A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Beijing vs. Dubrovnik for Attractions, Food, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Beijing or Dubrovnik?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Beijing and Dubrovnik 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.

Beijing

Beijing is a jam-packed, cultural, and fascinating city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is a coastal, historic, and charming coastal town. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. Other popular activities here include beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Beijing and Dubrovnik: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Beijing or Dubrovnik?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Beijing. Although Beijing and Dubrovnik are popular destinations, Beijing has more sights and attractions for tourists. Beijing is very popular for its museums, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Dubrovnik attracts visitors for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, hiking, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Beijing is famous for its rich culture, many historical landmarks, its long running history, and its world class cuisine. It is also well known for The Forbidden City. 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 Beijing different from Dubrovnik?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Beijing is a must-visit destination for its historical sights. Also, Dubrovnik is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for its sights and museums.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Beijing has many famous sights for visitors. The city is filled with iconic landmarks including the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and The Temple of Heaven. It's also essential that you plan a trip outside of town to the world renowned Great Wall of China. The trip takes about an hour and you can organize a tour through almost any hotel or tour company.

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 Beijing or Dubrovnik? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Beijing and Dubrovnik can be an enjoyable experience.

Many restaurants in Beijing have been singled out for their culinary prowess. The city has a number of iconic dishes that have put it on the culinary map. The most notable dish is Peking Duck, which is a delectable crispy roast duck that is usually served with cucumber, scallions, sweet bean sauce and pancakes or other steamed buns. Hot pots are another must-try experience in the city, and, of course, you have to experience the dumplings. A huge part of a visit to Beijing is experiencing its long running culinary history.

Eat your way through Dubrovnik, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. 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.

Is Beijing or Dubrovnik Better for Nightlife?

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

The nightlife in Beijing has something for everybody. Live performances are popular in the city, and range from concerts to magic shows and acrobatics. There is also an active bar scene around town. Some of the most popular nightlife areas include Sanlitun and Houhai.

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 Beijing or Dubrovnik Better for Resorts?

Dubrovnik is a great destination for its resorts. However, Beijing is not a resort destination.

In Dubrovnik, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. 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.

Beijing is not a resort destination.

Is Beijing or Dubrovnik Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Dubrovnik is a coastal town with a few options for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Beijing is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Dubrovnik has a few snorkeling spots. 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.

Beijing is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Beijing or Dubrovnik Better for Beaches?

Dubrovnik is a coastal town with good options for the beach. However, Beijing is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Dubrovnik. 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.

Beijing is not a beach destination.

Is Beijing or Dubrovnik Better for its Old Town?

Dubrovnik is an unbeatable place for its historic old town charm. However, Beijing does not have a historic old town.

With a famous historical old-town, Dubrovnik offers plenty to see. 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.

Beijing does not have a historic old town.

Is Beijing or Dubrovnik Better for Hiking?

Dubrovnik is a great destination for its hiking experiences. However, Beijing is not a hiking destination.

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.

Beijing is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Beijing or Dubrovnik?

Beijing is a great city for its shopping areas. Also, Dubrovnik is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Beijing. There are many unique handicrafts that you can purchase around town. Popular souvenirs include silk, pearls, and snuff bottles with pictures inside. The city has many shopping streets as well as markets and shopping malls that are worth visiting.

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 Beijing or Dubrovnik Better for Families?

Dubrovnik is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Beijing is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Dubrovnik is known to be 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.

Beijing offers lots of family activities. The city offers a unique cultural immersion that kids and adults can enjoy. Wander through the Forbidden City or watch your kids be mesmerized by a Chinese acrobatics show. It's also fun to get lost in the Hutongs or test their culinary palates by visiting a snack street.

Is Beijing or Dubrovnik Better for Couples?

Dubrovnik is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Beijing is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Dubrovnik is a great coastal town for couples, as it has plenty to offer. 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.

Beijing is a nice destination for couples. The culture, history, and food all make this a stunning place to visit. While romance doesn't immediately spring to mind when you think of Beijing, there are shows and fine dining restaurants that couples will enjoy. There are also many luxury hotels with spas and other amenities.

Is Beijing or Dubrovnik Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Dubrovnik is an unbeatable place for backpackers. Also, Beijing is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Dubrovnik is a very popular coastal town to visit for backpackers. 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.

Beijing is very popular with the backpacker crowd. The city has many hostels and budget-friendly options. There isn't the backpacker community vibe that you may get in other Asian cities, but if you organize an excursion through your hostel, you're sure to make a few friends along the way.

Is Beijing or Dubrovnik Better for Students?

Beijing is a great city for its student-friendly activities. However, Dubrovnik is not popular with students.

Beijing is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. Students will enjoy the culture, food, and academic opportunities that the universities offer. There is also a decent nightlife scene and affordable places where students can live.

Dubrovnik is not popular with students.

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

Beijing is a great city 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 Beijing can get you to most places easily. The system can be crowded and confusing at first, but it's one of the most convenient and affordable ways to get around town. There's a subway system as well as buses, trolleybuses, and suburban rail.

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

Is Beijing or Dubrovnik a more walkable city?

Dubrovnik is an unbeatable place for its ease of walking around. However, Beijing is a city with minimal options for its walkability.

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

Beijing is generally not a very walkable city. While parts of the city are fun to explore on foot, the city itself is very large with long blocks that aren't pedestrian-friendly.

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

Should I spend more time in Dubrovnik or Beijing?

How long in Beijing or Dubrovnik?

In either Beijing or Dubrovnik, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Beijing than Dubrovnik because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Beijing, and 1-5 days is enough time in Dubrovnik.

Families should spend more time in Dubrovnik than Beijing. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Dubrovnik, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Dubrovnik than Beijing. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Dubrovnik that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Dubrovnik than Beijing 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 Beijing or Dubrovnik?

People visit Beijing because there is so much to do. 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 Beijing or Dubrovnik?

People visit Beijing because there is so much to do. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This city 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 Beijing or Dubrovnik?

People visit Beijing because there is so much to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city 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 Beijing or Dubrovnik?

Beijing is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Beijing, one week is sufficent for most. 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 2-Week Tours from Beijing, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, 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 Beijing and Dubrovnik, we can see that Dubrovnik is more expensive. And not only is Beijing much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Beijing is in Asia and Dubrovnik is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Beijing would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Beijing 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 Dubrovnik would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dubrovnik than you might in Beijing.

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

Which is Bigger, Beijing or Dubrovnik?

Beijing has a larger population, and is about 260 times larger than the population of Dubrovnik. When comparing the sizes of Beijing 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 Beijing or Dubrovnik?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Beijing or Dubrovnik in the Summer?

Both Dubrovnik and Beijing during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Beijing for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Dubrovnik in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

Beijing is around the same temperature as Dubrovnik in the summer. The daily temperature in Beijing averages around 27°C (80°F) in July, and Dubrovnik fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Beijing. Beijing usually gets more rain in July than Dubrovnik. Beijing gets 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Dubrovnik receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Beijing or Dubrovnik in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Beijing and Dubrovnik. Many visitors come to Beijing in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Dubrovnik for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Beijing is cooler than Dubrovnik. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Beijing in October average around 14°C (56°F), and Dubrovnik averages at about 18°C (64°F).

Dubrovnik receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Beijing usually receives less rain than Dubrovnik. Beijing gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Dubrovnik receives 162 mm (6.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Beijing or Dubrovnik in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Beijing as well as Dubrovnik. Most visitors come to Beijing for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Dubrovnik because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Beijing can be very cold during winter. In January, Beijing is generally much colder than Dubrovnik. Daily temperatures in Beijing average around -4°C (26°F), and Dubrovnik fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

It's quite rainy in Dubrovnik. Beijing usually gets less rain in January than Dubrovnik. Beijing gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Dubrovnik receives 139 mm (5.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Beijing or Dubrovnik in the Spring?

Both Dubrovnik and Beijing are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Beijing because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Dubrovnik this time of year.

Beijing is around the same temperature as Dubrovnik in the spring. The daily temperature in Beijing averages around 14°C (57°F) in April, and Dubrovnik fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Dubrovnik. In April, Beijing usually receives less rain than Dubrovnik. Beijing gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Dubrovnik receives 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Dubrovnik and Beijing