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

Should you visit Rouen or Zadar?

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

Should I visit Rouen or Zadar? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Rouen

Rouen is a charming, compact, and impressive 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 laid back, relaxed, and coastal 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 nightlife.

Rouen and Zadar: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Rouen or Zadar?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Zadar than Rouen. While Rouen is larger than Zadar, Zadar has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Rouen is more touristy than Zadar and is known for its architectural history, historical monuments, and sense of culture. Zadar is well known for its historical sights and waterfront setting. Also, Zadar is famous for the Sea Organ and the Sun Salutation.

How is Rouen different from Zadar?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Plenty of people visit the notable sights and museums in both Rouen and Zadar.

Rouen offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. You'll find the highest concentration of sights in the city's pedestrian zone. Highlights that you should check out include Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Rouen, Musée des Beaux-Arts, Abbatiale Saint-Ouen, and Aître Saint-Maclou.

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 Rouen or Zadar? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Rouen and Zadar both to be high quality destinations.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Rouen. There are many local specialties found in town. Make sure you try the Passe Crassane, which is a French pear. The town is also known for its cheese, chocolate, and pastries.

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 Rouen or Zadar Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are notable in both Rouen and Zadar.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Rouen. You'll find wine bars, trendy cocktail bars, and local pubs where you can grab a drink.

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 Rouen or Zadar Better for Resorts?

Zadar is notable for its resorts. However, Rouen is not a resort destination.

Zadar is known as a popular and fun resort destination. If you want a beachfront resort, there are a number of nice options outside of town.

Rouen is not a resort destination.

Is Rouen or Zadar Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Zadar is a popular place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Rouen is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Zadar has a few good snorkeling spots. 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.

Rouen is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Rouen or Zadar Better for Beaches?

Zadar is notable for the beache. However, Rouen is not a beach destination.

Zadar is considered a top beach destination. 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.

Rouen is not a beach destination.

Is Rouen or Zadar Better for its Old Town?

Zadar is notable for its old town. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its historic old town charm.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting 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.

Rouen has an old town worth visiting. The old town is where you'll find spectacular Gothic churches and the most charming streets.

Is the Shopping Better in Rouen or Zadar?

Both Rouen and Zadar are notable shopping destinations.

Rouen offers some nice shopping areas. Some of the city's best shopping is found along the Rue du Gros-Horloge in the old city center. You'll find independent boutiques and well as upscale vendors.

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 Rouen or Zadar Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Rouen or Zadar.

Rouen is a family-friendly place to visit. This beautiful city is filled with nice parks, free museums, and towers that offer views over the city. Kids will enjoy climbing the clocktower, eating pastries, or riding a bike around town.

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 Rouen or Zadar Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Rouen and Zadar make for a high quality place to visit.

Rouen is a very popular place to visit for couples. The beautiful city makes a great retreat for couples who enjoy good food and nice architecture. There are many hidden gems around town that make this a favorite French city for many couples.

Zadar makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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 Rouen or Zadar Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Zadar is notable for backpackers. However, Rouen is a mediocre city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Zadar is a great town to visit for backpackers. There's no shortage of hostels in town and you'll find backpackers, students, and budget travelers everywhere.

Rouen is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Backpackers may struggle to find a hostel with a social setting, but for those who make it here there are many beautiful things to see.

Is Rouen or Zadar Better for Students?

Zadar is notable for students. However, Rouen is not popular with students.

Zadar is a very popular town for students and younger travelers. 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.

Rouen is not popular with students.

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

Rouen 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.

Rouen has some very good public transit options. The city has two agencies that offer public transportation. Métro du Rouen is a tramway that runs north to south from Boulingrin in the north to Saint-Sever, where it branches off into two lines (one to Technopôle and one to Georges Braque). There are also buses and rail connections to town.

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

Is Rouen or Zadar a more walkable city?

Rouen and Zadar both are high quality when exploring on foot.

Rouen is a very walkable city. There are many parts of town that can easily be 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 Rouen Worth Visiting? and Is Zadar Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Zadar or Rouen?

How long in Rouen or Zadar?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Rouen or Zadar to fill your time. In our opinion, Zadar has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Zadar than Rouen. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

In Rouen, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this relaxing destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

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 Rouen or Zadar?

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

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 Rouen or Zadar?

Rouen is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Rouen. 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 Rouen or Zadar?

You'll find food and shopping around the relaxing destination of Rouen. 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 Vineyard & Wine Tours in France, The Best Food and Culinary 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 Rouen and Zadar, we can see that Rouen 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 Rouen would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rouen 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 Rouen Expensive? and Is Zadar Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Rouen or Zadar?

Rouen has a larger population, and is about 58% larger than the population of Zadar. When comparing the sizes of Rouen 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 Rouen or Zadar?

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 Rouen or Zadar in the Summer?

Both Zadar and Rouen are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Rouen because of the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Zadar this time of year.

Rouen is much colder than Zadar in the summer. The daily temperature in Rouen averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Zadar fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).

It's quite sunny in Zadar. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Rouen. Rouen usually receives less sunshine than Zadar during summer. Rouen gets 241 hours of sunny skies, while Zadar receives 345 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Rouen usually receives more rain than Zadar. Rouen gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Zadar receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Rouen or Zadar in the Autumn?

Both Zadar and Rouen during the autumn are popular places to visit. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Rouen this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Zadar for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Rouen is much colder than Zadar. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Rouen in October average around 12°C (53°F), and Zadar averages at about 18°C (64°F).

In Zadar, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Rouen often gets less sunshine than Zadar. Rouen gets 127 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zadar receives 200 hours of full sun.

Rouen usually gets less rain in October than Zadar. Rouen gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Zadar receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rouen or Zadar in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Rouen and Zadar. Many travelers come to Rouen for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Zadar in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Rouen. In January, Rouen is generally much colder than Zadar. Daily temperatures in Rouen average around 4°C (39°F), and Zadar fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Rouen usually receives less sunshine than Zadar during winter. Rouen gets 62 hours of sunny skies, while Zadar receives 128 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Rouen usually receives less rain than Zadar. Rouen gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Zadar receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Rouen or Zadar in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Rouen as well as Zadar. Many visitors come to Rouen in the spring for the natural beauty. Additionally, most visitors come to Zadar for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

Rouen is much colder than Zadar in the spring. The daily temperature in Rouen averages around 9°C (48°F) in April, and Zadar fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Zadar. In the spring, Rouen often gets less sunshine than Zadar. Rouen gets 172 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zadar receives 212 hours of full sun.

Rouen usually gets less rain in April than Zadar. Rouen gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Zadar receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Zadar and Rouen