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

Should you visit San Remo or Zadar?

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

Should I visit San Remo 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.

San Remo

San Remo is a relaxing, beautiful, and scenic coastal 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 beaches.

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.

San Remo and Zadar: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in San Remo or Zadar?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Zadar than San Remo, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. San Remo is more touristy than Zadar and is popular for its olives, lemons, and flower market. Zadar is popular for its historical sights and waterfront setting. It is also home to the Sea Organ and the Sun Salutation.

How is San Remo different from Zadar?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in San Remo or Zadar?

Zadar is a popular place for its museums and history. However, San Remo does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

San Remo does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in San Remo or Zadar? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both San Remo and Zadar.

San Remo has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The local restaurants are charming and sell a number of local specialties. Many traditional dishes are made with rabbit or chicken. There are also vegetable pies and sardenaira, which is a type of pizza that's made with tomatoes, garlic, and anchovies. Also make sure you pick up Baci di Sanremo, which are soft chocolate biscuits that are available in local bakeries.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Zadar makes for a great culinary experience. 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 San Remo or Zadar Better for Nightlife?

The good nightlife scene is relatively similar in San Remo and Zadar.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in San Remo. The city has a number of clubs and bars where you can enjoy a drink or hang out late into the evening. It's a pretty mellow nightlife scene, but there's still plenty of places to go as well as a local vibe that doesn't have the influx of tourists that you find in many of other Italian cities.

Zadar has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. 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 San Remo or Zadar Better for Resorts?

Zadar is a very popular place for its luxury resorts. However, San Remo 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.

San Remo is not a resort destination.

Is San Remo or Zadar Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Zadar is a popular place for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, San Remo 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.

San Remo is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is San Remo or Zadar Better for Beaches?

For a relaxing beach holiday, both San Remo and Zadar are high quality choices.

San Remo is considered a top beach destination. The beautiful sandy beaches are nice to visit and it's possible to rent chairs and umbrellas in many places. The main beach in town is Spiaggia dei Porti. Other popular nearby beaches include Spiaggia dei tre ponti, which is a large public beach, and Cala degli Orsi, which is one of the most beautiful public beaches in the area.

Zadar is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. 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.

Is San Remo or Zadar Better for its Old Town?

It's fun to wander around the high quality old towns in both San Remo and Zadar.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting San Remo. The old quarter of Pigna is a Medieval area with narrow streets that feel as if they're frozen in time. The hills offer impressive city views and the area has a unique historic character.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of 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.

Is the Shopping Better in San Remo or Zadar?

Shoppers can find a variety of good stores in both San Remo and Zadar.

San Remo has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are local and international brands as well as a shopping mall and outlets where you can enjoy shopping.

Zadar is a great destination for shopping. There are small, boutique shops around the old town that sell designer merchandise. There are also shopping malls on the outskirts of town.

Is San Remo or Zadar Better for Families?

San Remo 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.

San Remo is a very kid-friendly coastal city. The area offers plenty of outdoor activities that the whole family will enjoy. There's horseback riding, hiking, rowing, snorkeling, cooking classes, farm tours and more. There are also a number of hotels in the area that have kid-friendly activities.

Zadar is a family-friendly coastal 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 San Remo or Zadar Better for Couples?

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

San Remo makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's known as the city of flowers, and the many beautiful gardens make this a truly romantic place to visit. Couples will enjoy soaking up the city's history and enjoy the vibrant culture and outdoor activities that are available.

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 San Remo or Zadar Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Zadar is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, San Remo 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.

San Remo is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There aren't many hostels in town, and most backpackers head to more popular Italian destinations. If you're looking for a more off-the-beaten path destination, then this may be your style.

Is San Remo or Zadar Better for Students?

Zadar is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, San Remo 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.

San Remo is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find good public transit in both San Remo and Zadar.

San Remo has some public transit options. There are local buses around town.

You'll find some public transit in Zadar, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are 11 bus lines that travel around town.

Is San Remo or Zadar a more walkable city?

San Remo and Zadar are high quality when it comes to walkability.

San Remo is a very walkable destination. The old quarter is fun to explore on foot and there are a number of walking tours through town.

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 San Remo Worth Visiting? and Is Zadar Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Zadar or San Remo?

How long in San Remo or Zadar?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in San Remo 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 San Remo. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Couples should spend more time in Zadar than San Remo. 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 San Remo 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 San Remo or Zadar?

In San Remo, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this authentic destination offers. It's also a great beach destination, too. This coastal city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

The beautiful town of Zadar offers museums and nightlife. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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 San Remo or Zadar?

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

Zadar is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this 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 Zadar, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in San Remo or Zadar?

San Remo is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of San Remo. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Zadar 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.

A week in San Remo or Zadar?

You'll find nightlife and food around the beautiful destination of San Remo. Most people come for the beaches. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Zadar is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Italy, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy, 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 San Remo and Zadar, we can see that San Remo 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 San Remo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Remo 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 San Remo Expensive? and Is Zadar Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, San Remo or Zadar?

Zadar has a larger population, and is about 41% larger than the population of San Remo. When comparing the sizes of San Remo 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 San Remo 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 San Remo or Zadar in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to San Remo as well as Zadar. The summer months attract visitors to San Remo because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Zadar this time of year.

In July, San Remo is generally cooler than Zadar. Daily temperatures in San Remo average around 23°C (73°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 San Remo this time of the year. In the summer, San Remo often gets less sunshine than Zadar. San Remo gets 295 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zadar receives 345 hours of full sun.

San Remo usually gets less rain in July than Zadar. San Remo gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Zadar receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit San Remo or Zadar in the Autumn?

Both Zadar and San Remo are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to San Remo this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Zadar for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

San Remo is around the same temperature as Zadar in the autumn. The daily temperature in San Remo averages around 17°C (63°F) in October, and Zadar fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

It's quite sunny in Zadar. San Remo usually receives less sunshine than Zadar during autumn. San Remo gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Zadar receives 200 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in San Remo. In October, San Remo usually receives more rain than Zadar. San Remo gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Zadar receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit San Remo or Zadar in the Winter?

Both Zadar and San Remo during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to San Remo for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Zadar in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, San Remo is around the same temperature as Zadar. Typically, the winter temperatures in San Remo in January average around 9°C (48°F), and Zadar averages at about 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, San Remo often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Zadar. San Remo gets 127 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zadar receives 128 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit San Remo or Zadar in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both San Remo and Zadar. Many visitors come to San Remo in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Zadar for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, San Remo is generally cooler than Zadar. Daily temperatures in San Remo average around 13°C (56°F), and Zadar fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Zadar this time of the year. San Remo usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Zadar during spring. San Remo gets 198 hours of sunny skies, while Zadar receives 212 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, San Remo usually receives around the same amount of rain as Zadar. San Remo gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Zadar receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Zadar and San Remo