A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Carcassonne vs. Zadar for Attractions, Food, Old Town, and Couples

Should you visit Carcassonne or Zadar?

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 Carcassonne and Zadar. 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.

Carcassonne

Carcassonne is a historical, fairytale, and medieval town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the food and museums.

Zadar

Zadar is a relaxed, coastal, and vibrant town. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include beaches, shopping, and museums.

Carcassonne and Zadar: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Carcassonne or Zadar?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Zadar. Although Carcassonne and Zadar are popular destinations, Zadar has more sights and attractions for tourists. Zadar is very popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Carcassonne attracts visitors for its museums and small town charm. Carcassonne is more touristy than Zadar and is popular for its medieval history, walled fortifications, and well-known castle. Zadar is famous for its historical sights and waterfront setting. It is also well known for the Sea Organ and the Sun Salutation.

How is Carcassonne different from Zadar?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Carcassonne or Zadar?

Carcassonne 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.

Carcassonne offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The town is filled with medieval sights including the Château Comtal, the Basilica of Saints Nazarius and Celsus, and the Carcassonne Cathedral.

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.

Is the Food Better in Carcassonne or Zadar? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Carcassonne and Zadar offer superb local cuisine and restaurants.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Carcassonne. There are a number of local restaurants that serve regional specialties such as cassoulet. You can spend a few hours exploring the castle and then grab a delicious bite to eat.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Zadar. 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.

Is Carcassonne or Zadar Better for Nightlife?

Zadar is a good destination for nightlife. However, Carcassonne is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

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.

Carcassonne is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Carcassonne or Zadar Better for Resorts?

Zadar is a very popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Carcassonne is not a resort destination.

There are plenty of resorts in Zadar to choose from. If you want a beachfront resort, there are a number of nice options outside of town.

Carcassonne is not a resort destination.

Is Carcassonne or Zadar Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Zadar is a good destination for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Carcassonne is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery 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.

Carcassonne is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Carcassonne or Zadar Better for Beaches?

Zadar is a very popular place for its beaches. However, Carcassonne is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Zadar for it's beautiful beaches. 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.

Carcassonne is not a beach destination.

Is Carcassonne or Zadar Better for its Old Town?

Zadar is a very popular place for its historic old town. Also, Carcassonne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its old town.

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.

Many people head to Carcassonne to see the old town. The medieval walled city is seeped in history and filled with atmosphere. Cars are not allowed in town.

Is the Shopping Better in Carcassonne or Zadar?

Zadar is a good destination for shopping. However, Carcassonne is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Zadar. There are small, boutique shops around the old town that sell designer merchandise. There are also shopping malls on the outskirts of town.

Carcassonne is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Carcassonne or Zadar Better for Families?

Both Carcassonne and Zadar are nice family-friendly destinations.

Carcassonne is a family-friendly town. Kids who love castles will enjoy wandering the maze of rooms and getting lost in the medieval atmosphere.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Zadar. 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.

Is Carcassonne or Zadar Better for Couples?

Zadar is a very popular place for romance. Also, Carcassonne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Zadar makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Carcassonne makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's a medieval city with an impressive castle and walled fortifications. It's a uniquely European sight that is great for couples who enjoy history.

Is Carcassonne or Zadar Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Carcassonne and Zadar are both superb destinations for backpackers.

Carcassonne is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There are interesting hostels in the area including a converted 17th century convent.

Zadar is a great town to visit for backpackers. There's no shortage of hostels in town and you'll find backpackers, students, and budget travelers everywhere.

Is Carcassonne or Zadar Better for Students?

Zadar is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Carcassonne is not popular with students.

Many students visit Zadar. 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.

Carcassonne is not popular with students.

Is Carcassonne or Zadar Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Carcassonne and Zadar.

Carcassonne has some public transit options. You can reach the town by train from Dijon, Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, or Bordeaux and many people visit the town as a day trip.

You'll find some public transit in Zadar, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are 11 bus lines that travel around town.

Is Carcassonne or Zadar a more walkable city?

Carcassonne is an amazing town to visit for its high level of walkability. Also, Zadar is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its ease of walking around.

It is easy to get around Carcassonne on foot. Cars aren't allowed in the medieval city so it's best to explore on foot.

Zadar is a very walkable destination. The old town is particularly walkable and can easily be explored on foot in a few hours.

For even more information, also check out Is Carcassonne Worth Visiting? and Is Zadar Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Zadar or Carcassonne?

How long in Carcassonne or Zadar?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Carcassonne or Zadar to fill your time. In our opinion, Zadar has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Zadar than Carcassonne. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Zadar than Carcassonne. 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 Carcassonne. 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 Zadar than Carcassonne 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 Zadar.

One day in Carcassonne or Zadar?

In Carcassonne, many people enjoy the food and museums that this fairytale destination offers. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the relaxed town of Zadar. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Carcassonne or Zadar?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Carcassonne. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the relaxed destination of Zadar. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This town offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Carcassonne or Zadar?

Carcassonne is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the destination of Carcassonne. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

The coastal town of Zadar offers museums and nightlife. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Carcassonne or Zadar?

You'll find museums and food around the historical destination of Carcassonne. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Many people enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting Zadar. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in France, The Best Historical Tours in France, The Best Tours for Seniors to Croatia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Croatia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Carcassonne and Zadar, we can see that Carcassonne 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 Carcassonne would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Carcassonne 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 Carcassonne Expensive? and Is Zadar Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Carcassonne or Zadar?

Zadar has a larger population, and is about 44% larger than the population of Carcassonne. When comparing the sizes of Carcassonne 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.

When is the best time to visit Carcassonne or Zadar?

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 Carcassonne or Zadar in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Carcassonne as well as Zadar. The small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Carcassonne this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Zadar for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Carcassonne is around the same temperature as Zadar. Typically, the summer temperatures in Carcassonne in July average around 24°C (75°F), and Zadar averages at about 26°C (80°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Zadar. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Carcassonne this time of the year. In the summer, Carcassonne often gets less sunshine than Zadar. Carcassonne gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zadar receives 345 hours of full sun.

Carcassonne usually gets less rain in July than Zadar. Carcassonne gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Zadar receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Carcassonne or Zadar in the Autumn?

Both Zadar and Carcassonne are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Carcassonne for the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Zadar in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Carcassonne is generally around the same temperature as Zadar. Daily temperatures in Carcassonne average around 17°C (62°F), and Zadar fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

It's quite sunny in Zadar. Carcassonne usually receives less sunshine than Zadar during autumn. Carcassonne gets 161 hours of sunny skies, while Zadar receives 200 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Carcassonne usually receives more rain than Zadar. Carcassonne gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Zadar receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Carcassonne or Zadar in the Winter?

Both Zadar and Carcassonne during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Carcassonne in the winter for the museums and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Zadar for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Carcassonne is around the same temperature as Zadar in the winter. The daily temperature in Carcassonne averages around 8°C (47°F) in January, and Zadar fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Carcassonne often gets less sunshine than Zadar. Carcassonne gets 88 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zadar receives 128 hours of full sun.

Carcassonne usually gets less rain in January than Zadar. Carcassonne gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Zadar receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Carcassonne or Zadar in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Carcassonne and Zadar. Most visitors come to Carcassonne for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Zadar because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Carcassonne is around the same temperature as Zadar. Typically, the spring temperatures in Carcassonne in April average around 14°C (56°F), and Zadar averages at about 15°C (59°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Zadar this time of the year. Carcassonne usually receives less sunshine than Zadar during spring. Carcassonne gets 178 hours of sunny skies, while Zadar receives 212 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Carcassonne usually receives less rain than Zadar. Carcassonne gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Zadar receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Zadar and Carcassonne