prices in Zadar cost around €23 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 €9.20.
-
Food
Meals for one day
Barcelona €27
Zadar €23
Typical Food prices in Barcelona
Some typical examples of dining costs in Barcelona are as follows:
-
Hot Cocoa & Churro
€4.15
-
Sandwich
€1.70
-
Baguette & Horchata
€3.80
-
Tapas on the beach
€8.28
-
Gelatto
€2.50
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Barcelona
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Barcelona.
-
Live from Barcelona to China: Potato Gnocchi Online Cooking Class:
$23
-
Live from Potato Gnocchi Online Cooking Class:
$23
-
Barcelona organic dinner in a beautiful rooftop garden:
$35
-
Paella Cooking Experience + Boqueria Market Tour:
$48
-
Interactive Spanish Cooking Experience in Barcelona:
$49
-
Hands-on Brunch Cooking Class with Bottomless Mimosas!:
$50
-
Born district food tour and tasting in Barcelona:
$51
-
Barcelona Street Food Tour: Local Market & Gothic Quarter with Expert Guide:
$52
-
Street Food Tour & Gothic Quater Sightseeing with Local Expert:
$52
-
Bus and Walking Tour with Dinner:
$58
-
Tasty Barcelona Street Food Tour With Local Market Visit:
$59
-
Skip the Line: Flamenco Show and Dinner Ticket:
$62
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zadar
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zadar.
-
Traditional Dalmatian dinner:
$61
-
Zadar Market Tour and Cooking Class:
$75
-
Zadar - Private Market Tour & Cooking Class:
$167
-
From Taste Dalmatian Peka - Countryside Cooking Class:
$253
-
Dalmatian dinner in rented holiday home:
$773
Local Transportation
The cost of a taxi ride in Barcelona is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent €15 per person, per day, on local transportation in Barcelona.
The average price of local transportation around Zadar is €7.64 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.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Barcelona
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Barcelona are as follows:
-
10 Trip Metro Ticket
€7.80
-
Airport Bus
€5.00
-
Metro
€2.10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Barcelona
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Barcelona:
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Ultra - Barcelona Private Transfer from Barcelona Cruise Port to City Centre:
$9.41
-
Ultra - Barcelona Private Transfer from City Centre to Barcelona Cruise Port:
$9.41
-
Ultra - Barcelona Private Airport Transfer city centre to El Prat Airport BCN:
$9.41
-
Airport Transfers:
$20
-
From Luxury Transfers to La Roca Village:
$24
-
Private Departure Transfer from Barcelona City Center to El-Prat Airport (BCN):
$24
-
Private Transfer from Barcelona City to Barcelona Airport:
$27
-
Barcelona Airport Transfers:
$27
-
Barcelona Airport Transfer:
$28
-
Private Transfer from Barcelona City Centre to Barcelona Cruise Terminal:
$29
-
Barcelona Private Transfers from Barcelona City Centre to Bcn Cruise Terminal:
$29
-
Taxi - Cab - Private transfer from Barcelona City Centre to Barcelona airport:
$29
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zadar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zadar:
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Private Departure Airport Transfer From Zadar City to Zadar Airport:
$23
-
Zadar Airport Transfers:
$33
-
Transfers from Zadar airport to Zadar city:
$33
-
Plitvice Lakes National Park - Day Tour Transfer:
$37
-
Krka Waterfalls National Park - Day Tour Transfer:
$37
-
Private Transfer from Zadar Port to Zadar Airport (ZAD):
$42
-
Private Transfer from Zadar City to Zadar Airport (ZAD):
$42
-
Private Transfer from Borik Zadar to Zadar Airport (ZAD):
$42
-
Zadar CITY to Zadar AIRPORT | Private transfer:
$60
-
Private Transfer from Zadar to Split, Hotel-to-hotel, English-speaking driver:
$172
-
Private Arrival Transfer to Novalja from Zadar Airport:
$174
-
Vip Transfer Service:
$182
Is it cheaper to fly into Barcelona or Zadar?
Prices for flights to both Zadar and Barcelona change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Entertainment
Entertainment and activities in Barcelona typically cost an average of €27 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Zadar's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around €15 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.
Typical Entertainment prices in Barcelona
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Barcelona are as follows:
Tours and Activities in Barcelona
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Barcelona are as follows:
-
A Culinary Audio Tour of El Born by VoiceMap:
$5.50
-
Self-Guided Tour with Over 100 Sights:
$5.68
-
KBr Mapfre Foundation Entry Ticket:
$5.68
-
Museu de la Xocolata Tickets:
$7.16
-
Private Barcelona Ghost Tour: Gothic Quarter Exploration Game:
$7.45
-
Museu de la Xocolata Admission Ticket:
$7.46
-
Self-Guided City Audio Tour on Your Phone:
$8.16
-
Gaudi House Museum Skip-the-Line Ticket:
$8.95
-
Barcelona Port Traditional Boat Tour:
$9.16
-
Guided Tour of Requesens Palace:
$9.54
-
Guided Tour of Barcelona's Royal Academy of Sciences & Arts:
$9.54
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Skip the Line: Human Bodies - Entrance to the exhibition Ticket:
$9.95
Tours and Activities in Zadar
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Zadar are as follows:
-
Zadar Walking Tour:
$18
-
Zadar City Tour 90min Walk:
$20
-
Rome vs. Venice - Zadar City Tour:
$20
-
Walking tour of Zadar city:
$23
-
Zadar City Tour 120min Walk:
$27
-
Croatian Homeland War Walking Tour:
$30
-
Zadar Walking Tour:
$32
-
Guided Communist City Tour of Zadar:
$32
-
Zadar Walking Tour with Virtual Reality Experience:
$34
-
Krka Waterfalls Day Tour from Zadar - simple, comfortable and safe:
$37
-
Plitvice lakes excursion , no guide ,no group , entrance ticket not included, simple and cheap:
$37
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Plitvice Lakes National Park Day Tour from Zadar - simple, comfortable and safe:
$37
Alcohol
The average person spends about €14 on alcoholic beverages in Barcelona per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
The average person spends about €9.30 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 Barcelona
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Barcelona:
-
Columbus Monument with Optional Wine Tasting:
$7.16
-
Estrella Damm Brewery Guided Tour with Tasting:
$9.08
-
Backpacker Pub Crawl:
$18
-
Barcelona Halloween Pub Crawl:
$18
-
Generation Pub Crawl in Barcelona:
$19
-
Barcelona Pub Crawl:
$20
-
Wine Tasting Experience in Barcelona:
$22
-
Opera Samfaina: Food and Wine Tasting Interactive Experience in Barcelona:
$26
-
Wine tasting & tapas:
$39
-
Barcelona Guided Local Wine Tasting Tour:
$44
-
Wine Tasting near Sagrada Familia:
$47
-
Fun Wine Tasting in Barcelona with a Sommelier!:
$53
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 Barcelona and Zadar, we can see that Barcelona is more expensive. And not only is Zadar much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Zadar would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Zadar 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 Barcelona would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Barcelona than you might in Zadar.
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