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

Should you visit Bucharest or Dubrovnik?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Bucharest and Dubrovnik. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Bucharest

Bucharest is a cultural, charming, and historical city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is a historic, charming, and famous 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.

Bucharest and Dubrovnik: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bucharest or Dubrovnik?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Dubrovnik. Although Bucharest and Dubrovnik are both popular with visitors, Dubrovnik has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Dubrovnik is more popular for its museums, food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, hiking, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Bucharest is known for its big city activities. Dubrovnik is more touristy than Bucharest and 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. Bucharest is popular for its wide avenues and longstanding religious institutions.

How is Bucharest different from Dubrovnik?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Dubrovnik is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Bucharest is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Dubrovnik. 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 Bucharest. The city is rich in landmarks and historical buildings. Popular sights include the Romanian Athenaeum, the Palace of the Parliament, Stavropoleos Church, and Curtea Veche.

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

Dubrovnik is renowned for its restaurant scene. Also, Bucharest is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

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.

Bucharest is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Many Romanian recipes have been passed down through the generations and they still use traditional flavors. You'll see some German or Hungarian influences, but the flavors are still uniquely Romanian. Popular dishes include ciorba (tripe soup), cabbage rolls, and mici (grilled meat rolls).

Is Bucharest or Dubrovnik Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Bucharest and Dubrovnik.

Bucharest has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The city has come to life with its party scene, with many bars and clubs that you can choose from. There are rooftop bars, chic dance clubs, and cozy pubs where you can pass the evening. You'll find most of the upscale clubs in the northern part of the city, with a more casual scene found in the downtown areas around Universitate and Romanā.

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 Bucharest or Dubrovnik Better for Resorts?

Dubrovnik is well known for its resorts. However, Bucharest is not a resort destination.

There are plenty of resorts in Dubrovnik to choose from. 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.

Bucharest is not a resort destination.

Is Bucharest or Dubrovnik Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

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

Bucharest is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Bucharest or Dubrovnik Better for Beaches?

Dubrovnik is a good destination for the beache. However, Bucharest is not a beach destination.

Dubrovnik offers a nice beach destination. 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.

Bucharest is not a beach destination.

Is Bucharest or Dubrovnik Better for its Old Town?

Dubrovnik is renowned for its old town. Also, Bucharest is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town charm.

The old town of Dubrovnik is one of the most recognized in 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.

Bucharest has an old town worth visiting. The old town dates back to the 15th and 16th centuries, with much of the historical charm seen in the architecture. Many of the buildings have been restored, but others are still awaiting repairs. This gives the area a sense of authenticity that you often miss in other old towns.

Is Bucharest or Dubrovnik Better for Hiking?

Dubrovnik is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Bucharest 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.

Bucharest is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bucharest or Dubrovnik?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Dubrovnik and Bucharest.

Bucharest offers some nice shopping areas. The residents love fashion, and you'll find many shopping centers around town where you can find a good deal. In addition to the many malls, there are also antique shops, flea markets and boutique clothing stores where you might find a hidden gem.

Dubrovnik has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. The old town offers some nice boutique shops where you can buy designer clothes, jewelry, or trinkets.

Is Bucharest or Dubrovnik Better for Families?

Dubrovnik is well known for its family-friendly activities. However, Bucharest is not particularly known 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.

For families, Bucharest is not always the best place to visit. Kid-friendly activities include kid's play areas, museums such as the Museum of the Senses, and water centered activities like rowing in the park or visiting the wellness center Therme.

Is Bucharest or Dubrovnik Better for Couples?

Dubrovnik is renowned for its romantic activities. However, Bucharest is not particularly known for couples.

Dubrovnik is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. 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.

Bucharest is not always the best place to visit for a couple. The city has some romantic settings such as wandering down Victory Avenue or exploring the historic Cotroceni Neighbourhood. There are also several gardens and a number of nice cafes to explore.

Is Bucharest or Dubrovnik Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Dubrovnik is renowned for backpackers. Also, Bucharest 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.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Bucharest. The city is affordable, but it's often overlooked by backpackers. Part of the charm for many is the sense of authenticity that can often be hard to find in travel these days.

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

Bucharest 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 Bucharest can get you to most places easily. Public transit options include trams, buses, and trolley buses.

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

Is Bucharest or Dubrovnik a more walkable city?

Dubrovnik is renowned for its high level of walkability. Also, Bucharest 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.

Bucharest is a somewhat walkable city. Many of the tourist attractions are within a walkable area.

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

Should I spend more time in Dubrovnik or Bucharest?

How long in Bucharest or Dubrovnik?

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

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

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Bucharest. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bucharest has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

You'll find shopping and museums around the quaint coastal town of Dubrovnik. 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 Dubrovnik has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Bucharest or Dubrovnik?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the less touristy destination of Bucharest. 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the coastal destination of Dubrovnik. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this coastal town has to offer. This coastal town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Bucharest or Dubrovnik?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historical city of Bucharest. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

You'll find nightlife and food around the historic coastal town of Dubrovnik. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this coastal town makes for a great vacation. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Most people head to the area for the food. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this coastal town has to offer.

A week in Bucharest or Dubrovnik?

Bucharest 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 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bucharest, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Romania, 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 Bucharest and Dubrovnik, we can see that Bucharest 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 Bucharest would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bucharest 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 Bucharest Expensive? and Is Dubrovnik Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bucharest or Dubrovnik?

Bucharest has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Dubrovnik. When comparing the sizes of Bucharest 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 Bucharest 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 Bucharest or Dubrovnik in the Summer?

Both Dubrovnik and Bucharest during the summer are popular places to visit. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bucharest this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Dubrovnik for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Bucharest is around the same temperature as Dubrovnik. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bucharest in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Dubrovnik averages at about 25°C (77°F).

Bucharest usually gets more rain in July than Dubrovnik. Bucharest gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Dubrovnik receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bucharest or Dubrovnik in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Bucharest and Dubrovnik. Many travelers come to Bucharest for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Furthermore, many visitors come to Dubrovnik in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Bucharest is generally cooler than Dubrovnik. Daily temperatures in Bucharest average around 13°C (55°F), and Dubrovnik fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

Dubrovnik receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Bucharest usually receives less rain than Dubrovnik. Bucharest gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Dubrovnik receives 162 mm (6.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bucharest or Dubrovnik in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Bucharest as well as Dubrovnik. Many visitors come to Bucharest in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Dubrovnik for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Bucharest can get quite cold in the winter. Bucharest is much colder than Dubrovnik in the winter. The daily temperature in Bucharest averages around -1°C (29°F) in January, and Dubrovnik fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

It's quite rainy in Dubrovnik. Bucharest usually gets less rain in January than Dubrovnik. Bucharest gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Dubrovnik receives 139 mm (5.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bucharest or Dubrovnik in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Bucharest is cooler than Dubrovnik. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bucharest in April average around 12°C (54°F), and Dubrovnik averages at about 14°C (57°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Dubrovnik. In April, Bucharest usually receives less rain than Dubrovnik. Bucharest gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Dubrovnik receives 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Dubrovnik and Bucharest