A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Alicante vs. Zagreb for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Old Town

Should you visit Alicante or Zagreb?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Alicante and Zagreb can help you decide which place is right for you.

Alicante

Alicante is a colorful, authentic, and vibrant city. And you can't forget about the food, beaches, and shopping.

Zagreb

Zagreb is a historic, beautiful, and authentic 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.

Alicante and Zagreb: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Alicante or Zagreb?

You'll generally find more things to do in Zagreb than Alicante. Zagreb is bigger than Alicante, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Zagreb is better known for its nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Alicante is more popular for its beaches. Alicante is more touristy than Zagreb and is known for its sandy beaches, vibrant nightlife, and authentic restaurants. Zagreb is well known for its museums, parks, and convenient transportation options. Also, Zagreb is famous for The Zagreb Cathedral.

How is Alicante different from Zagreb?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Alicante or Zagreb?

Plenty of people visit the high quality sights and museums in both Alicante and Zagreb.

Many visitors head to Alicante specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. This port city has a number of cultural and historical sights that are worth checking out. Castillo de Santa Bárbara, Museo Arqueológico Provincial de Alicante, and Basilica de Santa María are among the most well known.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Zagreb can be an interesting and educational experience. There are many historical sights around town, particularly in the historic Upper Town. Make sure you visit the Zagreb Cathedral, the Museum of Broken Relationships, Lotrscak Tower, and the historic Stone Gate.

Is the Food Better in Alicante or Zagreb? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Alicante and Zagreb.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Alicante. It's by the sea, so you'll find plenty of seafood. Rice is the main staple for many dishes in town. This is also a vegetable growing region, so many recipes incorporate fresh vegetables. Popular dishes include arroz a banda, arroz con costra, and olleta alicantina.

Zagreb has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The food is heartier than you might expect with many recipes that involve stew or dumplings. Cheese and meat are common ingredients as well, with far less seafood than you'll find in the coastal cities. Popular dishes include Zagrebački odrezak (a rolled up ham, cheese, and veal sandwich), Štrukli (dough filled with cheese), and Ajngemahtec (vegetarian stew).

Is Alicante or Zagreb Better for Nightlife?

Zagreb is well known for nightlife and partying. Also, Alicante is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

Zagreb is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. There are a huge number of live music venues, clubs, and bars around town where locals hang out late into the evening. The city's nightlife has a more local vibe than other Croatian cities, so you can party with the students and residents and get a true feel for the Croatian culture.

If you're looking for night time activities Alicante has a few options to choose from. For the city's best nightlife, head to El Barrio Antiguo, which is the old district. This is where you'll find the highest concentration of bars and clubs, many of them having live music.

Is Alicante or Zagreb Better for Beaches?

Alicante is a good destination for the beache. However, Zagreb is not a beach destination.

Alicante offers a nice beach destination. If you step away from the touristy areas, you'll find some nice sandy beaches with blue water. Playa la Fustera is northeast of the city and popular with families and couples. If you have a car you can drive to the town of Moraira, which is near several nice beaches as well.

Zagreb is not a beach destination.

Is Alicante or Zagreb Better for its Old Town?

Zagreb is well known for its old town. Also, Alicante is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town charm.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Zagreb. The upper town is filled with charm, cafes, and historical landmarks such as St. Mark Church, Kamenita Vrata (the Stone Gate), and the cathedral.

Alicante has an old town worth visiting. The old district is filled with charming streets and some interesting museums. There are also a number of good restaurants in the area.

Is the Shopping Better in Alicante or Zagreb?

Zagreb is well known for its shopping opportunities. Also, Alicante is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

Zagreb is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city has a huge number of shopping centers where you'll find retail shops selling international brands, clothing, jewelry, sporting goods, and more.

Alicante has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. The city is known for its leather goods, but you'll also find international brands and shopping streets with fashion and different European names.

Is Alicante or Zagreb Better for Families?

Alicante is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Zagreb is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Alicante is a very kid-friendly city. This seaside city has many kid-friendly resorts, long sandy beaches, and adrenaline-filled theme parks. There's the Terra Mitica Park as well as a waterpark - Aqua Natura. Tabarca Island is also well worth a visit.

Zagreb offers lots of family activities. The city is filled with parks where kids can run around. There are also kid-friendly museums like the Museum of Illusions and markets that are fun for the whole family. While it doesn't have the coastal activities that many Croatian towns offer, this is a unique city in its own way.

Is Alicante or Zagreb Better for Couples?

Alicante is a great destination for its romantic activities. Also, Zagreb is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Couples visit Alicante frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Nice resorts, long sandy beaches, and nearby vineyard tours make this a wonderful place for a couple's getaway. There are good restaurants and nice places where couples can take a stroll, hand in hand.

Zagreb is a good city for couples to visit. Filled with history and beautiful parks, this often overlooked Croatian city actually has a lot that couples can enjoy. The historical monuments offer a glimpse into the country's past and the markets let you experience a more authentic side to what has become a very touristy country.

Is Alicante or Zagreb Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Zagreb is well known for backpackers. Also, Alicante is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Zagreb is a great city to visit for backpackers. Because it's not the most touristy city, prices are reasonable. There are also a wide range of hostels in town where you can meet other backpackers and enjoy the fun environment.

It's common for backpackers to visit Alicante. There are hostels around town, as well as many budget-friendly hotels, so this is an affordable oceanfront destination for the budget-minded.

Is Alicante or Zagreb Better for Students?

Zagreb is well known for students. Also, Alicante is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Zagreb is very popular with students. There's an endless supply of bars and cafes where students hang out. This is a great student city that offers access to many beautiful parts of Croatia and Europe in general.

It's common for students to visit Alicante. It's by the water and it's an affordable city, making it a good option for students. The beaches and active nightlife will keep you entertained when you take a break from your studies.

Is Alicante or Zagreb Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Zagreb is well known for its public transit. Also, Alicante is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Zagreb has some very good public transit options. The system includes trams, buses, and a funicular.

While Alicante offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There's a comprehensive bus system through the city and region.

Is Alicante or Zagreb a more walkable city?

Zagreb is well known for its high level of walkability. Also, Alicante is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Zagreb is a very walkable city. It's a city that lives outdoors. It's very walkable with many outdoor cafes and parks where you can take a stroll.

Alicante is a somewhat walkable city. There are many parts of the city that can be explored on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Alicante Worth Visiting? and Is Zagreb Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Zagreb or Alicante?

How long in Alicante or Zagreb?

It's fun to spend time in either Alicante or Zagreb. In our opinion, Zagreb has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Zagreb than Alicante. However, 2-4 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Zagreb than Alicante 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 Zagreb.

One day in Alicante or Zagreb?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Alicante. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The city of Zagreb offers food and shopping. 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.

A weekend in Alicante or Zagreb?

Alicante is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Zagreb 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 Zagreb, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Alicante or Zagreb?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Alicante. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Zagreb 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 Alicante or Zagreb?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the vibrant destination of Alicante. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Zagreb 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 3-Week Tours in Spain, The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain, The Best 2-Week Tours from Dubrovnik, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Split.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Alicante or Zagreb?

Zagreb has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Alicante. When comparing the sizes of Alicante and Zagreb, 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 Alicante or Zagreb?

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 Alicante or Zagreb in the Summer?

Both Zagreb and Alicante are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Alicante in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Zagreb for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Alicante is a little warmer than Zagreb in the summer. The daily temperature in Alicante averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Zagreb fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

It's quite sunny in Zagreb. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Alicante. Alicante usually receives more sunshine than Zagreb during summer. Alicante gets 341 hours of sunny skies, while Zagreb receives 266 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Alicante usually receives less rain than Zagreb. Alicante gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Alicante or Zagreb in the Autumn?

Both Zagreb and Alicante during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Alicante for the shopping scene during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Zagreb because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Alicante is much warmer than Zagreb. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Alicante in October average around 20°C (68°F), and Zagreb averages at about 13°C (55°F).

It's quite sunny in Alicante. In the autumn, Alicante often gets more sunshine than Zagreb. Alicante gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zagreb receives 133 hours of full sun.

Alicante usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Zagreb. Alicante gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Alicante or Zagreb in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Alicante and Zagreb. The winter months attract visitors to Alicante because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Zagreb this time of year.

It's quite cold in Zagreb in the winter. In January, Alicante is generally much warmer than Zagreb. Daily temperatures in Alicante average around 11°C (52°F), and Zagreb fluctuates around 1°C (35°F).

Alicante usually receives more sunshine than Zagreb during winter. Alicante gets 178 hours of sunny skies, while Zagreb receives 54 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Alicante usually receives less rain than Zagreb. Alicante gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Alicante or Zagreb in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Alicante as well as Zagreb. The beaches are the main draw to Alicante this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Zagreb for the activities around the city.

Alicante is a little warmer than Zagreb in the spring. The daily temperature in Alicante averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Zagreb fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Alicante this time of the year. In the spring, Alicante often gets more sunshine than Zagreb. Alicante gets 243 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zagreb receives 163 hours of full sun.

Alicante usually gets less rain in April than Zagreb. Alicante gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Zagreb and Alicante