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

Should you visit Heidelberg or Zadar?

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 Heidelberg and Zadar. 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.

Heidelberg

Heidelberg is a lively, charming, and scenic town. You'll find world class beauty here as well. This is an attractive and quaint destination worth visiting as well. And you can't forget about the food, shopping, and nightlife.

Zadar

Zadar is a vibrant, laid back, and relaxed town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Heidelberg and Zadar: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Heidelberg or Zadar?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Zadar than Heidelberg. While Heidelberg is larger than Zadar, Zadar has more sights and attractions for tourists. Zadar is more popular for its museums, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches, while Heidelberg is known for its nightlife, historical sights, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Heidelberg is more touristy than Zadar and is popular for its picturesque beauty, romantic atmosphere, and its classic old town. Zadar is popular for its historical sights and waterfront setting. It is also home to the Sea Organ and the Sun Salutation.

How is Heidelberg different from Zadar?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Zadar is a good destination for its historical sights. However, Heidelberg does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Heidelberg does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Heidelberg or Zadar? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Heidelberg and Zadar can be difficult as they are each superb in their own way.

Heidelberg has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The old town is filled with local restaurants that offer an assortment of traditional dishes. The restaurants offer a mix of outdoor and indoor seating and classic dishes include saumagen, lewwerkneedl, and dampfnudeln.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Zadar makes for a great culinary experience. 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.

Is Heidelberg or Zadar Better for Nightlife?

Heidelberg 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.

Heidelberg offers plenty to do in the evening. As a university town, you'll find a very young population and many bars, pubs, and nightclubs where you can hang out.

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 Heidelberg or Zadar Better for Resorts?

Zadar is a great town for its luxury resorts. However, Heidelberg is not a resort destination.

There are plenty of resorts in Zadar to choose from. If you want a beachfront resort, there are a number of nice options outside of town.

Heidelberg is not a resort destination.

Is Heidelberg or Zadar Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Zadar is a good destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Heidelberg is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery in Zadar. 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.

Heidelberg is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Heidelberg or Zadar Better for Beaches?

Zadar is a great town for the beach. However, Heidelberg is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Zadar for it's beautiful beaches. 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.

Heidelberg is not a beach destination.

Is Heidelberg or Zadar Better for its Old Town?

Heidelberg is an amazing town 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.

Heidelberg offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. The charming old town, or Altstadt, is lined with cafes that spill out onto the street and churches with bells that chime hourly. The area is filled with activity and there are many shops, ice cream vendors, and restaurants to choose from.

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 the Shopping Better in Heidelberg or Zadar?

If you're looking to go shopping, Heidelberg and Zadar both offer plenty of good spots.

Heidelberg has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. The pedestrian area is the best place to pass your time shopping. There are name brand stores mixed in with local independent shops which you'll mostly find on the side streets. Popular items to buy include wooden toys, Christmas decorations, and candy.

Zadar is a great destination for shopping. There are small, boutique shops around the old town that sell designer merchandise. There are also shopping malls on the outskirts of town.

Is Heidelberg or Zadar Better for Families?

Both Heidelberg and Zadar are good family-friendly destinations.

Heidelberg offers lots of family activities. With its many ice cream shops, playgrounds, and impressive castle, this city makes a nice stop for families with kids. The restaurants usually have a kid's menu and there are a number of kid-friendly museums and activities.

Zadar is a family-friendly place to visit. 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 Heidelberg or Zadar Better for Couples?

Heidelberg and Zadar both superb destinations for a couple.

Heidelberg is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. This beautiful city offers an impressive backdrop for a couple's getaway. The view from the castle looks out beautifully over the city and the old town has many excellent restaurants and activities that are great for couples.

Zadar is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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 Heidelberg or Zadar Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Heidelberg and Zadar are superb places to visit.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Heidelberg. Prices are reasonable and there are a handful of hostels around town. As a university town, you can be assured there are plenty of fun activities and cheap places to eat.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Zadar. There's no shortage of hostels in town and you'll find backpackers, students, and budget travelers everywhere.

Is Heidelberg or Zadar Better for Students?

Zadar is a great town for its student-friendly activities. Also, Heidelberg is not as popular, but is still a nice town for students.

Many students visit Zadar. 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.

Heidelberg is a good town to visit for students. It is a beautiful student town with a lot of activities for young visitors. This is not the most popular study abroad destination, but it does have a lot to offer for those who visit.

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

Heidelberg is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Zadar is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Heidelberg has some very good public transit options. There are trams and buses that connect the old town to the train station.

Zadar has some public transit options. There are 11 bus lines that travel around town.

Is Heidelberg or Zadar a more walkable city?

Heidelberg and Zadar are superb when it comes to walkability.

Heidelberg is a very walkable destination. The old town is particularly walkable.

Zadar is very walkable. 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 Heidelberg Worth Visiting? and Is Zadar Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Zadar or Heidelberg?

How long in Heidelberg or Zadar?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Heidelberg or Zadar to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Heidelberg than Zadar because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Heidelberg, and 1-2 days is enough time in Zadar.

Families should spend more time in Zadar than Heidelberg. 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.

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

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

One day in Heidelberg or Zadar?

In Heidelberg, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this charming destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

With food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the relaxed town of Zadar, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Zadar, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Heidelberg or Zadar?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Heidelberg. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town 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.

With scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the destination of Zadar, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.

Five days in Heidelberg or Zadar?

Heidelberg is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the quaint destination of Heidelberg. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Zadar, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Heidelberg or Zadar?

You'll find nightlife and food around the character-filled destination of Heidelberg. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Zadar is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Germany, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Germany, 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 Heidelberg and Zadar, we can see that Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg Expensive? and Is Zadar Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Heidelberg or Zadar?

Heidelberg has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Zadar. When comparing the sizes of Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg or Zadar in the Summer?

Both Zadar and Heidelberg during the summer are popular places to visit. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Heidelberg this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Zadar for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Heidelberg is generally cooler than Zadar. Daily temperatures in Heidelberg average around 21°C (69°F), and Zadar fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).

In Zadar, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Heidelberg. In the summer, Heidelberg often gets less sunshine than Zadar. Heidelberg gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zadar receives 345 hours of full sun.

Heidelberg usually gets more rain in July than Zadar. Heidelberg gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Zadar receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Heidelberg or Zadar in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Heidelberg and Zadar. Many travelers come to Heidelberg for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Zadar in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Heidelberg is cooler than Zadar in the autumn. The daily temperature in Heidelberg averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and Zadar fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Zadar this time of the year. Heidelberg usually receives less sunshine than Zadar during autumn. Heidelberg gets 102 hours of sunny skies, while Zadar receives 200 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Heidelberg usually receives less rain than Zadar. Heidelberg gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Zadar receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Heidelberg or Zadar in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Heidelberg as well as Zadar. Many visitors come to Heidelberg in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Zadar for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Heidelberg can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Heidelberg is much colder than Zadar. Typically, the winter temperatures in Heidelberg in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Zadar averages at about 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Heidelberg often gets less sunshine than Zadar. Heidelberg gets 38 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zadar receives 128 hours of full sun.

Heidelberg usually gets less rain in January than Zadar. Heidelberg gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Zadar receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Heidelberg or Zadar in the Spring?

Both Zadar and Heidelberg are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Heidelberg for the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Zadar because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Heidelberg is generally cooler than Zadar. Daily temperatures in Heidelberg average around 11°C (52°F), and Zadar fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

It's quite sunny in Zadar. Heidelberg usually receives less sunshine than Zadar during spring. Heidelberg gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Zadar receives 212 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Heidelberg usually receives less rain than Zadar. Heidelberg gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Zadar receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Zadar and Heidelberg