A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Inverness vs. Zadar for Attractions, Food, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Inverness or Zadar?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Inverness and Zadar can help you decide which place is right for you.

Inverness

Inverness is a cultural, traditional, and local city. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Zadar

Zadar is a laid back, relaxed, and coastal town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Inverness and Zadar: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Inverness or Zadar?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Zadar than Inverness, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Zadar is better known for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, and impressive beauty, while Inverness is more popular for its museums, shopping, and small town charm. Inverness is more touristy than Zadar and is known for its surrounding countryside, but also its regional heritage, local festivals and proximity to the famous Loch Ness. Zadar is well known for its historical sights and waterfront setting. Also, Zadar is famous for the Sea Organ and the Sun Salutation.

How is Inverness different from Zadar?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Inverness is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Zadar is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

Inverness offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. As a city rich in culture and heritage, you'll find a number of sights and museums in town. Check out the Highland House of Fraser, Culloden Moor, and Clava Cairns.

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 Inverness or Zadar? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Inverness and Zadar.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Inverness. The city makes a great spot to fill your belly after a few days exploring the Scottish Highlands. You'll find local restaurants that serve up regional specialties, and when the weather's nice, there are some spots with outdoor seating.

Zadar has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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 Inverness or Zadar Better for Nightlife?

Both Inverness and Zadar are notable when it comes to partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Inverness. Nightlife isn't the first thing that comes to mind with this town, but there are actually lots of distilleries in the area and there's a surprising number of high quality bars and pubs that make for a fun evening.

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 Inverness or Zadar Better for Resorts?

Zadar is a well-known place for its resorts. However, Inverness is not a resort destination.

Vacationers can choose from a number of terrific resorts in Zadar. If you want a beachfront resort, there are a number of nice options outside of town.

Inverness is not a resort destination.

Is Inverness or Zadar Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Zadar is very good for its diving and snorkeling. However, Inverness is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's worth going snorkeling or scuba diving 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.

Inverness is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Inverness or Zadar Better for Beaches?

Zadar is a well-known place for the beache. However, Inverness is not a beach destination.

Zadar is a very popular place to visit for its 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.

Inverness is not a beach destination.

Is Inverness or Zadar Better for its Old Town?

Zadar is a well-known place for its old town. However, Inverness does not have a historic old town.

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.

Inverness does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Inverness or Zadar?

Inverness is a well-known place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Zadar is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its shopping areas.

Inverness is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The town is at the cultural heart of the Scottish Highlands you'll find plenty of local shops where you can pick up local products. Make sure you check out the Inverness Victorian Market.

Zadar has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are small, boutique shops around the old town that sell designer merchandise. There are also shopping malls on the outskirts of town.

Is Inverness or Zadar Better for Families?

You'll find notable kid-friendly activities in either Inverness or Zadar.

Inverness is a family-friendly place to visit. The city has some parks and activities that are great for kids. Make sure you explore Inverness Castle and the Inverness Mystery Treasure Trail.

Zadar is a family-friendly city. 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 Inverness or Zadar Better for Couples?

Zadar is a well-known place for its romantic activities. Also, Inverness is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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.

Inverness is a good city for couples to visit. Located in the Scottish Highlands, there ae many scenic spots and nice activities that couples can enjoy in the area.

Is Inverness or Zadar Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Zadar is a well-known place for backpackers. However, Inverness is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

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

Inverness is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There a some hostels and student hotels, but this isn't one of the major backpacker spots in the UK.

Is Inverness or Zadar Better for Students?

Zadar is a well-known place for students. However, Inverness is not popular with students.

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.

Inverness is not popular with students.

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

Zadar is very good for its public transit. However, Inverness is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

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

Public transit is mostly limited in Inverness. There are local buses that pass through the town.

Is Inverness or Zadar a more walkable city?

Inverness and Zadar both are great when exploring on foot.

Inverness is a very walkable city. It's compact enough that you can explore much of the town on foot.

Zadar is a very walkable destination. 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 Inverness Worth Visiting? and Is Zadar Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Zadar or Inverness?

How long in Inverness or Zadar?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Inverness or Zadar to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Inverness 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 Inverness, and 1-2 days is enough time in Zadar.

Families should spend more time in Zadar than Inverness. 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 Inverness. 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 Inverness 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 Inverness or Zadar?

In Inverness, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this local destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

You'll find nightlife and food around the town of Zadar. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Zadar has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Inverness or Zadar?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Inverness. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. 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.

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the laid back destination of Zadar. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Inverness or Zadar?

Inverness is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Inverness. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the laid back town of Zadar. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Inverness or Zadar?

You'll find food and shopping around the historic destination of Inverness. 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 choice for travelers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

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

Which is Bigger, Inverness or Zadar?

Zadar has a larger population, and is about 75% larger than the population of Inverness. When comparing the sizes of Inverness 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 Inverness or Zadar?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Inverness or Zadar in the Summer?

Both Zadar and Inverness are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Inverness for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Zadar because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.

Inverness is much colder than Zadar in the summer. The daily temperature in Inverness averages around 14°C (58°F) in July, and Zadar fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).

It's quite sunny in Zadar. Inverness usually receives less sunshine than Zadar during summer. Inverness gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Zadar receives 345 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Inverness usually receives more rain than Zadar. Inverness gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Zadar receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Inverness or Zadar in the Autumn?

Both Zadar and Inverness during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Inverness because of the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Zadar this time of year.

In the autumn, Inverness is much colder than Zadar. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Inverness in October average around 9°C (49°F), and Zadar averages at about 18°C (64°F).

In Zadar, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Inverness often gets less sunshine than Zadar. Inverness gets 84 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zadar receives 200 hours of full sun.

Inverness usually gets less rain in October than Zadar. Inverness gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Zadar receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Inverness or Zadar in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Inverness and Zadar. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Inverness this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Zadar for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Inverness in the winter. In January, Inverness is generally much colder than Zadar. Daily temperatures in Inverness average around 3°C (38°F), and Zadar fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Inverness usually receives less sunshine than Zadar during winter. Inverness gets 42 hours of sunny skies, while Zadar receives 128 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Inverness usually receives less rain than Zadar. Inverness gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Zadar receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Inverness or Zadar in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Inverness as well as Zadar. Many travelers come to Inverness for the small town charm. Also, many visitors come to Zadar in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

Inverness is much colder than Zadar in the spring. The daily temperature in Inverness averages around 7°C (44°F) in April, and Zadar fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Zadar. In the spring, Inverness often gets less sunshine than Zadar. Inverness gets 136 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zadar receives 212 hours of full sun.

Inverness usually gets less rain in April than Zadar. Inverness gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Zadar receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Zadar and Inverness