A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Barcelona vs. Zadar for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Europe / Comparisons /
Jump to  down-arrow

Should you visit Barcelona or Zadar?

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

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.

Where Should I go: Barcelona or Zadar?

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 €70. 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. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Barcelona and Zadar in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Barcelona €75
    Zadar €40
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Barcelona €150
    Zadar €80
Compare Hotels in Barcelona and Zadar

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.

Hotels in Barcelona


Hotels in Zadar


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.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Barcelona Hotel Prices and Zadar Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Barcelona €15
    Zadar €7.50
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:

  • Ultra - Barcelona Private Transfer from City Centre to Barcelona Cruise Port: $9.41
  • Ultra - Barcelona Private Transfer from Barcelona Cruise Port to City Centre: $9.41
  • Ultra - Barcelona Private Airport Transfer city centre to El Prat Airport BCN: $9.41
  • Airport Transfers: $20
  • 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 Bcn City Centre to Bcn Cruise Terminal: $29
  • Barcelona Private Transfer from City Centre to Cruise Terminal: $29
  • Private Transfer from Barcelona City Centre to Barcelona Cruise Terminal: $29
  • Barcelona Private Transfer from City Centre to Cruise Terminal: $29

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zadar

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zadar:

  • 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.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Barcelona €27
    Zadar €22
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 Potato Gnocchi Online Cooking Class: $23
  • Live from Barcelona to China: 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
  • Street Food Tour & Gothic Quater Sightseeing with Local Expert: $52
  • Barcelona Street Food Tour: Local Market & Gothic Quarter with Expert Guide: $52
  • Tasty Barcelona Street Food Tour With Local Market Visit: $59
  • Skip the Line: Flamenco Show and Dinner Ticket: $62
  • 2-Hour Bites & Flavors Private Food Tour: $66

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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Barcelona €27
    Zadar €15
Typical Entertainment prices in Barcelona

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Barcelona are as follows:


  • Picasso Walking Tour and Museum Pass
    €42
  • Souvenir Gaudi Book
    €8.55
  • Admission to Museo Picasso
    €6.00

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: $5.67
  • Private Barcelona Ghost Tour: Gothic Quarter Exploration Game: $7.45
  • Museu de la Xocolata Admission Ticket: $7.46
  • History Museum of Catalonia Skip-The-Line Ticket: $9.08
  • Skip the Line: Erotic Museum of Barcelona Admission Ticket with free souvenir: $9.95
  • Skip the Line: Human Bodies - Entrance to the exhibition Ticket: $9.95
  • Skip the Line: History Museum of Catalonia & Rooftop Access Ticket: $9.95
  • Guided Tour at Catalonia's Royal Academy of Medicine: $10
  • Guided Tour at Barcelona's Royal Academy of Sciences and Arts: $10
  • IDEAL Frida Kahlo, the Life of an Icon Ticket: $10
  • Hash Marihuana & Hemp Museum Entry Ticket: $10

Tours and Activities in Zadar

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Zadar are as follows:

  • Museum of Illusions Entrance Ticket: $11
  • Zadar Walking Tour: $18
  • Rome vs. Venice - Zadar City Tour: $20
  • Zadar City Tour 90min Walk: $20
  • Walking tour of Zadar city: $23
  • Zadar City Tour 120min Walk: $27
  • Virtual Reality Walking Tour of Zadar's History: $29
  • 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
  • Plitvice lakes excursion , no guide ,no group , entrance ticket not included, simple and cheap: $37

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Barcelona €14
    Zadar €9.14

Sample the Local Flavors in Barcelona

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Barcelona:

  • Estrella Damm Brewery Guided Tour with Tasting: $9.08
  • 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
  • Home Food and Wine Tasting with Wine Lover: $51
  • Fun Wine Tasting in Barcelona with a Sommelier!: $53
  • Spanish wine tasting in a historic building with a Sommelier: $54
  • Food Tasting Tapas and Wine Tour: $62

Sample the Local Flavors in Zadar

Also in Zadar, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Zadar Wine Tasting: $50

About these numbers

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.


When is the best time to visit Barcelona or Zadar?

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 Barcelona or Zadar in the Summer?

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.

In the summer, Barcelona is cooler than Zadar. Typically, the summer temperatures in Barcelona in July are around 23°C (73°F), and Zadar is 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.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Barcelona 23°C (73°F) 
    Zadar 26°C (80°F)

Should I visit Barcelona or Zadar in the Autumn?

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.

In October, Barcelona is generally around the same temperature as Zadar. Temperatures in Barcelona average around 17°C (63°F), and Zadar stays 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.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Barcelona 17°C (63°F) 
    Zadar 18°C (64°F)

Should I visit Barcelona or Zadar in the Winter?

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.

Barcelona is around the same temperature as Zadar in the winter. The temperature in Barcelona is usually 9°C (48°F) in January, and Zadar stays 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.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Barcelona 9°C (48°F) 
    Zadar 8°C (47°F)

Should I visit Barcelona or Zadar in the Spring?

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.

In the spring, Barcelona is cooler than Zadar. Typically, the spring temperatures in Barcelona in April are around 13°C (55°F), and Zadar is 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.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Barcelona 13°C (55°F) 
    Zadar 15°C (59°F)

Typical Weather for Zadar and Barcelona

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)


Budget Your Trip

Budget Your Trip has average travel costs for thousands of cities around the world, all provided by other travelers. You can also register to organize your spending by category and location with graphs, maps, charts, and tables.
Sign Up

More City Comparisons
Paphos vs. Barcelona
Paphos vs. Zadar
Santorini vs. Barcelona
Santorini vs. Zadar
Mykonos vs. Barcelona
Mykonos vs. Zadar
Kos vs. Barcelona
Kos vs. Zadar
Ios vs. Barcelona
Ios vs. Zadar
Antalya vs. Barcelona
Antalya vs. Zadar
Rhodes vs. Barcelona
Rhodes vs. Zadar
Portimao vs. Barcelona
Portimao vs. Zadar
Lagos vs. Barcelona
Lagos vs. Zadar
Faro vs. Barcelona
Faro vs. Zadar
Albufeira vs. Barcelona
Albufeira vs. Zadar
Corfu vs. Barcelona
Corfu vs. Zadar
Valencia vs. Barcelona
Valencia vs. Zadar
Palma de Mallorca vs. Barcelona
Palma de Mallorca vs. Zadar
Share This Page
Pin This Page
Barcelona vs. Zadar Travel Comparison

Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.