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

Should you visit Manchester 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 Manchester and Zagreb can help you decide which place is right for you.

Manchester

Manchester is a cultural, vibrant, and dynamic 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 live music, food, and shopping. See Manchester travel costs.

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 museums, nightlife, and food. See Zagreb travel costs.

Manchester and Zagreb: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Manchester or Zagreb?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Manchester than Zagreb. While Zagreb is larger than Manchester, Manchester has more sights and attractions for tourists. Manchester is very popular for its music and big city activities, while Zagreb attracts visitors for its historical sights. Manchester is more touristy than Zagreb and is popular for its strong music culture as well as being home to the world-renowned Manchester United Football Club. It is also well known for The National Football Museum. Zagreb is famous for its museums, parks, and convenient transportation options.

How is Manchester different from Zagreb?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Spend time exploring the high quality sights and museums in either Manchester or Zagreb.

Many visitors head to Manchester specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Head to the Science and Industry Museum, the Imperial War Museum North, Manchester Cathedral, or John Rylands Library & Manchester Central Library to see some of the cities most interesting sights.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Zagreb can be an interesting and educational experience. 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 Manchester or Zagreb? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Manchester and Zagreb offer high quality local cuisine and restaurants.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Manchester. You'll find a great food scene with diverse restaurant options that include international flavors, vegetarian options, and more. There are also many great places to try craft beer.

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 Manchester or Zagreb Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is high quality in both Manchester and Zagreb.

Many people head to Manchester for the nightlife scene. The nightlife scene is diverse and high energy. Head to Deansgate or the Northern Quarter for some of the best nightlife venues. You'll also find a huge rave scene in town.

Zagreb has plenty to do after the sun goes down. 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 Manchester or Zagreb Better for Music?

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

Manchester has become a hotbed of musicians and artists. There's a long running music reputation here. Some of the iconic bands that began here include Oasis and Stone Roses.

Zagreb is not a live music destination.

Is Manchester or Zagreb Better for its Old Town?

Zagreb is great for its historic old town. However, Manchester 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.

Manchester does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Manchester or Zagreb?

If you're looking to go shopping, Manchester and Zagreb both offer plenty of high quality spots.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Manchester. From jewelry to boutique clothing outlets, there are many places to shop around town. Head to Manchester Arndale, Trafford Centre, or Market Street for some of the best shopping.

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 Manchester or Zagreb Better for Families?

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

Manchester is a very kid-friendly city. You'll find a number of kid-friendly activities around town including the popular Legoland Discovery Center. Another fun activity is taking a behind the scenes CBBC interactive tour at MediaCityUK. Animal lovers will enjoy visiting the SeaLife Aquarium or the Chester Zoo and sports enthusiasts will not want to miss a visit to the National Football Museum or doing a tour of Old Trafford where you can also visit the Manchester United Museum.

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 Manchester or Zagreb Better for Couples?

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

Couples visit Manchester frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Couples can enjoy a visit to a spa, a nice meal out, or simply wandering down the canal. For a unique experience, you can hit to slopes at Chill Factore.

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 Manchester or Zagreb Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Zagreb is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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 Manchester. You'll find hostels around town and a number of visitors, particularly during the sports season.

Is Manchester or Zagreb Better for Students?

For students, both Manchester and Zagreb are high quality places to visit.

Manchester is very popular with students. There's a large number of students as well as a great music scene and tons of festivals that make this a great city to do your studies.

Zagreb is a great city to visit as a student. 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 Manchester or Zagreb Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Manchester and Zagreb both offer high quality public transit to get you around.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Manchester. The city has bus, train, and tram options for travel.

Public transit in Zagreb can get you to some places easily. The system includes trams, buses, and a funicular.

Is Manchester or Zagreb a more walkable city?

Zagreb is great for its walkability. Also, Manchester is not as popular, but is still a nice city 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.

Manchester is a somewhat walkable place. Some neighborhoods are more walkable than others.

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

Should I spend more time in Zagreb or Manchester?

How long in Manchester or Zagreb?

It's fun to spend time in either Manchester or Zagreb. Both can be explored in comparable amounts of time. However, 2-4 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

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

Manchester 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.

With museums and nightlife around the beautiful city of Zagreb, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Manchester or Zagreb?

Manchester 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.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Zagreb, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Manchester or Zagreb?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Manchester. 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, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Manchester or Zagreb?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the dynamic big city of Manchester. 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 place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to United Kingdom, The Best Sightseeing Tours in United Kingdom, 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 Manchester and Zagreb, we can see that Manchester 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 Manchester would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Manchester 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 Manchester Expensive? and Is Zagreb Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Manchester or Zagreb?

Zagreb has a larger population, and is about 77% larger than the population of Manchester. When comparing the sizes of Manchester 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 Manchester 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 Manchester or Zagreb in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Manchester as well as Zagreb. Many visitors come to Manchester 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, Manchester is cooler than Zagreb. Typically, the summer temperatures in Manchester in July average around 16°C (62°F), and Zagreb averages at about 22°C (72°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Zagreb. In the summer, Manchester often gets less sunshine than Zagreb. Manchester gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zagreb receives 266 hours of full sun.

Manchester usually gets less rain in July than Zagreb. Manchester gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Manchester or Zagreb in the Autumn?

Both Zagreb and Manchester are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Manchester 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, Manchester is generally cooler than Zagreb. Daily temperatures in Manchester average around 11°C (52°F), and Zagreb fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Manchester usually receives less sunshine than Zagreb during autumn. Manchester gets 97 hours of sunny skies, while Zagreb receives 133 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Manchester usually receives more rain than Zagreb. Manchester gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Manchester or Zagreb in the Winter?

Both Zagreb and Manchester during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Manchester because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, 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 Manchester can be very cold. Manchester is much warmer than Zagreb in the winter. The daily temperature in Manchester averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Zagreb fluctuates around 1°C (35°F).

In the winter, Manchester often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Zagreb. Manchester gets 53 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zagreb receives 54 hours of full sun.

Manchester usually gets more rain in January than Zagreb. Manchester gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Zagreb receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Manchester or Zagreb in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Manchester and Zagreb. The activities around the city are the main draw to Manchester this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Zagreb for the activities around the city.

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

Manchester usually receives less sunshine than Zagreb during spring. Manchester gets 144 hours of sunny skies, while Zagreb receives 163 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Manchester usually receives less rain than Zagreb. Manchester gets 51 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 Manchester