Which place is cheaper, Zadar or Barcelona?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Barcelona and Zadar can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Barcelona is a youthful, colorful, and laid-back city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.
Zadar is a laid back, relaxed, and coastal town. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.
Tourists will generally find more to do in Barcelona than Zadar. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Barcelona is very popular for its museums, nightlife, music, shopping, and big city activities, while Zadar attracts visitors for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches. Barcelona is more touristy than Zadar and is known for its landmarks designed by Antoni Gaudí, its wild nightlife, and its urban beaches. It is also well known for Basilica Sagrada Familia. Zadar is famous for its historical sights and waterfront setting.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Zadar and Barcelona. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Barcelona is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Zadar is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.
Barcelona offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Architecture and history all contribute to the city's impressive sights and museums. Famous landmarks include the Basílica de la Sagrada Família, Casa Milà, and the Palace of Catalan Music. In addition to Casa Milà, there are several other landmarks that are designed by Gaudi. You can expect a crowd outside any of his creations.
If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Zadar. The old town is like a living museum, with city walls and a historic gate. The Church of St. Donatus, Zadar Cathedral, and the Zadar Archaeological Museum are all fascinating places to visit in town, but if you're looking for the most unique sight, make sure you check out The Sea Organ and The Sun Salutation.
There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at excellent restaurants in both Barcelona and Zadar.
With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Barcelona makes for a great culinary experience. With easy access to fresh produce, there are many food markets around town. You'll also find great fresh local dishes at the many restaurants. While some restaurants are more touristy, particularly along Las Ramblas, there are also many local options that offer higher quality dishes. Make sure you try the paella, croquettes, and jamon iberico. Many visitors enjoy taking a cooking class while they're in town as well.
Zadar has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The town is filled with outdoor cafes that serve up a healthy and delicious selection of recipes. The ingredients are fresh and local with olive oil and seafood making frequent appearances on the menus. Prices are also reasonable.
Barcelona is an amazing city to visit for nightlife and partying. Also, Zadar is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its evening party scene.
Barcelona has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. The city offers an amazing nightlife at a much more affordable price than many places in Europe. There are beach parties, boat parties, and bars that stay packed late into the night. The city also hosts many street fiestas and music festivals.
With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Zadar. The town comes to life at night when the bars and restaurants fill with people chatting and socializing. This is an easy place to enjoy the evening as almost all of the nightlife venues are within a five minute walk of each other.
Barcelona is an amazing city to visit for its live music scene. However, Zadar is not a live music destination.
Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in Barcelona Popular music venues include Tablao de Carmen, Razzmatazz, and Jamboree.
Zadar is not a live music destination.
Zadar is a well-known place for its resorts. However, Barcelona is not a resort destination.
In Zadar, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. If you want a beachfront resort, there are a number of nice options outside of town.
Barcelona is not a resort destination.
Zadar is a town with good options for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Barcelona is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.
It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life in Zadar. This is an easy place to snorkel because the water is so clear. There are also half and full day snorkeling trips that take you to some of the best spots.
Barcelona is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.
Zadar is a well-known place for its beaches. Also, Barcelona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for the beache.
The beaches at Zadar attract visitors from all over. There are some nice beaches outside of town with one of the most famous being Sakarun Beach, which is part of the Zadar archipelago. There are a handful of beaches nearby that are pebbly and popular with the locals. These include Puntamika Beach and Beach Borik.
Barcelona offers a nice beach destination. The city features long sandy beaches where you can soak up the Mediterranean sun right in the heart of town. Many of the beaches can get crowded during the warmer months, but if you're looking for a party, then this is the place. These are urban beaches, so don't expect the pristine coastal setting that you might find in a more remote areas. Popular beaches include Bogatell Beach, Barceloneta Beach, and Nova Icària.
Both Barcelona and Zadar have excellent historic old towns worth visiting.
Barcelona is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. Dating back 2,000 years the Gothic Quarter remains a hub of life and activity. It's fun to explore the wandering streets or people watch in one of the plazas. There are also many fascinating boutique shops and restaurants. Many people consider the Gothic Quarter to be one of the best parts of Barcelona.
There are many historical things to see in the old town of Zadar. The small old town is filled with charm and character. It's a walled medieval town that can easily be explored in a few hours.
Barcelona is an amazing city to visit for its shopping opportunities. Also, Zadar is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its shopping areas.
The abundance of shops in Barcelona make it a world-class shopping destination. Head to Portal De L'Angel, Rambla de Catalunya, or Passeig De Gracia for some of the city's best shopping districts.
Zadar has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are small, boutique shops around the old town that sell designer merchandise. There are also shopping malls on the outskirts of town.
Both Barcelona and Zadar are nice to visit with kids.
Barcelona is a family-friendly place to visit. The city has a bit of a party vibe, but there are also kid-friendly activities everyone. With a number of museums, an aquarium, and lots of parks, the whole family can stay entertained. There's also a playground with a great view right by Sagrada Familia. Also make sure you check out the Magic Fountain Show near Plaça d'Espanya, wander through the aquarium, or sample some chocolate at the Chocolate Museum.
Zadar is a family-friendly city. It's fun to explore the small medieval old town, but the kids will also appreciate getting out of town and enjoying the nearby activities. It's definitely worth visiting Pag Island or any of the other natural settings that are nearby. There are also several beaches near town. In town, make sure you hear the Sea Organ and dance at the Sun Salutation.
Zadar is a well-known place for romance. Also, Barcelona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.
Zadar is a very popular place to visit for couples. This charming seaside town is fun to explore as a couple. There's a walled medieval town that is small and easy to wander around. There are also nearby beaches and great restaurants to explore. A highlight of a visit is watching the stunning sunsets by the water.
Barcelona makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's an active city with a party atmosphere, so young couples will enjoy their time here. Couples can take a sunset cruise or enjoy a Flamenco show. There are also many great viewpoints around town.
Barcelona is an amazing city to visit for backpackers. Also, Zadar is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.
Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Barcelona. There are many hostels around town, each with its own personality. Many of the hostels also organize activities or dinners for guests so it's easy to meet other travelers. Backpackers will also appreciate the young vibe and late night party venues that keep the city fun and entertaining.
Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Zadar. There's no shortage of hostels in town and you'll find backpackers, students, and budget travelers everywhere.
Barcelona is an amazing city to visit for students. Also, Zadar is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its student-friendly activities.
Many students frequent Barcelona. This is a popular study abroad destination and you'll find international students from around the world. It's a beautiful city with plenty to see and do. It's also a lively city, but do expect the price tag to be higher than other Spanish cities.
Zadar is very popular with students. The laid back lifestyle and low cost of living make this a great place to be a student. It's a relaxed environment with many nearby places to explore.
Barcelona is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Zadar is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for times when you don't have a car.
Barcelona has some very good public transit options. There's a metro, bus, and tram system that navigates the city. It's a huge city, and while many places are accessible by public transit, sometimes the trip can be hot and frustrating.
Zadar has some public transit options. There are 11 bus lines that travel around town.
Zadar is a well-known place for its walkability. However, Barcelona is not a good city for its high level of walkability.
Zadar is very walkable. The old town is particularly walkable and can easily be explored on foot in a few hours.
Barcelona is generally not a very walkable city. The city is more spread out than many other major European cities and you'll find wide roads with lots of car traffic. There are some neighborhoods and plazas that are fun to explore on foot and the city has designed "superilles," which are areas where car traffic has been directed around pedestrian-friendly plazas so visitors can explore, relax, or play.
For even more information, also check out Is Barcelona Worth Visiting? and Is Zadar Worth Visiting?.
You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Barcelona or Zadar to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Barcelona than Zadar because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Barcelona, and 1-2 days is enough time in Zadar.
Families should spend more time in Zadar than Barcelona. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Zadar, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Zadar than Barcelona. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Zadar that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Barcelona than Zadar 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 Barcelona.
Each neighborhood in Barcelona has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.
You'll find nightlife and food around the town of Zadar. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Zadar has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Barcelona. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.
You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the laid back destination of Zadar. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.
Barcelona is a fun place to experience. Each neighborhood in Barcelona has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.
Travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the relaxed town of Zadar. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.
Each neighborhood in Barcelona has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is often enough time to do most activities.
Zadar 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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to Spain, The Best G Adventures Tours to Spain, The Best Tours for Seniors to Croatia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Croatia.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Barcelona is €156, while the average daily cost in Zadar is €90. 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 destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Barcelona and Zadar in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Barcelona or Zadar? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Barcelona are as follows:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Barcelona:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in 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.
Some typical examples of dining costs in Barcelona are as follows:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Barcelona.
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zadar.
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Barcelona are as follows:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Barcelona are as follows:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Zadar are as follows:
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Barcelona:
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.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Barcelona Expensive? and Is Zadar Expensive?.
Barcelona has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Zadar. When comparing the sizes of Barcelona and Zadar, 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.
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.
Both Zadar and Barcelona are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Barcelona for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Zadar in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Barcelona is cooler than Zadar. Typically, the summer temperatures in Barcelona in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Zadar averages at about 26°C (80°F).
It's quite sunny in Zadar. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Barcelona. Barcelona usually receives less sunshine than Zadar during summer. Barcelona gets 308 hours of sunny skies, while Zadar receives 345 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Barcelona usually receives less rain than Zadar. Barcelona gets 22 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Zadar receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
Both Zadar and Barcelona during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Barcelona in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Zadar for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In October, Barcelona is generally around the same temperature as Zadar. Daily temperatures in Barcelona average around 17°C (63°F), and Zadar fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
In Zadar, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Barcelona often gets less sunshine than Zadar. Barcelona gets 181 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zadar receives 200 hours of full sun.
Barcelona usually gets more rain in October than Zadar. Barcelona gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Zadar receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Barcelona and Zadar. Most visitors come to Barcelona for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Zadar because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Barcelona is around the same temperature as Zadar in the winter. The daily temperature in Barcelona averages around 9°C (48°F) in January, and Zadar fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).
Barcelona usually receives more sunshine than Zadar during winter. Barcelona gets 146 hours of sunny skies, while Zadar receives 128 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Barcelona usually receives less rain than Zadar. Barcelona gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Zadar receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
The spring brings many poeple to Barcelona as well as Zadar. The spring months attract visitors to Barcelona because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Zadar this time of year.
In the spring, Barcelona is cooler than Zadar. Typically, the spring temperatures in Barcelona in April average around 13°C (55°F), and Zadar averages at about 15°C (59°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Zadar. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Barcelona this time of the year. In the spring, Barcelona often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Zadar. Barcelona gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zadar receives 212 hours of full sun.
Barcelona usually gets less rain in April than Zadar. Barcelona gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Zadar receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
Barcelona | Zadar | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 9°C (48°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
Feb | 10°C (50°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
Mar | 11°C (52°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
Apr | 13°C (55°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
May | 16°C (61°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
Jun | 20°C (67°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
Aug | 23°C (74°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
Oct | 17°C (63°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
Nov | 13°C (55°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) |
Dec | 10°C (49°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |