A Travel Price Comparison for Spain Granada vs. Zaragoza for Attractions, Old Town, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Granada or Zaragoza?

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

Should I visit Granada or Zaragoza? 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. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and food.

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.

Granada and Zaragoza: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Granada or Zaragoza?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Granada than Zaragoza. While Zaragoza is larger than Granada, Granada has more sights and attractions for tourists. Granada is better known for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Zaragoza is more popular for its food and shopping. Granada is more touristy than Zaragoza and is popular for its Islamic architecture, charming old town, and the stunningly impressive Alhambra. Also, Granada is famous for The Alhambra. Zaragoza is well known for its grand landmarks, local cuisine, and rich cultural scene.

How is Granada different from Zaragoza?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Granada on the map. 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.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Zaragoza. 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 Granada or Zaragoza? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Zaragoza 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 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.

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 Zaragoza Better for Nightlife?

Granada is notable for its evening party scene. Also, Zaragoza is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.

Granada has plenty to do after the sun goes down. 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 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.

Is Granada or Zaragoza Better for its Old Town?

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

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.

Zaragoza is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The old town is small but filled with monumental buildings and an authentic atmosphere.

Is Granada or Zaragoza Better for Hiking?

Granada is notable for the nearby hiking options. However, Zaragoza 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.

Zaragoza is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Granada or Zaragoza?

Zaragoza is an excellent place to visit for shopping. Also, Granada is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

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.

Granada offers some nice shopping areas. 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.

Is Granada or Zaragoza Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Granada or Zaragoza.

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 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 Granada or Zaragoza Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Granada and Zaragoza make for a very good 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 Zaragoza frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Is Granada or Zaragoza Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Granada is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. 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.

Zaragoza is a good city 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 Granada or Zaragoza Better for Students?

Granada is notable for students. Also, Zaragoza is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Granada is a great city to visit as a student. 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.

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.

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

Zaragoza is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Granada 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 Granada, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. 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.

Is Granada or Zaragoza a more walkable city?

Granada and Zaragoza are very good 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.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Zaragoza or Granada?

How long in Granada or Zaragoza?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Granada and Zaragoza. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Granada than in Zaragoza. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Granada, and 1-3 days is enough time in Zaragoza.

Families should spend more time in Granada than Zaragoza. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Granada, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Granada than Zaragoza 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 Zaragoza?

The beautiful city of Granada offers food and shopping. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

In Zaragoza, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city 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 Zaragoza?

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

In Zaragoza, you'll find food and shopping. 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 Zaragoza has to offer.

Five days in Granada or Zaragoza?

Granada is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that museums is why people visit. 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.

Zaragoza is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 Zaragoza?

Granada is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that museums is why people visit. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Zaragoza. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Zaragoza. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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 10-Day Tours from Madrid, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Barcelona.

When comparing the travel costs between Granada and Zaragoza, we can see that Zaragoza 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 Granada Expensive? and Is Zaragoza Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Granada or Zaragoza?

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

The summer brings many poeple to Granada as well as Zaragoza. Many travelers come to Granada for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Zaragoza in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Granada is generally around the same temperature as Zaragoza. Daily temperatures in Granada average around 25°C (77°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 Granada this time of the year. In the summer, Granada often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Zaragoza. Granada gets 348 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zaragoza receives 344 hours of full sun.

Granada usually gets less rain in July than Zaragoza. Granada gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Zaragoza receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Granada or Zaragoza in the Autumn?

Both Zaragoza and Granada are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Granada in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Zaragoza for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Granada is a little warmer than Zaragoza in the autumn. The daily temperature in Granada averages around 19°C (67°F) in October, and Zaragoza fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Granada. Granada usually receives more sunshine than Zaragoza during autumn. Granada gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Zaragoza receives 196 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Granada usually receives more rain than Zaragoza. Granada gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Zaragoza receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Granada or Zaragoza in the Winter?

Both Zaragoza and Granada during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Granada for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Zaragoza because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Granada is much warmer than Zaragoza. Typically, the winter temperatures in Granada in January average around 12°C (54°F), and Zaragoza averages at about 8°C (46°F).

In the winter, Granada often gets more sunshine than Zaragoza. Granada gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zaragoza receives 131 hours of full sun.

Granada usually gets more rain in January than Zaragoza. Granada gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Zaragoza receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Granada or Zaragoza in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Granada and Zaragoza. The spring months attract visitors to Granada because of the natural beauty. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Zaragoza this time of year.

In April, Granada is generally around the same temperature as Zaragoza. Daily temperatures in Granada average around 16°C (60°F), and Zaragoza fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Zaragoza 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 Zaragoza during spring. Granada gets 220 hours of sunny skies, while Zaragoza receives 217 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Granada usually receives more rain than Zaragoza. Granada gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Zaragoza receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Zaragoza and Granada