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

Should you visit Zaragoza or Trieste?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Zaragoza or Trieste, 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 historical, compact, and authentic city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Trieste

Trieste is a energetic, diverse, and cultural city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and beaches.

Zaragoza and Trieste: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Zaragoza or Trieste?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Zaragoza than Trieste. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Zaragoza is very popular for its museums, food, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Trieste attracts visitors for its beaches. Zaragoza is more touristy than Trieste and is popular for its grand landmarks, local cuisine, and rich cultural scene. It is also well known for the Basilica of Our Lady of Pilar. Trieste is famous for its Adriatic harbor and its Austrian heritage.

How is Zaragoza different from Trieste?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Trieste 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 Trieste?

Zaragoza is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Trieste is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Zaragoza. 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.

Trieste is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Because Trieste was part of Austria for such a long stretch of time, you'll find that it looks different from many Italian cities. This is also evident in the different architectural and historic monuments around town. Major landmarks and sights include Piazza dell'Unità d'Italia, which is the largest square in the old part of the city, Miramare Castle, San Giusto Castle, Museum Riseria di San Sabba, and the Cathedral of San Giusto.

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

Zaragoza is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Trieste is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Zaragoza has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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.

Trieste offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. It's hard to pinpoint exactly how to categorize the local cuisine. It's been influenced by the city's Austro-Hungarian past and you'll find Austrian, Slovenian, and even Croatian flavors. The food scene is often overlooked for more famous Italian cities, but that doesn't mean there's not a lot to enjoy. Make sure you try jota (a bean, potato, and sauerkraut stew), calandraca (a salted meat stew), and gulasch alla triestina (a local twist on goulash. The city is also a coffee capital in Italy.

Is Zaragoza or Trieste Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are nice in both Zaragoza and Trieste.

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 Trieste. While it's not known as a party destination, there is a laid-back nightlife scene that usually involves a late night enjoying drinks at a local bar with friends. Many establishments blur the café and bar concepts, but you'll find a number of lively bars west of Piazza Unità in the trendy Cavana neighborhood. There always seems to be something new in the area worth checking out.

Is Zaragoza or Trieste Better for Beaches?

Trieste is a nice place to visit for the beach. However, Zaragoza is not a beach destination.

Trieste has a beach worth visiting. The beaches tend to be pebbly, but they are a nice way to experience the sea. Locals still refer to it as "bathing" in the sea, a throwback to years past. The most common beach to visit is Ausonia, which is at the bottom of the Rive past the port of Sacchetta. Nearby are La Lanterna, also called Pedocin. This area still separates men and women in the bathing areas.

Zaragoza is not a beach destination.

Is Zaragoza or Trieste Better for its Old Town?

Zaragoza is a very popular place for its historic old town charm. Also, Trieste is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its historic old town.

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.

Many visitors go to Trieste to see the historical old town. The old town highlights the diversity of cultures and influences from the city's past.

Is the Shopping Better in Zaragoza or Trieste?

Zaragoza is a very popular place for its shopping areas. However, Trieste is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in 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.

Trieste is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Zaragoza or Trieste Better for Families?

Trieste is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Zaragoza is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Trieste is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The caves, adventure parks, and interactive museums all make for a fun family vacation. Make sure you check out Grotta Gigante, which will impress kids and adults alike. The Museum of Natural History has a collection of fossils that any dinosaur lover will appreciate, and Trieste Adventure Park is filled with ropes courses and ziplines. Finally, a visit to Miramare Castle will spark every child's imagination.

Zaragoza is a family-friendly city. 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.

Is Zaragoza or Trieste Better for Couples?

Zaragoza and Trieste are both high quality to visit as a couple.

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.

Trieste makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Visit the castles, cathedrals, and historic monuments, experience the atmosphere of the city's historic center, people watch in one of the grand piazzas, and watch the city light up at night. There are so many romantic sides to this cultural Italian city.

Is Zaragoza or Trieste Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Zaragoza and Trieste are nice 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.

Trieste is a good city to visit for backpackers. It's often overlooked for more popular Italian city's but there is still a lot that this under-rated city has to offer. You'll also find hostels for every budget and a youthful energy that will bring the city to life.

Is Zaragoza or Trieste Better for Students?

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

Trieste is a great city to visit as a student. Italy attracts students from around the globe and this city is no exception. The city's diverse population and unique cultural opportunities make it a great place to study abroad or immerse yourself in university life.

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 Trieste Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Zaragoza and Trieste 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 Trieste can move around easily with public transportation. There are buses and trams to help you get around town.

Is Zaragoza or Trieste a more walkable city?

Zaragoza and Trieste both are high quality when exploring on foot.

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

Trieste is very walkable. It's a hilly city, but it's also very walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Trieste or Zaragoza?

How long in Zaragoza or Trieste?

It's fun to spend time in either Zaragoza or Trieste. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Trieste due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Zaragoza, and 2-4 days is enough time in Trieste.

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

Couples should spend more time in Zaragoza than Trieste. 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 Zaragoza than Trieste 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 Zaragoza.

One day in Zaragoza or Trieste?

In Zaragoza, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

The city of Trieste offers nightlife and food. 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.

A weekend in Zaragoza or Trieste?

In Zaragoza, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Zaragoza has to offer.

Trieste 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. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Trieste, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Zaragoza or Trieste?

Zaragoza is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Trieste 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 Trieste?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Zaragoza. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Zaragoza. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Trieste is a great place to explore. 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 Tours for Seniors to Italy, and The Best Contiki Tours to Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zaragoza and Trieste, we can see that Zaragoza is more expensive. And not only is Trieste much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Trieste would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Trieste 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 Zaragoza would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zaragoza than you might in Trieste.

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

Which is Bigger, Zaragoza or Trieste?

Zaragoza has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Trieste. When comparing the sizes of Zaragoza and Trieste, 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 Trieste?

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.

Should I visit Zaragoza or Trieste in the Summer?

Both Trieste and Zaragoza during the summer are popular places to visit. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Zaragoza this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Trieste for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

Zaragoza is around the same temperature as Trieste in the summer. The daily temperature in Zaragoza averages around 26°C (79°F) in July, and Trieste fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

In Trieste, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Zaragoza. In the summer, Zaragoza often gets more sunshine than Trieste. Zaragoza gets 344 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Trieste receives 288 hours of full sun.

Zaragoza usually gets less rain in July than Trieste. Zaragoza gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Trieste receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Zaragoza or Trieste in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Zaragoza and Trieste. Many travelers come to Zaragoza for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, many visitors come to Trieste in the autumn for the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Zaragoza is a little warmer than Trieste. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Zaragoza in October average around 17°C (63°F), and Trieste averages at about 16°C (60°F).

Zaragoza usually receives more sunshine than Trieste during autumn. Zaragoza gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Trieste receives 167 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Zaragoza usually receives less rain than Trieste. Zaragoza gets 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Trieste receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Zaragoza or Trieste in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Zaragoza as well as Trieste. Many visitors come to Zaragoza in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Trieste for the museums and the cuisine during these months.

In January, Zaragoza is generally much warmer than Trieste. Daily temperatures in Zaragoza average around 8°C (46°F), and Trieste fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Zaragoza often gets more sunshine than Trieste. Zaragoza gets 131 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Trieste receives 96 hours of full sun.

Zaragoza usually gets less rain in January than Trieste. Zaragoza gets 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Trieste receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Zaragoza or Trieste in the Spring?

Both Trieste and Zaragoza are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Zaragoza for the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Trieste because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

Zaragoza is around the same temperature as Trieste in the spring. The daily temperature in Zaragoza averages around 15°C (58°F) in April, and Trieste fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Zaragoza. Zaragoza usually receives more sunshine than Trieste during spring. Zaragoza gets 217 hours of sunny skies, while Trieste receives 177 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Zaragoza usually receives less rain than Trieste. Zaragoza gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Trieste receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Trieste and Zaragoza