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

Should you visit Bern or Zagreb?

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

Should I visit Bern or Zagreb? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Bern

Bern is a beautiful, cultural, and historic city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Zagreb

Zagreb is a local, historic, and beautiful city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Bern and Zagreb: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bern or Zagreb?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Zagreb than Bern. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Zagreb is very popular for its food, nightlife, and big city activities, while Bern attracts visitors for its impressive beauty. Bern is more touristy than Zagreb and is known for its well-preserved old town and its reputation as the home of the Lindt chocolate factory. Zagreb is famous for its museums, parks, and convenient transportation options. It is also well known for The Zagreb Cathedral.

How is Bern different from Zagreb?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Both Bern and Zagreb have superb landmarks and museums for visitors.

Bern offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city is filled with architecture and charming character. While you're in town make sure you visit the Einstein Museum, the Clock Tower, and the Bern Cathedral.

Many visitors head to Zagreb specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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 Bern or Zagreb? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Zagreb is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Zagreb makes for a great culinary experience. 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).

Bern has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The city has cozy cafes, high end fine dining, traditional eateries, and modern venues.

Is Bern or Zagreb Better for Nightlife?

Zagreb is a well-known place for nightlife. Also, Bern is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

Zagreb offers plenty to do in the evening. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Bern. There are bars, Irish pubs, and clubs around town.

Is Bern or Zagreb Better for its Old Town?

It's fun to wander around the superb old towns in both Bern and Zagreb.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Bern. The charming old town is filled with quaint alleys and sandstone buildings. It's a compact area that flows down a hill to the River Aare.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Bern or Zagreb?

Both Bern and Zagreb are superb shopping destinations.

Bern is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The old town is filled with boutique shops and unique markets. The main shopping streets are Spitalgasse and Marktgasse and popular items to buy include jewelry, art, and watches.

Zagreb is well-known for its shopping. The city has a huge number of shopping centers where you'll find retail shops selling international brands, clothing, jewelry, sporting goods, and more.

Is Bern or Zagreb Better for Families?

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

Bern is a very kid-friendly city. This charming town has riverside parks and pools, a zoo, a waterpark, and kid-friendly museums that the whole family can enjoy. You can also visit nearby Gurten, a mountain with tobogganing, concerts, and a mini ski resort.

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 Bern or Zagreb Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Bern frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. With charming restaurants, a beautiful rose garden, and nice hotels and spas, this town makes a beautiful romantic getaway.

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 Bern or Zagreb Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Bern and Zagreb are superb destinations for backpackers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Bern. Like most of Switzerland, prices are a bit high, but there are some hostels and free activities that backpackers and budget travelers can enjoy.

Many backpackers visit Zagreb. 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.

Is Bern or Zagreb Better for Students?

Zagreb is a well-known place for students. However, Bern is not popular with students.

Zagreb is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. 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.

Bern is not popular with students.

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

Both Bern and Zagreb offer superb public transit options.

Visitors to Bern can move around easily with public transportation. There are trams and buses that run around town.

The public transit in Zagreb can get you around easily. The system includes trams, buses, and a funicular.

Is Bern or Zagreb a more walkable city?

Bern and Zagreb both are superb when exploring on foot.

Bern is very walkable. It's fun to explore the old town on foot. It is compact enough to that you can see all of the highlights in a few hours.

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.

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

Should I spend more time in Zagreb or Bern?

How long in Bern or Zagreb?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Zagreb than Bern 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 Bern or Zagreb?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Bern. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Zagreb. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Bern or Zagreb?

Bern 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 fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Bern or Zagreb?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bern. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historic destination of Zagreb. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Bern or Zagreb?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the beautiful destination of Bern. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

The under-rated city of Zagreb offers nightlife and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Switzerland, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Switzerland, 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 Bern and Zagreb, we can see that Bern 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 Bern would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bern 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 Bern Expensive? and Is Zagreb Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bern or Zagreb?

Zagreb has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Bern. When comparing the sizes of Bern 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 Bern 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 Bern or Zagreb in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Bern and Zagreb. Most visitors come to Bern for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Zagreb because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Bern is around the same temperature as Zagreb. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bern in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Zagreb averages at about 22°C (72°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Zagreb this time of the year. In Bern, it's very sunny this time of the year. Bern usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Zagreb during summer. Bern gets 250 hours of sunny skies, while Zagreb receives 266 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Bern usually receives less rain than Zagreb. Bern gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Bern or Zagreb in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Bern as well as Zagreb. The autumn months attract visitors to Bern because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Zagreb this time of year.

In October, Bern is generally around the same temperature as Zagreb. Daily temperatures in Bern average around 13°C (55°F), and Zagreb fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the autumn, Bern often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Zagreb. Bern gets 126 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zagreb receives 133 hours of full sun.

Bern usually gets less rain in October than Zagreb. Bern gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bern or Zagreb in the Winter?

Both Zagreb and Bern are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Bern this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Zagreb for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Zagreb. It's quite cold in Bern in the winter. Bern is much warmer than Zagreb in the winter. The daily temperature in Bern averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Zagreb fluctuates around 1°C (35°F).

Bern usually receives more sunshine than Zagreb during winter. Bern gets 65 hours of sunny skies, while Zagreb receives 54 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Bern usually receives around the same amount of rain as Zagreb. Bern gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Bern or Zagreb in the Spring?

Both Zagreb and Bern during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Bern for the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Zagreb in the spring for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Bern is cooler than Zagreb. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bern in April average around 11°C (52°F), and Zagreb averages at about 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Bern often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Zagreb. Bern gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zagreb receives 163 hours of full sun.

Bern usually gets less rain in April than Zagreb. Bern gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Zagreb and Bern