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

Should you visit Melbourne or Zagreb?

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

Should I visit Melbourne 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.

Melbourne

Melbourne is a cultural, progressive, and livable city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the food, beaches, and shopping.

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 food, shopping, and museums.

Melbourne and Zagreb: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Melbourne or Zagreb?

You'll generally find more things to do in Melbourne than Zagreb. Melbourne is bigger than Zagreb, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Melbourne is better known for its beaches and big city activities, while Zagreb is more popular for its historical sights. Melbourne is more touristy than Zagreb and is popular for its art and cultural scene, its sports history, and its friendly and welcoming population. Also, Melbourne is famous for the Royal Botanic Gardens. Zagreb is well known for its museums, parks, and convenient transportation options.

How is Melbourne different from Zagreb?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Melbourne and Zagreb.

Melbourne offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Many of the city's sights center around the art and cultural scene. There's the the National Gallery of Victoria and the Performing Arts Centre Melbourne. There's also Federation Square. Sports enthusiasts will appreciate a visit to the National Sports Museum and for great views, check out Melbourne Skydeck at Eureka Tower.

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 Melbourne or Zagreb? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Melbourne and Zagreb offer superb local cuisine and restaurants.

Melbourne has a huge number of terrific restaurants. There's an eclectic mix of international restaurants that offer everything from Szechuan dishes to Spanish tapas. You'll find bistros and bars that have a fun and relaxed vibe and locals and tourists alike enjoy dining out.

Dining out in Zagreb is an experience not to be missed. 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 Melbourne or Zagreb Better for Nightlife?

The superb nightlife scene is relatively similar in Melbourne and Zagreb.

Melbourne has a large number of nightlife venues. There are bars and clubs that have a laid back and relaxed atmosphere as well as more party focused nightclubs that stay open late into the night. Whether you're interested in dancing and listening to live music, or chatting with friends at a local brewery, there really is something for everyone.

Zagreb is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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 Melbourne or Zagreb Better for Beaches?

Melbourne is a great destination for the beache. However, Zagreb is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Melbourne for it's beautiful beaches. There are laid back beaches near town that attract locals and tourists alike. You can enjoy coastal trails and great natural beauty. St Kilda Beach and Elwood Beach are among the most popular beaches near the city. Brighton Beach is known for its colorful bathing boxes and Williamstown Beach is very family-friendly.

Zagreb is not a beach destination.

Is Melbourne or Zagreb Better for its Old Town?

Zagreb is a very popular place for its old town. However, Melbourne 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.

Melbourne does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Melbourne or Zagreb?

Shoppers can find a variety of superb stores in both Melbourne and Zagreb.

Melbourne is well-known for its shopping. The city has tons of retail options that range from trendy fashion boutiques to outdoor markets. There are local venders that highlight the city's art and cultural scene, but there are also suburban malls with all of the major brands.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in 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.

Is Melbourne or Zagreb Better for Families?

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

Melbourne is a very kid-friendly city. The city has kids museums like the Museum of Play and Art or the Polly Woodside Tall Ship and Museum. There's also the Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium and the Scienceworks Museums. If you like quirky, check out the ArtVo 3D Immersive Art Gallery. There's also Legoland, which has a lot for younger children.

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 Melbourne or Zagreb Better for Couples?

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

Melbourne makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's a very livable city with romantic viewpoints like SkyHigh Mount Dandenong. There are also nice gardens to explore such as the Carlton Gardens and the Rippon Lea House and Gardens. Or you could go for a ride on the Melbourne Star or dine at one of the many great restaurants.

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 Melbourne or Zagreb Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Melbourne is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Many backpackers breeze through the city, but there is a great music and art scene as well as a number of good restaurants. You'll also find a couple of good hostels in town.

Is Melbourne or Zagreb Better for Students?

Melbourne is a must-visit destination for students. Also, Zagreb is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.

Melbourne is a very popular place to visit for students. Many students think this is among the best student cities in Australia. There's a great creative culture with a good music and art scene. The population is diverse and the restaurants a great.

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.

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

Visitors will find superb public transit in both Melbourne and Zagreb.

Public transit in Melbourne can get you to some places easily. The public transit system is among the best in Australia. There are public buses, trains, and trams (also called trolleys or streetcars).

Many visitors use the public transit system in Zagreb. The system includes trams, buses, and a funicular.

Is Melbourne or Zagreb a more walkable city?

Melbourne and Zagreb are superb when it comes to walkability.

Melbourne is a very walkable city. The city center is very walkable with a compact and grid-like layout.

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 Melbourne Worth Visiting? and Is Zagreb Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Zagreb or Melbourne?

How long in Melbourne or Zagreb?

It's fun to spend time in either Melbourne or Zagreb. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Melbourne due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Melbourne, and 2-4 days is enough time in Zagreb.

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

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

Melbourne is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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 Melbourne or Zagreb?

Melbourne 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 under-rated 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 Melbourne or Zagreb?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Melbourne. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Most people come for the beaches. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the beautiful 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 Melbourne or Zagreb?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the friendly big city of Melbourne. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting 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 Water Sports Tour Packages in Australia, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Australia, 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 Melbourne and Zagreb, we can see that Melbourne is more expensive. And not only is Zagreb much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Melbourne is in Pacific and Zagreb is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Melbourne would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Melbourne 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 Melbourne Expensive? and Is Zagreb Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Melbourne or Zagreb?

Melbourne has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Zagreb. When comparing the sizes of Melbourne 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 Melbourne or Zagreb?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Melbourne is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Zagreb has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Melbourne or Zagreb in the Summer?

Both Zagreb and Melbourne during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Melbourne for the beaches, the city activities, and 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.

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

In Zagreb, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Melbourne. In the summer, Melbourne often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Zagrebin July. Melbourne gets 271 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zagreb receives 266 hours of full sun.

Melbourne usually gets less rain in January than Zagrebin July. Melbourne gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Melbourne or Zagreb in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Melbourne and Zagreb. The autumn months attract visitors to Melbourne because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Furthermore, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Zagreb this time of year.

In the autumn, Melbourne is a little warmer than Zagreb. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Melbourne in April average around 15°C (60°F), and Zagreb averages at about 13°C (55°F)in October.

Melbourne usually receives more sunshine than Zagreb during autumn. Melbourne gets 170 hours of sunny skies, while Zagreb receives 133 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In April, Melbourne usually receives less rain than Zagrebin October. Melbourne gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Melbourne or Zagreb in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Melbourne as well as Zagreb. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Melbourne this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Zagreb for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Zagreb. In July, Melbourne is generally much warmer than Zagrebin January. Daily temperatures in Melbourne average around 9°C (49°F), and Zagreb fluctuates around 1°C (35°F).

In the winter, Melbourne often gets more sunshine than Zagrebin January. Melbourne gets 139 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zagreb receives 54 hours of full sun.

Melbourne usually gets less rain in July than Zagrebin January. Melbourne gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Melbourne or Zagreb in the Spring?

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

Melbourne is around the same temperature as Zagreb in the spring. The daily temperature in Melbourne averages around 14°C (57°F) in October, and Zagreb fluctuates around 13°C (55°F)in April.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Melbourne. Melbourne usually receives more sunshine than Zagreb during spring. Melbourne gets 216 hours of sunny skies, while Zagreb receives 163 hours of full sun in the spring.

In October, Melbourne usually receives around the same amount of rain as Zagrebin April. Melbourne gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Zagreb and Melbourne