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

Should you visit Nantes or Zadar?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Nantes or Zadar, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Nantes

Nantes is a vibrant, welcoming, and friendly city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Zadar

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

Nantes and Zadar: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nantes or Zadar?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Zadar than Nantes. While Nantes is larger than Zadar, Zadar has more sights and attractions for tourists. Zadar is more popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and historical sights, while Nantes is known for its museums, food, nightlife, and shopping. Nantes is more touristy than Zadar and is popular for its castles and historical landmarks, local wine, and beautiful parks and gardens. Zadar is popular for its historical sights and waterfront setting. It is also home to the Sea Organ and the Sun Salutation.

How is Nantes different from Zadar?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Nantes 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.

Nantes offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city is filled with historical monuments, particularly in the Bouffay District. Highlights include Cathédrale Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul, Château des Ducs de Bretagne, and the Musée d'Arts de Nantes.

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 Nantes or Zadar? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Nantes is an amazing city to visit for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Zadar is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

For foodies, Nantes is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. The region lends itself to unique flavors with a great mix of seafood from the Atlantic, freshwater fish from the Loire, and dairy from the surrounding countryside. The region is also famous for its wine. Local dishes that you should try include Filet de Sandre au Beurre Blanc (fresh fish in butter sauce), Crepes Bretonnes (breakfast crepes), and Le Canard Nantais (duck with Muscadet wine).

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 Nantes or Zadar Better for Nightlife?

Nantes 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.

Nantes offers plenty to do in the evening. The large student population heavily influences the nightlife scene. You'll find a young vibe with a lot of bars and clubs to choose from, particularly around Île de Nantes.

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 Nantes or Zadar Better for Resorts?

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

Zadar is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. If you want a beachfront resort, there are a number of nice options outside of town.

Nantes is not a resort destination.

Is Nantes or Zadar Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Zadar is a nice place to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Nantes is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Zadar has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. 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.

Nantes is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Nantes or Zadar Better for Beaches?

Zadar is a very popular place for the beach. However, Nantes is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Zadar. 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.

Nantes is not a beach destination.

Is Nantes or Zadar Better for its Old Town?

Zadar is a very popular place for its historic old town charm. Also, Nantes is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its historic old town.

Many visitors go to Zadar to see the historical old town. 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.

Many visitors go to Nantes to see the historical old town. The city's old town is in the Bouffay District and it is filled with half-timbered houses and a maze of streets and shops.

Is the Shopping Better in Nantes or Zadar?

Nantes 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.

Nantes is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. There are impressive shopping streets, boutique stores, and grand shopping malls. Make sure you check out Rue Crébillon, Passage Pommeraye, and the shops around the Bouffay District. Talensac Market is also a historical covered market that you can explore.

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 Nantes or Zadar Better for Families?

Nantes is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Zadar is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Nantes is a very kid-friendly city. It's filled with gardens, museums, and theme parks, making it a great combination of fascinating activities for adults and kids alike. Some of the top kid-friendly activities include a visit to Machine of the Isle of Nantes (both a theme park and a museum), seeing a show at Le Lieu Unique, or experiencing Naudières Park (a smaller theme park). Kids will also enjoy seeing Goulaine Castle or wandering around Jardin Extraordinaire or the Botanical Gardens.

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 Nantes or Zadar Better for Couples?

Nantes and Zadar are both very good to visit as a couple.

Nantes makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There is a mix of both natural and historical beauty. Couples can enjoy a nice meal, stroll through one of the many parks and gardens, or even spend the day at the spa.

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 Nantes or Zadar Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Zadar is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Nantes is lacking in good options for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Zadar. There's no shortage of hostels in town and you'll find backpackers, students, and budget travelers everywhere.

Nantes is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There aren't as many hostels as you would expect in the area, so finding an affordable and social place to stay may be a bit challenging.

Is Nantes or Zadar Better for Students?

Zadar is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. Also, Nantes is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Zadar is a great town to visit as a student. 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.

Nantes is popular with students. There's a decent sized student population and the city has a welcoming atmosphere. It's also easy to get around with public transportation.

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

Nantes 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.

Nantes has some very good public transit options. There are both trams and buses throughout the city that are operated by TAN (Transport de l'Agglomeration Nantaise).

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

Is Nantes or Zadar a more walkable city?

Nantes and Zadar are very good when it comes to walkability.

Nantes is a very walkable destination. The city is very walkable. Both locals and tourists alike choose to walk in Nantes.

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 Nantes Worth Visiting? and Is Zadar Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Zadar or Nantes?

How long in Nantes or Zadar?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Zadar than Nantes 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 Nantes or Zadar?

In Nantes, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this vibrant destination offers. Lots of people come for the food. This city 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.

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the destination of Zadar. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Nantes or Zadar?

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

Zadar is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Nantes or Zadar?

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Zadar. 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. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Nantes or Zadar?

You'll find food and shopping around the friendly destination of Nantes. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the food. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the vibrant destination of Zadar. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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 10-Day Tours in France, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France, 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 Nantes and Zadar, we can see that Nantes 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 Nantes would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nantes 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 Nantes Expensive? and Is Zadar Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Nantes or Zadar?

Nantes has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Zadar. When comparing the sizes of Nantes 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 Nantes 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 Nantes or Zadar in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Nantes as well as Zadar. Many visitors come to Nantes in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Zadar for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Nantes is generally cooler than Zadar. Daily temperatures in Nantes average around 19°C (67°F), and Zadar fluctuates around 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 Nantes this time of the year. In the summer, Nantes often gets less sunshine than Zadar. Nantes gets 267 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zadar receives 345 hours of full sun.

Nantes usually gets more rain in July than Zadar. Nantes gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Zadar receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nantes or Zadar in the Autumn?

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

Nantes is cooler than Zadar in the autumn. The daily temperature in Nantes averages around 13°C (56°F) in October, and Zadar fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

It's quite sunny in Zadar. Nantes usually receives less sunshine than Zadar during autumn. Nantes gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Zadar receives 200 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Nantes usually receives around the same amount of rain as Zadar. Nantes gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Zadar receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Nantes or Zadar in the Winter?

Both Zadar and Nantes during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Nantes because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Zadar this time of year.

In the winter, Nantes is much colder than Zadar. Typically, the winter temperatures in Nantes in January average around 6°C (42°F), and Zadar averages at about 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Nantes often gets less sunshine than Zadar. Nantes gets 72 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zadar receives 128 hours of full sun.

Nantes usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Zadar. Nantes gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Zadar receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nantes or Zadar in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Nantes and Zadar. The natural beauty are the main draw to Nantes this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Zadar for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Nantes is generally cooler than Zadar. Daily temperatures in Nantes average around 11°C (51°F), and Zadar fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Zadar this time of the year. Nantes usually receives less sunshine than Zadar during spring. Nantes gets 187 hours of sunny skies, while Zadar receives 212 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Nantes usually receives less rain than Zadar. Nantes gets 50 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 Nantes