The capital metropolis of Croatia is a energetic, historic, vibrant, and enjoyable place to spend a while. If you happen to’re pondering of dwelling in Zagreb, prepare for an expertise like no different; this place is stuffed with issues to see and do, and also you’ll most likely by no means wish to go away. I do know I didn’t.
In January 2021, Croatia’s digital nomad visa opened the doorways for extra individuals to spend time on this stunning nation. For me, it’s among the best locations on the earth; the surroundings, seashores, tradition, meals, and pleasant locals are second to none. However as a digital nomad dwelling in Zagreb, you’ll have to know what to anticipate earlier than you go.
Handily, I can share my experiences so you may guarantee a easy keep on this stunning metropolis.
About Zagreb
Zagreb is each the capital and largest metropolis in Croatia. It’s positioned within 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 within the close to distance.
If you happen to’re a historical past lover, you’re positive to benefit from the metropolis’s wealthy Roman previous. There are numerous ruins across the metropolis, together with the Roman Andautonia, and Zagreb as an entire is full of historic nods, as the entire metropolis got here to be in 1134.
But it surely’s not all historical past. Zagreb is full of modern-day enjoyable too, together with nightlife, gastronomy, buying, and artwork. The encompassing space can also be filled with must-visit locations, with mountaineering trails within the Medvednica mountain and Veternica Cave, full of archaeological wonders.
Digital Nomad in Zagreb: Private Expertise
For me, the beauty of life in Zagreb is that it’s extra genuine than many different elements of the nation. If you happen to go to a seaside vacation spot, like Break up or Dubrovnik, positive, you’ll see native life, however not like you may in Zagreb. I felt welcomed by the locals within the capital metropolis, and by the top of my time there, I actually felt like I’d skilled the actual Croatia.
Zagreb is a superb spot for digital nomads. I by no means had any points with the WiFi, I met numerous different distant staff and located many coworking areas and cafes to work from.
There’s loads 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 unbelievable selection accessible to you.
Is Zagreb Secure?
When interested by dwelling in Zagreb as a digital nomad, or anyplace new, one in every of your first issues is probably going security. The excellent news is that Zagreb is a protected 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 frequent sense, particularly in crowded areas.
Together with standard precautions when visiting any new vacation spot, watch your bag within the metropolis heart, as there’ll at all times be opportunistic pickpockets on occasion. Aside from that, Zagreb is fairly protected throughout, and so far as capitals go, I felt very safe right here.
Greatest Areas to Stay in Zagreb
When dwelling in Zagreb, it’s necessary to decide on the correct neighborhood. Not solely does this imply you’re extra more likely to have a greater time since you’re near what you wish to see, however you’ll save money too. Listed here are my suggestions.
1. Decrease City/Donji Grad
I believe the Donji Grad space is a superb spot for digital nomads and I stayed right here myself. That is within the central a part of the town, so that you’re near every part, together with cafes and coworking spots. It’s additionally an ideal place for assembly different distant staff.
Nevertheless, it’s not all hustle and bustle as there are some nice parks to loosen up in through the summer season months. The lease costs listed below are fairly common too, contemplating it’s such a central space.
2. Higher City/Gornji Grad
Gornji Grad is the higher a part of the town heart, and that is one other nice space for distant staff. There’s a really energetic digital nomad group round this space, that means that it’s nice for networking and assembly different like-minded individuals.
If you happen to’re a Zagreb digital nomad who’s into historical past, staying right here places you proper within the coronary heart of it. That is the medieval a part of the town, so that you’ll discover stunning structure in all places you look. Regardless of its historical past, there’s nonetheless loads of modern-day enjoyable available with numerous cafes, bars, eating places, and buying alternatives.
3. Maksimir
If you happen to favor a bit extra peace and quiet, Maksimir is an efficient selection. You’ll discover an enormous park right here—the biggest within the metropolis—and loads of cafes.
Maksimir has a extra laid-back really feel, in my view, however it’s additionally house to the town’s soccer stadium so it will probably get somewhat loud throughout house video games. You can say that Maksimir is extra suburban, however it’s nonetheless inside very simple attain of the town heart.
4. Šalata
If you happen to’re working remotely in Zagreb and are on the lookout for a extra luxurious place to remain, Šalata is price contemplating. Right here, you’ll discover giant homes, flats, and even villas. Nevertheless, you’ll pay extra for lease on this space.
If in case you have the finances, I’d advocate this neighborhood to anybody who enjoys artwork and music. There’s a thriving arts scene on this space and common festivals and occasions are held all through the summer season months.
Tips on how to Discover Lodging in Zagreb
The most important hurdle for digital nomads, wherever on the earth you might be, is discovering lodging to fit your wants and finances. Listed here are my high picks on the place to discover a place to remain in Zagreb.
1. Airbnb: There’s a spread of nice lodging accessible on Airbnb, and plenty of locations settle for long-term stays. I stayed in an condominium for a month this fashion, and I managed to save lots of on the common worth of lease throughout the town. The one draw back is if you wish to keep within the metropolis heart—Airbnb listings are usually extra suburban.
2. Reserving.com: You’ll discover a wide range of hostels, inns, and serviced lodging at good costs on reserving.com. Once I first arrived in Zagreb, I stayed in a hostel I booked by means of this web site, and I used to be very proud of my selection.
3. Enquire at coworking areas: If you happen to inquire with different distant staff and employees at coworking areas, it’s possible you’ll discover somebody who wants a roommate. It’s common to seek out adverts pinned on the partitions, so preserve your eyes peeled.
4. Fb teams: Head over to Fb and have a look at digital nomad teams in Zagreb. There are a number of accessible, and you’ll search for adverts there. After all, you may as well inquire about sharing alternatives and ask for recommendation from individuals already there.
Price of Dwelling in Zagreb
I discovered the price of dwelling in Zagreb to be somewhat decrease than in different main European capitals. If you happen to’re being paid in a international forex, e.g. {dollars}, nevertheless, you’ll discover that your cash does go barely additional. That can assist you finances, listed below are some approximate prices.
Eating places and Groceries
If you happen to eat at eating places which might be aimed towards vacationers, you may count on to pay much more. As an illustration, you’re round €12-€15/$13-$17 for a hen/pizza type meal, but you may go to a neighborhood restaurant and eat conventional meals for round €8/$9. The excellent news is that espresso is fairly low cost; you may get a good-quality cappuccino for round €1.80/$2.
It’s a good suggestion to cook dinner at house as this can undoubtedly prevent money. You may choose up a kilo of hen breasts for round €8/$9, beef for round €12/$13, and contemporary produce may be very low cost, normally round €1-€2/$1.10-$2.20 per kilo. With all of that, you may cook dinner meals that can final for a couple 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 decide to something, particularly when it comes to neighborhood.
On common, a one-bedroom condominium within the metropolis heart will value round €530/$580 per 30 days, with utilities on high, relying on how a lot you employ. I might estimate a median 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. Nevertheless Zagreb isn’t an enormous, sprawling metropolis, and I discovered it fairly simple to stroll to most locations, due to staying comparatively centrally.
You may take buses, trams, taxis, Ubers, and the funicular railway to the Higher City, all of which run commonly. Nevertheless, it’s price 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 selection.
SIM Playing cards and Knowledge
I purchased a SIM card from Hrvatski Telekom, also referred to 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 wished. 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 utilize A1, Telemach Croatia, or Tomato, all of which have the same setup course of. An eSIM is an alternative choice, and Airalo is broadly used throughout Croatia, with good connectivity.
Cash Saving Ideas for Zagreb
- Store native: When dwelling in Zagreb, purchase contemporary produce from the native markets, meat from the butcher, and solely use supermarkets for cabinet necessities. You’ll save money fairly shortly.
- Keep away from touristic eating places: You’ll pay an entire lot extra, and also you gained’t get to eat genuine meals. Head to the native, genuine eating places and also you’ll save a number of money.
- Keep away from peak occasions: Zagreb is busy all yr round however Easter, Christmas, and New 12 months are if you’ll discover costs for lodging enhance. Attempt to keep away from these occasions if attainable.
- Have a look at sharing lodging: Coliving and sharing an condominium are good methods to save lots of money and nonetheless have a cushty place to remain. Coworking spots are the place to seek out out extra details about this.
- Stroll as a lot as you may: I discovered Zagreb a really walkable metropolis, and though public transport is affordable, it can save you rather a lot in the long run. Keep away from utilizing taxis or Uber except you actually need to.
Coworking Areas in Zagreb and WiFi Pace
If you happen to’re contemplating working remotely in Zagreb, the web high quality is more likely 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 top quality. In keeping with Speedtest, Zagreb’s common add and obtain speeds are 46.99 Mbps and 111.79 Mbps respectively.
If you happen to’re somebody who enjoys working from coworking areas, you’ll discover loads throughout the town. Listed here are some high-quality choices:
1. Influence Hub
Influence Hub is likely one of the hottest coworking spots in Zagreb, and I labored from right here a number of occasions. You might need labored in one other department throughout Europe, and their workplaces are typically standardized. The Zagreb workplace may be very smooth and trendy 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 staff right here, so it’s nice for networking and socializing.
2. Hub 385
Hub 385 is one other high coworking area in central Zagreb. You may join a month-to-month membership package deal should you intend to make use of the area rather a lot, or you may guide a day area and use one of many sizzling desks. If you happen to do that, it’s greatest to name forward as they do get fairly busy.
This coworking area has common occasions all through the week so you may meet different individuals simply. It has a cushty really feel, and there’s free tea and occasional all through the day, in addition to a kitchen space for getting ready meals.
3. Regus
I labored from this coworking area a couple of occasions and I discovered Regus to be a best choice. It has a really trendy 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 actually 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 sometimes, I do favor to work from cafes. Fortunately, there are lots of wonderful choices in Zagreb – listed below are my high picks:
- Potter: Potter is a smooth and trendy place to sit down for a couple of hours and get some work completed. The WiFi is great, and their coffees are a few of the greatest I discovered in Zagreb. This spot can also be fairly cheap in worth, which is at all times a bonus.
- Program Bar: This can be a good spot to work through the day, and the employees don’t have any points with individuals sitting with their laptops. The costs are cheap, and the seats are extraordinarily comfy too. The WiFi right here is especially robust.
- Inverno: If you happen to’re on the lookout for someplace a bit fancier, with actually nice meals, I’d extremely advocate Inverno. There’s an outside seating space which is right for working, and the WiFi is dependable. I met a couple of different distant staff 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 loads to see and do when you’ve completed work for the day or on a hard-earned break day. I by no means discovered myself feeling bored throughout my time as a nomad in Zagreb. Listed here are a few of my favourite spots within the metropolis:
1. Higher & Decrease Cities
Each the higher and decrease elements of the town are price 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 counsel you are taking a strolling tour to get essentially the most out of your time. These excursions solely final round 2.5 hours so it’s excellent for becoming into an everyday work day. With the assistance of an skilled information, you’ll be taught extra in regards to the historical past and respect the place you’re dwelling an entire lot extra.
2. Dolac Market
Dolac Market is the perfect place to get your contemporary fruit and greens in addition to all method of different scrumptious produce, together with freshly caught fish. If you’d like a style of genuine Croatian life, that is the place to go! It’s an ideal place to fulfill pleasant locals and preserve prices down on meals expenditure too.
I’d advocate going early within the morning should you can, as that is if you’ll seize the freshest fare. It could get very busy right here with locals filling up their pantries, however simply take your time and absorb the ambiance. The distributors can even allow you to strive issues should you ask, so don’t be afraid to go for it.
3. Zagreb Cathedral
The central level of the town is Zagreb Cathedral, and it’s properly price a go to simply to take a look at the attractive structure. You may see the steeple of the cathedral from most elements of the town, and it’s the icon of Zagreb general.
You may, in fact, go contained in the cathedral, particularly throughout providers and mass. The within is simply as spectacular as the surface, if no more so. Be aware when taking images; it’s greatest to keep away from doing so when providers are in progress, however outdoors of that point, you may take images of the inside.
4. Maksimir Park
The gorgeous Maksimir Park is the oldest public park within the metropolis, and it’s an exquisite place for a stroll it doesn’t matter what the time of yr. Throughout the summer season months, you’ll see households having fun with a picnic and youngsters taking part in. Nevertheless, my favourite time to go to this park is through the winter, when there’s a cozy and virtually Narnia-like really feel.
You can even take your laptop computer and sit below a shady tree should you wished a scenic place to get some work completed. I did this a few occasions and though the previous ‘glare on the display’ drawback was annoying, it was a very nice place to spend a few hours.
5. Museum of Damaged Relationships
I wasn’t positive what to anticipate from this museum, particularly because the title sounds somewhat miserable, however it’s one in every of 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 ideal spot to go on a leisurely break day, and it’s actually one of many extra distinctive issues to do in and across the capital. I’d advocate you spend 1-2 hours right here, so if it’s raining or significantly chilly, that is the perfect exercise to interrupt up your day.
Climate in Zagreb
Dwelling in Zagreb as a digital nomad means you’re open to the weather relying upon if you go. Situated within the northwest of the nation, Zagreb has 4 distinct seasons, and my favourite occasions are spring and autumn when you may actually really feel the change of climate within the air.
Throughout the summer season months, Zagreb experiences a median excessive of 28C/82F in July, which is the most popular month. Nevertheless, Zagreb nonetheless experiences rain in the summertime months, with July experiencing a median of 104.3mm. November is the rainiest month at 117.9mm, and it’s more likely to snow between November and February.
The winter can see nighttime temperatures as little as -2C/28F in January, nevertheless, the spring months arrive in Might when the common is round 20C/50F. Presently, many individuals head off to the coastal areas for the summer season season however don’t assume that’s the one approach—Zagreb is an attractive place in summer season and tends to be somewhat cooler than cities and cities on the coast.
Professionals and Cons of Dwelling in Zagreb
Earlier than you change into a Zagreb digital nomad, it’s necessary to think about each side of the coin. Though I imagine that the professionals far outweigh the cons, each single vacation spot on the earth has upsides and downsides, and Zagreb isn’t any completely different.
SEE ALSO: 15 Professionals and Cons of Dwelling in Croatia
Professionals of Dwelling 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 will have public transport generally, however it’s a compact metropolis, and it’s fairly simple to get round on foot.
- Loads of inexperienced areas: Zagreb isn’t a concrete jungle like many capitals and there are lots of inexperienced areas. Maksimir Park is the biggest park within the metropolis and an ideal place to loosen up.
- Many different digital nomads: With the brand new digital nomad visa, Zagreb has change into an actual digital nomad hotspot, particularly through the winter months. It’s very easy to fulfill individuals, both for work or socially.
- A extra genuine lifestyle: I discovered the ‘actual’ Croatia in Zagreb. Whilst you’ll discover conventional customs and tradition in Dubrovnik and different touristic spots, the capital is the place you’ll perceive the genuine Croatian approach.
- Lots to see and do: Being a capital metropolis, Zagreb affords loads to see and do, together with historical past, structure, tradition, artwork, gastronomy, buying, and wonderful nightlife.
- Wonderful WiFi: Web entry is important for a digital nomad, and I by no means had any points with connectivity whereas I used to be in Zagreb.
Cons of Dwelling in Zagreb
- You might wish to go to the seaside in the summertime: Zagreb doesn’t have a seaside, so when the summer season months arrive, it’s possible you’ll end up craving for seaside time. I actually did, and that’s after I relocated to Break up and Korčula.
- Lodging could be difficult to seek out: Whereas not unimaginable, discovering lodging in Zagreb could be tough, particularly within the metropolis heart. It’s greatest to guide an Airbnb or a hostel earlier than you arrive after which search for one thing extra appropriate when you’re there.
- Price of dwelling is decrease proper now however is rising: Zagreb’s value of dwelling is low in comparison with another giant European cities, however during the last couple of years there was a slight rise. After all, this merely means that you must search for intelligent methods to save lots of money.
Digital Nomad Visa for Zagreb
Dwelling in Zagreb has change into rather a lot simpler due to the Croatian digital nomad visa, which was launched in 2021. This visa is open to third-country freelancers and enterprise homeowners for as much as 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 not renew this visa, so after one yr, it’s important to go away. The excellent news is you can reapply six months after your previous visa expires. Click on right here for all required documentation.
You may apply for the visa earlier than you arrive in Croatia or when you arrive. If you happen to do that, you’ll want a visa to enter the nation. Croatia is within the Schengen zone, however make sure you examine the entry necessities to your nation of origin.
In Conclusion
This digital nomad information to Zagreb has given you all the data that you must resolve whether or not the Croatian capital is your subsequent vacation spot. I extremely advocate you go; I actually loved my time in Zagreb, and it’s someplace I’d like to return to.
You may also use Zagreb as a winter vacation spot after which go to the coastal areas through the summer season. With a lot to see and do, Zagreb provides you a cushty house base, whereas additionally displaying you the genuine Croatian lifestyle.
