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

Should you visit Marseille or Zagreb?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Marseille or Zagreb, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Marseille

Marseille is a energetic and vibrant city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. With a quaint atmosphere, it also offers a unique feeling. And you can't forget about the beaches, shopping, and nightlife.

Zagreb

Zagreb is a beautiful, authentic, and under-rated city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Marseille and Zagreb: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Marseille or Zagreb?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Zagreb. Although Marseille and Zagreb are both popular with visitors, Zagreb has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Zagreb is more popular for its museums and big city activities, while Marseille is known for its food, nightlife, beaches, historical sights, christmas markets, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Marseille is more touristy than Zagreb and is popular for its unique history, its diverse population, and its authenticity. Zagreb is popular for its museums, parks, and convenient transportation options. It is also home to The Zagreb Cathedral.

How is Marseille different from Zagreb?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Zagreb is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Marseille does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Marseille is a must-visit destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Zagreb is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eat your way through Marseille, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. It's famous for its bouillabaisse, which is a hearty seafood soup that was once affordable but is now quite pricey.

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 Marseille or Zagreb Better for Nightlife?

Marseille is a must-visit destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Zagreb is still popular, but not quite as popular for its evening party scene.

Marseille is a world class party destination. Much of the city's nightlife is centered around being outdoors. Whether you're on the beach or hanging out at a rooftop bar, Marseille is a magical place.

The nightlife in Zagreb has something for everybody. 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.

Is Marseille or Zagreb Better for Beaches?

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

Marseille offers a nice beach destination. The city has nice beaches that offer both culture and diversity, which may be lacking some other coastal parts of the French Riviera.

Zagreb is not a beach destination.

Is Marseille or Zagreb Better for its Old Town?

Marseille is a must-visit destination for its old town. Also, Zagreb is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town charm.

The rich history of Marseille can be explored in its historical center. The Old Port is filled with shops and boutiques, and is the most scenic part of the city. It dates back to the Middle Ages and is filled with history and character.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Marseille or Zagreb?

Shoppers can find a variety of great stores in both Marseille and Zagreb.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Marseille. The city has boutiques, farmers markets, and flea markets to explore, as well as any luxury brand you may want.

Zagreb is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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 Marseille or Zagreb Better for Christmas Markets?

Marseille is a good destination for its Christmas markets. However, Zagreb does not offer Christmas markets.

Visiting the Christmas markets is popular in Marseille. The old town has a Christmas craft market where you can buy toys, Christmas treats, or decorations.

Zagreb does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Marseille or Zagreb Better for Families?

Zagreb is a nice place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. However, Marseille is lacking in options for its family-friendly activities.

Zagreb is a family-friendly city. 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.

Marseille doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. Nearby beaches and an outdoor climbing area make it a diverse city to visit with kids.

Is Marseille or Zagreb Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Marseille frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Strolling the boulevards and exploring the history and culture of this city make it a top couples' destination.

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 Marseille or Zagreb Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Zagreb is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Marseille is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and 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.

Marseille is a good city to visit for backpackers. It has a decent number of hostels for a city of its size.

Is Marseille or Zagreb Better for Students?

Both Marseille and Zagreb are great destinations for students.

Marseille is a great city to visit as a student. It attracts international students because of its rich culture, unique atmosphere, and lively bar scene.

Students come from all over to stay in 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.

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

Zagreb is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Marseille is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

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

You'll find some public transit in Marseille, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The city has trams, a metro, and buses that you can use to explore.

Is Marseille or Zagreb a more walkable city?

Marseille and Zagreb are great when it comes to walkability.

Marseille is a very walkable destination. The Old Port (Vieux Port) is particularly walkable and is one of the best areas to explore on foot.

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.

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

Should I spend more time in Zagreb or Marseille?

How long in Marseille or Zagreb?

It's fun to spend time in either Marseille 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 Marseille, and 2-4 days is enough time in Zagreb.

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

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

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the quaint destination of Marseille. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Zagreb. Visiting the old town is also a must. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Marseille or Zagreb?

Marseille 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historic destination of Zagreb. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Marseille or Zagreb?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Marseille. 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the authentic city of Zagreb. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. 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 Marseille or Zagreb?

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the vibrant destination of Marseille. 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.

Zagreb is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to France, The Best G Adventures Tours to 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 Marseille and Zagreb, we can see that Marseille 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 Marseille would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Marseille 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 Marseille Expensive? and Is Zagreb Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Marseille or Zagreb?

Marseille has a larger population, and is about 14% larger than the population of Zagreb. When comparing the sizes of Marseille 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 Marseille 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 Marseille or Zagreb in the Summer?

Both Zagreb and Marseille during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Marseille for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Zagreb in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Marseille is generally around the same temperature as Zagreb. Daily temperatures in Marseille average around 24°C (75°F), and Zagreb fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

In Zagreb, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Marseille. In the summer, Marseille often gets more sunshine than Zagreb. Marseille gets 366 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zagreb receives 266 hours of full sun.

Marseille usually gets less rain in July than Zagreb. Marseille gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Marseille or Zagreb in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Marseille and Zagreb. Many visitors come to Marseille in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Zagreb for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

Marseille is a little warmer than Zagreb in the autumn. The daily temperature in Marseille averages around 16°C (61°F) in October, and Zagreb fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In Marseille, it's very sunny this time of the year. Marseille usually receives more sunshine than Zagreb during autumn. Marseille gets 205 hours of sunny skies, while Zagreb receives 133 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Marseille usually receives more rain than Zagreb. Marseille gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Marseille or Zagreb in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Marseille as well as Zagreb. Most visitors come to Marseille for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Zagreb because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Zagreb can be very cold. In the winter, Marseille is much warmer than Zagreb. Typically, the winter temperatures in Marseille in January average around 7°C (44°F), and Zagreb averages at about 1°C (35°F).

In the winter, Marseille often gets more sunshine than Zagreb. Marseille gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zagreb receives 54 hours of full sun.

Marseille usually gets less rain in January than Zagreb. Marseille gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Marseille or Zagreb in the Spring?

Both Zagreb and Marseille are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Marseille because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Zagreb this time of year.

In April, Marseille is generally around the same temperature as Zagreb. Daily temperatures in Marseille average around 13°C (56°F), and Zagreb fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marseille. Marseille usually receives more sunshine than Zagreb during spring. Marseille gets 245 hours of sunny skies, while Zagreb receives 163 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Marseille usually receives less rain than Zagreb. Marseille 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 Marseille