Which place is cheaper, Bled or Zadar?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Zadar or Bled?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Zadar or Bled? 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.
Where Should I go: Zadar or Bled?
Zadar
You'll find Zadar in northern Dalmatia, Croatia. It is located on the Adriatic Sea and is the center of Zadar County. It is both the historic center for the region and the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Zadar. There are a handful of sights around town, most of which can be explored on foot.
The climate for the city is a mix between humid subtropical and a Mediterranean climate. The winters are usually mild and wet, and the summers are humid and warm. The hottest months are July and August when temperatures can exceed 30 degrees Celsius. Average yearly rainfall usually exceeds 917 mm. Fall months often remain warm and temperatures are often around 30 degrees Celsius as well. In general, the temperatures rarely drop below freezing, even during the coldest month of January. The rainiest months are October and November, although winter is considered the wet season. July is usually the driest month. Water temperatures are around 25 degrees Celsius in July and August and it may be possible to swim any time between May and October.
Bled
Bled is an incredibly scenic place, on the east side of Lake Bled. The lake is a beautiful, rich, emerald green. There's a small island in the middle of the lake where you'll find a nice white chapel. The lake is surrounded by striking green mountains, among which you'll find the Bled Castle overlooking the scene. Bled also offers access to the nearby Triglav National Park, a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and adrenaline junkies. Within the national park you'll find countless waterfalls and the lovely Lake Bohinj. You can find plenty of opportunities for mountain climbing, rafting, and hiking. There's even a cable car if you're looking for an easy way to get some good views of the mountains and landscape.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Croatia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Croatia, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Ljubljana, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Ljubljana.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZadar $95Bled $112
The average daily cost (per person) in Zadar is $95, while the average daily cost in Bled is $112. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Zadar and Bled in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZadar $54Bled $60
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZadar $108Bled $120
Compare Hotels in Zadar and Bled
Looking for a hotel in Zadar or Bled? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Zadar Hotel Prices and Bled Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zadar $10Bled $37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zadar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zadar:
- private transfer from Trogir to Zadar airport/Zadar: $312
- Private Transfer to/from Zadar Airport (ZAD): $71
- Private Transfer to/from Zadar Airport: $46
- Plitvice Lakes: Transfer Tour with pro photographer: $428
- Zadar hotels to Split Airport (SPU) - Departure Private Transfer: $55
- Zadar Airport: Private Transfer to/from Zaton Holiday Resort: $77
- Zadar Airport: Private Transfer to/from The Garden, Tisno: $152
- Zadar Airport: Private Transfer to/from Petrcane: $70
- Zadar Airport: Private Transfer to or from Vir Island: $106
- Zadar Airport to Novalja Private Transfer: $240
- Zadar Airport Private Transfer: Makarska/Tucepi/Baska Voda: $459
- Transfer from Zadar airport to Vir: $63
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bled
Also for Bled, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Bohinj to Ljubljana Airport (LJU): $165
- Private transfer from Tolmin to Ljubljana city: $206
Is it cheaper to fly into Zadar or Bled?
Prices for flights to both Bled and Zadar change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayZadar $30Bled $30
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zadar
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zadar.
- Small Group Cooking Class: $39
- Private City Tour and Cooking Class: $96
- Gourmet Sunset dinner on board: $218
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bled
For Bled, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Food Tour Bled - Explore Slovenia Through Its Tastes: $130
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zadar $20Bled $13
Tours and Activities in Zadar
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Zadar are as follows:
- Panorama guided Zadar Eco Tuk Tuk tour: $53
- Private boat tour to the islands of Zadar with snorkeling equipment: $240
- Sunset boat Tour in Zadar: $44
- Šibenik and Zadar private tour from Split or Trogir: $166
- 2 Hour Quad ATV Mountain Adventure in Starigrad: $130
- 2 Hour Sunset Boat Tour in Zadar Coast: $32
- 3 Islands Boat and Snorkeling tour with Fruits and Prosecco: $43
- 3-Hour Zadar Food Tasting Tour: $97
- Adriatic Breeze - Kornati Speedboat and Sailing Tour: $338
- Be a Local: Private Tour from Olive Harvest to Culinary Delight: $218
- Boat Tour around Zadar Islands with snorkeling during half day excursion: $55
- Daysailing & SUP experience: $98
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bled
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Bled's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Rafting$99
Tours and Activities in Bled
For Bled, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- From Self-Guided E-Bike Tour to Vintgar Gorge: $42
- From Self-Guided E-Bike Tour to Vintgar Gorge: $53
- Motorcycle Tours in Slovenia: $55
- Bled Slovenia: 3–Hour Rafting Experience: $59
- Lake Sava River Rafting Experience with Hotel Pickup: $59
- 3-Hour Family-Friendly Rafting Adventure: $59
- Lake Bled Stand-Up Paddle Boarding Tour: $63
- From Ljubljana: Lake Bled and Bled Castle Tour: $65
- Winter Triglav National Park Adventure - Half day trip from Bled: $71
- Guided Kayaking Tour in a Transparent Kayak: $74
- Guided Clear Kayak Tour in Bled: $75
- Lake Bled Stand-Up Paddle Boarding Lesson and Tour: $75
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZadar $12Bled $15
Sample the Local Flavors in Zadar
Also in Zadar, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Krka Waterfalls, Food & Wine Tasting, & Old Town Tour: $52
- Krka Waterfalls, Food & Wine Tasting, Boat Ride & Zadar Old Town: $53
- Craft Gin and exclusive brandies in unique distillery: $60
- Wine Tasting with Finger Food: $64
- Private City and Wine Tour in Zadar with Eco Tuk Tuk: $98
Typical Alcohol Prices in Bled
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Bled are as follows:
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Bottle of Champagne$19
Sample the Local Flavors in Bled
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Bled:
- Slovenian wine tasting at Hotel Triglav Bled's wine cellar: $43
- Wine Tasting Bled: $62
- 2-Hour Interactive Wine Tasting Experience in Bled: $63
- Wine Tasting Experience in Bled: $64
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zadar and Bled, we can see that Bled 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 Bled would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bled 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 Zadar Expensive? and Is Bled Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zadar or Bled?
Zadar has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Bled. When comparing the sizes of Zadar and Bled, 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 Zadar or Bled?
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 Zadar or Bled in the Summer?
Both Bled and Zadar during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Zadar in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Zadar is generally around the same temperature as Bled. Daily temperatures in Zadar average around 26°C (80°F), and Bled fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
In Bled, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Zadar. In the summer, Zadar often gets more sunshine than Bled. Zadar gets 345 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bled receives 288 hours of full sun.
Zadar usually gets less rain in July than Bled. Zadar gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Bled receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyZadar 26°C (80°F)Bled 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Zadar or Bled in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Zadar and Bled. Most visitors come to Zadar for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
Zadar is a little warmer than Bled in the autumn. The daily temperature in Zadar averages around 18°C (64°F) in October, and Bled fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
In Zadar, it's very sunny this time of the year. Zadar usually receives more sunshine than Bled during autumn. Zadar gets 200 hours of sunny skies, while Bled receives 167 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Zadar usually receives less rain than Bled. Zadar gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Bled receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberZadar 18°C (64°F)Bled 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Zadar or Bled in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Zadar as well as Bled. The winter months attract visitors to Zadar because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Zadar is much warmer than Bled. Typically, the winter temperatures in Zadar in January average around 8°C (47°F), and Bled averages at about 5°C (41°F).
In the winter, Zadar often gets more sunshine than Bled. Zadar gets 128 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bled receives 96 hours of full sun.
Zadar usually gets more rain in January than Bled. Zadar gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Bled receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryZadar 8°C (47°F)Bled 5°C (41°F)
Should I visit Zadar or Bled in the Spring?
Both Bled and Zadar are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Zadar this time of year.
In April, Zadar is generally a little warmer than Bled. Daily temperatures in Zadar average around 15°C (59°F), and Bled fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Zadar. Zadar usually receives more sunshine than Bled during spring. Zadar gets 212 hours of sunny skies, while Bled receives 177 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Zadar usually receives less rain than Bled. Zadar gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Bled receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilZadar 15°C (59°F)Bled 13°C (56°F)
Typical Weather for Bled and Zadar
| Zadar | Bled | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 8°C (47°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Feb | 9°C (48°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Mar | 11°C (52°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (59°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| May | 20°C (67°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jun | 23°C (74°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |
| Jul | 26°C (80°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (64°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (56°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) |
| Dec | 10°C (49°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.