A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bordeaux vs. Dubrovnik for Food, Old Town, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Bordeaux or Dubrovnik?

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

Should I visit Bordeaux or Dubrovnik? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Bordeaux

Bordeaux is a historical, elegant, and charming city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is a charming, famous, and cultural coastal town. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Bordeaux and Dubrovnik: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bordeaux or Dubrovnik?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Dubrovnik. Although Bordeaux and Dubrovnik are both popular with visitors, Dubrovnik has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Dubrovnik is more popular for its museums, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, hiking, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Bordeaux is known for its shopping and big city activities. Bordeaux is popular for its world-renowned wine and the many nearby vineyards. Dubrovnik is popular 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. It is also home to The Old Town Walls.

How is Bordeaux different from Dubrovnik?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Dubrovnik is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Bordeaux is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Dubrovnik offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Bordeaux. The city has many historical landmarks and museums to explore. Cathédrale Saint-André, Tour Le Grand-Théâtre, and Basilique Saint-Seurin are all notable monuments that are worth visiting.

Is the Food Better in Bordeaux or Dubrovnik? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Bordeaux and Dubrovnik both to be first-rate destinations.

For foodies, Bordeaux is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. Both food and wine are a major draw to this culinary city, which is known for its pastries and rich flavors. Popular local dishes include grilled duck, duck foie gras, and canelés.

Dubrovnik has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. 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 Bordeaux or Dubrovnik Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Bordeaux or Dubrovnik has a better nightlife scene.

Bordeaux has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The city comes to life at night with dance clubs, wine bars, student pubs, and more.

If you're looking for night time activities Dubrovnik has a few options to choose from. 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 Bordeaux or Dubrovnik Better for Resorts?

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

Dubrovnik is known as a popular and fun resort destination. 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.

Bordeaux is not a resort destination.

Is Bordeaux or Dubrovnik Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Dubrovnik is a coastal town with a few options for its diving and snorkeling. However, Bordeaux 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.

Bordeaux is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Bordeaux or Dubrovnik Better for Beaches?

Dubrovnik is a popular place for the beache. However, Bordeaux is not a beach destination.

Dubrovnik is a good option for a beach vacation. 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.

Bordeaux is not a beach destination.

Is Bordeaux or Dubrovnik Better for its Old Town?

Dubrovnik is a world-class destination for its old town. Also, Bordeaux is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town charm.

The historic old town of Dubrovnik is revered around the world. 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.

Bordeaux has an old town worth visiting. The old town is between Cours de l'Intendance and rue Peyronnet. The area has many distinct neighborhoods, monuments, and historical buildings.

Is Bordeaux or Dubrovnik Better for Hiking?

Dubrovnik is a great destination for its hiking experiences. However, Bordeaux 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.

Bordeaux is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bordeaux or Dubrovnik?

Bordeaux 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 Bordeaux. The city has a mix of luxury fashion brands, jewelry shops, perfume suppliers, and leather goods. There are department stores, local boutiques, and pedestrian shopping areas that you can explore.

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 Bordeaux or Dubrovnik Better for Families?

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

Dubrovnik is a very kid-friendly coastal town. 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.

Bordeaux offers lots of family activities. The city has a number of parks and playgrounds as well as museums, including a kid's science museum. Kids also enjoy splashing around in the Miroir d’eau, which is the world's largest water mirror.

Is Bordeaux or Dubrovnik Better for Couples?

Dubrovnik is a world-class destination for its romantic activities. Also, Bordeaux is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Dubrovnik makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. 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.

Bordeaux is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Wine lovers will enjoy an amazing weekend in this beautiful city. Some of the most romantic activities include wine walks, river cruises, and exploring scenic gardens.

Is Bordeaux or Dubrovnik Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Dubrovnik is a world-class destination for backpackers. Also, Bordeaux is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Dubrovnik. 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.

Bordeaux is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a handful of hostels and a diversity of activities that backpackers can enjoy.

Is Bordeaux or Dubrovnik Better for Students?

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

Bordeaux is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. The city has a great student atmosphere and a unique culture with a diversity of activities. It's grown in popularity with students, and the prices have climbed a bit over the past few years.

Dubrovnik is not popular with students.

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

Bordeaux 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 Bordeaux can get you to most places easily. There are buses, trams and a ferry that runs along the river.

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

Is Bordeaux or Dubrovnik a more walkable city?

Dubrovnik is a world-class destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Bordeaux is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

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.

Bordeaux is a very walkable destination. The city has many pedestrian areas and large squares to explore.

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

Should I spend more time in Dubrovnik or Bordeaux?

How long in Bordeaux or Dubrovnik?

In either Bordeaux or Dubrovnik, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. In our opinion, Dubrovnik has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Dubrovnik than Bordeaux. In general, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Bordeaux, and 1-5 days is enough time in Dubrovnik.

Families should spend more time in Dubrovnik than Bordeaux. 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 Bordeaux. 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 Bordeaux 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 Bordeaux or Dubrovnik?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Bordeaux. 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.

The beautiful coastal town of Dubrovnik offers food and shopping. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Bordeaux or Dubrovnik?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historical destination of Bordeaux. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Dubrovnik is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this coastal town makes for a great vacation. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Dubrovnik, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Bordeaux or Dubrovnik?

You'll find nightlife and food around the historical city of Bordeaux. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Most people head to the area for the food. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

Dubrovnik is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Dubrovnik, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Bordeaux or Dubrovnik?

Bordeaux is a popular choice for travelers. 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.

Dubrovnik is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This coastal town offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris, 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 Bordeaux and Dubrovnik, we can see that Bordeaux is more expensive. And not only is Dubrovnik much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Dubrovnik would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dubrovnik 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 Bordeaux would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bordeaux than you might in Dubrovnik.

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

Which is Bigger, Bordeaux or Dubrovnik?

Bordeaux has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Dubrovnik. When comparing the sizes of Bordeaux 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 Bordeaux 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 Bordeaux or Dubrovnik in the Summer?

Both Dubrovnik and Bordeaux during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Bordeaux because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Dubrovnik this time of year.

In the summer, Bordeaux is cooler than Dubrovnik. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bordeaux in July average around 21°C (69°F), and Dubrovnik averages at about 25°C (77°F).

Bordeaux usually gets more rain in July than Dubrovnik. Bordeaux gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Dubrovnik receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bordeaux or Dubrovnik in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Bordeaux and Dubrovnik. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Bordeaux this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Dubrovnik for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Bordeaux is generally cooler than Dubrovnik. Daily temperatures in Bordeaux average around 14°C (58°F), and Dubrovnik fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

Dubrovnik receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Bordeaux usually receives less rain than Dubrovnik. Bordeaux gets 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Dubrovnik receives 162 mm (6.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bordeaux or Dubrovnik in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Bordeaux as well as Dubrovnik. Many travelers come to Bordeaux for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Dubrovnik in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Bordeaux is cooler than Dubrovnik in the winter. The daily temperature in Bordeaux averages around 6°C (43°F) in January, and Dubrovnik fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

It's quite rainy in Dubrovnik. Bordeaux receives a lot of rain in the winter. Bordeaux usually gets less rain in January than Dubrovnik. Bordeaux gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Dubrovnik receives 139 mm (5.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bordeaux or Dubrovnik in the Spring?

Both Dubrovnik and Bordeaux are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Bordeaux in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Dubrovnik for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Bordeaux is cooler than Dubrovnik. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bordeaux in April average around 12°C (53°F), and Dubrovnik averages at about 14°C (57°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Dubrovnik. In April, Bordeaux usually receives less rain than Dubrovnik. Bordeaux gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Dubrovnik receives 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Dubrovnik and Bordeaux