Which place is cheaper, Barcelona or Zaragoza?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Zaragoza or Barcelona, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Zaragoza is a cultural, historical, and compact city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.
Barcelona is a youthful, colorful, and laid-back city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include food, beaches, and shopping.
You'll generally find more things to do in Barcelona than Zaragoza. Barcelona is bigger than Zaragoza, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Barcelona is more touristy than Zaragoza and is known for its landmarks designed by Antoni Gaudí, its wild nightlife, and its urban beaches. Also, Barcelona is famous for Basilica Sagrada Familia. Zaragoza is well known for its grand landmarks, local cuisine, and rich cultural scene.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Barcelona and Zaragoza. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Zaragoza or Barcelona.
With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Zaragoza can be an interesting and educational experience. For such a small city, it really has a large number of cultural and historical attractions. The Basilica of Our Lady of Pilar is the most recognizable sight, but there's also the Museum of the Roman Forum of Caesaraugusta, the cathedral of Zaragoza, and the Aljafería Palace, among others.
You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Barcelona. Architecture and history all contribute to the city's impressive sights and museums. Famous landmarks include the Basílica de la Sagrada Família, Casa Milà, and the Palace of Catalan Music. In addition to Casa Milà, there are several other landmarks that are designed by Gaudi. You can expect a crowd outside any of his creations.
Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Zaragoza and Barcelona can be difficult as they are each high quality in their own way.
Dining out in Zaragoza is an experience not to be missed. There are authentic restaurants that cater to locals and tourists alike. You'll also find some interesting food tours around town. Tapas are popular, as is chocolate and fresh, traditional recipes.
The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Barcelona. With easy access to fresh produce, there are many food markets around town. You'll also find great fresh local dishes at the many restaurants. While some restaurants are more touristy, particularly along Las Ramblas, there are also many local options that offer higher quality dishes. Make sure you try the paella, croquettes, and jamon iberico. Many visitors enjoy taking a cooking class while they're in town as well.
Barcelona is an amazing city to visit for its evening party scene. Also, Zaragoza is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.
Barcelona has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. The city offers an amazing nightlife at a much more affordable price than many places in Europe. There are beach parties, boat parties, and bars that stay packed late into the night. The city also hosts many street fiestas and music festivals.
With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Zaragoza. The nightlife is at its best on weekends, when students and young locals head out on the town. Many evenings start with tapas and wine, but there are nightclubs and dancing as well.
Barcelona is an amazing city to visit for its music scene. However, Zaragoza is not a live music destination.
In Barcelona you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. Popular music venues include Tablao de Carmen, Razzmatazz, and Jamboree.
Zaragoza is not a live music destination.
Barcelona is a nice place to visit for the beach. However, Zaragoza is not a beach destination.
Barcelona has a beach worth visiting. The city features long sandy beaches where you can soak up the Mediterranean sun right in the heart of town. Many of the beaches can get crowded during the warmer months, but if you're looking for a party, then this is the place. These are urban beaches, so don't expect the pristine coastal setting that you might find in a more remote areas. Popular beaches include Bogatell Beach, Barceloneta Beach, and Nova Icària.
Zaragoza is not a beach destination.
Zaragoza and Barcelona both have high quality historical old towns that attract visitors.
Many visitors go to Zaragoza to see the historical old town. The old town is small but filled with monumental buildings and an authentic atmosphere.
Barcelona is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. Dating back 2,000 years the Gothic Quarter remains a hub of life and activity. It's fun to explore the wandering streets or people watch in one of the plazas. There are also many fascinating boutique shops and restaurants. Many people consider the Gothic Quarter to be one of the best parts of Barcelona.
Barcelona is an amazing city to visit for its shopping areas. Also, Zaragoza is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for shopping.
Barcelona is a world class destination for shoppers. Head to Portal De L'Angel, Rambla de Catalunya, or Passeig De Gracia for some of the city's best shopping districts.
Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Zaragoza. The city has many local shops selling locally produced items and interesting souvenirs. There are also boutiques, markets, and vintage shops that are fun to browse though.
Zaragoza and Barcelona are both notable destinations for the whole family.
Zaragoza is a family-friendly place to visit. When your kids get their fill of architecture and history, you can head to the Zaragoza Aquarium. Also worth a visit is the Emoz Museum, which is an origami museum. And if you need a break from sightseeing, take a kayak out on the Ebro River.
Barcelona is a family-friendly city. The city has a bit of a party vibe, but there are also kid-friendly activities everyone. With a number of museums, an aquarium, and lots of parks, the whole family can stay entertained. There's also a playground with a great view right by Sagrada Familia. Also make sure you check out the Magic Fountain Show near Plaça d'Espanya, wander through the aquarium, or sample some chocolate at the Chocolate Museum.
Zaragoza is a well-known place for romance. Also, Barcelona is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.
Zaragoza is a very popular place to visit for couples. Filled with culture, beauty, and monumental buildings, this is a small and romantic city. It's particularly romantic at night when the streets are quiet and many of the buildings are lit up.
Barcelona makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's an active city with a party atmosphere, so young couples will enjoy their time here. Couples can take a sunset cruise or enjoy a Flamenco show. There are also many great viewpoints around town.
Barcelona is an amazing city to visit for backpackers. Also, Zaragoza is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.
Barcelona is a very popular city to visit for backpackers. There are many hostels around town, each with its own personality. Many of the hostels also organize activities or dinners for guests so it's easy to meet other travelers. Backpackers will also appreciate the young vibe and late night party venues that keep the city fun and entertaining.
Zaragoza is a good city to visit for backpackers. There are enough hostels around town to choose from, and while it's not the backpacker haven that some Spanish cities are, it still sees a good number of young travelers.
Barcelona is an amazing city to visit for students. Also, Zaragoza is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.
Barcelona is a great destination for students. This is a popular study abroad destination and you'll find international students from around the world. It's a beautiful city with plenty to see and do. It's also a lively city, but do expect the price tag to be higher than other Spanish cities.
Plenty of students visit Zaragoza. International students enjoy this small city because it has a local vibe where they can practice their Spanish and enjoy an authentic experience.
Both Zaragoza and Barcelona offer high quality public transit options.
The public transit in Zaragoza can get you to most places easily. There are buses and trams around the city.
Visitors to Barcelona can move around easily with public transportation. There's a metro, bus, and tram system that navigates the city. It's a huge city, and while many places are accessible by public transit, sometimes the trip can be hot and frustrating.
Zaragoza is a well-known place for its walkability. However, Barcelona is not a good city for its high level of walkability.
Zaragoza is very walkable. The city center is very walkable.
Barcelona is generally not a very walkable city. The city is more spread out than many other major European cities and you'll find wide roads with lots of car traffic. There are some neighborhoods and plazas that are fun to explore on foot and the city has designed "superilles," which are areas where car traffic has been directed around pedestrian-friendly plazas so visitors can explore, relax, or play.
For even more information, also check out Is Zaragoza Worth Visiting? and Is Barcelona Worth Visiting?.
Both Zaragoza and Barcelona have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Barcelona than in Zaragoza. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Zaragoza, and 3-7 days is enough time in Barcelona.
Couples should spend more time in Zaragoza than Barcelona. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Zaragoza that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Barcelona than Zaragoza 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 Barcelona.
You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Zaragoza. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Zaragoza has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
Barcelona is a big city with plenty to do. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.
You'll find museums and nightlife around the compact destination of Zaragoza. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.
Barcelona is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.
Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the authentic city of Zaragoza. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.
Barcelona is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Barcelona, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.
Zaragoza is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.
Barcelona is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Barcelona has to offer. This city offers something for everyone.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Barcelona, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Spain, The Best 10-Day Tours in Spain, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Spain.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Zaragoza is €126, while the average daily cost in Barcelona is €156. 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 Zaragoza and Barcelona in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Zaragoza or Barcelona? 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 Zaragoza:
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Barcelona are as follows:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Barcelona:
Prices for flights to both Barcelona and Zaragoza 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 Zaragoza.
Some typical examples of dining costs in Barcelona are as follows:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Barcelona.
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Zaragoza are as follows:
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Barcelona are as follows:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Barcelona are as follows:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Zaragoza:
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Barcelona:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zaragoza and Barcelona, we can see that Barcelona is more expensive. And not only is Zaragoza much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Zaragoza would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Zaragoza 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 Barcelona would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Barcelona than you might in Zaragoza.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Zaragoza Expensive? and Is Barcelona Expensive?.
Barcelona has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Zaragoza. When comparing the sizes of Zaragoza and Barcelona, 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 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.
Both Barcelona and Zaragoza are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Zaragoza this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Barcelona for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Zaragoza is a little warmer than Barcelona. Typically, the summer temperatures in Zaragoza in July average around 26°C (79°F), and Barcelona averages at about 23°C (73°F).
It's quite sunny in Barcelona. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Zaragoza. Zaragoza usually receives more sunshine than Barcelona during summer. Zaragoza gets 344 hours of sunny skies, while Barcelona receives 308 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Zaragoza usually receives less rain than Barcelona. Zaragoza gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 22 mm (0.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.
Both Barcelona and Zaragoza during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Zaragoza for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, many visitors come to Barcelona in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Zaragoza is generally around the same temperature as Barcelona. Daily temperatures in Zaragoza average around 17°C (63°F), and Barcelona fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).
In the autumn, Zaragoza often gets more sunshine than Barcelona. Zaragoza gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Barcelona receives 181 hours of full sun.
Zaragoza usually gets less rain in October than Barcelona. Zaragoza gets 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Zaragoza and Barcelona. Many visitors come to Zaragoza in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Barcelona for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Zaragoza is around the same temperature as Barcelona in the winter. The daily temperature in Zaragoza averages around 8°C (46°F) in January, and Barcelona fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).
Zaragoza usually receives less sunshine than Barcelona during winter. Zaragoza gets 131 hours of sunny skies, while Barcelona receives 146 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Zaragoza usually receives less rain than Barcelona. Zaragoza gets 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
The spring brings many poeple to Zaragoza as well as Barcelona. Most visitors come to Zaragoza for the natural beauty during these months. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Barcelona because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Zaragoza is a little warmer than Barcelona. Typically, the spring temperatures in Zaragoza in April average around 15°C (58°F), and Barcelona averages at about 13°C (55°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Barcelona. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Zaragoza this time of the year. In the spring, Zaragoza often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Barcelona. Zaragoza gets 217 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Barcelona receives 204 hours of full sun.
Zaragoza usually gets less rain in April than Barcelona. Zaragoza gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
Zaragoza | Barcelona | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 8°C (46°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
Feb | 10°C (50°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
Mar | 12°C (54°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
Apr | 15°C (58°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
May | 19°C (65°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
Jun | 23°C (73°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
Jul | 26°C (79°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
Aug | 26°C (78°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
Oct | 17°C (63°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
Nov | 12°C (53°F) | 39 mm (1.6 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
Dec | 8°C (47°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |