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

Should you visit Rouen or Zaragoza?

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

Should I visit Rouen or Zaragoza? 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 impressive, relaxing, and historical city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Zaragoza

Zaragoza is a cultural, historical, and compact 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.

Rouen and Zaragoza: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Rouen or Zaragoza?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Zaragoza than Rouen, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Rouen is popular for its architectural history, historical monuments, and sense of culture. Zaragoza is popular for its grand landmarks, local cuisine, and rich cultural scene. It is also home to the Basilica of Our Lady of Pilar.

How is Rouen different from Zaragoza?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Zaragoza 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 Zaragoza?

Zaragoza is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Rouen. 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.

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

Foodies will find both Rouen and Zaragoza both to be very good 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.

Zaragoza has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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.

Is Rouen or Zaragoza Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are good in both Rouen and Zaragoza.

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 Zaragoza. 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 Rouen or Zaragoza Better for its Old Town?

Zaragoza 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 Zaragoza. The old town is small but filled with monumental buildings and an authentic atmosphere.

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 Zaragoza?

Zaragoza is notable for its shopping opportunities. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping areas.

Zaragoza is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Rouen has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. 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.

Is Rouen or Zaragoza Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Rouen or Zaragoza.

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.

Zaragoza is a family-friendly city. 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 Rouen or Zaragoza Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Rouen and Zaragoza make for a very good 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.

Zaragoza makes for a fun place to visit for 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 Rouen or Zaragoza Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Zaragoza is a popular place for backpackers. However, Rouen is a mediocre city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Zaragoza. 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.

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 Zaragoza Better for Students?

Zaragoza is a popular place for students. However, Rouen is not popular with students.

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

Rouen is not popular with students.

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

Both Rouen and Zaragoza offer very good public transit options.

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.

The public transit in Zaragoza can get you to most places easily. There are buses and trams around the city.

Is Rouen or Zaragoza a more walkable city?

Rouen and Zaragoza both are very good when exploring on foot.

Rouen is a very walkable city. There are many parts of town that can easily be explored on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Zaragoza or Rouen?

How long in Rouen or Zaragoza?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Rouen and Zaragoza. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Zaragoza than in Rouen. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Rouen, and 1-3 days is enough time in Zaragoza.

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

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

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

One day in Rouen or Zaragoza?

The beautiful city of Rouen offers food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

In Zaragoza, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this compact destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city 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 Zaragoza?

Rouen 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. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Rouen, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

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

Rouen 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.

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

A week in Rouen or Zaragoza?

Rouen is a great place to explore. 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.

You'll find food and shopping around the historical destination of Zaragoza. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in France, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in France, The Best 2-Week Tours from Barcelona, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Spain.

When comparing the travel costs between Rouen 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 Rouen Expensive? and Is Zaragoza Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Rouen or Zaragoza?

Zaragoza has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Rouen. When comparing the sizes of Rouen 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 Rouen 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 Rouen or Zaragoza in the Summer?

Both Zaragoza and Rouen are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Rouen for the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Zaragoza in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Rouen is much colder than Zaragoza. Typically, the summer temperatures in Rouen in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Zaragoza averages at about 26°C (79°F).

It's quite sunny in Zaragoza. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Rouen. Rouen usually receives less sunshine than Zaragoza during summer. Rouen gets 241 hours of sunny skies, while Zaragoza receives 344 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Rouen usually receives more rain than Zaragoza. Rouen gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Zaragoza receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Rouen or Zaragoza in the Autumn?

Both Zaragoza and Rouen during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Rouen in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Zaragoza for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Rouen is generally cooler than Zaragoza. Daily temperatures in Rouen average around 12°C (53°F), and Zaragoza fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In the autumn, Rouen often gets less sunshine than Zaragoza. Rouen gets 127 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zaragoza receives 196 hours of full sun.

Rouen usually gets more rain in October than Zaragoza. Rouen gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Zaragoza receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rouen or Zaragoza in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Rouen and Zaragoza. Most visitors come to Rouen for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Zaragoza because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Rouen can be very cold during winter. Rouen is much colder than Zaragoza in the winter. The daily temperature in Rouen averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Zaragoza fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

Rouen usually receives less sunshine than Zaragoza during winter. Rouen gets 62 hours of sunny skies, while Zaragoza receives 131 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Rouen usually receives more rain than Zaragoza. Rouen gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Zaragoza receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Rouen or Zaragoza in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Rouen as well as Zaragoza. The spring months attract visitors to Rouen because of the natural beauty. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Zaragoza this time of year.

In the spring, Rouen is much colder than Zaragoza. Typically, the spring temperatures in Rouen in April average around 9°C (48°F), and Zaragoza averages at about 15°C (58°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Zaragoza. In the spring, Rouen often gets less sunshine than Zaragoza. Rouen gets 172 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zaragoza receives 217 hours of full sun.

Rouen usually gets more rain in April than Zaragoza. Rouen gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Zaragoza receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Zaragoza and Rouen