A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Oxford vs. Hvar for Nightlife, Backpackers, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Oxford or Hvar?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Oxford or Hvar, 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.

Oxford

Oxford is a scholarly, collegiate, and beautiful college town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. You'll find world class beauty here as well. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Hvar

Hvar is a beautiful, vibrant, and energetic island. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Oxford and Hvar: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Oxford or Hvar?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Hvar. Although Oxford and Hvar are popular destinations, Hvar has more sights and attractions for tourists. Hvar is very popular for its food, nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and hiking, while Oxford attracts visitors for its museums, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Hvar is more touristy than Oxford and is popular for its wild parties, beautiful buildings, and world class cuisine. It is also well known for Hvar Fort. Oxford is famous for being home to one of the world's most notable universities.

How is Oxford different from Hvar?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Oxford or Hvar?

Oxford is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Hvar is not as famous, but is still a good island to visit for its museums and history.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Oxford. This town is filled with culture, history, and world class museums. Check out the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, The Museum of Modern Art, Ashmolean Museum, or the Museum of Oxford.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Hvar. Wandering around the old town you'll see many historic buildings such as the Cathedral of St. Stephen. You can also visit the nearby Hvar Fort or explore the Franciscan Monastery.

Is the Food Better in Oxford or Hvar? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Hvar is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Oxford is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Hvar. It's an island, so you'll find no shortage of seafood in the restaurants. There's fish, crab, lobster, squid, and octopus on the menus around town. Many dishes are prepared with risotto or pasta and you'll find a lot of olive oil and wine.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Oxford. In addition to the typical British pubs and fish and chips shops, you'll find a wide diversity of ethnic food around town. Thai, sushi, Indian, and more are common dining options. Head to the Oxford Covered Market to try a traditional British breakfast or have some delicious ice cream.

Is Oxford or Hvar Better for Nightlife?

Hvar is very popular for nightlife. Also, Oxford is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Hvar is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. The island has a reputation as a party island, and it's well earned. Most of the activity is found in Hvar Town, particularly between the months of June and September. Young people flock to the island for the all night parties and wild beach bars and clubs.

Oxford is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. As a college town, you'll find an active nightlife scene with trivia nights and plenty of parties. There are pubs around town where you can grab a drink or find out if there's a concert while you're in town.

Is Oxford or Hvar Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Hvar is a nice place to visit for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Oxford is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Hvar has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. The water is clear and there are snorkeling day trips that leave from town. This is a great way to get out on the water and glimpse the undersea world.

Oxford is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Oxford or Hvar Better for Beaches?

Hvar is a very popular place for its beaches. However, Oxford is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Hvar. The island has hilly bays and coves that are fun to explore. The best beaches are found to the south and southwest of the island and many are pebbly or gravelly.

Oxford is not a beach destination.

Is Oxford or Hvar Better for Hiking?

Hvar is a nice place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Oxford is not a hiking destination.

Hvar has hiking trails worth exploring. There are a number of hikes on the island that cater to every skill level and take you through natural areas or past historic sights.

Oxford is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Oxford or Hvar?

Shoppers can find a variety of nice stores in both Oxford and Hvar.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Oxford. Shops around town offer the perfect opportunity to pick up some Oxford gear or by a few items from the Harry Potter franchise.

Hvar offers some nice shopping areas. In the town you'll find galleries, boutiques, jewelry shops and other beach stores. It's fun to pop in and look at the different items.

Is Oxford or Hvar Better for Families?

Hvar is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Oxford is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Hvar is a very family-friendly destination. There are adventure parks, water parks, and other fun activities for kids. There are also beaches where everyone can swim and sea kayaking trips. Hvar Observatory is also a unique and fun place to visit as a family.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Oxford. Families will enjoy taking a paddle boat out on the water and exploring the beautiful setting. There are also a number of sights that were influential in the making of Harry Potter. In particular, you'll find the inspiration for the "Great Hall" if you take a tour of Christ Church College. The tour must be booked in advance and they often sell out. Older kids will also enjoy exploring the Oxford University Museum of Natural History.

Is Oxford or Hvar Better for Couples?

Oxford and Hvar are both high quality to visit as a couple.

Oxford makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The beautiful campus and striking architecture make this a great destination for romance. Hire a boat and explore the water or wander through one of the impressive gardens.

Couples visit Hvar frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. There are some romantic hotels and beautiful beaches that make this a wonderful destination for couples. Anyone who enjoys a coastal setting with clear waters and a variety of water sports will enjoy their time here.

Is Oxford or Hvar Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Hvar is very popular for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Oxford is lacking in good options for backpackers.

Many backpackers frequent Hvar. The island has long been a popular stop with backpackers who enjoy the affordable prices, abundance of hostels, and active nightlife scene. You'll have no trouble meeting other travelers, particularly during the peak summer months.

Oxford is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a couple of hostels around town that offer affordable accommodation. As a college town, Oxford also has an active nightlife scene and a young crowd that keeps things affordable and fun.

Is Oxford or Hvar Better for Students?

Oxford is renowned for students. However, Hvar is not popular with students.

Oxford is a very popular college town for students. At its heart, Oxford is a college town and students are at the heart of the city and its culture.

Hvar is not popular with students.

Is Oxford or Hvar Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Oxford and Hvar.

Oxford has some public transit options. There are buses available if your legs get tired.

You'll find some public transit in Hvar, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Buses are operated by Cazmatrans Hva and they travel between the major municipalities.

Is Oxford or Hvar a more walkable city?

Oxford is notable for its high level of walkability. Also, Hvar is not as famous, but is still a good island to visit for its ease of walking around.

Oxford is a very walkable college town. The best way to explore most of the town is on foot, so you can soak up the full collegiate atmosphere.

Hvar is a somewhat walkable college town. Hvar Town can be explored on foot, but you'll need a vehicle to explore other parts of the island.

For even more information, also check out Is Oxford Worth Visiting? and Is Hvar Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Hvar or Oxford?

How long in Oxford or Hvar?

It's fun to spend time in either Oxford or Hvar. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Hvar due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Oxford, and 2-4 days is enough time in Hvar.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Hvar than Oxford 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 Hvar.

One day in Oxford or Hvar?

Oxford is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and shopping. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the destination of Hvar. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Oxford or Hvar?

Oxford is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Hvar is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Oxford or Hvar?

Oxford is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. This college town offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Hvar. Don't miss the nightlife, as that's what most people do. Most people come for the beaches. 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 Oxford or Hvar?

Because Oxford is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the beautiful destination of Hvar. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting 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 United Kingdom, The Best 3-Day Tours in United Kingdom, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Croatia, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Croatia.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Oxford or Hvar?

Oxford has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Hvar. When comparing the sizes of Oxford and Hvar, 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 Oxford or Hvar?

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 Oxford or Hvar in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Oxford as well as Hvar. The small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Oxford this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Hvar for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Oxford is much colder than Hvar. Typically, the summer temperatures in Oxford in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Hvar averages at about 26°C (80°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hvar. In the summer, Oxford often gets less sunshine than Hvar. Oxford gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hvar receives 345 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit Oxford or Hvar in the Autumn?

Both Hvar and Oxford are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Oxford for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Hvar in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Oxford is generally much colder than Hvar. Daily temperatures in Oxford average around 11°C (52°F), and Hvar fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

It's quite sunny in Hvar. Oxford usually receives less sunshine than Hvar during autumn. Oxford gets 107 hours of sunny skies, while Hvar receives 200 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Oxford usually receives less rain than Hvar. Oxford gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Hvar receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Oxford or Hvar in the Winter?

Both Hvar and Oxford during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Oxford in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Hvar for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Oxford can get quite cold in the winter. Oxford is much colder than Hvar in the winter. The daily temperature in Oxford averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Hvar fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Oxford often gets less sunshine than Hvar. Oxford gets 52 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hvar receives 128 hours of full sun.

Oxford usually gets less rain in January than Hvar. Oxford gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Hvar receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Oxford or Hvar in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Oxford and Hvar. Most visitors come to Oxford for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Hvar because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Oxford is much colder than Hvar. Typically, the spring temperatures in Oxford in April average around 9°C (48°F), and Hvar averages at about 15°C (59°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hvar this time of the year. Oxford usually receives less sunshine than Hvar during spring. Oxford gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Hvar receives 212 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Oxford usually receives less rain than Hvar. Oxford gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Hvar receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Hvar and Oxford