Which place is cheaper, Zurich or Granada?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Should I visit Granada or Zurich? 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 is a historic, beautiful, and charming city. You'll find world class beauty here as well. And you can't forget about the food, hiking, and shopping.
Zurich is a liberal, beautiful, and historic city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.
Tourists will generally find more to do in Zurich than Granada. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Zurich is very popular for its food, music, and shopping, while Granada attracts visitors for its museums, hiking, and impressive beauty. Granada is famous for its Islamic architecture, charming old town, and the stunningly impressive Alhambra. Zurich is famous for its beautiful setting on Lake Zurich as well as its cafes, restaurants, and high prices. It is also well known for The Grossmünster.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Zurich and Granada. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Granada is a must-visit destination for its sights and museums. Also, Zurich is not as famous, but is still a good city 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.
Zurich offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Make sure you check out the Museum of Fine Arts, the Fraumünster, as well as the Swiss National Museum.
Zurich 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 Zurich. Many restaurants have a strong German influence, but you'll also find traditional Swiss dishes such as cheese and chocolate fondue. There are also several Michelin star restaurants in town.
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.
Both Granada and Zurich have superb vibes after the sun sets.
Granada has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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.
The people in Zurich know how to have a good time. The city has some of the best nightlife in Switzerland. There are a high concentration of bars and clubs around town, or you could check out one of the badis, which are pools that also act as bars during the summer months. They're usually located by the lake.
Zurich is an excellent place to visit for live music. However, Granada is not a live music destination.
Whether you like big venues or smaller artists, Zurich has diverse options. There are many nightclubs that offer a variety of music types including electronic music, rock, and even reggae.
Granada is not a live music destination.
It's fun to wander around the amazing old towns in both Granada and Zurich.
The historic old town of Granada is revered around the world. The Old Town spills out around the Granada Cathedral and is filled with charming pedestrian streets, lively plazas, and many great shops.
With a famous historical old-town, Zurich offers plenty to see. The city has an old town that is split into two parts on each side of the Limmat River. The historic districts are filled with churches, squares, and charming areas that are fun to explore. Walking tours are the best way to explore the old town.
Granada is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Zurich 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.
Zurich is not a hiking destination.
Zurich is a world-class destination for shopping. Also, Granada is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.
People travel from around the world to go shopping in Zurich. Visitors often buy chocolate, watches, and jewelry in this city. You'll find brand names and luxury items that are of high quality. Each neighborhood has its own character with stores ranging from traditional to international.
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.
Zurich is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Granada is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.
Zurich is a very family-friendly destination. It's a surprisingly mellow city with a relaxing vibe that makes it easy to explore with kids. Popular family-friendly activities include swimming in the Limmat River, sailing on Lake Zurich, and visiting Josefwiese park, which has a large playground.
You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Granada. 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.
With fun activities for couples, both Granada and Zurich make for a superb 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 Zurich frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. One of the most romantic experiences you can have in town is visiting the Zurich Thermal Baths and Spa. There's an outdoor rooftop thermal pool as well as many ways that you can pamper yourselves.
Granada is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Zurich is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.
Granada is a great city to visit for backpackers. 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.
Plenty of budget travelers visit Zurich. The city has a number of hostels to choose from, but, like most of Switzerland, the city is expensive in general.
Zurich is a world-class destination for its student-friendly activities. Also, Granada is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.
Many students frequent Zurich. The city offers a number of unique experiences for international students. The academics are good and the university campuses are nice.
Granada is very popular with students. 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.
Zurich 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 Zurich is fairly effecient and thorough. The system is made up of streetcars and buses.
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.
Granada and Zurich are superb 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.
Zurich is a very walkable city. There are paths that lead along the rivers and the lake connecting the old town areas to other parts of the city.
For even more information, also check out Is Granada Worth Visiting? and Is Zurich Worth Visiting?.
In either Granada or Zurich, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Zurich than Granada because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Granada, and 2-5 days is enough time in Zurich.
Families should spend more time in Zurich than Granada. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Zurich, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Zurich than Granada. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Zurich that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Granada than Zurich 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.
Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Granada. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.
In Zurich, you'll find shopping and museums. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the shopping. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.
Granada is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the museums, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.
In Zurich, 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. One reason most visitors come is for the shopping. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Zurich has to offer.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Granada. Don't miss the museums, as that's what most people do. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
Zurich is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Zurich has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.
Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the beautiful destination of Granada. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Zurich. Many people enjoy the live music and food when visiting Zurich. One reason most visitors come is for the shopping. 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 Sightseeing Tours in Switzerland, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Switzerland.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Granada is €123, while the average daily cost in Zurich is €251. 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 Granada and Zurich in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Granada or Zurich? 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.
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.
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Granada are as follows:
Also for Granada, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Zurich:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zurich:
Prices for flights to both Zurich and Granada 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.
For Granada, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
For Granada, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Some typical examples of dining costs in Zurich are as follows:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zurich.
For Granada, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Zurich are as follows:
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Granada:
Also in Zurich, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Granada and Zurich, we can see that Zurich is more expensive. And not only is Granada much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Granada would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Granada 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 Zurich would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zurich than you might in Granada.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Granada Expensive? and Is Zurich Expensive?.
Zurich has a larger population, and is about 43% larger than the population of Granada. When comparing the sizes of Granada and Zurich, 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.
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.
The summer brings many poeple to Granada as well as Zurich. Most visitors come to Granada for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Zurich because of the music scene and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Granada is a little warmer than Zurich. Typically, the summer temperatures in Granada in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Zurich averages at about 21°C (70°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Zurich. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Granada this time of the year. In the summer, Granada often gets more sunshine than Zurich. Granada gets 348 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zurich receives 241 hours of full sun.
Granada usually gets less rain in July than Zurich. Granada gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Zurich and Granada are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Granada because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Zurich this time of year.
In October, Granada is generally a little warmer than Zurich. Daily temperatures in Granada average around 19°C (67°F), and Zurich fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Granada. Granada usually receives more sunshine than Zurich during autumn. Granada gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Zurich receives 120 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Granada usually receives less rain than Zurich. Granada gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Both Zurich and Granada during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Granada this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Zurich for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Zurich. Granada is much warmer than Zurich in the winter. The daily temperature in Granada averages around 12°C (54°F) in January, and Zurich fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).
In the winter, Granada often gets more sunshine than Zurich. Granada gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zurich receives 55 hours of full sun.
Granada usually gets more rain in January than Zurich. Granada gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Granada and Zurich. Many travelers come to Granada for the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Zurich in the spring for the natural beauty.
In the spring, Granada is a little warmer than Zurich. Typically, the spring temperatures in Granada in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Zurich averages at about 12°C (53°F).
In Granada, it's very sunny this time of the year. Granada usually receives more sunshine than Zurich during spring. Granada gets 220 hours of sunny skies, while Zurich receives 150 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Granada usually receives less rain than Zurich. Granada gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Granada | Zurich | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 12°C (54°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
Mar | 14°C (57°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
May | 19°C (66°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
Aug | 25°C (78°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
Sep | 23°C (74°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
Oct | 19°C (67°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
Nov | 15°C (60°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
Dec | 13°C (55°F) | 102 mm (4 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |