Which place is cheaper, Split or Zadar?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Should I visit Zadar or Split? 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 is a relaxed, coastal, and vibrant town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.
Split is a touristy, fun-filled, and budget-friendly city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.
You'll generally find more things to do in Split than Zadar. Split is bigger than Zadar, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Split is better known for its museums, nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, shopping, and big city activities, while Zadar is more popular for its historical sights and impressive beauty. Split is more touristy than Zadar and is popular for its historical sights, high energy coastal setting, and waterfront promenades. Also, Split is famous for Diocletian's Palace. Zadar is well known for its historical sights and waterfront setting.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Split and Zadar. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Split is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Zadar is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its museums and history.
Split offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city is filled with historical sights, some of which were used in the shooting of the famed television series, Game of Thrones. Highlights include Diocletian's Palace, the Cathedral of St. Domnius, and the Ivan Mestrovic Gallery.
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.
Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Zadar and Split can be difficult as they are each superb in their own way.
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.
Split has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. It's the second largest city in Croatia and the food scene reflects this. You'll find a mix of Dalmatian restaurants and international options. There's also everything from fine dining to local taverns, so whatever your budget or food preference, you won't be disappointed.
Split is an amazing city to visit for nightlife and partying. Also, Zadar is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its evening party scene.
Split has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. It has some of the best nightlife on mainland Croatia. Backpackers and students flock to this city for its parties and nightclubs. There's a great live music scene as well as DJs who keep the party going well into the early morning.
With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Zadar. 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.
Zadar and Split offer a relatively similar set of superb luxury resort options.
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.
Vacationers can choose from a number of terrific resorts in Split. You'll find a mix of popular resort chains, local boutique hotels, vacation rentals, and hostels. Whatever your budget or travel style there are options available.
Split is a well-known place for its diving and snorkeling. Also, Zadar is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving.
Many visitors partake in scuba diving or snorkeing while visiting Split. Some of the best snorkeling is found around the Kornati Islands. There are many boat trips that take visitors to some of the best snorkeling spots near Split.
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.
For a relaxing beach holiday, both Zadar and Split are superb choices.
Zadar is considered a top beach destination. 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.
Split is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. There are many beaches in the area that are a mix of pebbly or sandy. Many have restaurants or bars nearby and the vibe is social and laid back. Some of the best beaches near town are Bacvice Beach, Žnjan Beach, and Kasjuni Beach.
Zadar is an excellent place to visit for its old town. Also, Split is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its historic old town charm.
There are many historical things to see 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.
Split offers a nice historic old town area. The old town spreads out from Diocletian's Palace and People's Square. It's filled with cobblestone streets and restaurants that spill into the outdoors.
Split is a well-known place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Zadar is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its shopping areas.
Split is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Shopping and sightseeing are intermixed in town. Make sure you don't miss the Old Market, which is the city's main outdoor market. There are many shops all through the old town as well.
Zadar has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are small, boutique shops around the old town that sell designer merchandise. There are also shopping malls on the outskirts of town.
Split 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.
Split is a very kid-friendly city. With its parks, beaches, and outdoor activities, kids will love this spot. Zvonac Park is one of the best in town for kids. Young kids will appreciate the Dinasour Playground. Also make sure you allow time to explore Diocletian's Palace and Klis Fortress. There are also beaches and other water activities that are fun for the whole family.
Zadar is a family-friendly town. 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.
Split is an amazing city to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Zadar is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for couples.
Split makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. It's not uncommon for couples to choose Split as their honeymoon destination. The old town is filled with character and charm. There are also parks where you can enjoy a picnic and beaches where you can soak up the fun of the Adriatic Sea. Cafes serving local cuisine spill into the streets and the old world charm offers a romantic ambiance that can only be found in Croatia.
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.
Split is an amazing city to visit for backpackers. Also, Zadar is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.
Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Split. There's no shortage of hostels in town. This is a not-to-be-missed backpacker destination in Croatia and the social scene, beaches, water activities, and history all make Split a highlight for many 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.
Zadar and Split are both superb destinations for students and younger travelers.
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.
Split is very popular with students. It's easy to visit on a student's budget. There are plenty of hostels and a huge party scene that bring backpackers and students together.
Both Zadar and Split offer notable public transit options.
Zadar has a few public transit options. There are 11 bus lines that travel around town.
Split has some public transit options. There are bus services that will help you get around town.
Zadar and Split both are superb 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.
Split is a very walkable destination. The city is laid out in a pedestrian-friendly way so it's easy to explore on foot, particularly in the old town. It's also easy to get lost, but that's all part of the fun.
For even more information, also check out Is Zadar Worth Visiting? and Is Split Worth Visiting?.
It's fun to spend time in either Zadar or Split. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Split due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Zadar, and 2-4 days is enough time in Split.
Families should spend more time in Split than Zadar. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Split, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Split than Zadar. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Split that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Split than Zadar 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 Split.
In Zadar, many people enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling that this coastal destination offers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.
In Split, many people enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling that this active destination offers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Lots of people come for the nightlife. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Zadar. 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.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Split. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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 fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Zadar. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.
Split is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Split. Lots of people come for the nightlife. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.
You'll find museums and nightlife around the coastal destination of Zadar. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.
You'll find museums and nightlife around the fun-filled destination of Split. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the nightlife. 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 3-Day Tours from Split, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Dubrovnik.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Zadar is $98, while the average daily cost in Split is $120. 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 Split in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Zadar or Split? 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.
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zadar:
Also for Split, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Split 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.
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zadar.
For Split, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Zadar are as follows:
For Split, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Also in Zadar, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
Also in Split, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zadar and Split, we can see that Split 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 Split would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Split 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 Split Expensive?.
Split has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Zadar. When comparing the sizes of Zadar and Split, 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.
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.
Both Split and Zadar during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Zadar for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Split because of the beaches, snorkeling, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
Zadar is around the same temperature as Split in the summer. The daily temperature in Zadar averages around 26°C (80°F) in July, and Split fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).
In Split, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Zadar. In the summer, Zadar often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Split. Zadar gets 345 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Split receives 345 hours of full sun.
Zadar usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Split. Zadar gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Split receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Zadar and Split. The autumn months attract visitors to Zadar because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Split this time of year.
In the autumn, Zadar is around the same temperature as Split. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Zadar in October average around 18°C (64°F), and Split averages at about 18°C (64°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Split this time of the year. In Zadar, it's very sunny this time of the year. Zadar usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Split during autumn. Zadar gets 200 hours of sunny skies, while Split receives 200 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Zadar usually receives around the same amount of rain as Split. Zadar gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Split receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
The winter brings many poeple to Zadar as well as Split. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Zadar this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Split for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Zadar is generally around the same temperature as Split. Daily temperatures in Zadar average around 8°C (47°F), and Split fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).
In the winter, Zadar often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Split. Zadar gets 128 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Split receives 128 hours of full sun.
Zadar usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Split. Zadar gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Split receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Split and Zadar are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Zadar for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Split in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.
Zadar is around the same temperature as Split in the spring. The daily temperature in Zadar averages around 15°C (59°F) in April, and Split fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
It's quite sunny in Split. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Zadar. Zadar usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Split during spring. Zadar gets 212 hours of sunny skies, while Split receives 212 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Zadar usually receives around the same amount of rain as Split. Zadar gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Split receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Zadar | Split | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 8°C (47°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
Feb | 9°C (48°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
Mar | 11°C (52°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
Apr | 15°C (59°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
May | 20°C (67°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
Jun | 23°C (74°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
Jul | 26°C (80°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
Oct | 18°C (64°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
Nov | 13°C (56°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) |
Dec | 10°C (49°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |