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

Should you visit San Remo or Zagreb?

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

Should I visit San Remo 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.

San Remo

San Remo is a historic, relaxing, and beautiful coastal city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the beaches, shopping, and nightlife.

Zagreb

Zagreb is a local, historic, and beautiful 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.

San Remo and Zagreb: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in San Remo or Zagreb?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Zagreb than San Remo, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Zagreb is more popular for its museums, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while San Remo is known for its beaches and impressive beauty. San Remo is more touristy than Zagreb and is popular for its olives, lemons, and flower market. Zagreb is popular for its museums, parks, and convenient transportation options. It is also home to The Zagreb Cathedral.

How is San Remo different from Zagreb?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in San Remo or Zagreb?

Zagreb is a very popular place for its museums and history. However, San Remo does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

San Remo does not have museums and landmarks.

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

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

San Remo has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The local restaurants are charming and sell a number of local specialties. Many traditional dishes are made with rabbit or chicken. There are also vegetable pies and sardenaira, which is a type of pizza that's made with tomatoes, garlic, and anchovies. Also make sure you pick up Baci di Sanremo, which are soft chocolate biscuits that are available in local bakeries.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Zagreb makes for a great culinary experience. 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 San Remo or Zagreb Better for Nightlife?

Zagreb is a very popular place for its evening party scene. Also, San Remo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

Zagreb has a large number of nightlife venues. 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.

San Remo has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The city has a number of clubs and bars where you can enjoy a drink or hang out late into the evening. It's a pretty mellow nightlife scene, but there's still plenty of places to go as well as a local vibe that doesn't have the influx of tourists that you find in many of other Italian cities.

Is San Remo or Zagreb Better for Beaches?

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

Many people visit San Remo for it's beautiful beaches. The beautiful sandy beaches are nice to visit and it's possible to rent chairs and umbrellas in many places. The main beach in town is Spiaggia dei Porti. Other popular nearby beaches include Spiaggia dei tre ponti, which is a large public beach, and Cala degli Orsi, which is one of the most beautiful public beaches in the area.

Zagreb is not a beach destination.

Is San Remo or Zagreb Better for its Old Town?

It's fun to wander around the superb old towns in both San Remo and Zagreb.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting San Remo. The old quarter of Pigna is a Medieval area with narrow streets that feel as if they're frozen in time. The hills offer impressive city views and the area has a unique historic character.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of 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 San Remo or Zagreb?

Zagreb is a very popular place for its shopping areas. Also, San Remo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

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.

San Remo is a great destination for shopping. There are local and international brands as well as a shopping mall and outlets where you can enjoy shopping.

Is San Remo or Zagreb Better for Families?

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

San Remo is a very kid-friendly coastal city. The area offers plenty of outdoor activities that the whole family will enjoy. There's horseback riding, hiking, rowing, snorkeling, cooking classes, farm tours and more. There are also a number of hotels in the area that have kid-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.

Is San Remo or Zagreb Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit San Remo frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. It's known as the city of flowers, and the many beautiful gardens make this a truly romantic place to visit. Couples will enjoy soaking up the city's history and enjoy the vibrant culture and outdoor activities that are available.

Zagreb is a good coastal 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 San Remo or Zagreb Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Zagreb is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, San Remo is lacking in good options 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.

San Remo is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There aren't many hostels in town, and most backpackers head to more popular Italian destinations. If you're looking for a more off-the-beaten path destination, then this may be your style.

Is San Remo or Zagreb Better for Students?

Zagreb is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, San Remo 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.

San Remo is not popular with students.

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

Zagreb is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. Also, San Remo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

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

You'll find some public transit in San Remo, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are local buses around town.

Is San Remo or Zagreb a more walkable city?

San Remo and Zagreb are superb when it comes to walkability.

San Remo is a very walkable destination. The old quarter is fun to explore on foot and there are a number of walking tours through town.

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 San Remo Worth Visiting? and Is Zagreb Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Zagreb or San Remo?

How long in San Remo or Zagreb?

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

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

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

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

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of San Remo. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 San Remo or Zagreb?

San Remo 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 San Remo or Zagreb?

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

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 San Remo or Zagreb?

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the beautiful destination of San Remo. This coastal 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 Sightseeing Tours in Italy, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy, 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 San Remo and Zagreb, we can see that San Remo 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 San Remo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Remo 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 San Remo Expensive? and Is Zagreb Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, San Remo or Zagreb?

Zagreb has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of San Remo. When comparing the sizes of San Remo 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 San Remo 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 San Remo or Zagreb in the Summer?

Both Zagreb and San Remo during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to San Remo for the beaches 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.

In July, San Remo is generally around the same temperature as Zagreb. Daily temperatures in San Remo average around 23°C (73°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 San Remo. In the summer, San Remo often gets more sunshine than Zagreb. San Remo gets 295 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zagreb receives 266 hours of full sun.

San Remo usually gets less rain in July than Zagreb. San Remo gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit San Remo or Zagreb in the Autumn?

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

San Remo is a little warmer than Zagreb in the autumn. The daily temperature in San Remo averages around 17°C (63°F) in October, and Zagreb fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

San Remo usually receives more sunshine than Zagreb during autumn. San Remo gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Zagreb receives 133 hours of full sun in the autumn.

San Remo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, San Remo usually receives more rain than Zagreb. San Remo gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit San Remo or Zagreb in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to San Remo as well as Zagreb. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to San Remo 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 the winter, San Remo is much warmer than Zagreb. Typically, the winter temperatures in San Remo in January average around 9°C (48°F), and Zagreb averages at about 1°C (35°F).

In the winter, San Remo often gets more sunshine than Zagreb. San Remo gets 127 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zagreb receives 54 hours of full sun.

San Remo usually gets more rain in January than Zagreb. San Remo gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit San Remo or Zagreb in the Spring?

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

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

San Remo usually receives more sunshine than Zagreb during spring. San Remo gets 198 hours of sunny skies, while Zagreb receives 163 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, San Remo usually receives around the same amount of rain as Zagreb. San Remo 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 San Remo