The capital metropolis of Croatia is a vigorous, historic, vibrant, and enjoyable place to spend a while. In case you’re considering of dwelling in Zagreb, prepare for an expertise like no different; this place is filled with issues to see and do, and also you’ll in all probability by no means need to depart. I do know I didn’t.

In January 2021, Croatia’s digital nomad visa opened the doorways for extra folks to spend time in this lovely nation. For me, it’s the most effective locations in the world; the surroundings, seashores, tradition, meals, and pleasant locals are second to none. However as a digital nomad dwelling in Zagreb, you’ll want to know what to count on earlier than you go.

Handily, I can share my experiences so you may guarantee a clean keep in this lovely metropolis.

About Zagreb

Zagreb is each the capital and largest metropolis in Croatia. It’s positioned in the north of the nation, not removed from the border with Slovenia. It’s a really fairly metropolis too, standing on the banks of the Sava River, with the large Medvednica mountain looming in the close to distance.

In case you’re a historical past lover, you’re certain to benefit from the metropolis’s wealthy Roman previous. There are numerous ruins across the metropolis, together with the Roman Andautonia, and Zagreb as a complete is full of historic nods, as the entire metropolis got here to be in 1134.

However it’s not all historical past. Zagreb is full of modern-day enjoyable too, together with nightlife, gastronomy, purchasing, and artwork. The encompassing space can also be stuffed with must-visit locations, with climbing trails in the Medvednica mountain and Veternica Cave, full of archaeological wonders.

Digital Nomad in Zagreb: Private Expertise

For me, the wonderful thing about life in Zagreb is that it’s extra genuine than many different elements of the nation. In case you go to a seashore vacation spot, like Break up or Dubrovnik, certain, you’ll see native life, however not like you may in Zagreb. I felt welcomed by the locals in the capital metropolis, and by the tip of my time there, I actually felt like I’d skilled the actual Croatia.

Zagreb is a good spot for digital nomads. I by no means had any points with the WiFi, I met numerous different distant employees and located many coworking areas and cafes to work from.

There’s lots to see and do in and across the metropolis too. Your days off won’t ever be boring, and so far as meals goes, you’ll have an unimaginable alternative accessible to you.

Is Zagreb Protected?

When fascinated by dwelling in Zagreb as a digital nomad, or wherever new, one among your first considerations is probably going security. The excellent news is that Zagreb is a secure metropolis. I by no means as soon as felt unnerved or unsafe throughout my time there, even at night time. That being mentioned, it is a capital metropolis, so it’s advisable to at all times use your widespread sense, particularly in crowded areas.

Together with standard precautions when visiting any new vacation spot, watch your bag in town heart, as there’ll at all times be opportunistic pickpockets from time to time. Aside from that, Zagreb is fairly secure throughout, and so far as capitals go, I felt very safe right here.

Greatest Areas to Reside in Zagreb

When dwelling in Zagreb, it’s vital to select the fitting neighborhood. Not solely does this imply you’re extra probably to have a greater time since you’re shut to what you need to see, however you’ll save money too. Listed below are my suggestions.

1. Decrease City/Donji Grad

I feel the Donji Grad space is a good spot for digital nomads and I stayed right here myself. That is in the central a part of town, so that you’re shut to all the pieces, together with cafes and coworking spots. It’s additionally an incredible place for assembly different distant employees.

Nonetheless, it’s not all hustle and bustle as there are some nice parks to calm down in throughout the summer time months. The hire costs listed here are fairly common too, contemplating it’s such a central space.

2. Higher City/Gornji Grad

Gornji Grad is the higher a part of town heart, and that is one other nice space for distant employees. There’s a really vigorous digital nomad neighborhood round this space, which means that it’s nice for networking and assembly different like-minded folks.

In case you’re a Zagreb digital nomad who’s into historical past, staying right here places you proper in the center of it. That is the medieval a part of town, so that you’ll discover lovely structure all over the place you look. Regardless of its historical past, there’s nonetheless loads of modern-day enjoyable to be had with numerous cafes, bars, eating places, and purchasing alternatives.

3. Maksimir

In case you want a bit extra peace and quiet, Maksimir is an efficient alternative. You’ll discover an enormous park right here—the biggest in town—and loads of cafes.

Maksimir has a extra laid-back really feel, in my opinion, nevertheless it’s additionally house to town’s soccer stadium so it may possibly get somewhat loud throughout house video games. You would say that Maksimir is extra suburban, nevertheless it’s nonetheless inside very straightforward attain of town heart.

4. Šalata

In case you’re working remotely in Zagreb and are in search of a extra luxurious place to keep, Šalata is value contemplating. Right here, you’ll discover massive homes, flats, and even villas. Nonetheless, you’ll pay extra for hire in this space.

When you have the price range, I’d suggest this neighborhood to anybody who enjoys artwork and music. There’s a thriving arts scene in this space and common festivals and occasions are held all through the summer time months.

How to Discover Lodging in Zagreb

The largest hurdle for digital nomads, wherever in the world you might be, is discovering lodging to fit your wants and price range. Listed below are my high picks on the place to discover a place to keep in Zagreb.

1. Airbnb: There’s a variety of nice lodging accessible on Airbnb, and lots of locations settle for long-term stays. I stayed in an residence for a month this fashion, and I managed to save on the common worth of hire throughout town. The one draw back is if you’d like to keep in town heart—Airbnb listings have a tendency to be extra suburban.

2. Reserving.com: You’ll discover a wide range of hostels, lodges, and serviced lodging at good costs on reserving.com. Once I first arrived in Zagreb, I stayed in a hostel I booked via this web site, and I used to be very pleased with my alternative.

3. Enquire at coworking areas: In case you inquire with different distant employees and employees at coworking areas, chances are you’ll discover somebody who wants a roommate. It’s common to discover adverts pinned on the partitions, so hold your eyes peeled.

4. Fb teams: Head over to Fb and take a look at digital nomad teams in Zagreb. There are a number of accessible, and you may search for adverts there. In fact, you too can inquire about sharing alternatives and ask for recommendation from folks already there.

Price of Living in Zagreb

I discovered the price of dwelling in Zagreb to be somewhat decrease than in different main European capitals. In case you’re being paid in a overseas forex, e.g. {dollars}, nonetheless, you’ll discover that your cash does go barely additional. That will help you price range, listed here are some approximate prices.

Eating places and Groceries

In case you eat at eating places which are aimed towards vacationers, you may count on to pay much more. As an example, you’re taking a look at round €12-€15/$13-$17 for a hen/pizza model meal, but you may go to an area restaurant and eat conventional meals for round €8/$9. The excellent news is that espresso is fairly low cost; you will get a good-quality cappuccino for round €1.80/$2.

It’s a good suggestion to prepare dinner at house as this can undoubtedly prevent money. You’ll be able to choose up a kilo of hen breasts for round €8/$9, beef for round €12/$13, and recent produce may be very low cost, often round €1-€2/$1.10-$2.20 per kilo. With all of that, you may prepare dinner meals that may final for a number of days.

Lodging Prices

So far as life in Zagreb goes, I discovered lodging to be my largest expense. For that cause, store round earlier than you commit to something, particularly in phrases of neighborhood.

On common, a one-bedroom residence in town heart will value round €530/$580 per thirty days, with utilities on high, relying on how a lot you employ. I’d estimate a mean quantity for month-to-month utilities to be round €200/$218.

Transportation Prices in Zagreb

The excellent news is that getting round Zagreb is simple and low cost. A one-way ticket on any type of public transport will value you round €0.60/$0.65. Nonetheless Zagreb isn’t an enormous, sprawling metropolis, and I discovered it fairly straightforward to stroll to most locations, thanks to staying comparatively centrally.

You’ll be able to take buses, trams, taxis, Ubers, and the funicular railway to the Higher City, all of which run frequently. Nonetheless, it’s value remembering that taxis and Uber are the costliest choices. I solely used these after I was out late at night time and it was a safer alternative.

SIM Playing cards and Knowledge

I purchased a SIM card from Hrvatski Telekom, often known as Simpa, and this lasted in the course of my keep. The cardboard value €3/$3.30, and I merely topped it up with the quantity of credit score I needed. I solely wanted my passport and I simply went into one of many shops, the place the pleasant assistant set all of it up for me.

Alternatively, you should use A1, Telemach Croatia, or Tomato, all of which have an identical setup course of. An eSIM is another choice, and Airalo is extensively used throughout Croatia, with good connectivity.

Cash Saving Ideas for Zagreb

1. Store native: When dwelling in Zagreb, purchase recent produce from the native markets, meat from the butcher, and solely use supermarkets for cabinet necessities. You’ll save money fairly shortly.
2. Keep away from touristic eating places: You’ll pay a complete lot extra, and also you received’t get to eat genuine meals. Head to the native, genuine eating places and also you’ll save a variety of money.
3. Keep away from peak instances: Zagreb is busy all yr round however Easter, Christmas, and New Yr are once you’ll discover costs for lodging enhance. Attempt to keep away from these instances if potential.
4. Take a look at sharing lodging: Coliving and sharing an residence are good methods to save money and nonetheless have a snug place to keep. Coworking spots are the place to discover out extra details about this.
5. Stroll as a lot as you may: I discovered Zagreb a really walkable metropolis, and though public transport is reasonable, it can save you so much in the long run. Keep away from utilizing taxis or Uber except you actually need to.

Coworking Areas in Zagreb and WiFi Pace

In case you’re contemplating working remotely in Zagreb, the web high quality is probably going to be your largest concern. The excellent news is that I by no means had a problem with the WiFi and I discovered it to be prime quality. In accordance to Speedtest, Zagreb’s common add and obtain speeds are 46.99 Mbps and 111.79 Mbps respectively.

In case you’re somebody who enjoys working from coworking areas, you’ll discover lots throughout town. Listed below are some high-quality choices:

1. Affect Hub

Affect Hub is likely one of the hottest coworking spots in Zagreb, and I labored from right here a number of instances. You might need labored in one other department throughout Europe, and their places of work are usually standardized. The Zagreb workplace may be very smooth and fashionable and has extraordinarily comfy chairs.

I discovered the web right here to be wonderful, and it has such a welcoming ambiance inside. I met many different distant employees right here, so it’s nice for networking and socializing.

2. Hub 385

Hub 385 is one other high coworking house in central Zagreb. You’ll be able to join a month-to-month membership bundle for those who intend to use the house so much, or you may guide a day house and use one of many sizzling desks. In case you do that, it’s finest to name forward as they do get fairly busy.

This coworking house has common occasions all through the week so you may meet different folks simply. It has a snug really feel, and there’s free tea and occasional all through the day, in addition to a kitchen space for making ready meals.

3. Regus

I labored from this coworking house a number of instances and I discovered Regus to be a best choice. It has a really fashionable and smooth vibe, and the day costs are fairly cheap, at €6.70/7.35 per day. Inside that, you get free tea, espresso, and water.

The web may be very quick and dependable right here; I did a number of video calls and had no points. The workplace is absolutely vivid, and the seating is tremendous comfy, setting you up for a productive day.

Greatest Cafes to Work From in Zagreb

Though I like coworking areas often, I do want to work from cafes. Fortunately, there are numerous wonderful choices in Zagreb – listed here are my high picks:

1. Potter: Potter is a smooth and fashionable place to sit for a number of hours and get some work completed. The WiFi is superb, and their coffees are among the finest I discovered in Zagreb. This spot can also be fairly cheap in worth, which is at all times a bonus.
2. Program Bar: This can be a excellent place to work throughout the day, and the employees haven’t any points with folks sitting with their laptops. The costs are cheap, and the seats are extraordinarily comfy too. The WiFi right here is especially robust.
3. Inverno: In case you’re in search of someplace a bit fancier, with actually nice meals, I’d extremely suggest Inverno. There’s an outside seating space which is right for working, and the WiFi is dependable. I met a number of different distant employees right here, so it’s nice for networking too.

Actions and Issues To Do in Zagreb

The wonderful thing about being a digital nomad in Zagreb is that there’s lots to see and do when you’ve completed work for the day or on a hard-earned time without work. I by no means discovered myself feeling bored throughout my time as a nomad in Zagreb. Listed below are a few of my favourite spots in town:

1. Higher & Decrease Cities

Each the higher and decrease elements of town are value exploring, and they are often completed on foot. The winding, cobbled streets are full of architectural wonders and small boutiques. I stumbled upon many cute cafes round this space too.

I’d recommend you’re taking a strolling tour to get probably the most out of your time. These excursions solely final round 2.5 hours so it’s good for becoming into a daily work day. With the assistance of an skilled information, you’ll study extra in regards to the historical past and recognize the place you’re dwelling a complete lot extra.

2. Dolac Market

Dolac Market is the best place to get your recent fruit and greens in addition to all method of different scrumptious produce, together with freshly caught fish. In order for you a style of genuine Croatian life, that is the place to go! It’s an incredible place to meet pleasant locals and hold prices down on meals expenditure too.

I’d suggest going early in the morning for those who can, as that is once you’ll seize the freshest fare. It might get very busy right here with locals filling up their pantries, however simply take your time and absorb the ambiance. The distributors will even allow you to attempt issues for those who ask, so don’t be afraid to go for it.

3. Zagreb Cathedral

The central level of town is Zagreb Cathedral, and it’s properly value a go to simply to take a look at the attractive structure. You’ll be able to see the steeple of the cathedral from most elements of town, and it’s the icon of Zagreb general.

You’ll be able to, in fact, go contained in the cathedral, particularly throughout companies and mass. The within is simply as spectacular as the skin, if no more so. Be aware when taking images; it’s finest to keep away from doing so when companies are in progress, however exterior of that point, you may take images of the inside.

4. Maksimir Park

The attractive Maksimir Park is the oldest public park in town, and it’s an exquisite place for a stroll it doesn’t matter what the time of yr. Through the summer time months, you’ll see households having fun with a picnic and kids enjoying. Nonetheless, my favourite time to go to this park is throughout the winter, when there’s a cozy and virtually Narnia-like really feel.

You would even take your laptop computer and sit below a shady tree for those who needed a scenic place to get some work completed. I did this a few instances and though the previous ‘glare on the display’ downside was annoying, it was a very nice place to spend a few hours.

5. Museum of Damaged Relationships

I wasn’t certain what to count on from this museum, particularly because the identify sounds fairly miserable, nevertheless it’s one among my favourite locations in Zagreb. The Museum of Damaged Relationships tells the story of affection tales gone mistaken however with loads of emotion and background info.

It’s an incredible spot to go on a leisurely time without work, and it’s actually one of many extra distinctive issues to do in and across the capital. I’d suggest you spend 1-2 hours right here, so if it’s raining or significantly chilly, that is the best exercise to break up your day.

Climate in Zagreb

Living in Zagreb as a digital nomad means you’re open to the weather relying upon once you go. Situated in the northwest of the nation, Zagreb has 4 distinct seasons, and my favourite instances are spring and autumn when you may actually really feel the change of climate in the air.

Through the summer time months, Zagreb experiences a mean excessive of 28C/82F in July, which is the most well liked month. Nonetheless, Zagreb nonetheless experiences rain in the summer time months, with July experiencing a mean of 104.3mm. November is the rainiest month at 117.9mm, and it’s probably to snow between November and February.

The winter can see nighttime temperatures as little as -2C/28F in January, nonetheless, the spring months arrive in Could when the common is round 20C/50F. Presently, many individuals head off to the coastal areas for the summer time season however don’t assume that’s the one method—Zagreb is an exquisite place in summer time and tends to be somewhat cooler than cities and cities on the coast.

Execs and Cons of Living in Zagreb

Earlier than you turn out to be a Zagreb digital nomad, it’s vital to think about each side of the coin. Though I consider that the professionals far outweigh the cons, each single vacation spot in the world has upsides and downsides, and Zagreb is not any totally different.

SEE ALSO: 15 Execs and Cons of Living in Croatia

Execs of Living in Zagreb

• Zagreb is a compact metropolis: One of many issues I loved most about Zagreb is that I may stroll to many locations. You’ll need public transport generally, nevertheless it’s a compact metropolis, and it’s fairly straightforward to get round on foot.
• Loads of inexperienced areas: Zagreb isn’t a concrete jungle like many capitals and there are numerous inexperienced areas. Maksimir Park is the biggest park in town and an incredible place to calm down.
• Many different digital nomads: With the brand new digital nomad visa, Zagreb has turn out to be an actual digital nomad hotspot, particularly throughout the winter months. It’s very easy to meet folks, both for work or socially.
• A extra genuine lifestyle: I discovered the ‘actual’ Croatia in Zagreb. When you’ll discover conventional customs and tradition in Dubrovnik and different touristic spots, the capital is the place you’ll perceive the genuine Croatian method.
• A lot to see and do: Being a capital metropolis, Zagreb presents lots to see and do, together with historical past, structure, tradition, artwork, gastronomy, purchasing, and wonderful nightlife.
• Glorious WiFi: Web entry is significant for a digital nomad, and I by no means had any points with connectivity whereas I used to be in Zagreb.

Cons of Living in Zagreb

• It’s your decision to go to the seashore in the summer time: Zagreb doesn’t have a seashore, so when the summer time months arrive, chances are you’ll end up craving for seashore time. I actually did, and that’s after I relocated to Break up and Korčula.
• Lodging might be tough to discover: Whereas not unattainable, discovering lodging in Zagreb might be troublesome, particularly in town heart. It’s finest to guide an Airbnb or a hostel earlier than you arrive after which search for one thing extra appropriate whilst you’re there.
• Price of dwelling is decrease proper now however is rising: Zagreb’s value of dwelling is low in contrast to another massive European cities, however over the past couple of years there was a slight rise. In fact, this merely means you want to search for intelligent methods to save money.

Digital Nomad Visa for Zagreb

Living in Zagreb has turn out to be so much simpler thanks to the Croatian digital nomad visa, which was launched in 2021. This visa is open to third-country freelancers and enterprise house owners for up to one yr, and through this time, you’re not required to pay tax in Croatia; you merely proceed paying the place you’re registered.

The one draw back is that you just can’t renew this visa, so after one yr, you’ve to depart. The excellent news is which you could reapply six months after your previous visa expires. Click on right here for all required documentation.

You’ll be able to apply for the visa earlier than you arrive in Croatia or when you arrive. In case you do that, you’ll want a visa to enter the nation. Croatia is in the Schengen zone, however ensure to examine the entry necessities to your nation of origin.

In Conclusion

This digital nomad information to Zagreb has given you all the data you want to resolve whether or not the Croatian capital is your subsequent vacation spot. I extremely suggest you go; I actually loved my time in Zagreb, and it’s someplace I’d love to return to.

You may also use Zagreb as a winter vacation spot after which go to the coastal areas throughout the summer time. With a lot to see and do, Zagreb provides you a snug house base, whereas additionally exhibiting you the genuine Croatian lifestyle.