The capital metropolis of Croatia is a full of life, historic, vibrant, and enjoyable place to spend a while. For those who’re pondering of residing 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 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 on this stunning nation. For me, it’s the most effective locations on the earth; the surroundings, seashores, tradition, meals, and pleasant locals are second to none. However as a digital nomad residing in Zagreb, you’ll must know what to anticipate earlier than you go.
Handily, I can share my experiences so you possibly can guarantee a easy keep on this stunning metropolis.
About Zagreb
Zagreb is each the capital and largest metropolis in Croatia. It’s situated 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.
For those who’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 an entire is filled with historic nods, as the entire metropolis got here to be in 1134.
Nevertheless it’s not all historical past. Zagreb is filled with modern-day enjoyable too, together with nightlife, gastronomy, buying, and artwork. The encircling space can also be filled with must-visit locations, with mountain climbing trails within the Medvednica mountain and Veternica Cave, filled with 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. For those who go to a seaside vacation spot, like Break up or Dubrovnik, certain, you’ll see native life, however not like you possibly can 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 a lot 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 out there to you.
Is Zagreb Protected?
When eager about residing in Zagreb as a digital nomad, or wherever new, considered one of 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 all the time use your widespread sense, particularly in crowded areas.
Together with standard precautions when visiting any new vacation spot, watch your bag within the metropolis middle, as there’ll all the time be opportunistic pickpockets sometimes. Aside from that, Zagreb is fairly secure throughout, and so far as capitals go, I felt very safe right here.
Finest Areas to Reside in Zagreb
When residing in Zagreb, it’s necessary to decide on the best neighborhood. Not solely does this imply you’re extra more likely to have a greater time since you’re near 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 superb spot for digital nomads and I stayed right here myself. That is within the central a part of town, so that you’re near all the pieces, together with cafes and coworking spots. It’s additionally a terrific place for assembly different distant staff.
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 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 town middle, and that is one other nice space for distant staff. There’s a really full of life digital nomad neighborhood round this space, which means that it’s nice for networking and assembly different like-minded folks.
For those who’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 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
For those who want a bit extra peace and quiet, Maksimir is an efficient selection. You’ll discover an enormous park right here—the most important within the metropolis—and loads of cafes.
Maksimir has a extra laid-back really feel, in my view, nevertheless it’s additionally house to town’s soccer stadium so it may possibly get a little bit loud throughout house video games. You can say that Maksimir is extra suburban, nevertheless it’s nonetheless inside very simple attain of town middle.
4. Šalata
For those who’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 massive homes, flats, and even villas. Nonetheless, you’ll pay extra for hire on this space.
When you have the price range, 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 time months.
The right way to Discover Lodging in Zagreb
The most important hurdle for digital nomads, wherever on the earth you’re, is discovering lodging to fit your wants and price range. Listed below are my prime picks on the place to discover a place to remain in Zagreb.
1. Airbnb: There’s a spread of nice lodging out there on Airbnb, and lots of locations settle for long-term stays. I stayed in an residence for a month this manner, and I managed to save lots of on the common worth of hire throughout town. The one draw back is if you wish to keep within the metropolis middle—Airbnb listings are typically extra suburban.
2. Reserving.com: You’ll discover a wide range of hostels, lodges, and serviced lodging at good costs on reserving.com. After I first arrived in Zagreb, I stayed in a hostel I booked by this website, and I used to be very pleased with my selection.
3. Enquire at coworking areas: For those who inquire with different distant staff and workers at coworking areas, you could discover somebody who wants a roommate. It’s commonplace to search out 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 out there, and you may search for adverts there. After all, you too can inquire about sharing alternatives and ask for recommendation from folks already there.
Value of Dwelling in Zagreb
I discovered the price of residing in Zagreb to be a little bit decrease than in different main European capitals. For those who’re being paid in a international foreign money, e.g. {dollars}, nonetheless, you’ll discover that your cash does go barely additional. That can assist you price range, listed below are some approximate prices.
Eating places and Groceries
For those who eat at eating places which are aimed towards vacationers, you possibly can count on to pay much more. For example, you’re taking a look at round €12-€15/$13-$17 for a hen/pizza type meal, but you possibly can 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 possibly can decide up a kilo of hen breasts for round €8/$9, beef for round €12/$13, and contemporary produce may be very low cost, often round €1-€2/$1.10-$2.20 per kilo. With all of that, you possibly can cook dinner meals that may final for just a few days.
Lodging Prices
So far as life in Zagreb goes, I discovered lodging to be my largest expense. For that motive, store round earlier than you decide to something, particularly by way of neighborhood.
On common, a one-bedroom residence within the metropolis middle will value round €530/$580 per 30 days, with utilities on prime, relying on how a lot you utilize. I’d 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. Nonetheless Zagreb isn’t an enormous, sprawling metropolis, and I discovered it fairly simple to stroll to most locations, because of staying comparatively centrally.
You possibly can take buses, trams, taxis, Ubers, and the funicular railway to the Higher City, all of which run often. Nonetheless, it’s price remembering that taxis and Uber are the most costly choices. I solely used these once 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, often known as Simpa, and this lasted all through 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 use A1, Telemach Croatia, or Tomato, all of which have an identical setup course of. An eSIM is an alternative choice, and Airalo is broadly used throughout Croatia, with good connectivity.
Cash Saving Suggestions for Zagreb
- Store native: When residing 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 variety of money.
- Keep away from peak occasions: Zagreb is busy all 12 months round however Easter, Christmas, and New Yr are whenever you’ll discover costs for lodging improve. Attempt to keep away from these occasions if doable.
- Have a look at sharing lodging: Coliving and sharing an residence are good methods to save lots of money and nonetheless have a cushty place to remain. Coworking spots are the place to search out out extra details about this.
- Stroll as a lot as you possibly can: I discovered Zagreb a really walkable metropolis, and though public transport is affordable, it can save you so much in the long run. Keep away from utilizing taxis or Uber except you really want to.
Coworking Areas in Zagreb and WiFi Velocity
For those who’re contemplating working remotely in Zagreb, the web high quality is more likely to be your greatest 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 line with Speedtest, Zagreb’s common add and obtain speeds are 46.99 Mbps and 111.79 Mbps respectively.
For those who’re somebody who enjoys working from coworking areas, you’ll discover a lot throughout town. Listed below 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 may need labored in one other department throughout Europe, and their workplaces are typically standardized. The Zagreb workplace may be very modern and trendy and has extraordinarily comfy chairs.
I discovered the web right here to be glorious, 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 prime coworking area in central Zagreb. You possibly can join a month-to-month membership bundle in case you intend to make use of the area so much, or you possibly can guide a day area and use one of many sizzling desks. For those who 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 possibly can meet different folks 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 making ready meals.
3. Regus
I labored from this coworking area just a few occasions and I discovered Regus to be a best choice. It has a really trendy and modern vibe, and the day costs are fairly affordable, 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.
Finest Cafes to Work From in Zagreb
Though I like coworking areas sometimes, I do want to work from cafes. Fortunately, there are lots of glorious choices in Zagreb – listed below are my prime picks:
- Potter: Potter is a modern and trendy place to take a seat for just a few hours and get some work achieved. The WiFi is superb, and their coffees are a few of the greatest I discovered in Zagreb. This spot can also be fairly affordable in worth, which is all the time a bonus.
- Program Bar: This can be a great spot to work throughout the day, and the workers haven’t any points with folks sitting with their laptops. The costs are affordable, and the seats are extraordinarily comfy too. The WiFi right here is especially robust.
- Inverno: For those who’re on the lookout for someplace a bit fancier, with actually nice meals, I’d extremely advocate Inverno. There’s an out of doors seating space which is right for working, and the WiFi is dependable. I met just a few 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 a lot 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 below are a few of my favourite spots within the metropolis:
1. Higher & Decrease Cities
Each the higher and decrease elements of town are price exploring, and they are often achieved on foot. The winding, cobbled streets are stuffed with architectural wonders and small boutiques. I stumbled upon many cute cafes round this space too.
I’d recommend you are taking a strolling tour to get probably the most out of your time. These excursions solely final round 2.5 hours so it’s excellent for becoming into a daily work day. With the assistance of an skilled information, you’ll study extra concerning the historical past and respect the place you’re residing 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 need a style of genuine Croatian life, that is the place to go! It’s a terrific place to satisfy pleasant locals and hold prices down on meals expenditure too.
I’d advocate going early within the morning in case you can, as that is whenever 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 can even allow you to attempt issues in case you 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 price a go to simply to take a look at the gorgeous structure. You possibly can see the steeple of the cathedral from most elements of town, and it’s the icon of Zagreb general.
You possibly can, after all, go contained in the cathedral, particularly throughout companies and mass. The within is simply as spectacular as the surface, if no more so. Be conscious when taking pictures; it’s greatest to keep away from doing so when companies are in progress, however outdoors of that point, you possibly can take photographs 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 12 months. Through the summer time months, you’ll see households having fun with a picnic and youngsters taking part in. Nonetheless, my favourite time to go to this park is throughout the winter, when there’s a cozy and nearly Narnia-like really feel.
You can even take your laptop computer and sit below a shady tree in case you wished a scenic place to get some work achieved. I did this a few occasions and though the outdated ‘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 certain what to anticipate from this museum, particularly because the identify sounds slightly miserable, nevertheless it’s considered one of my favourite locations in Zagreb. The Museum of Damaged Relationships tells the story of affection tales gone improper however with loads of emotion and background info.
It’s a terrific 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 whenever you go. Situated within the northwest of the nation, Zagreb has 4 distinct seasons, and my favourite occasions are spring and autumn when you possibly can actually really feel the change of climate within the air.
Through the summer time months, Zagreb experiences a median excessive of 28C/82F in July, which is the most popular month. Nonetheless, 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, nonetheless, the spring months arrive in Could when the common is round 20C/50F. At the moment, many individuals head off to the coastal areas for the summer time season however don’t assume that’s the one manner—Zagreb is a wonderful place in summer time and tends to be a little bit cooler than cities and cities on the coast.
Professionals and Cons of Dwelling in Zagreb
Earlier than you turn into a Zagreb digital nomad, it’s necessary to think about each side of the coin. Though I consider 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 have to public transport typically, nevertheless 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 most important park within the metropolis and a terrific place to calm down.
- Many different digital nomads: With the brand new digital nomad visa, Zagreb has turn into an actual digital nomad hotspot, particularly throughout the winter months. It’s very easy to satisfy 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 manner.
- Loads to see and do: Being a capital metropolis, Zagreb gives a lot to see and do, together with historical past, structure, tradition, artwork, gastronomy, buying, and glorious 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
- Chances are you’ll need to go to the seaside in the summertime: Zagreb doesn’t have a seaside, so when the summer time months arrive, you could end up craving for seaside time. I actually did, and that’s once I relocated to Break up and Korčula.
- Lodging may be tough to search out: Whereas not not possible, discovering lodging in Zagreb may be tough, particularly within the metropolis middle. It’s greatest to guide an Airbnb or a hostel earlier than you arrive after which search for one thing extra appropriate whilst you’re there.
- Value of residing is decrease proper now however is rising: Zagreb’s value of residing is low in comparison with another massive European cities, however during the last couple of years there was a slight rise. After all, this merely means you could search for intelligent methods to save lots of money.
Digital Nomad Visa for Zagreb
Dwelling in Zagreb has turn into so much simpler because of the Croatian digital nomad visa, which was launched in 2021. This visa is open to third-country freelancers and enterprise house owners for as much as one 12 months, 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 simply can’t renew this visa, so after one 12 months, it’s important to depart. The excellent news is that you may reapply six months after your outdated visa expires. Click on right here for all required documentation.
You possibly can apply for the visa earlier than you arrive in Croatia or when you arrive. For those who do that, you’ll want a visa to enter the nation. Croatia is within the Schengen zone, however be sure you verify the entry necessities on your nation of origin.
In Conclusion
This digital nomad information to Zagreb has given you all the data you could determine 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 can even 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 offers you a cushty house base, whereas additionally exhibiting you the genuine Croatian lifestyle.
