A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers The Hague vs. Zagreb for Food, Nightlife, Backpackers, and Families

Should you visit The Hague or Zagreb?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between The Hague and Zagreb can help you decide which place is right for you.

The Hague

The Hague is a bustling, diverse, and global 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, shopping, and nightlife.

Zagreb

Zagreb is a historic, beautiful, and authentic city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

The Hague and Zagreb: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in The Hague or Zagreb?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Zagreb than The Hague. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Zagreb is very popular for its museums and historical sights, while The Hague attracts visitors for its music and big city activities. The Hague is famous for its large international population and its roll in international politics and diplomacy. Zagreb is famous for its museums, parks, and convenient transportation options. It is also well known for The Zagreb Cathedral.

How is The Hague different from Zagreb?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in The Hague or Zagreb?

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

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.

The Hague does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between The Hague and Zagreb can be difficult as they are each high quality in their own way.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in The Hague. The city has a diverse population and the large number of ethnic restaurants reflects that.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit 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 The Hague or Zagreb Better for Nightlife?

Both The Hague and Zagreb have high quality vibes after the sun sets.

The Hague has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. Many of the city's restaurants turn into clubs at night. Head to The Grote Markt for some of the most energetic nightlife.

The people in Zagreb know how to have a good time. 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 The Hague or Zagreb Better for Music?

The Hague is a great destination for its live music scene. However, Zagreb is not a live music destination.

The Hague has become a hotbed of musicians and artists. There's an active music scene here and the city actually played an active role in the development and popularity of electronic music.

Zagreb is not a live music destination.

Is The Hague or Zagreb Better for its Old Town?

Zagreb is an excellent place to visit for its historic old town. However, The Hague does not have a historic old town.

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.

The Hague does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in The Hague or Zagreb?

Shoppers can find a variety of high quality stores in both The Hague and Zagreb.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting The Hague. There's a dynamic shopping scene with indoor malls, outdoor markets, and a number of neighborhoods that have shops that sell eclectic items.

Zagreb is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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 The Hague or Zagreb Better for Families?

You'll find nice kid-friendly activities in either The Hague or Zagreb.

The Hague is a family-friendly city. This city has a bit more of a family-friendly vibe than nearby Amsterdam. Kids enjoy exploring by bike or heading to the Scheveningen Beach Resort.

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 The Hague or Zagreb Better for Couples?

Both The Hague and Zagreb are nice destinations to visit as a couple.

The Hague is a nice destination for couples. Couples can enjoy the diverse restaurants and the busting atmosphere that the city offers.

Zagreb makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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 The Hague or Zagreb Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

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.

It's common for backpackers to visit The Hague. While most backpackers head to the more popular city of Amsterdam, The Hague has a fun atmosphere with a diversity of activities and restaurants.

Is The Hague or Zagreb Better for Students?

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

The Hague is a very popular place to visit for students. This is a very popular study abroad destination so you'll find plenty of international students living here. It's an internationally oriented city so everyone feels right at home.

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

Visitors will find high quality public transit in both The Hague and Zagreb.

Public transit in The Hague is fairly effecient and thorough. There are bus and tram lines throughout the city.

Zagreb has some very good public transit options. The system includes trams, buses, and a funicular.

Is The Hague or Zagreb a more walkable city?

Zagreb is an excellent place to visit for its walkability. Also, The Hague is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

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.

The Hague is a somewhat walkable place. There are a number of walk tours through the city center.

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

Should I spend more time in Zagreb or The Hague?

How long in The Hague or Zagreb?

It's fun to spend time in either The Hague or Zagreb. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Zagreb due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for The Hague, and 2-4 days is enough time in Zagreb.

Families should spend more time in Zagreb than The Hague. 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 The Hague. 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 The Hague 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 The Hague or Zagreb?

The Hague is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

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 The Hague or Zagreb?

The Hague 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 authentic 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 The Hague or Zagreb?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in The Hague. 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 The Hague or Zagreb?

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the diverse big city of The Hague. 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 Luxury Tours to Netherlands, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Netherlands, 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 The Hague and Zagreb, we can see that The Hague 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 The Hague would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in The Hague 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 The Hague Expensive? and Is Zagreb Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, The Hague or Zagreb?

Zagreb has a larger population, and is about 47% larger than the population of The Hague. When comparing the sizes of The Hague 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 The Hague 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 The Hague or Zagreb in the Summer?

Both Zagreb and The Hague during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to The Hague in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Zagreb for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, The Hague is cooler than Zagreb. Typically, the summer temperatures in The Hague in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Zagreb averages at about 22°C (72°F).

In Zagreb, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in The Hague. In the summer, The Hague often gets less sunshine than Zagreb. The Hague gets 202 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zagreb receives 266 hours of full sun.

The Hague usually gets less rain in July than Zagreb. The Hague gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit The Hague or Zagreb in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both The Hague and Zagreb. Most visitors come to The Hague for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Zagreb because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

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

The Hague usually receives less sunshine than Zagreb during autumn. The Hague gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Zagreb receives 133 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, The Hague usually receives around the same amount of rain as Zagreb. The Hague gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit The Hague or Zagreb in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to The Hague as well as Zagreb. The winter months attract visitors to The Hague because of the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Zagreb this time of year.

It's quite cold in Zagreb in the winter. The weather in The Hague can be very cold. The Hague is a little warmer than Zagreb in the winter. The daily temperature in The Hague averages around 2°C (36°F) in January, and Zagreb fluctuates around 1°C (35°F).

In the winter, The Hague often gets less sunshine than Zagreb. The Hague gets 47 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zagreb receives 54 hours of full sun.

The Hague usually gets more rain in January than Zagreb. The Hague gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit The Hague or Zagreb in the Spring?

Both Zagreb and The Hague are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The activities around the city are the main draw to The Hague this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Zagreb for the activities around the city.

In the spring, The Hague is much colder than Zagreb. Typically, the spring temperatures in The Hague in April average around 8°C (46°F), and Zagreb averages at about 13°C (55°F).

The Hague usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Zagreb during spring. The Hague gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Zagreb receives 163 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, The Hague usually receives less rain than Zagreb. The Hague gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Zagreb and The Hague