A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Zadar vs. Mont-Saint-Michel for Attractions, Couples, Food, and Backpackers

Should you visit Zadar or Mont-Saint-Michel?

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

Should I visit Zadar or Mont-Saint-Michel? 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.

Zadar

Zadar is a coastal, vibrant, and laid back 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.

Mont-Saint-Michel

Mont-Saint-Michel is a historic, breathtaking, and inspiring island. You'll find world class beauty here as well. And you can't forget about the hiking, museums, and food.

Zadar and Mont-Saint-Michel: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Zadar or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Zadar than Mont-Saint-Michel, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Zadar is better known for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, and shopping, while Mont-Saint-Michel is more popular for its museums, hiking, and impressive beauty. Mont-Saint-Michel is more touristy than Zadar and is known for its Gothic-style abbey and its medieval village that stands at its base. 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 Zadar different from Mont-Saint-Michel?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Zadar or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Mont-Saint-Michel is an amazing island to visit for its sights and museums. Also, Zadar is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Mont-Saint-Michel are among the most recognizable in the world. Visitors come to see the iconic Abbaye du Mont Saint-Michel which has been the inspiration for tourists and religious pilgrims for centuries. Make sure you see the Ramparts and La Grande Rue.

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 Zadar or Mont-Saint-Michel? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Zadar is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Mont-Saint-Michel is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Zadar. 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.

Mont-Saint-Michel is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are a number of local restaurants to choose from that serve authentic French cuisine including the pre-salted sheep, which is a local specialty.

Is Zadar or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Nightlife?

Zadar is very good for nightlife and partying. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is a island with minimal options for its evening party scene.

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.

The nightlife scene is quiet in Mont-Saint-Michel Most people visit the island as a daytrip and nightlife is essentially nonexistent.

Is Zadar or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Resorts?

Zadar is a great destination for its resorts. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is not a resort destination.

Vacationers can choose from a number of terrific resorts in Zadar. If you want a beachfront resort, there are a number of nice options outside of town.

Mont-Saint-Michel is not a resort destination.

Is Zadar or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Zadar is very good for its diving and snorkeling. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's worth going snorkeling or scuba diving in Zadar. 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.

Mont-Saint-Michel is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Zadar or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Beaches?

Zadar is a great destination for the beache. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is not a beach destination.

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.

Mont-Saint-Michel is not a beach destination.

Is Zadar or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for its Old Town?

Zadar is a great destination for its old town. However, Mont-Saint-Michel does not have a historic old town.

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.

Mont-Saint-Michel does not have a historic old town.

Is Zadar or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Hiking?

Mont-Saint-Michel is a popular place for the nearby hiking options. However, Zadar is not a hiking destination.

Mont-Saint-Michel is a good destination for hiking. There's a 4.2 mile out and back trail that can be walked in about 1.5 hours.

Zadar is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Zadar or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Zadar is very good for its shopping opportunities. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Zadar offers some nice shopping areas. There are small, boutique shops around the old town that sell designer merchandise. There are also shopping malls on the outskirts of town.

Mont-Saint-Michel is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Zadar or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Families?

Zadar is very good for its family-friendly activities. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is a island with minimal options for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Zadar. 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.

For families, Mont-Saint-Michel is not always the best place to visit. Kids may enjoy a horse drawn carriage ride or exploring the grounds, but it can make for a long day for kids with short attention spans.

Is Zadar or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Couples?

Mont-Saint-Michel is an amazing island to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Zadar is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for couples.

Mont-Saint-Michel makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. It's a stunning setting and makes a romantic backdrop for a couples holiday, whether it's part of a longer trip to France or a short weekend away.

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 Zadar or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Zadar is a great destination for backpackers. Also, Mont-Saint-Michel is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

It's common for backpackers to visit Mont-Saint-Michel. You'll find a couple of hostels an cheap hotels in the area.

Is Zadar or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Students?

Zadar is a great destination for students. However, Mont-Saint-Michel is not popular with students.

Zadar is very popular with students. 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.

Mont-Saint-Michel is not popular with students.

Is Zadar or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Zadar and Mont-Saint-Michel offer notable public transit options.

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

Mont-Saint-Michel has some public transit options. There's a free shuttle bus that connects Mont-Saint-Michel to the mainland.

Is Zadar or Mont-Saint-Michel a more walkable city?

Zadar and Mont-Saint-Michel both are great when exploring on foot.

Zadar is a very walkable town. The old town is particularly walkable and can easily be explored on foot in a few hours.

Mont-Saint-Michel is a very walkable destination. There are many stunning walks in the area.

For even more information, also check out Is Zadar Worth Visiting? and Is Mont-Saint-Michel Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Mont-Saint-Michel or Zadar?

How long in Zadar or Mont-Saint-Michel?

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

Families should spend more time in Zadar than Mont-Saint-Michel. 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 Mont-Saint-Michel. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Zadar that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Zadar than Mont-Saint-Michel 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 Zadar or Mont-Saint-Michel?

With shopping and museums around the destination of Zadar, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. One day is often enough time to do most activities. It offers something for everyone.

In Mont-Saint-Michel, many people enjoy the food and museums that this religious destination offers. Lots of people come for the museums. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Zadar or Mont-Saint-Michel?

With museums and nightlife around the coastal town of Zadar, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Visiting the old town is also a must. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Mont-Saint-Michel. 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.

Five days in Zadar or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the laid back destination of Zadar. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Mont-Saint-Michel is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the destination of Mont-Saint-Michel. Lots of people come for the museums. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Zadar or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Zadar is a popular choice for travelers. It's also a relaxing resort destination. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

You'll find museums and food around the religious destination of Mont-Saint-Michel. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the museums. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Croatia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Croatia, The Best River Cruises in France, and The Best Bicycle Tours in France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zadar and Mont-Saint-Michel, we can see that Mont-Saint-Michel 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 Mont-Saint-Michel would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Mont-Saint-Michel 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 Mont-Saint-Michel Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Zadar or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Zadar has a larger population, and is about 890 times larger than the population of Mont-Saint-Michel. When comparing the sizes of Zadar and Mont-Saint-Michel, 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?

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 Zadar or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Zadar and Mont-Saint-Michel. The beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Zadar this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Mont-Saint-Michel for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Zadar is a little warmer than Mont-Saint-Michel in the summer. The daily temperature in Zadar averages around 26°C (80°F) in July, and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mont-Saint-Michel this time of the year. In Zadar, it's very sunny this time of the year. Zadar usually receives more sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel during summer. Zadar gets 345 hours of sunny skies, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 246 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Zadar usually receives less rain than Mont-Saint-Michel. Zadar gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Zadar or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Zadar as well as Mont-Saint-Michel. Many travelers come to Zadar for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, many visitors come to Mont-Saint-Michel in the autumn for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Zadar is a little warmer than Mont-Saint-Michel. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Zadar in October average around 18°C (64°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel averages at about 13°C (55°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Zadar this time of the year. In the autumn, Zadar often gets more sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel. Zadar gets 200 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 134 hours of full sun.

Zadar usually gets more rain in October than Mont-Saint-Michel. Zadar gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Zadar or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Winter?

Both Mont-Saint-Michel and Zadar are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Zadar in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Mont-Saint-Michel for the museums and the cuisine during these months.

In January, Zadar is generally much warmer than Mont-Saint-Michel. Daily temperatures in Zadar average around 8°C (47°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Zadar usually receives more sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel during winter. Zadar gets 128 hours of sunny skies, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 70 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Zadar usually receives more rain than Mont-Saint-Michel. Zadar gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Zadar or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Spring?

Both Mont-Saint-Michel and Zadar during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Zadar for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Mont-Saint-Michel because of the natural beauty.

Zadar is a little warmer than Mont-Saint-Michel in the spring. The daily temperature in Zadar averages around 15°C (59°F) in April, and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

It's quite sunny in Zadar. In the spring, Zadar often gets more sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel. Zadar gets 212 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 180 hours of full sun.

Zadar usually gets more rain in April than Mont-Saint-Michel. Zadar gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Mont-Saint-Michel and Zadar