A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers La Spezia vs. Plitvice Lakes National Park for Food, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit La Spezia or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

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 La Spezia and Plitvice Lakes National Park. 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.

La Spezia

La Spezia is a convenient, cultural, and lively town. Other reasons to visit include shopping, nightlife, and food.

Plitvice Lakes National Park

Plitvice Lakes National Park is a scenic, world-famous, and spectacular national park. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the hiking.

La Spezia and Plitvice Lakes National Park: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in La Spezia or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

Travelers will usually find more to do in La Spezia. Although La Spezia and Plitvice Lakes National Park are popular destinations, La Spezia has more sights and attractions for tourists. La Spezia is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, beaches, historical sights, and shopping, while Plitvice Lakes National Park attracts visitors for its hiking and impressive beauty. Plitvice Lakes National Park is more touristy than La Spezia and is known for its stunning natural scenery which includes 16 beautiful terraced lakes. La Spezia is famous for being the gateway to Cinque Terre. It is also well known for The Maritime Museum.

How is La Spezia different from Plitvice Lakes National Park?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Plitvice Lakes National Park and La Spezia. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in La Spezia or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

La Spezia is adequate for its historical sights. However, Plitvice Lakes National Park does not have museums and landmarks.

While most people don't head to La Spezia specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. The highlight of the area is the surrounding natural beauty, but in town you can visit the Maritime Museum, The castle of San Giorgio, and The Amedeo Lia Art Museum.

Plitvice Lakes National Park does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in La Spezia or Plitvice Lakes National Park? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

La Spezia is great for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Plitvice Lakes National Park is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in La Spezia. The town has many local flavors that incorporate seafood and other local ingredients. Focaccia is popular, as is Farinata, which is a chickpea flour pancake. Anchovies and mussels are also common ingredients.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Plitvice Lakes National Park. You'll find a few tourist cafes near the lakes that serve grilled meats and other simple dishes. You can also grab a snack from the food stalls that are near the entrance to the park.

Is La Spezia or Plitvice Lakes National Park Better for Nightlife?

La Spezia is very good for nightlife. However, Plitvice Lakes National Park is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

If you're looking for night time activities La Spezia has a few options to choose from. You'll find more bars and clubs around town than you do in the smaller nearby towns. Some people head into La Spezia for the evening to grab a drink and socialize.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is La Spezia or Plitvice Lakes National Park Better for Beaches?

La Spezia is very good for its beaches. However, Plitvice Lakes National Park is not a beach destination.

Many people head to La Spezia to enjoy the beach. The beaches in the area tend to be rocky and pebbly. For the best beaches, head out of town to nearby areas.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is not a beach destination.

Is La Spezia or Plitvice Lakes National Park Better for its Old Town?

La Spezia is very good for its historic old town. However, Plitvice Lakes National Park does not have a historic old town.

La Spezia is a good destination for visiting its old town. The old town runs between the streets of Corso Cavour and Via Prione and is best explored on foot.

Plitvice Lakes National Park does not have a historic old town.

Is La Spezia or Plitvice Lakes National Park Better for Hiking?

Plitvice Lakes National Park is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, La Spezia is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Plitvice Lakes National Park. There are eight different walking routes that range in length from 3 kilometers to 18 kilometers. They take between 3 and 8 hours and are well marked.

La Spezia is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in La Spezia or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

La Spezia is very good for shopping. However, Plitvice Lakes National Park is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in La Spezia. There's a morning market at Piazza del Mercato as well as many clothing and souvenir shops around town.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is La Spezia or Plitvice Lakes National Park Better for Families?

Plitvice Lakes National Park is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, La Spezia is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Plitvice Lakes National Park is very family-friendly. It's a fun place to explore with kids, but if you're traveling with young ones, keep a close eye on them. Also take note that it's not stroller-friendly and make sure that you arrive early to avoid the crowds.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in La Spezia. Visitors often use La Spezia as a base for visiting nearby Cinque Terre. The surrounding region has many kid-friendly activities like hiking, swimming, and beaches.

Is La Spezia or Plitvice Lakes National Park Better for Couples?

La Spezia and Plitvice Lakes National Park both high quality destinations for a couple.

La Spezia makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It makes a nice base for visiting nearby sights if the more popular Cinque Terre area is too overwhelming.

Couples visit Plitvice Lakes National Park frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. It's a natural wonder that is beautiful and romantic to explore as a couple. It can get crowded, as it's a top tourist destination is Croatia, so make sure you arrive early to avoid the peak times.

Is La Spezia or Plitvice Lakes National Park Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

La Spezia and Plitvice Lakes National Park are both high quality destinations for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit La Spezia. It's more affordable than the nearby towns in Cinque Terre, but they're still easily accessible from town.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is a very popular town for backpackers and budget travelers. There are three hotels within the park and a handful of hostels nearby. There's also some camping options in the area.

Is La Spezia or Plitvice Lakes National Park Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

La Spezia is very good for times when you don't have a car. However, Plitvice Lakes National Park is not a good destination for its public transit.

While La Spezia offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. Buses, trains, and ferry boats offer the main forms of transportation in the area.

Public transit is generally limited in Plitvice Lakes National Park. There are several bus stops near the park but the bus service is infrequent and can involve long trips.

Is La Spezia or Plitvice Lakes National Park a more walkable city?

Plitvice Lakes National Park is very popular for its high level of walkability. Also, La Spezia is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Plitvice Lakes National Park. The park is well organized into several walking routes that can be explored in a few hours.

La Spezia is a very walkable destination. The town is easy to walk around and you'll find a pedestrian-only area downhill from the train station.

For even more information, also check out Is La Spezia Worth Visiting? and Is Plitvice Lakes National Park Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Plitvice Lakes National Park or La Spezia?

How long in La Spezia or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in La Spezia than Plitvice Lakes National Park. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in La Spezia that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in La Spezia than Plitvice Lakes National Park 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 La Spezia.

One day in La Spezia or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

In La Spezia, you'll find shopping and nightlife. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

You'll find around the national park of Plitvice Lakes National Park. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Plitvice Lakes National Park has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in La Spezia or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

La Spezia is a fun place to experience. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.

You'll find around the spectacular destination of Plitvice Lakes National Park. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this national park has to offer. This national park offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in La Spezia or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

You'll find food and shopping around the cultural destination of La Spezia. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. 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.

Travelers enjoy the when visiting the world-famous national park of Plitvice Lakes National Park. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in La Spezia or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

The lively town of La Spezia offers shopping and nightlife. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Italy, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Italy, The Best 10-Day Tours in Croatia, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Croatia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between La Spezia and Plitvice Lakes National Park, we can see that La Spezia is more expensive. And not only is Plitvice Lakes National Park much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Plitvice Lakes National Park would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Plitvice Lakes National Park 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 La Spezia would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in La Spezia than you might in Plitvice Lakes National Park.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is La Spezia Expensive? and Is Plitvice Lakes National Park Expensive?.