A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Montpellier vs. Zaragoza for Old Town, Attractions, Food, and Couples

Should you visit Montpellier or Zaragoza?

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 Montpellier and Zaragoza. 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.

Montpellier

Montpellier is a friendly, historic, and vibrant city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include museums, nightlife, and food.

Zaragoza

Zaragoza is a compact, authentic, and cultural city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Montpellier and Zaragoza: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Montpellier or Zaragoza?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Montpellier than Zaragoza. While Zaragoza is larger than Montpellier, Montpellier has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Montpellier is very popular for its beaches and historical sights, while Zaragoza attracts visitors for its food. Montpellier is famous for its relaxed atmosphere, grand boulevards, and authentic personality. It is also well known for The Place de la Comédie. Zaragoza is famous for its grand landmarks, local cuisine, and rich cultural scene.

How is Montpellier different from Zaragoza?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Montpellier or Zaragoza?

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Montpellier or Zaragoza.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Montpellier. With such a long history, the city has many landmarks and monuments. Also make sure you visit Musée Fabre and Saint-Pierre Cathedral.

Zaragoza offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. For such a small city, it really has a large number of cultural and historical attractions. The Basilica of Our Lady of Pilar is the most recognizable sight, but there's also the Museum of the Roman Forum of Caesaraugusta, the cathedral of Zaragoza, and the Aljafería Palace, among others.

Is the Food Better in Montpellier or Zaragoza? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Zaragoza is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Montpellier is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Dining out in Zaragoza is an experience not to be missed. There are authentic restaurants that cater to locals and tourists alike. You'll also find some interesting food tours around town. Tapas are popular, as is chocolate and fresh, traditional recipes.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Montpellier. The dishes are made with fresh ingredients produced in the agricultural areas just outside of town. The area is known for its seafood and fish stews.

Is Montpellier or Zaragoza Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Montpellier or Zaragoza has a better nightlife scene.

Montpellier has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The weather is mild, making for a nice evening out. The population is also young, so you can expect a lot of activity during the evenings, particularly in the area around Place Jean Jaurés. Make sure you enjoy local wine and champagne while you're in town.

If you're looking for night time activities Zaragoza has a few options to choose from. The nightlife is at its best on weekends, when students and young locals head out on the town. Many evenings start with tapas and wine, but there are nightclubs and dancing as well.

Is Montpellier or Zaragoza Better for Beaches?

Montpellier is notable for the beach. However, Zaragoza is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Montpellier. The coastline near Montpellier feels pristine and beautiful. You can also visit Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone to the southwest of town, which is a protected area.

Zaragoza is not a beach destination.

Is Montpellier or Zaragoza Better for its Old Town?

Montpellier is an amazing city to visit for its historic old town charm. Also, Zaragoza is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its historic old town.

Montpellier offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. Known as L'Écusson the town's old town dates back to the Middle Ages. It is a pedestrian area that is filled with boutiques, restaurants, and churches.

Zaragoza is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The old town is small but filled with monumental buildings and an authentic atmosphere.

Is the Shopping Better in Montpellier or Zaragoza?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Zaragoza and Montpellier.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Montpellier. Head to Rue de la Loge for some of the city's best shopping.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Zaragoza. The city has many local shops selling locally produced items and interesting souvenirs. There are also boutiques, markets, and vintage shops that are fun to browse though.

Is Montpellier or Zaragoza Better for Families?

Both Montpellier and Zaragoza are nice family-friendly destinations.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Montpellier. Popular activities for kids include taking a ride on the carousel in the Comedie, visiting the playground - Jardin Champs de Mars, and visiting the botanical garden - Jardin des Plantes.

Zaragoza offers lots of family activities. When your kids get their fill of architecture and history, you can head to the Zaragoza Aquarium. Also worth a visit is the Emoz Museum, which is an origami museum. And if you need a break from sightseeing, take a kayak out on the Ebro River.

Is Montpellier or Zaragoza Better for Couples?

Montpellier and Zaragoza both great destinations for a couple.

Couples visit Montpellier frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Rich in history and beautiful architecture, this city offers a romantic setting for a great couple's getaway.

Zaragoza is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Filled with culture, beauty, and monumental buildings, this is a small and romantic city. It's particularly romantic at night when the streets are quiet and many of the buildings are lit up.

Is Montpellier or Zaragoza Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Montpellier is notable for backpackers. Also, Zaragoza is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Montpellier is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. With a young population and a number of hostels to choose from, Montpellier attracts its share of backpackers.

Zaragoza is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are enough hostels around town to choose from, and while it's not the backpacker haven that some Spanish cities are, it still sees a good number of young travelers.

Is Montpellier or Zaragoza Better for Students?

Montpellier is an amazing city to visit for students. Also, Zaragoza is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Montpellier is a great destination for students. Montpellier is a popular university town that is home to many trendy university students. It's also where you'll find the youngest population of any city in France.

Plenty of students visit Zaragoza. International students enjoy this small city because it has a local vibe where they can practice their Spanish and enjoy an authentic experience.

Is Montpellier or Zaragoza Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Montpellier and Zaragoza.

The public transit in Montpellier can get you to most places easily. There are a number of options for getting around town including the tramway, bus, and tourist train.

Visitors to Zaragoza can move around easily with public transportation. There are buses and trams around the city.

Is Montpellier or Zaragoza a more walkable city?

Montpellier and Zaragoza both are great when exploring on foot.

Montpellier is a very walkable destination. Many of the sights and attractions are easily accessible on foot and can be enjoyed as part of a self-guided walking tour.

Zaragoza is very walkable. The city center is very walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Montpellier Worth Visiting? and Is Zaragoza Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Zaragoza or Montpellier?

How long in Montpellier or Zaragoza?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Montpellier and Zaragoza. In our opinion, Montpellier has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Montpellier than Zaragoza. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Montpellier than Zaragoza 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 Montpellier.

One day in Montpellier or Zaragoza?

The beautiful city of Montpellier offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the compact city of Zaragoza. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Montpellier or Zaragoza?

Montpellier is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Montpellier, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the authentic destination of Zaragoza. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Montpellier or Zaragoza?

Montpellier is a popular choice for travelers. 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

The historical city of Zaragoza offers shopping and museums. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Montpellier or Zaragoza?

Montpellier is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Zaragoza. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France, The Best 2-Week Tours in France, The Best 2-Week Tours from Barcelona, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Spain.

When comparing the travel costs between Montpellier and Zaragoza, we can see that Zaragoza is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Montpellier Expensive? and Is Zaragoza Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Montpellier or Zaragoza?

Zaragoza has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Montpellier. When comparing the sizes of Montpellier and Zaragoza, 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 Montpellier or Zaragoza?

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 Montpellier or Zaragoza in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Montpellier and Zaragoza. Many visitors come to Montpellier in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Zaragoza for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Montpellier is cooler than Zaragoza in the summer. The daily temperature in Montpellier averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Zaragoza fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Zaragoza this time of the year. In Montpellier, it's very sunny this time of the year. Montpellier usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Zaragoza during summer. Montpellier gets 351 hours of sunny skies, while Zaragoza receives 344 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Montpellier usually receives more rain than Zaragoza. Montpellier gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Zaragoza receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Montpellier or Zaragoza in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Montpellier as well as Zaragoza. Most visitors come to Montpellier for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Zaragoza because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Montpellier is cooler than Zaragoza. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Montpellier in October average around 15°C (60°F), and Zaragoza averages at about 17°C (63°F).

In the autumn, Montpellier often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Zaragoza. Montpellier gets 187 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zaragoza receives 196 hours of full sun.

Montpellier receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Montpellier usually gets more rain in October than Zaragoza. Montpellier gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Zaragoza receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Montpellier or Zaragoza in the Winter?

Both Zaragoza and Montpellier are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Montpellier because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Zaragoza this time of year.

In January, Montpellier is generally cooler than Zaragoza. Daily temperatures in Montpellier average around 7°C (44°F), and Zaragoza fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

Montpellier usually receives more sunshine than Zaragoza during winter. Montpellier gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Zaragoza receives 131 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Montpellier usually receives more rain than Zaragoza. Montpellier gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Zaragoza receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Montpellier or Zaragoza in the Spring?

Both Zaragoza and Montpellier during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Montpellier this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Zaragoza for the natural beauty.

Montpellier is cooler than Zaragoza in the spring. The daily temperature in Montpellier averages around 13°C (55°F) in April, and Zaragoza fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

In Zaragoza, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Montpellier. In the spring, Montpellier often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Zaragoza. Montpellier gets 230 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zaragoza receives 217 hours of full sun.

Montpellier usually gets more rain in April than Zaragoza. Montpellier gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Zaragoza receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Zaragoza and Montpellier