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

Should you visit Caen or Zagreb?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Caen and Zagreb. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Caen

Caen is a park-filled, important, and historic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the food, museums, and nightlife.

Zagreb

Zagreb is a under-rated, local, and historic city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Caen and Zagreb: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Caen or Zagreb?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Zagreb than Caen. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Caen is more touristy than Zagreb and is popular for its role in World War II and its memorials and historical buildings. Zagreb is famous for its museums, parks, and convenient transportation options. It is also well known for The Zagreb Cathedral.

How is Caen different from Zagreb?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Spend time exploring the excellent sights and museums in either Caen or Zagreb.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Caen. There are many monuments around town commemorating the city's long history. You'll want to see Château de Caen, Pegasus Bridge, Mémorial de Caen, Musée de Normandie, and Musée des beaux-arts de Caen.

Zagreb offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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 Caen or Zagreb? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at excellent restaurants in both Caen and Zagreb.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Caen. There's a market that's at its best on Sundays where you'll find fresh produce and other local ingredients. There are also Michelin starred restaurants, seafood restaurants, and other traditional dishes. Head to the Vaugueux Quarter for traditional dishes.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Zagreb. 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 Caen or Zagreb Better for Nightlife?

Zagreb is a very popular place for nightlife. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Zagreb has a large number of nightlife venues. 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.

Caen has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The nightlife scene stays active thanks to the 30,000 students living in town. Head to the Rue Ecuyère for a pub crawl or hit up any of the other bars around town.

Is Caen or Zagreb Better for its Old Town?

Zagreb is a very popular place for its historic old town. However, Caen does not have a historic old town.

There are many historical things to see 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.

Caen does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Caen or Zagreb?

Zagreb is a very popular place for shopping. However, Caen is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Zagreb. The city has a huge number of shopping centers where you'll find retail shops selling international brands, clothing, jewelry, sporting goods, and more.

Caen is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Caen or Zagreb Better for Families?

Both Caen and Zagreb are nice family-friendly destinations.

Caen is a family-friendly city. There are museums, parks, monasteries, and castles that kids and adults alike with enjoy visiting.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Zagreb. 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 Caen or Zagreb Better for Couples?

Caen and Zagreb both nice destinations for a couple.

Caen is a nice destination for couples. Couples that are fascinated by history will enjoy a visit to this town in Normandy. There are also abbeys, castles and parks.

Zagreb makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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 Caen or Zagreb Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Zagreb is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Zagreb is very popular with the backpacker crowd. 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.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Caen. You'll find more apartments and bed and breakfasts than hostels in town, but backpackers still make their way here.

Is Caen or Zagreb Better for Students?

Zagreb is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Caen is not popular with students.

Many students visit Zagreb. 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.

Caen is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find excellent public transit in both Caen and Zagreb.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Caen. There are buses and trams that travel throughout the city.

Public transit in Zagreb can get you to some places easily. The system includes trams, buses, and a funicular.

Is Caen or Zagreb a more walkable city?

Zagreb is a very popular place for its walkability. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

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

Caen is a somewhat walkable place. The city center is best explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Zagreb or Caen?

How long in Caen or Zagreb?

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

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

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

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

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

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 Caen or Zagreb?

Caen 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 Caen or Zagreb?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Caen. 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 authentic 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 Caen or Zagreb?

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

The authentic 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 10-Day Tours in France, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France, 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 Caen and Zagreb, we can see that Caen 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 Caen would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Caen 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 Caen Expensive? and Is Zagreb Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Caen or Zagreb?

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

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 Caen or Zagreb in the Summer?

Both Zagreb and Caen during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Caen because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Zagreb this time of year.

In the summer, Caen is cooler than Zagreb. Typically, the summer temperatures in Caen in July average around 18°C (64°F), and Zagreb averages at about 22°C (72°F).

In Zagreb, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Caen. In the summer, Caen often gets less sunshine than Zagreb. Caen gets 227 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zagreb receives 266 hours of full sun.

Caen usually gets less rain in July than Zagreb. Caen gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Caen or Zagreb in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Caen and Zagreb. The city's sights and attractions are the main draw to Caen this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Zagreb for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Caen is generally around the same temperature as Zagreb. Daily temperatures in Caen average around 12°C (54°F), and Zagreb fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Caen usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Zagreb during autumn. Caen gets 128 hours of sunny skies, while Zagreb receives 133 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Caen usually receives around the same amount of rain as Zagreb. Caen gets 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Caen or Zagreb in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Caen as well as Zagreb. Many travelers come to Caen for the museums and the cuisine. Additionally, many visitors come to Zagreb in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Zagreb can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Caen. Caen is much warmer than Zagreb in the winter. The daily temperature in Caen averages around 5°C (41°F) in January, and Zagreb fluctuates around 1°C (35°F).

In the winter, Caen often gets more sunshine than Zagreb. Caen gets 70 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zagreb receives 54 hours of full sun.

Caen usually gets more rain in January than Zagreb. Caen gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Caen or Zagreb in the Spring?

Both Zagreb and Caen are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Caen in the spring for the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Zagreb for the activities around the city during these months.

In the spring, Caen is cooler than Zagreb. Typically, the spring temperatures in Caen in April average around 9°C (49°F), and Zagreb averages at about 13°C (55°F).

Caen usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Zagreb during spring. Caen gets 171 hours of sunny skies, while Zagreb receives 163 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Caen usually receives less rain than Zagreb. Caen gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Zagreb and Caen