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

Should you visit Carcassonne or Zaragoza?

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 Zaragoza. 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 fairytale, medieval, and historical town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include food and museums.

Zaragoza

Zaragoza is a historical, compact, and authentic city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Carcassonne and Zaragoza: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Carcassonne or Zaragoza?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Zaragoza than Carcassonne, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Zaragoza is better known for its nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Carcassonne is more popular for its small town charm. Carcassonne is more touristy than Zaragoza and is popular for its medieval history, walled fortifications, and well-known castle. Zaragoza is well known for its grand landmarks, local cuisine, and rich cultural scene. Also, Zaragoza is famous for the Basilica of Our Lady of Pilar.

How is Carcassonne different from Zaragoza?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Zaragoza 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 Zaragoza?

Spend time exploring the great sights and museums in either Carcassonne or Zaragoza.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Carcassonne. The town is filled with medieval sights including the Château Comtal, the Basilica of Saints Nazarius and Celsus, and the Carcassonne Cathedral.

Zaragoza offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. For such a small city, it really has a large number of cultural and historical attractions. The Basilica of Our Lady of Pilar is the most recognizable sight, but there's also the Museum of the Roman Forum of Caesaraugusta, the cathedral of Zaragoza, and the Aljafería Palace, among others.

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

Both Carcassonne and Zaragoza offer great 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 Zaragoza. There are authentic restaurants that cater to locals and tourists alike. You'll also find some interesting food tours around town. Tapas are popular, as is chocolate and fresh, traditional recipes.

Is Carcassonne or Zaragoza Better for Nightlife?

Zaragoza 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 Zaragoza. The nightlife is at its best on weekends, when students and young locals head out on the town. Many evenings start with tapas and wine, but there are nightclubs and dancing as well.

Carcassonne is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Carcassonne or Zaragoza Better for its Old Town?

Zaragoza 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 Zaragoza. The old town is small but filled with monumental buildings and an authentic atmosphere.

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 Zaragoza?

Zaragoza is a very popular place for shopping. However, Carcassonne is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Zaragoza. The city has many local shops selling locally produced items and interesting souvenirs. There are also boutiques, markets, and vintage shops that are fun to browse though.

Carcassonne is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Carcassonne or Zaragoza Better for Families?

Both Carcassonne and Zaragoza are notable 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 Zaragoza. When your kids get their fill of architecture and history, you can head to the Zaragoza Aquarium. Also worth a visit is the Emoz Museum, which is an origami museum. And if you need a break from sightseeing, take a kayak out on the Ebro River.

Is Carcassonne or Zaragoza Better for Couples?

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

Zaragoza makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Filled with culture, beauty, and monumental buildings, this is a small and romantic city. It's particularly romantic at night when the streets are quiet and many of the buildings are lit up.

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 Zaragoza Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Carcassonne is notable for backpackers. Also, Zaragoza is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Carcassonne is a very popular town for backpackers and budget travelers. There are interesting hostels in the area including a converted 17th century convent.

Zaragoza is a good town to visit for backpackers. There are enough hostels around town to choose from, and while it's not the backpacker haven that some Spanish cities are, it still sees a good number of young travelers.

Is Carcassonne or Zaragoza Better for Students?

Zaragoza is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Carcassonne is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Zaragoza. International students enjoy this small city because it has a local vibe where they can practice their Spanish and enjoy an authentic experience.

Carcassonne is not popular with students.

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

Zaragoza is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Carcassonne is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Public transit in Zaragoza is fairly effecient and thorough. There are buses and trams around the city.

You'll find some public transit in Carcassonne, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. You can reach the town by train from Dijon, Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, or Bordeaux and many people visit the town as a day trip.

Is Carcassonne or Zaragoza a more walkable city?

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

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.

Zaragoza is very walkable. The city center is very walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Zaragoza or Carcassonne?

How long in Carcassonne or Zaragoza?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Carcassonne and Zaragoza. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Zaragoza than in Carcassonne. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Carcassonne, and 1-3 days is enough time in Zaragoza.

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

One day in Carcassonne or Zaragoza?

The town of Carcassonne offers museums and food. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historical city of Zaragoza. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Carcassonne or Zaragoza?

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

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the historical destination of Zaragoza. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This city 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 Zaragoza?

Carcassonne is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

The historical city of Zaragoza offers shopping and museums. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Zaragoza?

Carcassonne is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Zaragoza. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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 2-Week Tours from Barcelona, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Spain.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Carcassonne and Zaragoza, we can see that Zaragoza is more expensive. And not only is Carcassonne much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Carcassonne would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Carcassonne 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 Zaragoza would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zaragoza than you might in Carcassonne.

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

Which is Bigger, Carcassonne or Zaragoza?

Zaragoza has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Carcassonne. When comparing the sizes of Carcassonne and Zaragoza, 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 Zaragoza?

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 Zaragoza in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Carcassonne as well as Zaragoza. Many visitors come to Carcassonne in the summer for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Zaragoza for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Carcassonne is generally around the same temperature as Zaragoza. Daily temperatures in Carcassonne average around 24°C (75°F), and Zaragoza fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Zaragoza. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Carcassonne this time of the year. In the summer, Carcassonne often gets less sunshine than Zaragoza. Carcassonne gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zaragoza receives 344 hours of full sun.

Carcassonne usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Zaragoza. Carcassonne gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Zaragoza receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Carcassonne or Zaragoza in the Autumn?

Both Zaragoza and Carcassonne are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Carcassonne for the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Zaragoza because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Carcassonne is around the same temperature as Zaragoza in the autumn. The daily temperature in Carcassonne averages around 17°C (62°F) in October, and Zaragoza fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

Carcassonne usually receives less sunshine than Zaragoza during autumn. Carcassonne gets 161 hours of sunny skies, while Zaragoza receives 196 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Carcassonne usually receives more rain than Zaragoza. Carcassonne gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Zaragoza receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Carcassonne or Zaragoza in the Winter?

Both Zaragoza and Carcassonne during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Carcassonne because of the museums and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Zaragoza this time of year.

In the winter, Carcassonne is around the same temperature as Zaragoza. Typically, the winter temperatures in Carcassonne in January average around 8°C (47°F), and Zaragoza averages at about 8°C (46°F).

In the winter, Carcassonne often gets less sunshine than Zaragoza. Carcassonne gets 88 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zaragoza receives 131 hours of full sun.

Carcassonne usually gets more rain in January than Zaragoza. Carcassonne gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Zaragoza receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Carcassonne or Zaragoza in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Carcassonne and Zaragoza. The small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Carcassonne this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Zaragoza for the natural beauty.

In April, Carcassonne is generally around the same temperature as Zaragoza. Daily temperatures in Carcassonne average around 14°C (56°F), and Zaragoza fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Zaragoza this time of the year. Carcassonne usually receives less sunshine than Zaragoza during spring. Carcassonne gets 178 hours of sunny skies, while Zaragoza receives 217 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Carcassonne usually receives more rain than Zaragoza. Carcassonne gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Zaragoza receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Zaragoza and Carcassonne