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

Should you visit Zagreb or Atlanta?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Zagreb and Atlanta. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

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. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Atlanta

Atlanta is a cultural, diverse, and sprawling 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 and Atlanta: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Zagreb or Atlanta?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Atlanta than Zagreb. While Zagreb is larger than Atlanta, Atlanta has more sights and attractions for tourists. Atlanta is more popular for its museums, shopping, and big city activities, while Zagreb is known for its historical sights. Atlanta is more touristy than Zagreb and is popular for its world class aquarium, its role as host of the 1996 Olympic Games, and its influence during the Civil Rights Movement. It is also home to the Georgia Aquarium. Zagreb is popular for its museums, parks, and convenient transportation options.

How is Zagreb different from Atlanta?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Atlanta is a must-visit destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Zagreb is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Atlanta are among the most recognizable in the world. The museums range in topic from history to science and art. The country's largest aquarium, the Georgia Aquarium, is in Atlanta as well. It's home to whale sharks, stingrays, and a diversity of marine life. Other museums around town include the Atlanta History Center, the Fernbank Museum of Natural History, the High Museum of Art, the World of Coca Cola, the David J. Sencer CDC Museum, and the Delta Flight Museum. There are also many monuments and sites including the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site.

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.

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

Both Zagreb and Atlanta offer a number of great restaurants to choose from.

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).

Atlanta has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. It's a huge city with a wide selection of restaurants including international, local, and classic southern styles. Fried chicken, biscuits, diner food, and barbecue are all popular. For a classic southern breakfast check out The OK Cafe and for a quintessential Atlanta experience go to The Varsity.

Is Zagreb or Atlanta Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Zagreb or Atlanta has a better nightlife scene.

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.

The nightlife in Atlanta has something for everybody. The nightlife scene is diverse with trendy bars, dance clubs, and huge music halls. There are a number of neighborhoods that each have their own atmosphere. For some of the best nightlife check out the upscale bars in Buckhead, the music venues in Midtown, the hipster vibe in Edgewood, or the laid-back atmosphere in Virginia Highland.

Is Zagreb or Atlanta Better for its Old Town?

Zagreb is a great city for its historic old town charm. However, Atlanta does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Zagreb to see the historical old town. The upper town is filled with charm, cafes, and historical landmarks such as St. Mark Church, Kamenita Vrata (the Stone Gate), and the cathedral.

Atlanta does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Zagreb or Atlanta?

Atlanta 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 Atlanta make it a world-class shopping destination. There are a number of great shopping districts around town. Atlantic Station is popular with a movie theater and ice skating. Buckhead has boutique and local vendors and Lenox Square has a large shopping mall.

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 Zagreb or Atlanta Better for Families?

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

Atlanta is a very kid-friendly city. There is no shortage of playgrounds around town, but a highlight of any trip is a visit to the Georgia Aquarium. It's the largest aquarium in the United States and its home to whale sharks, hammerheads, dolphin shows, and more. It is so much more than just an aquarium, and it truly is a not to be missed experience. Also worth a visit are Zoo Atlanta, the Center of Puppetry Arts, Stone Mountain, Fernbank Museum of Natural History, and the Lego Discovery Center. If you have the chance to see the Atlanta Braves play, that's also a rewarding experience.

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 Zagreb or Atlanta Better for Couples?

Zagreb and Atlanta both good destinations for a couple.

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.

Atlanta is a good city for couples to visit. It's a big city, so there are a number of date night activities available such as orchestra concerts, theater shows, and fine dining. The city also has many outdoor areas like Lake Lanier and Piedmont Park. The Georgia Aquarium is world class, and there are other amazing museums around town as well.

Is Zagreb or Atlanta Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Zagreb is a great city for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Atlanta is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Atlanta is a good city to visit for backpackers. While it's usually overlooked by backpackers, there are actually a couple of hostels around town and a surprising number of activities worth experiencing. The city's large airport make it a convenient entry point for international travelers.

Is Zagreb or Atlanta Better for Students?

Zagreb and Atlanta are great places to visit for students.

Many students visit Zagreb. 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.

Atlanta is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. There are a number of universities in town such as Emory, Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia State University, and Morehouse College. The city is sprawling, but it's also full of entertainment and activities that students will enjoy.

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

Zagreb is a great city for times when you don't have a car. However, Atlanta is not known for its public transit.

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

Public transit is generally limited in Atlanta. For such a large city, the public transportation system is very limited. MARTA is the main transit authority and there are a few subway lines that cross the city as well as bus routes running around town.

Is Zagreb or Atlanta a more walkable city?

Zagreb is a great city for its ease of walking around. Also, Atlanta is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Atlanta is somewhat walkable. Parts of the city are walkable, but most of the sights are spread out and require a car to access. Within neighborhoods, there are a few places that are more pedestrian-friendly such as Downtown, Midtown, Virginia Highlands, and Buckhead.

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

Should I spend more time in Atlanta or Zagreb?

How long in Zagreb or Atlanta?

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

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

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

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

In Zagreb, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Atlanta 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.

A weekend in Zagreb or Atlanta?

In Zagreb, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Zagreb has to offer.

Atlanta 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.

Five days in Zagreb or Atlanta?

Zagreb is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

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

A week in Zagreb or Atlanta?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Zagreb. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Zagreb. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the diverse big city of Atlanta. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Dubrovnik, The Best 2-Week Tours from Split, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, and The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zagreb and Atlanta, we can see that Atlanta is more expensive. And not only is Zagreb much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Zagreb is in Europe and Atlanta is in North America, 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 Atlanta would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Atlanta 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 Zagreb Expensive? and Is Atlanta Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Zagreb or Atlanta?

Zagreb has a larger population, and is about 65% larger than the population of Atlanta. When comparing the sizes of Zagreb and Atlanta, 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 Zagreb or Atlanta?

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 Zagreb or Atlanta in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Zagreb is cooler than Atlanta. Typically, the summer temperatures in Zagreb in July average around 22°C (72°F), and Atlanta averages at about 82°F (28°C).

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

Atlanta gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Zagreb usually gets less rain in July than Atlanta. Zagreb gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Atlanta receives 5.2 inches (133 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Zagreb or Atlanta in the Autumn?

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

In October, Zagreb is generally cooler than Atlanta. Daily temperatures in Zagreb average around 13°C (55°F), and Atlanta fluctuates around 66°F (19°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Atlanta this time of the year. Zagreb usually receives less sunshine than Atlanta during autumn. Zagreb gets 133 hours of sunny skies, while Atlanta receives 222 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Zagreb usually receives less rain than Atlanta. Zagreb gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Atlanta receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Zagreb or Atlanta in the Winter?

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

The weather in Zagreb can be very cold. Zagreb is much colder than Atlanta in the winter. The daily temperature in Zagreb averages around 1°C (35°F) in January, and Atlanta fluctuates around 45°F (7°C).

In the winter, Zagreb often gets less sunshine than Atlanta. Zagreb gets 54 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Atlanta receives 164 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Atlanta. Zagreb usually gets less rain in January than Atlanta. Zagreb gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Atlanta receives 4.7 inches (120 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Zagreb or Atlanta in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Zagreb is cooler than Atlanta. Typically, the spring temperatures in Zagreb in April average around 13°C (55°F), and Atlanta averages at about 65°F (18°C).

It's quite sunny in Atlanta. Zagreb usually receives less sunshine than Atlanta during spring. Zagreb gets 163 hours of sunny skies, while Atlanta receives 262 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Atlanta. In April, Zagreb usually receives less rain than Atlanta. Zagreb gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Atlanta receives 4.1 inches (104 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Atlanta and Zagreb