A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Mamaia vs. Zagreb for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Mamaia or Zagreb?

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

Should I visit Mamaia 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.

Where Should I go: Mamaia or Zagreb?

Mamaia

The most popular beach resort in Romania, Mamaia sits on an 8-kilometer wisp of land between Lake Siutghiol and the Black Sea. With plenty of hotels, restaurants, nightclubs, and an aqua park, the resort area is a party-goer's destination with endless opportunities for fun in the sun and nighttime merriment.

Zagreb

Zagreb, in central Croatia, is the country's capital. It has a wonderful old town that has cobblestone streets, historic buildings, and a great atmosphere. Many people travel to Croatia specifically for its beaches and coastal towns, but if you overlook this lovely capital city, you'll miss a large part of the culture and personality that is Croatia.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Romania, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bucharest, The Best 2-Week Tours from Dubrovnik, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Split.


Which place is cheaper, Zagreb or Mamaia?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Mamaia is $64, while the average daily cost in Zagreb is $82. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Mamaia and Zagreb in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Mamaia $25
    Zagreb $51
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Mamaia $50
    Zagreb $102
Compare Hotels in Mamaia and Zagreb

Looking for a hotel in Mamaia or Zagreb? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Mamaia


Hotels in Zagreb


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Zagreb Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Mamaia $27
    Zagreb $9.69

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mamaia

Also for Mamaia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Cernavoda to Bucharest - Private Guided Transfer - Car and Driver: $217
  • Constanta to Bucharest Otopeni airport - private transfers: $250
  • Mihail Kogalniceanu Constanta to Bucharest Driver - Private Guided Transfer : $272
  • Private Transfer from Constanta to Bucarest (OTP) Airport: $174

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zagreb

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zagreb:

  • private transfer from Trogir/Split to Zagreb via Plitvice: $1,747
  • Private Walking Tour with Funicular Ride & Transfers: $53
  • Private Transfer to/from Zagreb Airport: $27
  • Bus transfer from/to Rijeka: $6.93
  • Zagreb- Ljubljana. Private transfer: $194
  • Zagreb to Split Group Transfer with Plitvice Lakes guided Tour: $151
  • Zagreb to Rovinj private transfer or vice versa: $271
  • Zagreb to Budapest Private Transfer by Minivan: $532
  • Zagreb city to Zagreb Airport private transfer: $87
  • Zagreb Arrival Private Transfers from Zagreb Airport ZAG to Zagreb City: $62
  • Zagreb Airport: One-Way Private transfer To/From Airport: $41
  • Zagreb Airport(ZAG) to Moravske Toplice- Arrival Private Transfer: $43

Is it cheaper to fly into Mamaia or Zagreb?

Prices for flights to both Zagreb and Mamaia change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Mamaia $22
    Zagreb $18

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zagreb

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zagreb.

  • Taste Zagreb Food Tour: $74
  • Taste Zagreb Food Tour: $75
  • Croatian cuisine cooking class with Dolac market tour: $136
  • Private Authentic Market Tour and Cooking Class in the Heart of Zagreb: $144
  • Private Food Tour with Tastings: $173
  • Wine & Food tour of Plešivica near Zagreb: $948

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Mamaia $13
    Zagreb $13

Tours and Activities in Mamaia

For Mamaia, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Self-Guided Labyrinth in the Rocks Tour near Silistra: $21
  • Day Tour: Visit Histria Winery and Ancient Citadel: $86
  • One Day Tour to Constanta (The Ancient City of Tomis): $175

Tours and Activities in Zagreb

Here are a few actual costs in Zagreb for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Private eclectic experience of Rastoke and Plitvice Lakes National Park: $163
  • Zagreb History Walking Tour: $31
  • (180min) Zagreb Leisure Tour-more ride up to the Mirogoj cemetery: $106
  • 2-Hour Private Walking Tour in Zagreb City with Guide (up to 10): $152
  • 2-Hour Unveiling A Captivating History Tour: $107
  • 4 Day Touristic Adventure from Zagreb: $2,441
  • 4-hour Private Zagreb & the Mountain Tour in a Yugo car: $114
  • All-Inclusive Day Tour Zagreb-Rastoke-Plitvice Lakes-Split: $1,064
  • Back to Yugoslavia Private City Tour in Old-Timer Yugo Car: $92
  • Baroque Varaždin and Trakošćan Castle Private Tour: $190
  • Beautiful Christmas in Zagreb - Walking Tour: $198
  • Beautiful Christmas in Zagreb - Walking Tour: $430

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Mamaia $12
    Zagreb $9.49

Sample the Local Flavors in Mamaia

Also in Mamaia, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Unveilling the Essence: Gabai Winery's Captivating Wine Tours: $43

Sample the Local Flavors in Zagreb

Also in Zagreb, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Zagreb Pub Crawl: $16
  • Zagreb:Private Bar Crawling and Alcohol Testing with a Guide: $32
  • Zagreb Wine Tasting & Jarun Lake Tour: $75
  • Plesivica countryside Wine Tasting: $197
  • Private Wine Tasting Tour from Zagreb: $206
  • Plesivica Region Wine Tasting Half-day Tour : $271


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

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



When is the best time to visit Mamaia 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 Mamaia or Zagreb in the Summer?

Both Zagreb and Mamaia during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Zagreb because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

Mamaia is around the same temperature as Zagreb in the summer. The daily temperature in Mamaia averages around 22°C (72°F) in July, and Zagreb fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

In Zagreb, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Mamaia. In the summer, Mamaia often gets more sunshine than Zagreb. Mamaia gets 320 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zagreb receives 266 hours of full sun.

Mamaia usually gets less rain in July than Zagreb. Mamaia gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Mamaia 22°C (72°F) 
    Zagreb 22°C (72°F)

Should I visit Mamaia or Zagreb in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Mamaia and Zagreb. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Zagreb this time of year.

In the autumn, Mamaia is around the same temperature as Zagreb. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Mamaia in October average around 14°C (56°F), and Zagreb averages at about 13°C (55°F).

Mamaia usually receives more sunshine than Zagreb during autumn. Mamaia gets 182 hours of sunny skies, while Zagreb receives 133 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Mamaia usually receives less rain than Zagreb. Mamaia gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Mamaia 14°C (56°F) 
    Zagreb 13°C (55°F)

Should I visit Mamaia or Zagreb in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Mamaia as well as Zagreb. 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 Mamaia in the winter. In January, Mamaia is generally much colder than Zagreb. Daily temperatures in Mamaia average around 1°C (33°F), and Zagreb fluctuates around 1°C (35°F).

In the winter, Mamaia often gets more sunshine than Zagreb. Mamaia gets 83 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zagreb receives 54 hours of full sun.

Mamaia usually gets less rain in January than Zagreb. Mamaia gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Mamaia 1°C (33°F) 
    Zagreb 1°C (35°F)

Should I visit Mamaia or Zagreb in the Spring?

Both Zagreb and Mamaia are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Zagreb in the spring for the activities around the city.

Mamaia is cooler than Zagreb in the spring. The daily temperature in Mamaia averages around 10°C (51°F) in April, and Zagreb fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Mamaia usually receives more sunshine than Zagreb during spring. Mamaia gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Zagreb receives 163 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Mamaia usually receives less rain than Zagreb. Mamaia gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Mamaia 10°C (51°F) 
    Zagreb 13°C (55°F)

Typical Weather for Zagreb and Mamaia

Mamaia Zagreb
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 1°C (33°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 1°C (35°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Feb 2°C (36°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 4°C (39°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Mar 5°C (41°F) 26 mm (1 in) 8°C (47°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Apr 10°C (51°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 13°C (55°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
May 16°C (60°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 17°C (63°F) 83 mm (3.3 in)
Jun 20°C (68°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 20°C (69°F) 101 mm (4 in)
Jul 22°C (72°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 22°C (72°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
Aug 22°C (72°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 22°C (71°F) 91 mm (3.6 in)
Sep 19°C (65°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 18°C (65°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Oct 14°C (56°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 13°C (55°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Nov 8°C (47°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 8°C (46°F) 85 mm (3.3 in)
Dec 4°C (38°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 3°C (37°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)