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

Should you visit Chartres or Zagreb?

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

Should I visit Chartres 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.

Chartres

Chartres is a grand, spectacular, and historic town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. And you can't forget about the food and museums.

Zagreb

Zagreb is a local, historic, and beautiful city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Chartres and Zagreb: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Chartres or Zagreb?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Zagreb than Chartres, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Zagreb is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Chartres is more popular for its small town charm. Chartres is more touristy than Zagreb and is popular for its beautiful cathedral and long running history. Zagreb is well known for its museums, parks, and convenient transportation options. Also, Zagreb is famous for The Zagreb Cathedral.

How is Chartres different from Zagreb?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Zagreb is great for its historical sights. Also, Chartres is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its sights and museums.

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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Chartres. Most visitors make the trip to see the spectacular Gothic cathedral, Cathédrale Notre-Dame. It was completed in 1220 and is famous for its beautiful stained glass windows.

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

Zagreb is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Chartres is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Zagreb has a huge number of terrific 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).

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Chartres area. There are a number of restaurants around town so it's easy to grab lunch during a day trip.

Is Chartres or Zagreb Better for Nightlife?

Zagreb is great for nightlife and partying. However, Chartres is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Many people head to Zagreb for the nightlife scene. 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.

Chartres is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Chartres or Zagreb Better for its Old Town?

Zagreb is great for its old town. However, Chartres does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting 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.

Chartres does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Chartres or Zagreb?

Zagreb is great for its shopping opportunities. However, Chartres is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Chartres is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Chartres or Zagreb Better for Families?

Zagreb is a popular place for its kid-friendly activities. However, Chartres is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

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.

Chartres is not the most family-friendly destination. The main attraction in town is the cathedral, but the surrounding area is also filled with history. This may not keep your kids entertained for long, so you can also check out the Stained Glass Museum, La Tanière (a zoo), or one of the parks around town.

Is Chartres or Zagreb Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Chartres and Zagreb make for a notable place to visit.

Chartres makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. With its cathedral and rich history, many couples enjoy exploring the town. It is filled with history and interesting sights.

Zagreb is a good town 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 Chartres or Zagreb Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Zagreb is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Chartres is not as popular, but is still a nice town for backpackers.

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.

Chartres is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. It's easy enough to visit as a day trip from Paris, so backpackers and other tourists typically allow themselves a few hours to explore.

Is Chartres or Zagreb Better for Students?

Zagreb is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Chartres 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.

Chartres is not popular with students.

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

Chartres and Zagreb both offer superb public transit to get you around.

The public transit in Chartres can get you around easily. There are trains that leave Paris Montparnasse 1 Et 2 every half hour and travel to Chartres. The trip takes about 1 hour 15 minutes.

Zagreb offers a very effecient public transportation network. The system includes trams, buses, and a funicular.

Is Chartres or Zagreb a more walkable city?

Chartres and Zagreb are superb when it comes to walkability.

Chartres is a very walkable town. It's easy to see the sights around town on foot.

Zagreb is a very walkable destination. 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 Chartres Worth Visiting? and Is Zagreb Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Zagreb or Chartres?

How long in Chartres or Zagreb?

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

Families should spend more time in Zagreb than Chartres. 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 Chartres. 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 Chartres 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 Chartres or Zagreb?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Chartres. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

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 Chartres or Zagreb?

Chartres 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 Chartres or Zagreb?

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

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the grand destination of Chartres. This town 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 Vineyard & Wine Tours in France, The Best Food and Culinary 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 Chartres and Zagreb, we can see that Chartres 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 Chartres would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Chartres 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 Chartres Expensive? and Is Zagreb Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Chartres or Zagreb?

Zagreb has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Chartres. When comparing the sizes of Chartres 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 Chartres 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 Chartres or Zagreb in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Chartres as well as Zagreb. Most visitors come to Chartres for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Zagreb because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Chartres is cooler than Zagreb in the summer. The daily temperature in Chartres averages around 20°C (68°F) in July, and Zagreb fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Zagreb. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chartres this time of the year. In the summer, Chartres often gets less sunshine than Zagreb. Chartres gets 239 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zagreb receives 266 hours of full sun.

Chartres usually gets less rain in July than Zagreb. Chartres gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Chartres or Zagreb in the Autumn?

Both Zagreb and Chartres are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Chartres because of the small town atmosphere. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Zagreb this time of year.

In the autumn, Chartres is around the same temperature as Zagreb. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Chartres in October average around 13°C (56°F), and Zagreb averages at about 13°C (55°F).

Chartres usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Zagreb during autumn. Chartres gets 126 hours of sunny skies, while Zagreb receives 133 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Chartres usually receives less rain than Zagreb. Chartres gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Chartres or Zagreb in the Winter?

Both Zagreb and Chartres during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Chartres this time of year. Furthermore, 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 Chartres in the winter. In January, Chartres is generally much warmer than Zagreb. Daily temperatures in Chartres average around 5°C (40°F), and Zagreb fluctuates around 1°C (35°F).

In the winter, Chartres often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Zagreb. Chartres gets 56 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zagreb receives 54 hours of full sun.

Chartres usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Zagreb. Chartres gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Chartres or Zagreb in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Chartres and Zagreb. Many travelers come to Chartres for the small town charm. Furthermore, many visitors come to Zagreb in the spring for the activities around the city.

Chartres is cooler than Zagreb in the spring. The daily temperature in Chartres averages around 11°C (52°F) in April, and Zagreb fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Chartres usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Zagreb during spring. Chartres gets 173 hours of sunny skies, while Zagreb receives 163 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Chartres usually receives less rain than Zagreb. Chartres gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Zagreb and Chartres