A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Gothenburg vs. Hvar for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Gothenburg or Hvar?

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

Should I visit Gothenburg or Hvar? 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.

Where Should I go: Gothenburg or Hvar?

Gothenburg

Gothenburg is the second largest city in Sweden with a population of about 500,000. It is located on the western coast at the edge of the Gota River. It's a very friendly and welcoming city with a great vibe. Part of its energy comes from the Gothenburg University, which, with over 60,000 students, is the largest university in the country. Historically, Gothenburg has working class roots which are still apparent today, particularly in the city's harbour area. Recently there has been a growing number of expensive restaurants and cafes, showing that the demographic continues to evolve.

Hvar

Hvar is a Croatian island full of mountains, vegetation, beaches, vineyards, shops, restaurants, and also people! Hvar Town is the main city on the island, but there are many other small villages throughout. The best time to visit Hvar is between May and September, although keep in mind it can get busy during this period.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Sweden, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Sweden, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Croatia, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Croatia.


Which place is cheaper, Hvar or Gothenburg?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Gothenburg is $97, while the average daily cost in Hvar is $109. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Gothenburg and Hvar in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Gothenburg $40
    Hvar $40
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Gothenburg $80
    Hvar $80
Compare Hotels in Gothenburg and Hvar

Looking for a hotel in Gothenburg or Hvar? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Gothenburg


Hotels in Hvar


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Gothenburg Hotel Prices and Hvar Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Gothenburg $18
    Hvar $50

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Gothenburg

Also for Gothenburg, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Landvetter Airport Bus Transfer Arrival: $15
  • Landvetter Airport Bus Transfer Departure: $15
  • Transfer From Gothenburg Hotel To Gothenburg Museum of Art: $32
  • Goteborg City to Goteborg Landvetter Airport (GOT) - Departure Private Transfer: $55
  • Private Transfer from Gothenburg city to Goteborg Cruise Port: $64
  • Private Transfer From Gothenburg Landvetter Airport to Gothenburg Hotels: $95
  • Gothenburg Private Transfer from Central Gothenburg to Gothenburg Airport: $95
  • Private Transfer Gothenburg Airport GOT to Gothenburg by Sedan: $102
  • Goteborg Landvetter Airport (GOT) to Goteborg City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $109
  • City Highlights Bike Tour with Transfer: $110
  • Are Resort to Trondheim Vaernes Airport(TRD) - Departure Transfer: $114
  • Private Transfer From Gothenburg To Alingsås: $119

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hvar

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hvar:

  • Speedboat Transfer from Hvar Town to Split Airport: $535

Is it cheaper to fly into Gothenburg or Hvar?

Prices for flights to both Hvar and Gothenburg change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Gothenburg $38
    Hvar $41

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hvar

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Hvar.

  • Hvar Charming Abandoned Village Small Group Tour and Local Dinner: $180
  • Hvar Hidden Gems Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $187
  • Hvar Hidden Gems Small Group Half Day Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $202
  • Hvar Abandoned Village Tour with Local Dinner: $214
  • Private Hvar Wine Tasting Tour with Traditional Dinner: $234
  • Food Tour: Traditional Flavours and Food Sampling on Hvar: $262
  • The Best of Hvar in a Day with Wine tasting and Local Dinner: $273
  • Hvar Small Group Wine Tour and Authentic Dalmatian Dinner: $273

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Gothenburg $15
    Hvar $7.99

Tours and Activities in Gothenburg

For Gothenburg, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Universeum Entry Ticket: $21
  • Gothenburg 24-Hour Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Ticket: $30
  • Hop-On Hop-Off 24-Hour Sightseeing Boat: $30
  • Lilla Bommen: 4-Hour Guided Boat Tour to Vinga Island: $31
  • City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $31
  • Land & Water Amphibious Bus Sightseeing Tour: $31
  • 24h Gothenburg Hop-On Hop-Off Boat Tour: $32
  • City Sightseeing Gothenburg Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $32
  • Paddan Sightseeing Cruise on the Savean River: $33
  • Guided boat tour to Vinga in Gothenburg: $33
  • Archipelago cruise with guide: $36
  • Entry Ticket To Gothenburg Museum of art with pickup: $37

Tours and Activities in Hvar

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Hvar are as follows:

  • BLUE CAVE & 5 islands tour from Hvar: $98
  • 1-Hour Battle Archery Game in Hvar Adventure Park: $22
  • 1-Hour Private Paintball Adventure in Park Hvar Jelsa: $23
  • 3-Hour Lavender Tour from Hvar: $150
  • Adventurous Blue and Green Cave group tour: $86
  • Back to the Roots - Ancient Island Interactive Experience: $141
  • Beach bar Laganini and Hula Hula half-day Private Boat Tour: $918
  • Blue & Green cave tour with yacht from town Hvar: $229
  • Blue Cave & Vis Island speedboat tour from Hvar: $109
  • Blue Cave and Pakleni Islands group Tour from Hvar: $107
  • Blue cave group tour with swimming and snorkelling from Hvar: $76
  • Blue cave tour with speed boat from town Hvar: $196

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Gothenburg $20
    Hvar $9.80

Sample the Local Flavors in Hvar

Also in Hvar, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Hvar Wine Tasting Experience: $118
  • Hvar Wine tasting small group experience: $131
  • Private Hvar Wine Tasting Tour : $142
  • Wine Tasting Tour: $157
  • Chocolate and Wine Tasting Small Group Tour from Hvar: $175


When comparing the travel costs between Gothenburg and Hvar, we can see that Hvar is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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


Which is Bigger, Gothenburg or Hvar?

Gothenburg has a larger population, and is about 140 times larger than the population of Hvar. When comparing the sizes of Gothenburg and Hvar, 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 Gothenburg or Hvar?

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 Gothenburg or Hvar in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Gothenburg as well as Hvar. Also, most visitors come to Hvar for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Gothenburg is generally much colder than Hvar. Daily temperatures in Gothenburg average around 16°C (61°F), and Hvar fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hvar. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Gothenburg this time of the year. In the summer, Gothenburg often gets less sunshine than Hvar. Gothenburg gets 243 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hvar receives 345 hours of full sun.

Gothenburg usually gets more rain in July than Hvar. Gothenburg gets 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Hvar receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Gothenburg 16°C (61°F) 
    Hvar 26°C (80°F)

Should I visit Gothenburg or Hvar in the Autumn?

Both Hvar and Gothenburg are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Hvar because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Gothenburg is much colder than Hvar in the autumn. The daily temperature in Gothenburg averages around 9°C (47°F) in October, and Hvar fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

It's quite sunny in Hvar. Gothenburg usually receives less sunshine than Hvar during autumn. Gothenburg gets 94 hours of sunny skies, while Hvar receives 200 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Gothenburg usually receives around the same amount of rain as Hvar. Gothenburg gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Hvar receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Gothenburg 9°C (47°F) 
    Hvar 18°C (64°F)

Should I visit Gothenburg or Hvar in the Winter?

Both Hvar and Gothenburg during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Hvar this time of year.

The weather in Gothenburg can be very cold. In the winter, Gothenburg is much colder than Hvar. Typically, the winter temperatures in Gothenburg in January average around -2°C (29°F), and Hvar averages at about 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Gothenburg often gets less sunshine than Hvar. Gothenburg gets 40 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hvar receives 128 hours of full sun.

Gothenburg usually gets less rain in January than Hvar. Gothenburg gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Hvar receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Gothenburg -2°C (29°F) 
    Hvar 8°C (47°F)

Should I visit Gothenburg or Hvar in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Gothenburg and Hvar. Furthermore, many travelers come to Hvar for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Gothenburg is generally much colder than Hvar. Daily temperatures in Gothenburg average around 5°C (41°F), and Hvar fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hvar this time of the year. Gothenburg usually receives less sunshine than Hvar during spring. Gothenburg gets 182 hours of sunny skies, while Hvar receives 212 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Gothenburg usually receives less rain than Hvar. Gothenburg gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Hvar receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Gothenburg 5°C (41°F) 
    Hvar 15°C (59°F)

Typical Weather for Hvar and Gothenburg

Gothenburg Hvar
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -2°C (29°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 8°C (47°F) 83 mm (3.3 in)
Feb -2°C (29°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 9°C (48°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Mar 1°C (34°F) 50 mm (2 in) 11°C (52°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Apr 5°C (41°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 15°C (59°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
May 11°C (51°F) 51 mm (2 in) 20°C (67°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Jun 15°C (59°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 23°C (74°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Jul 16°C (61°F) 68 mm (2.7 in) 26°C (80°F) 28 mm (1.1 in)
Aug 16°C (60°F) 77 mm (3 in) 26°C (79°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Sep 12°C (54°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 22°C (72°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Oct 9°C (47°F) 84 mm (3.3 in) 18°C (64°F) 79 mm (3.1 in)
Nov 4°C (38°F) 84 mm (3.3 in) 13°C (56°F) 108 mm (4.3 in)
Dec 0°C (32°F) 75 mm (3 in) 10°C (49°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)