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

Should you visit Granada or Zadar?

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

Should I visit Granada or Zadar? 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.

Granada

Granada is a historic, beautiful, and charming city. You'll find world class beauty here as well. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, 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.

Granada and Zadar: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Granada or Zadar?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Granada than Zadar. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Granada is very popular for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Zadar attracts visitors for its food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches. Granada is more touristy than Zadar and is popular for its Islamic architecture, charming old town, and the stunningly impressive Alhambra. It is also well known for The Alhambra. Zadar is famous for its historical sights and waterfront setting.

How is Granada different from Zadar?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Granada is an amazing city to visit for its sights and museums. Also, Zadar is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Granada are among the most recognizable in the world. Many visitors head to Granada specifically to visit the famed Alhambra. The palace and fortress complex will not disappoint. The gardens are beautifully maintained and the palace is filled with intricate details. It's easy to spend hours wandering around. In addition to The Alhambra, the Granada Cathedral is also impressive to visit. If you have kids or extra time to fill, head to Parque de las Ciencias, which is the city's Science Park.

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 Granada or Zadar? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Zadar is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. Also, Granada is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in 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.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Granada. It's a very touristy city so restaurants can be hit or miss. There are some amazing local eateries, but you'll also find a number of places with lower quality, overpriced food. Classic local dishes include Churros, Plato Alpujarreño, and Habas con Jamón. Tapas are very popular and many restaurants provide free tapas with drink orders. There are also a number of Moroccan restaurants around town.

Is Granada or Zadar Better for Nightlife?

Granada is a well-known place for nightlife and partying. Also, Zadar is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its evening party scene.

Granada offers plenty to do in the evening. The nightlife scene kicks off around 11 pm, when most people have finished up a late dinner. There's a laid-back atmosphere with pubs, live music, and dance clubs that stay open late into the night. There are several popular streets at night including Calle Elvira, Calle Reyes Católicos, and the Realejo District.

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.

Is Granada or Zadar Better for Resorts?

Zadar is an excellent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Granada is not a resort destination.

Zadar is known as a popular and fun resort destination. If you want a beachfront resort, there are a number of nice options outside of town.

Granada is not a resort destination.

Is Granada or Zadar Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Zadar is a popular place for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Granada is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Zadar has a few good snorkeling spots. 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.

Granada is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Granada or Zadar Better for Beaches?

Zadar is an excellent place to visit for its beaches. However, Granada is not a beach destination.

Zadar is considered a top beach destination. 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.

Granada is not a beach destination.

Is Granada or Zadar Better for its Old Town?

Granada is an amazing city to visit for its old town. Also, Zadar is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its historic old town charm.

Granada offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. The Old Town spills out around the Granada Cathedral and is filled with charming pedestrian streets, lively plazas, and many great shops.

There is a nice variety of sights 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.

Is Granada or Zadar Better for Hiking?

Granada is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Zadar is not a hiking destination.

Granada is a popular spot for hiking. Ruta de Los Cahorros is a great hike about 25 minutes outside of Granada that begins in the town of Monochil. It crosses many bridges and weaves through dramatic canyons. There are places where you can wade in the water or check out a hidden waterfall. It's well worth the time and can be reached by taxi or public bus.

Zadar is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Granada or Zadar?

Shoppers can find a variety of nice stores in both Granada and Zadar.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Granada. The town is filled with souvenir shops and places to buy local items. It's fun to wander through the old town and pop into the many different shops.

Zadar offers some nice shopping areas. There are small, boutique shops around the old town that sell designer merchandise. There are also shopping malls on the outskirts of town.

Is Granada or Zadar Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Granada or Zadar.

Granada is a family-friendly city. While the highlight of the city is the Alhambra, kids will likely enjoy exploring the shops or seeing a Flamenco show a bit more. Just outside of town is a wonderful hike, Ruta de Los Cahorros. It begins near the town of Monachil which is easily accessible by taxi or public bus. The hike goes through canyons and across bridges and its a wonderful activity for the whole family.

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 Granada or Zadar Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Granada and Zadar make for a high quality place to visit.

Granada makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It is a beautiful city that is filled with charm and history. Couples will enjoy exploring the Alhambra, taking in a Flamenco show, or sipping Sangria with tapas. The city is incredibly beautiful with stunning views and many great restaurants.

Couples visit Zadar frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Is Granada or Zadar Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Granada and Zadar are both high quality destinations for backpackers.

Granada is very popular with the backpacker crowd. It's a touristy city and it's a popular destination for backpackers as well. There are plenty of hostels around town and the city has social atmosphere with many opportunities to meet other travelers.

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

Is Granada or Zadar Better for Students?

Both Granada and Zadar are high quality destinations for students.

Granada is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. It's a popular study abroad destination. Accommodation for students is usually affordable and this is also a great city for integrating into the local culture. You may even end up with a Spanish roommate.

Zadar is very popular with students. 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.

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

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

Granada has some public transit options. There is a comprehensive bus system around town that many tourists take advantage of. Taxis are also very affordable, so for many visitors, that is an easy option.

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 Granada or Zadar a more walkable city?

Granada and Zadar are high quality when it comes to walkability.

Granada is very walkable. Most of the touristy areas are easy to explore on foot, but there are some steep hills so put on your walking shoes.

Zadar is a very walkable city. 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 Granada Worth Visiting? and Is Zadar Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Zadar or Granada?

How long in Granada or Zadar?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Granada or Zadar to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Granada than Zadar because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Granada, and 1-2 days is enough time in Zadar.

Families should spend more time in Zadar than Granada. 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.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Granada than Zadar 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 Granada.

One day in Granada or Zadar?

In Granada, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this historic destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Lots of people come for the museums. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

In Zadar, you'll find shopping and museums. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Granada or Zadar?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Granada. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. 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.

In Zadar, you'll find museums and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Zadar has to offer.

Five days in Granada or Zadar?

Granada is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Granada. Lots of people come for the museums. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Zadar is a great place to explore. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Granada or Zadar?

You'll find food and shopping around the charming destination of Granada. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the museums. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Zadar. Many people enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting Zadar. It's also a relaxing resort destination. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Madrid, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Barcelona, 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 Granada and Zadar, we can see that Granada 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 Granada would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Granada 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 Granada Expensive? and Is Zadar Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Granada or Zadar?

Granada has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Zadar. When comparing the sizes of Granada 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 Granada 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 Granada or Zadar in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Granada as well as Zadar. The summer months attract visitors to Granada because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Zadar this time of year.

In the summer, Granada is around the same temperature as Zadar. Typically, the summer temperatures in Granada in July average around 25°C (77°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 Granada this time of the year. In the summer, Granada often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Zadar. Granada gets 348 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zadar receives 345 hours of full sun.

Granada usually gets less rain in July than Zadar. Granada gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Zadar receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Granada or Zadar in the Autumn?

Both Zadar and Granada are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Granada this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Zadar for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Granada is generally around the same temperature as Zadar. Daily temperatures in Granada average around 19°C (67°F), and Zadar fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

It's quite sunny in Zadar. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Granada. Granada usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Zadar during autumn. Granada gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Zadar receives 200 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Granada usually receives less rain than Zadar. Granada gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Zadar receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Granada or Zadar in the Winter?

Both Zadar and Granada during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Granada for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Zadar in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Granada is a little warmer than Zadar in the winter. The daily temperature in Granada averages around 12°C (54°F) in January, and Zadar fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Granada often gets more sunshine than Zadar. Granada gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zadar receives 128 hours of full sun.

Granada usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Zadar. Granada gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Zadar receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Granada or Zadar in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Granada and Zadar. Many visitors come to Granada in the spring for the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Zadar for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Granada is around the same temperature as Zadar. Typically, the spring temperatures in Granada in April average around 16°C (60°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. In Granada, it's very sunny this time of the year. Granada usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Zadar during spring. Granada gets 220 hours of sunny skies, while Zadar receives 212 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Granada usually receives less rain than Zadar. Granada gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Zadar receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Zadar and Granada