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

Should you visit Mainz or Zadar?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Mainz and Zadar can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Mainz

Mainz is a quaint, charming, and beautiful 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 food.

Zadar

Zadar is a relaxed, coastal, and vibrant town. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include beaches, shopping, and museums.

Mainz and Zadar: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Mainz or Zadar?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Zadar than Mainz. While Mainz is larger than Zadar, Zadar has more sights and attractions for tourists. Mainz is more touristy than Zadar and is popular for its quaint old town, Roman heritage, and beautiful town squares. Zadar is famous for its historical sights and waterfront setting. It is also well known for the Sea Organ and the Sun Salutation.

How is Mainz different from Zadar?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Spend time exploring the nice sights and museums in either Mainz or Zadar.

Mainz is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. It's an old university town with a number of historical sights. Check out the Church of St. Stephan, Mainz Cathedral, the Gutenberg Museum, and the Museum of Ancient Seafaring.

Zadar offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. 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 Mainz or Zadar? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Mainz. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes that serve local food. There are also wine taverns where you can sample the local wines and dine of regional specialties.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Zadar. 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 Mainz or Zadar Better for Nightlife?

Zadar is a town with good options for nightlife. However, Mainz is lacking in good options for nightlife and partying.

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.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Mainz. It's a sleepy little town, so even locals often head to bigger cities for better nightlife.

Is Mainz or Zadar Better for Resorts?

Zadar is a very popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Mainz is not a resort destination.

In Zadar, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. If you want a beachfront resort, there are a number of nice options outside of town.

Mainz is not a resort destination.

Is Mainz or Zadar Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Zadar is a town with good options for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Mainz is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life 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.

Mainz is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Mainz or Zadar Better for Beaches?

Zadar is a very popular place for its beaches. However, Mainz is not a beach destination.

The beaches at Zadar attract visitors from all over. 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.

Mainz is not a beach destination.

Is Mainz or Zadar Better for its Old Town?

Both Mainz and Zadar have excellent historic old towns worth visiting.

Mainz is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. Filled with beautiful squares and cobblestone streets, this is a nice old town in a pleasant city.

There are many historical things to see 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 Mainz or Zadar?

Shoppers can find a variety of nice stores in both Mainz and Zadar.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Mainz. Head to the boulevard of Am Brand near the cathedral for some of the town's best shopping. There are shops that line the street and it's a nice area to walk around.

Zadar offers some nice shopping areas. There are small, boutique shops around the old town that sell designer merchandise. There are also shopping malls on the outskirts of town.

Is Mainz or Zadar Better for Families?

Zadar is a town with good options for its kid-friendly activities. However, Mainz is lacking in good options for its family-friendly activities.

Zadar is a family-friendly town. 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.

Mainz doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. Kids will enjoy the Gutenburg Museum and the outdoor spaces where they can run around. There's also a nice old town that everyone will have fun exploring.

Is Mainz or Zadar Better for Couples?

Both Mainz and Zadar are excellent destinations for a couple's getaway.

Mainz makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Located on the Rhine River, this scenic setting is popular for river cruises. The town is nice to explore on its own, or you can hop around and take in several of the German river towns. You can also sit at outdoor cafes and sip local wine.

Couples visit Zadar frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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 Mainz or Zadar Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Zadar is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Mainz is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Zadar is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There's no shortage of hostels in town and you'll find backpackers, students, and budget travelers everywhere.

Plenty of backpackers visit Mainz. The town is popular with river cruises but you'll also find a hostel or two where budget travelers can save some money and meet other backpackers.

Is Mainz or Zadar Better for Students?

Both Mainz and Zadar are excellent destinations for students.

Students come from all over to stay in Mainz. It's a university town with a pleasant atmosphere and a beautiful setting.

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.

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

Mainz 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.

Mainz has some very good public transit options. There are regional trains that make it easy to use Mainz as a base to explore the area, or you could visit Mainz as a day trip from another nearby town.

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

Is Mainz or Zadar a more walkable city?

Mainz is an amazing town to visit for its high level of walkability. Also, Zadar is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its ease of walking around.

It is easy to get around Mainz on foot. The town is easily explored 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 Mainz Worth Visiting? and Is Zadar Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Zadar or Mainz?

How long in Mainz or Zadar?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Mainz or Zadar to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Mainz than Zadar because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Mainz, and 1-2 days is enough time in Zadar.

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

In Mainz, many people enjoy the food and shopping 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. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

In Zadar, many people enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling that this laid back destination offers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Mainz or Zadar?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Mainz. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Zadar. 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.

Five days in Mainz or Zadar?

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

Zadar is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Zadar. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Mainz or Zadar?

You'll find food and shopping around the beautiful destination of Mainz. 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the vibrant destination of Zadar. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Germany, The Best Hiking & Trekking 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 Mainz and Zadar, we can see that Mainz 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 Mainz would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Mainz 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 Mainz Expensive? and Is Zadar Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Mainz or Zadar?

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

The summer brings many poeple to Mainz as well as Zadar. Many travelers come to Mainz for the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Zadar in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Mainz is cooler than Zadar. Typically, the summer temperatures in Mainz in July average around 19°C (66°F), and Zadar averages at about 26°C (80°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Zadar. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mainz this time of the year. In the summer, Mainz often gets less sunshine than Zadar. Mainz gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zadar receives 345 hours of full sun.

Mainz usually gets more rain in July than Zadar. Mainz gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Zadar receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mainz or Zadar in the Autumn?

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

In October, Mainz is generally much colder than Zadar. Daily temperatures in Mainz average around 11°C (51°F), and Zadar fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

It's quite sunny in Zadar. Mainz usually receives less sunshine than Zadar during autumn. Mainz gets 103 hours of sunny skies, while Zadar receives 200 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Mainz usually receives less rain than Zadar. Mainz gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Zadar receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Mainz or Zadar in the Winter?

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

Mainz can be very cold during winter. Mainz is much colder than Zadar in the winter. The daily temperature in Mainz averages around 2°C (35°F) in January, and Zadar fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Mainz often gets less sunshine than Zadar. Mainz gets 41 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zadar receives 128 hours of full sun.

Mainz usually gets less rain in January than Zadar. Mainz gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Zadar receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mainz or Zadar in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Mainz is cooler than Zadar. Typically, the spring temperatures in Mainz in April average around 11°C (51°F), and Zadar averages at about 15°C (59°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Zadar this time of the year. Mainz usually receives less sunshine than Zadar during spring. Mainz gets 163 hours of sunny skies, while Zadar receives 212 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Mainz usually receives less rain than Zadar. Mainz gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Zadar receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Zadar and Mainz