A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Zaragoza vs. Siena for Old Town, Couples, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Zaragoza or Siena?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Zaragoza or Siena, 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

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.

Siena

Siena is a charming, medieval, and history city. You'll find world class beauty here as well. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Zaragoza and Siena: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Zaragoza or Siena?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Siena than Zaragoza. While Zaragoza is larger than Siena, Siena has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Siena is better known for its historical sights and impressive beauty, while Zaragoza is more popular for its shopping. Siena is more touristy than Zaragoza and is known for its beautiful medieval architecture, its delicious local restaurants, and the twice yearly Palio horserace. Also, Siena is famous for Piazza del Campo. Zaragoza is well known for its grand landmarks, local cuisine, and rich cultural scene.

How is Zaragoza different from Siena?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Siena and Zaragoza. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Zaragoza or Siena?

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Zaragoza or Siena.

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 Siena. At the heart of the city is Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and Piazza del Campo. Other world famous sights include Palazzo Pubblico and Museo Civico, Torre del Mangia, and Pinacoteca Nazionale.

Is the Food Better in Zaragoza or Siena? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Zaragoza and Siena can be difficult as they are each excellent 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 Siena. The town is all about local flavors and many restaurants use local ingredients in their dishes. Pecorino of Pienza is the local cheese, and you'll also find many cured meats. Local pasta dishes include wild boar ragu and a local spaghetti. You'll also find local meats such as lamb, rabbit, chicken and pork.

Is Zaragoza or Siena Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are notable in both Zaragoza and Siena.

There's a variety of activities in the evening 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Siena. The nightlife is laid back and relaxed. Most visitors enjoy socializing in the evening and meeting friends at Piazza del Campo. There are often live performances which you can enjoy as well as many cafes and wine bars around town.

Is Zaragoza or Siena Better for its Old Town?

Siena is an amazing city to visit for its historic old town charm. Also, Zaragoza is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its historic old town.

Siena offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. The beautiful old town is filled with medieval brick buildings. At the heart of the city is Piazza del Campo, which is a lively square with many neighborhoods spreading out from there.

Zaragoza is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The old town is small but filled with monumental buildings and an authentic atmosphere.

Is the Shopping Better in Zaragoza or Siena?

Zaragoza is notable for shopping. Also, Siena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Zaragoza is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Siena. The main shopping street in town is Via Banchi di Sopra, which has many boutiques that sell clothing, bags, and other items. The town also has many leather goods, ceramics, and other local items available.

Is Zaragoza or Siena Better for Families?

Zaragoza is very good for its family-friendly activities. However, Siena is a mediocre city for its kid-friendly activities.

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.

Siena is not always a place people visit with their families. The beauty and history may be lost to the little ones but there is a great atmosphere that even the young ones will appreciate. Kids will enjoy climbing to the top of Torre del Mangia or visiting one of the many playgrounds around town.

Is Zaragoza or Siena Better for Couples?

Siena is an amazing city to visit for couples. Also, Zaragoza is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.

Siena has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. With its impressive beauty and long running history, this is a truly romantic city. The atmosphere is relaxed and there are plazas and neighborhoods that are great for exploring. There are also many great restaurants, superb wine, and world class sights that are not to be missed.

Zaragoza makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Is Zaragoza or Siena Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Zaragoza and Siena are notable destinations for backpackers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Zaragoza. 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.

Siena is a good city to visit for backpackers. Many backpackers visit Siena as a daytrip from nearby Florence. While there are some affordable places to stay here, the atmosphere isn't as backpacker friendly as nearby Florence.

Is Zaragoza or Siena Better for Students?

Siena is notable for students. Also, Zaragoza is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Siena is a great city to visit as a student. It's home to one of the oldest universities in Italy, and it's a wonderful study abroad destination for any student who wants to spend some time in Italy.

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.

Is Zaragoza or Siena Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Zaragoza is notable for its public transit. Also, Siena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Zaragoza is fairly effecient and thorough. There are buses and trams around the city.

Siena has some public transit options. TIEMME is the bus service that runs in and around town. Many lines pass through the train station and provide service from there.

Is Zaragoza or Siena a more walkable city?

Zaragoza and Siena both are excellent when exploring on foot.

Zaragoza is a very walkable destination. The city center is very walkable.

Siena is very walkable. The compact town center is best explored on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Zaragoza Worth Visiting? and Is Siena Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Siena or Zaragoza?

How long in Zaragoza or Siena?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Zaragoza or Siena to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Zaragoza than Siena because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Zaragoza, and 1-2 days is enough time in Siena.

Families should spend more time in Zaragoza than Siena. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Zaragoza, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Siena than Zaragoza. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Siena that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

One day in Zaragoza or Siena?

In Zaragoza, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this compact destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

The beautiful city of Siena offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Zaragoza or Siena?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Zaragoza. 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.

Siena is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Siena, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Zaragoza or Siena?

Zaragoza is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Zaragoza. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Siena is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Zaragoza or Siena?

You'll find food and shopping around the compact destination of Zaragoza. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Siena is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. 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 Family-Friendly Tours to Italy, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Italy.

When comparing the travel costs between Zaragoza and Siena, we can see that Siena is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Zaragoza or Siena?

Zaragoza has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Siena. When comparing the sizes of Zaragoza and Siena, 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 Zaragoza or Siena?

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 Zaragoza or Siena in the Summer?

Both Siena and Zaragoza are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Zaragoza for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Siena because of the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Zaragoza is a little warmer than Siena. Typically, the summer temperatures in Zaragoza in July average around 26°C (79°F), and Siena averages at about 23°C (73°F).

It's quite sunny in Siena. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Zaragoza. Zaragoza usually receives more sunshine than Siena during summer. Zaragoza gets 344 hours of sunny skies, while Siena receives 316 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Zaragoza usually receives less rain than Siena. Zaragoza gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Siena receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Zaragoza or Siena in the Autumn?

Both Siena and Zaragoza during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Zaragoza because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Siena this time of year.

In October, Zaragoza is generally around the same temperature as Siena. Daily temperatures in Zaragoza average around 17°C (63°F), and Siena fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

In the autumn, Zaragoza often gets more sunshine than Siena. Zaragoza gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Siena receives 177 hours of full sun.

Zaragoza usually gets less rain in October than Siena. Zaragoza gets 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Siena receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Zaragoza or Siena in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Zaragoza and Siena. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Zaragoza this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Siena for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Zaragoza is a little warmer than Siena in the winter. The daily temperature in Zaragoza averages around 8°C (46°F) in January, and Siena fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

Zaragoza usually receives more sunshine than Siena during winter. Zaragoza gets 131 hours of sunny skies, while Siena receives 105 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Zaragoza usually receives less rain than Siena. Zaragoza gets 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Siena receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Zaragoza or Siena in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Zaragoza as well as Siena. Many travelers come to Zaragoza for the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Siena in the spring for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Zaragoza is a little warmer than Siena. Typically, the spring temperatures in Zaragoza in April average around 15°C (58°F), and Siena averages at about 12°C (54°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Zaragoza this time of the year. In the spring, Zaragoza often gets more sunshine than Siena. Zaragoza gets 217 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Siena receives 192 hours of full sun.

Zaragoza usually gets less rain in April than Siena. Zaragoza gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Siena receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Siena and Zaragoza