A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Salzburg vs. Dubrovnik for Food, Old Town, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Salzburg or Dubrovnik?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Salzburg or Dubrovnik, 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.

Salzburg

Salzburg is a musical, cultural, and recognizable city. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is a cultural, coastal, and historic coastal town. You'll find world class beauty here as well. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. Other popular activities here include beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Salzburg and Dubrovnik: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Salzburg or Dubrovnik?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Dubrovnik. Although Salzburg and Dubrovnik are popular destinations, Dubrovnik has more sights and attractions for tourists. Dubrovnik is very popular for its food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and hiking, while Salzburg attracts visitors for its music and shopping. Salzburg is famous for its elegant breakfasts, its classical music scene, and its role in the Sound of Music. Dubrovnik is famous for its well-preserved medieval old town that is surrounded by stone walls and has been the production sight for many major movies and television shows. It is also well known for The Old Town Walls.

How is Salzburg different from Dubrovnik?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Salzburg or Dubrovnik?

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Salzburg or Dubrovnik.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Salzburg can be an interesting and educational experience. There are many historic sights to explore including Mozart's birthplace, the Mozart Residence, the Salzburg Museum, and the many stunning churches and concert halls.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Dubrovnik. The old town is a living museum that is filled with historic landmarks like the old town walls, the Dubrovnik Cathedral and Treasury, and Loggia Square.

Is the Food Better in Salzburg or Dubrovnik? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dubrovnik is terrific for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Salzburg is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Dubrovnik is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. Restaurants are usually locally-sourced with fresh produce and seafood. Traditional local dishes include black risotto (made with squid ink), pašticada (a beef dish), and various pasta dishes.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Salzburg. The old town is filled with charming restaurants that serve local specialties including schnitzel, tafelspitz, and strudel. The city is also known for it's impressive breakfast spread that is often served on a three tiered cake stand and includes cheeses, salami, fresh fruit, pastries, olives, jams and more.

Is Salzburg or Dubrovnik Better for Nightlife?

Both Salzburg and Dubrovnik are nice when it comes to partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Salzburg. The city has a number of trendy bars, pubs, and clubs where you can enjoy music and a lively atmosphere.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Dubrovnik. There are many bars around town that take advantage of the unique architecture of the city. There are far less clubs, but for a drink in a laid back setting, you'll find plenty of options.

Is Salzburg or Dubrovnik Better for Music?

Salzburg is a must-visit destination for its music scene. However, Dubrovnik is not a live music destination.

Salzburg has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. Although most people think of Mozart and the Sound of Music when they think of this city, there are also many music festivals, including the famous Salzburg Music Festival, as well as concert venues and an independent music scene that is excellent.

Dubrovnik is not a live music destination.

Is Salzburg or Dubrovnik Better for Resorts?

Dubrovnik is a well-known place for its resorts. However, Salzburg is not a resort destination.

Dubrovnik is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. The old town is the most famous and charming part of the city, but you'll find most of the resorts spanning the coastline outside of town. Inside the old town there are a few boutique hotels and a number of rooms available for rent, but make sure you book early during peak seasons. For a resort, look outside of the old town with popular options including Hotel Dubrovnik Palace, the Hilton Imperial, and Rixos Premium.

Salzburg is not a resort destination.

Is Salzburg or Dubrovnik Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Dubrovnik is a moderate coastal town for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Salzburg is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Snorkeling is an option in Dubrovnik. On clear days, snorkeling can be a fun activity, but the weather and visibility can vary so conditions are unpredictable. Buža is a popular snorkeling spot in town, but you can also organize tours to other areas.

Salzburg is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Salzburg or Dubrovnik Better for Beaches?

Dubrovnik is a nice place to visit for the beach. However, Salzburg is not a beach destination.

Dubrovnik has a beach worth visiting. The old town is the main appeal of the area, but there are several beaches that are nice for taking a swim or sunbathing. They are often pebbly, but the water is blue and the views are beautiful.

Salzburg is not a beach destination.

Is Salzburg or Dubrovnik Better for its Old Town?

Salzburg and Dubrovnik both have fantastic historical old towns that attract visitors.

Salzburg has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. This beautiful old town is filled with cafes, restaurants, and churches. You can enjoy local music performed by street performers as you soak in the atmosphere and the regular chime of the church bells really gives the city personality. There are also frequent markets and shops to explore.

The old town of Dubrovnik is one of the most recognized in the world. This walled old town is among the most famous in Europe. It's sits beautifully along the coast and it is pedestrian only. You can spend plenty of time exploring the historic lanes, popping in shops and restaurants, and soaking up the charming atmosphere.

Is Salzburg or Dubrovnik Better for Hiking?

Dubrovnik is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Salzburg is not a hiking destination.

Dubrovnik is a popular spot for hiking. There are a number of hikes outside of town that take you along the dramatic coastal. The paths offer spectacular views back towards town or along the water.

Salzburg is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Salzburg or Dubrovnik?

Salzburg is a must-visit destination for its shopping areas. Also, Dubrovnik is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for shopping.

Many people travel to Salzburg specifically to go shopping. The city's historic heart is filled with boutique shops, chocolate markets, and charming local vendors. It's fun to peruse the many shops that line the streets while you shop for local souvenirs.

Dubrovnik is a great destination for shopping. The old town offers some nice boutique shops where you can buy designer clothes, jewelry, or trinkets.

Is Salzburg or Dubrovnik Better for Families?

Salzburg and Dubrovnik are both very good destinations for the whole family.

Salzburg is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids who know the Sound of Music will enjoy visiting the setting of a number of scenes from the movie. There are even popular Sound of Music tours that take you to the gardens where they sang "Do Re Mi" and out of town to the church where Maria married the Captain. The city also offers Marionette Puppet shows, cooking classes, castles and more around town that everyone can enjoy.

Dubrovnik is a very family-friendly destination. The city has nice beaches, beautiful hikes, and historic city walls that are fun to explore with kids. The food is also kid-friendly and the locals love meeting children.

Is Salzburg or Dubrovnik Better for Couples?

Salzburg and Dubrovnik are both fantastic to visit as a couple.

Salzburg has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. The town offers a romantic setting with elaborate breakfasts, beautiful architecture, live shows, and plenty that couples can enjoy. You can simply wander around old town or explore the many gardens around town. Couples will also enjoy the concerts and music that the city is so famous for.

Dubrovnik is a great city for couples, as it has plenty to offer. With its beautiful old town, nice beaches, and laid back atmosphere, this makes the perfect couple's getaway destination. Pop in a local restaurant and try the seafood before exploring the charming squares and historic buildings.

Is Salzburg or Dubrovnik Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Dubrovnik is terrific for backpackers. Also, Salzburg is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Dubrovnik is a very popular coastal town to visit for backpackers. It's not hard to find a room in a local's home near old town at an affordable price. The food is delicious and affordable as well, and you'll find plenty of other backpackers in town to hang out with.

Salzburg is very popular with the backpacker crowd. This is a popular city to visit, so there are plenty of amenities for backpackers. If you want to save a little money, you can stay and eat outside of old town where the prices are a little less.

Is Salzburg or Dubrovnik Better for Students?

Salzburg is a must-visit destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Dubrovnik is not popular with students.

Many students frequent Salzburg. International students appreciate the high quality of life, excellent educational opportunities and unique European setting that makes this city special. There are also a number of beautiful places just outside of town that you can explore, as well as many travel connections to other popular cities in Europe.

Dubrovnik is not popular with students.

Is Salzburg or Dubrovnik Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Salzburg is a great city for times when you don't have a car. Also, Dubrovnik is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for its public transit.

The public transit in Salzburg can get you to most places easily. Trolleys and buses make it easy to get around town.

Dubrovnik has a few public transit options. There are 12 bus lines that connect all parts of the city with the city center.

Is Salzburg or Dubrovnik a more walkable city?

Dubrovnik is terrific for its ease of walking around. Also, Salzburg is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its walkability.

It is easy to get around Dubrovnik on foot. The old town is completely pedestrian-only and you can also explore the city's historic walls on foot.

Salzburg is very walkable. The old town is very walkable, but if you stay outside of the main tourist areas, you'll likely want to take a bus.

For even more information, also check out Is Salzburg Worth Visiting? and Is Dubrovnik Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Dubrovnik or Salzburg?

How long in Salzburg or Dubrovnik?

In either Salzburg or Dubrovnik, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. In our opinion, Dubrovnik has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Dubrovnik than Salzburg. In general, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Salzburg, and 1-5 days is enough time in Dubrovnik.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Dubrovnik than Salzburg 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 Dubrovnik.

One day in Salzburg or Dubrovnik?

You'll find nightlife and live music around the quaint city of Salzburg. Visiting the old town is also a must. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

The beautiful coastal town of Dubrovnik offers food and shopping. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Salzburg or Dubrovnik?

You'll find live music and food around the musical destination of Salzburg. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Dubrovnik is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this coastal town makes for a great vacation. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Dubrovnik, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Salzburg or Dubrovnik?

You'll find food and shopping around the historic city of Salzburg. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

Dubrovnik is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Dubrovnik, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Salzburg or Dubrovnik?

Salzburg is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Dubrovnik is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that food is why people visit. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This coastal town offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Austria, The Best 10-Day Tours in Austria, The Best 2-Week Tours from Split, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Croatia.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Salzburg or Dubrovnik?

Salzburg has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Dubrovnik. When comparing the sizes of Salzburg and Dubrovnik, 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 Salzburg or Dubrovnik?

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 Salzburg or Dubrovnik in the Summer?

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

Salzburg is cooler than Dubrovnik in the summer. The daily temperature in Salzburg averages around 20°C (68°F) in July, and Dubrovnik fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

Salzburg usually gets more rain in July than Dubrovnik. Salzburg gets 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Dubrovnik receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Salzburg or Dubrovnik in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Salzburg is much colder than Dubrovnik. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Salzburg in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Dubrovnik averages at about 18°C (64°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Dubrovnik. In October, Salzburg usually receives less rain than Dubrovnik. Salzburg gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Dubrovnik receives 162 mm (6.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Salzburg or Dubrovnik in the Winter?

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

The weather in Salzburg can be very cold. In January, Salzburg is generally much colder than Dubrovnik. Daily temperatures in Salzburg average around -0°C (31°F), and Dubrovnik fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Dubrovnik gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Salzburg usually gets less rain in January than Dubrovnik. Salzburg gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Dubrovnik receives 139 mm (5.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Salzburg or Dubrovnik in the Spring?

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

Salzburg is cooler than Dubrovnik in the spring. The daily temperature in Salzburg averages around 11°C (51°F) in April, and Dubrovnik fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

Dubrovnik receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Salzburg usually receives less rain than Dubrovnik. Salzburg gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Dubrovnik receives 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Dubrovnik and Salzburg