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

Should you visit Salzburg or Zagreb?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Salzburg 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.

Salzburg

Salzburg is a beautiful, musical, and cultural city. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. It also has a unique and quaint vibe that attracts lots of visitors. And you can't forget about the live music, food, and shopping.

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. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Salzburg and Zagreb: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Salzburg or Zagreb?

Both Zagreb and Salzburg have plenty of things to do for visitors. Both offer a variety of sights, activities, and attractions for tourists. Salzburg is more popular for its music, historical sights, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Zagreb is known for its nightlife and big city activities. Salzburg is more touristy than Zagreb and is known for its elegant breakfasts, its classical music scene, and its role in the Sound of Music. Zagreb is popular for its museums, parks, and convenient transportation options.

How is Salzburg different from Zagreb?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Salzburg or Zagreb.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Salzburg can be an interesting and educational experience. There are many historic sights to explore including Mozart's birthplace, the Mozart Residence, the Salzburg Museum, and the many stunning churches and concert halls.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Zagreb. 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 Salzburg or Zagreb? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Salzburg and Zagreb.

Dining out in Salzburg is an experience not to be missed. The old town is filled with charming restaurants that serve local specialties including schnitzel, tafelspitz, and strudel. The city is also known for it's impressive breakfast spread that is often served on a three tiered cake stand and includes cheeses, salami, fresh fruit, pastries, olives, jams and more.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in 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 Salzburg or Zagreb Better for Nightlife?

Zagreb is a well-known place for its evening party scene. Also, Salzburg is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.

Zagreb offers plenty to do in the evening. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Salzburg. The city has a number of trendy bars, pubs, and clubs where you can enjoy music and a lively atmosphere.

Is Salzburg or Zagreb Better for Music?

Salzburg is a must-visit destination for its live music scene. However, Zagreb is not a live music destination.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in Salzburg Although most people think of Mozart and the Sound of Music when they think of this city, there are also many music festivals, including the famous Salzburg Music Festival, as well as concert venues and an independent music scene that is excellent.

Zagreb is not a live music destination.

Is Salzburg or Zagreb Better for its Old Town?

Salzburg 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 Salzburg can be explored in its historical center. This beautiful old town is filled with cafes, restaurants, and churches. You can enjoy local music performed by street performers as you soak in the atmosphere and the regular chime of the church bells really gives the city personality. There are also frequent markets and shops to explore.

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 Salzburg or Zagreb?

Salzburg is a must-visit destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Zagreb is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Salzburg make it a world-class shopping destination. The city's historic heart is filled with boutique shops, chocolate markets, and charming local vendors. It's fun to peruse the many shops that line the streets while you shop for local souvenirs.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas 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 Salzburg or Zagreb Better for Families?

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

Salzburg is a very kid-friendly city. Kids who know the Sound of Music will enjoy visiting the setting of a number of scenes from the movie. There are even popular Sound of Music tours that take you to the gardens where they sang "Do Re Mi" and out of town to the church where Maria married the Captain. The city also offers Marionette Puppet shows, cooking classes, castles and more around town that everyone can enjoy.

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 Salzburg or Zagreb Better for Couples?

Salzburg is a must-visit destination for its romantic activities. Also, Zagreb is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Salzburg is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. The town offers a romantic setting with elaborate breakfasts, beautiful architecture, live shows, and plenty that couples can enjoy. You can simply wander around old town or explore the many gardens around town. Couples will also enjoy the concerts and music that the city is so famous for.

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 Salzburg or Zagreb Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Salzburg and Zagreb are great destinations for backpackers.

Salzburg is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. This is a popular city to visit, so there are plenty of amenities for backpackers. If you want to save a little money, you can stay and eat outside of old town where the prices are a little less.

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.

Is Salzburg or Zagreb Better for Students?

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

Salzburg is a very popular place to visit for students. International students appreciate the high quality of life, excellent educational opportunities and unique European setting that makes this city special. There are also a number of beautiful places just outside of town that you can explore, as well as many travel connections to other popular cities in Europe.

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

Both Salzburg and Zagreb offer great public transit options.

The public transit in Salzburg can get you to most places easily. Trolleys and buses make it easy to get around town.

Visitors to Zagreb can move around easily with public transportation. The system includes trams, buses, and a funicular.

Is Salzburg or Zagreb a more walkable city?

Salzburg and Zagreb both are great when exploring on foot.

Salzburg is a very walkable destination. The old town is very walkable, but if you stay outside of the main tourist areas, you'll likely want to take a bus.

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 Salzburg Worth Visiting? and Is Zagreb Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Zagreb or Salzburg?

How long in Salzburg or Zagreb?

It's fun to spend time in either Salzburg or Zagreb. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Salzburg due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Salzburg, and 2-4 days is enough time in Zagreb.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Salzburg than Zagreb 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 Salzburg.

One day in Salzburg or Zagreb?

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the quaint destination of Salzburg. 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.

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 Salzburg or Zagreb?

Salzburg is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. 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 Salzburg or Zagreb?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Salzburg. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. 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 Salzburg or Zagreb?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the musical destination of Salzburg. 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 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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Austria, The Best 10-Day Tours in Austria, 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 Salzburg and Zagreb, we can see that Salzburg 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 Salzburg would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Salzburg 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 Salzburg Expensive? and Is Zagreb Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Salzburg or Zagreb?

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

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Salzburg or Zagreb in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Salzburg and Zagreb. Many travelers come to Salzburg for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Zagreb in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Salzburg is generally cooler than Zagreb. Daily temperatures in Salzburg average around 20°C (68°F), and Zagreb fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Zagreb this time of the year. In Salzburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. Salzburg usually receives less sunshine than Zagreb during summer. Salzburg gets 227 hours of sunny skies, while Zagreb receives 266 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Salzburg usually receives around the same amount of rain as Zagreb. Salzburg gets 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Salzburg or Zagreb in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Salzburg as well as Zagreb. Many visitors come to Salzburg in the autumn for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, most visitors come to Zagreb for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

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

In the autumn, Salzburg often gets less sunshine than Zagreb. Salzburg gets 108 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zagreb receives 133 hours of full sun.

Salzburg usually gets less rain in October than Zagreb. Salzburg gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Salzburg or Zagreb in the Winter?

Both Zagreb and Salzburg are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Salzburg for the museums, 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. Salzburg can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Salzburg is much colder than Zagreb. Typically, the winter temperatures in Salzburg in January average around -0°C (31°F), and Zagreb averages at about 1°C (35°F).

Salzburg usually receives less sunshine than Zagreb during winter. Salzburg gets 44 hours of sunny skies, while Zagreb receives 54 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Salzburg usually receives around the same amount of rain as Zagreb. Salzburg gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Salzburg or Zagreb in the Spring?

Both Zagreb and Salzburg during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Salzburg because of the natural beauty. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Zagreb this time of year.

In April, Salzburg is generally cooler than Zagreb. Daily temperatures in Salzburg average around 11°C (51°F), and Zagreb fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Salzburg often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Zagreb. Salzburg gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zagreb receives 163 hours of full sun.

Salzburg usually gets less rain in April than Zagreb. Salzburg gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Zagreb and Salzburg