A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Zanzibar vs. Valencia for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Zanzibar or Valencia?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Zanzibar and Valencia can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Zanzibar or Valencia?

Zanzibar

Just off the coast of Tanzania lies an entrancing archipelago known as Zanzibar. This gorgeous string of islands is the land of sultans, palaces beaches and spice-filled markets. Once an important trading center, many restorations have been done in recent years to restore Zanzibar to its ancient grandeur - earning its capital city UNESCO World Heritage status in 2000.

Valencia

Valencia is a port city that sits on Spain's southeastern Orange Blossom coast, where the Turia River meets the Mediterranean Sea. As the nation's third-largest city, it is continually innovative in the arts and sciences with some futuristic architecture including a planetarium, oceanarium, and an interactive museum. The nightlife and daytime culture both thrive in their own ways, bustling with limitless opportunities for sight-seeing and entertainment. While the city is surrounded by fertile farmland, its center is a modern metropolis, skirted by beautiful beaches.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Tanzania, The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania, The Best G Adventures Tours to Spain, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Madrid.


Which place is cheaper, Valencia or Zanzibar?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $51, while the average daily cost in Valencia is $132. 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 Zanzibar and Valencia in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Zanzibar $24
    Valencia $62
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Zanzibar $48
    Valencia $124
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Valencia

Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar or Valencia? 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.

Hotels in Zanzibar


Hotels in Valencia


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: Zanzibar Hotel Prices and Valencia Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Zanzibar $11
    Valencia $19

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:

  • AirPort & Sea Ferry Transfer Zone: $47
  • Airport - Hotels Transfer all over the Zanzibar Island: $60
  • Airport Pick-up Transfer To any Hotel In Zanzibar: $30
  • Airport Transfer in Zanzibar for Departures: $55
  • Airport Transfer to Beach Hotel: $65
  • Airport Transfer to any hotel in Zanzibar: $55
  • Airport to Stown Town or Stown Town To Airport transfer: $20
  • Airport transfer to Nugwi, Paje and Kiwengwa Hotels : $45
  • Airport/Hotel Transfer: $25
  • Airport/port Transfer : $70
  • Arrival Private Transfer Zanzibar Airport ZNZ to Island by Luxury Car: $125
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Airport to Nungwi Beach Zanzibar: $40

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Valencia

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Valencia:

  • Arrival Private Transfer Valencia Port to Valencia City by Van: $42
  • Arrival Transfer Valencia Airport VLC to Valencia City by Minivan: $42
  • Arrival Transfer Valencia Airport VLC to Valencia City by Sedan: $37
  • Barcelona to Montserrat: Guided Tour & Return Bus Transfers: $46
  • Departure Private Transfer Montserrat to Barcelona Airport or City by Luxury Van: $175
  • From Albufera Day Trip with Boat Tour and Transfer: $59
  • From Morella and Peñíscola Day Trip with Transfers: $118
  • Private Transfer - Valencia Airport (VLC) to Valencia Cruise Port: $38
  • Private Transfer Valencia Airport to Hotel: $109
  • Private Transfer: Valencia Airport (VLC) to Valencia City Center: $27
  • Private Transfer: Valencia City Center to Valencia Airport (VLC): $26
  • Private Transfer: Valencia to VLC Airport in Business Car: $77

Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or Valencia?

Prices for flights to both Valencia and Zanzibar 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Zanzibar $17
    Valencia $43

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zanzibar

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zanzibar.

  • Half-Day Kuza Cave Swimming Adventure and Cooking Class: $13
  • Authentic Street Food Tours in Stone Town, Zanzibar: $40
  • Zanzibar Traditional Cooking Class: $49
  • An romantic cooking Lesson + Spice Farm Tour: $55
  • Zanzibar Cooking Class [Swahili food test ] and Spice farm Private tour: $59
  • Zanzibar Cooking Class & Spice Tour : $59
  • Zanzibar Spice farm and Cooking Class: $60
  • Local Cooking Class with Spice Tour in Zanzibar: $60
  • Walking Spice Farm with Local Cooking Class: $60
  • Spice Farm tour & Local cooking lesson with Lunch: $64
  • Spice Farm Tour with Traditional Cooking Lesson: $65
  • Stone Town Private Food Tour with a Guide: $65

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Valencia

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Valencia.

  • Flamenco at Toro y La Luna with Drinks or Dinner: $19
  • Hard Rock Cafe Entrance with Lunch or Dinner: $32
  • Traditional Spanish Home Dinner: $48
  • Valencia Traditional Food Tour: $51
  • Guided Food Tour with Chocolate Tasting Experience: $54
  • Street Food Tour including Paella & Tapas Tasting: $59
  • Paella Cooking Experience near the center of Valencia: $59
  • Morning Food Tour with Central Market Visit: $64
  • Cooking Class of traditional spanish food: $65
  • Vegetable Paella cooking class, tapas and visit market: $66
  • Valencian Paella cooking class, Tapas and Market Visit: $66
  • Flamenco Show with Dinner at La Bulería: $70

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Zanzibar $13
    Valencia $31

Tours and Activities in Zanzibar

Here are a few actual costs in Zanzibar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Africa's Paradises Full Sightseeing Package Tours: $15
  • Easy Stone Town Tour: $20
  • Stone Town tour: $20
  • Stone Town Historical Walking Tour: $20
  • Zanzibar Stone Town Historical City Tour: $20
  • Stone town walking tour ( City tour): $23
  • Stone Town Tour without transport: $24
  • Stone Town Private Walking Tour: $25
  • Stone Town Walking Tour: $25
  • Private Stone Town City Tour Zanzibar : $25
  • Zanzibar Spice Farm Tour & Exotic Fruit Lunch: $25
  • Zanzibar Tours & Taxi Services : $25

Typical Entertainment Prices in Valencia

Here are a few typical costs in Valencia for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Flamenco Tour
    $17

Tours and Activities in Valencia

Here are a few actual costs in Valencia for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
  • Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $3.77
  • Self-Guided City Exploration Game and Walking Tour: $3.77
  • Valencia Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.55
  • In love with A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
  • Between Two Gates Self-Guided Smartphone Tour: $7.99
  • Between Two Gates: A Self-Guided Audio Tour in Valencia: $7.99
  • Walking Tour with Audio Guide on App: $8.07
  • Silk Museum Entry Ticket with Audio Guide: $8.61
  • Historic Center Audio-Guided Tour with Earphones: $8.61
  • Scavenger Hunt and Monumental Self-Guided Tour: $8.84
  • Scavenger Hunt and Iconic Sights Self-Guided Tour: $8.84

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Zanzibar $6.86
    Valencia $21

Sample the Local Flavors in Zanzibar

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Zanzibar:

  • Pub Crawl & Club Experience: $30

Sample the Local Flavors in Valencia

Also in Valencia, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Guided Pub Crawl with Free Shots: $13
  • Pub Crawl Tour in the Old town of Valencia: $17
  • Pub Crawl With Free Shots: $25
  • Wine Tasting with Professional Sommelier in centre Valencia: $59
  • From Guided Cheese Factory Tour with Wine Tasting: $91
  • Local Tapas & Wine tasting experience: $91
  • Wine Tasting and Tapas Experience: $102
  • Cheese Factory Workshop with Wine Tasting in Requena, Valencia: $108
  • From Requena Wine Tour with Tastings: $124
  • Small Group - Half-Day Wine Tour: $126
  • Two wineries tour with wine tasting : $131
  • Christmas Tapas and Wine Tour in Valencia: $164


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zanzibar and Valencia, we can see that Valencia is more expensive. And not only is Zanzibar much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Zanzibar is in Africa and Valencia is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Zanzibar would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Zanzibar 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 Valencia would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Valencia than you might in Zanzibar.

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


Which is Bigger, Zanzibar or Valencia?

Valencia has a larger population, and is about 100% larger than the population of Zanzibar. When comparing the sizes of Zanzibar and Valencia, 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 Zanzibar or Valencia?

Valencia has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Zanzibar experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Zanzibar or Valencia in the Summer?

Both Valencia and Zanzibar are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Zanzibar throughout the year. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Valencia because of the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Zanzibar is generally around the same temperature as Valencia. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 25°C (77°F), and Valencia fluctuates around 25°C (76°F).

It's quite sunny in Valencia. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Zanzibar. Zanzibar usually receives less sunshine than Valencia during summer. Zanzibar gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Valencia receives 303 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Zanzibar usually receives more rain than Valencia. Zanzibar gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Valencia receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Zanzibar 25°C (77°F) 
    Valencia 25°C (76°F)

Should I visit Zanzibar or Valencia in the Autumn?

Both Valencia and Zanzibar during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Zanzibar because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Valencia this time of year.

Zanzibar is a little warmer than Valencia in the autumn. The daily temperature in Zanzibar averages around 25°C (78°F) in October, and Valencia fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

It's quite sunny in Zanzibar. In the autumn, Zanzibar often gets more sunshine than Valencia. Zanzibar gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Valencia receives 198 hours of full sun.

Zanzibar usually gets less rain in October than Valencia. Zanzibar gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Valencia receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Zanzibar 25°C (78°F) 
    Valencia 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Zanzibar or Valencia in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Zanzibar and Valencia. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Zanzibar year-round. Also, many travelers come to Valencia for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Zanzibar is much warmer than Valencia. Typically, the winter temperatures in Zanzibar in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Valencia averages at about 12°C (53°F).

In Zanzibar, it's very sunny this time of the year. Zanzibar usually receives more sunshine than Valencia during winter. Zanzibar gets 236 hours of sunny skies, while Valencia receives 162 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Zanzibar usually receives more rain than Valencia. Zanzibar gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Valencia receives 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Zanzibar 28°C (82°F) 
    Valencia 12°C (53°F)

Should I visit Zanzibar or Valencia in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Zanzibar as well as Valencia. Zanzibar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Valencia in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

In April, Zanzibar is generally much warmer than Valencia. Daily temperatures in Zanzibar average around 27°C (81°F), and Valencia fluctuates around 15°C (60°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Valencia. In the spring, Zanzibar often gets less sunshine than Valencia. Zanzibar gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Valencia receives 213 hours of full sun.

Zanzibar receives a lot of rain in the spring. Zanzibar usually gets more rain in April than Valencia. Zanzibar gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Valencia receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Zanzibar 27°C (81°F) 
    Valencia 15°C (60°F)

Typical Weather for Valencia and Zanzibar

Zanzibar Valencia
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 28°C (82°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 12°C (53°F) 32 mm (1.3 in)
Feb 28°C (82°F) 52 mm (2 in) 12°C (54°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Mar 28°C (83°F) 131 mm (5.2 in) 14°C (56°F) 34 mm (1.3 in)
Apr 27°C (81°F) 269 mm (10.6 in) 15°C (60°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
May 26°C (78°F) 176 mm (6.9 in) 18°C (65°F) 33 mm (1.3 in)
Jun 24°C (76°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 22°C (71°F) 23 mm (0.9 in)
Jul 25°C (77°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 25°C (76°F) 9 mm (0.4 in)
Aug 24°C (75°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 25°C (77°F) 21 mm (0.8 in)
Sep 25°C (76°F) 28 mm (1.1 in) 23°C (73°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
Oct 25°C (78°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 19°C (66°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Nov 27°C (80°F) 132 mm (5.2 in) 15°C (58°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)
Dec 27°C (81°F) 116 mm (4.6 in) 12°C (54°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)