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

Should you visit Stuttgart or Zagreb?

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

Should I visit Stuttgart 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.

Stuttgart

Stuttgart is a diverse, dynamic, and modern 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 shopping, museums, 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.

Stuttgart and Zagreb: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Stuttgart or Zagreb?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Zagreb. Although Stuttgart and Zagreb are roughly the same size, Zagreb has more sights and attractions for tourists. Zagreb is more popular for its museums and historical sights, while Stuttgart is known for its big city activities. Stuttgart is popular for its many automobile museums including the Mercedes-Benz Museum and the Porsche Museum. Zagreb is popular for its museums, parks, and convenient transportation options. It is also home to The Zagreb Cathedral.

How is Stuttgart different from Zagreb?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Zagreb is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Stuttgart is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its 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.

Stuttgart is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The city's influence over the car industry is reflected in the museums in town. You can visit both the Mercedes-Benz Museum and the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart. Also check out Schlossplatz, the Ludwigsburg Palace, and Altes Schloss and Landesmuseum while you're in town.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Stuttgart and Zagreb can be difficult as they are each superb in their own way.

Stuttgart has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The city blends traditional German flavors with modern twists. You'll find much more than the standard bratworsts that so many people associate with German cuisine. One favorite dish is maultaschen, which is like a ravioli. Also make sure you try spätzle, zwiebelrostbraten (roast and onions) and flädlesuppe (soup with long pasta).

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 Stuttgart or Zagreb Better for Nightlife?

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

Stuttgart has a large number of nightlife venues. The nightlife scene stays active late into the evening. You'll find no shortage of clubs, bars, music venues, and beer gardens. You'll meet a combination of locals, tourists, students, and expats at many venues.

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 Stuttgart or Zagreb Better for its Old Town?

Zagreb is a very popular place for its historic old town charm. However, Stuttgart 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.

Stuttgart does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Stuttgart or Zagreb?

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

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Stuttgart. The city is filled with pedestrian shopping streets as well as flea markets and major shopping malls. The main shopping street in town is Koenigstrasse, where you'll find many upscale boutiques. For a local food market head to Markthalle Stuttgart. The flagship store of the Breuninger chain is also found in Stuttgart.

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 Stuttgart or Zagreb Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Stuttgart or Zagreb.

Stuttgart is a family-friendly city. Like many German city's, there's a great zoo to explore. There's also some unique museums like the Mercedes-Benz Museum and the Porsche Museum. Kids will also enjoy taking in the view from the top of the Fernsehturm.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Zagreb. 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 Stuttgart or Zagreb Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Stuttgart and Zagreb make for a good place to visit.

Stuttgart is a good city for couples to visit. The city is large enough to have some nice romantic hotels, spas, luxury restaurants, and other activities that make for a great date night.

Zagreb is a nice destination for couples. 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 Stuttgart or Zagreb Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Zagreb is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Stuttgart 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.

Stuttgart is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. It's not on the backpacker circuit for most people but there are still plenty of hostels and affordable accommodation options. You'll also find plenty of activities and affordable restaurants to choose from.

Is Stuttgart or Zagreb Better for Students?

Both Stuttgart and Zagreb are superb destinations for students.

Stuttgart is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. It's an international city with great universities and a friendly and central location. There's also a lively nightlife and plenty of things to do.

Zagreb is very popular with students. 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 Stuttgart or Zagreb Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

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

The public transit in Stuttgart can get you to most places easily. The city's transit system includes buses, the U‑Bahn and the S‑Bahn. The U-Bahn is a denser train system in the city center and the S-Bahn covers more distance and reaches into the suburbs with stops that are more spread out.

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

Is Stuttgart or Zagreb a more walkable city?

Zagreb is a very popular place for its ease of walking around. Also, Stuttgart is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

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.

Stuttgart is somewhat walkable. There are parts of the city that are more walkable than others.

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

Should I spend more time in Zagreb or Stuttgart?

How long in Stuttgart or Zagreb?

It's fun to spend time in either Stuttgart or Zagreb. In our opinion, Zagreb has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Zagreb than Stuttgart. However, 2-4 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Stuttgart is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. 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 Stuttgart or Zagreb?

Stuttgart 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 Stuttgart or Zagreb?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Stuttgart. 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 historic 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 Stuttgart or Zagreb?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the dynamic big city of Stuttgart. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin, 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 Stuttgart and Zagreb, we can see that Stuttgart 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 Stuttgart would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Stuttgart 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 Stuttgart Expensive? and Is Zagreb Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Stuttgart or Zagreb?

Zagreb has a larger population, and is about 16% larger than the population of Stuttgart. When comparing the sizes of Stuttgart 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 Stuttgart 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 Stuttgart or Zagreb in the Summer?

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

In July, Stuttgart is generally around the same temperature as Zagreb. Daily temperatures in Stuttgart average around 22°C (71°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 Stuttgart. In the summer, Stuttgart often gets less sunshine than Zagreb. Stuttgart gets 238 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zagreb receives 266 hours of full sun.

Stuttgart usually gets less rain in July than Zagreb. Stuttgart gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Stuttgart or Zagreb in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Stuttgart and Zagreb. The autumn months attract visitors to Stuttgart 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.

Stuttgart is around the same temperature as Zagreb in the autumn. The daily temperature in Stuttgart averages around 13°C (56°F) in October, and Zagreb fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Stuttgart usually receives less sunshine than Zagreb during autumn. Stuttgart gets 122 hours of sunny skies, while Zagreb receives 133 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Stuttgart usually receives less rain than Zagreb. Stuttgart gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Stuttgart or Zagreb in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Stuttgart as well as Zagreb. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Stuttgart 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. It's quite cold in Stuttgart in the winter. In the winter, Stuttgart is much warmer than Zagreb. Typically, the winter temperatures in Stuttgart in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Zagreb averages at about 1°C (35°F).

In the winter, Stuttgart often gets more sunshine than Zagreb. Stuttgart gets 60 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zagreb receives 54 hours of full sun.

Stuttgart usually gets less rain in January than Zagreb. Stuttgart gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Stuttgart or Zagreb in the Spring?

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

In April, Stuttgart is generally cooler than Zagreb. Daily temperatures in Stuttgart average around 11°C (53°F), and Zagreb fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Stuttgart usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Zagreb during spring. Stuttgart gets 154 hours of sunny skies, while Zagreb receives 163 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Stuttgart usually receives less rain than Zagreb. Stuttgart gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Zagreb and Stuttgart