The capital metropolis of Croatia is a full of life, historic, vibrant, and enjoyable place to spend a while. When you’re pondering of residing in Zagreb, prepare for an expertise like no different; this place is filled with issues to see and do, and also you’ll most likely by no means wish 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 lovely 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 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 lovely 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 massive Medvednica mountain looming within the close to distance.

When you’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 a complete 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, purchasing, and artwork. The encompassing space can also be filled with must-visit locations, with mountaineering 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 components of the nation. When you go to a seashore vacation spot, like Cut up or Dubrovnik, positive, 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 good 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 unimaginable alternative obtainable to you.

Is Zagreb Secure?

When fascinated about residing 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, this can be a capital metropolis, so it’s advisable to at all times use your frequent sense, particularly in crowded areas.

Together with common precautions when visiting any new vacation spot, watch your bag within the metropolis middle, as there’ll at all times be opportunistic pickpockets on occasion. Apart from that, Zagreb is fairly protected throughout, and so far as capitals go, I felt very safe right here.

Finest Areas to Dwell in Zagreb

When residing in Zagreb, it’s necessary to decide on the suitable neighborhood. Not solely does this imply you’re extra prone 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 good 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 calm down in in the course of 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 middle, and that is one other nice space for distant staff. There’s a really full of life digital nomad neighborhood round this space, that means that it’s nice for networking and assembly different like-minded folks.

When you’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 lovely structure all over the place you look. Regardless of its historical past, there’s nonetheless loads of modern-day enjoyable available with numerous cafes, bars, eating places, and purchasing alternatives.

3. Maksimir

When you want a bit extra peace and quiet, Maksimir is an effective alternative. 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, for my part, but it surely’s additionally house to the town’s soccer stadium so it could get a bit loud throughout house video games. You would say that Maksimir is extra suburban, but it surely’s nonetheless inside very simple attain of the town middle.

4. Šalata

When you’re working remotely in Zagreb and are searching for a extra luxurious place to remain, Šalata is value contemplating. Right here, you’ll discover giant homes, flats, and even villas. Nevertheless, you’ll pay extra for lease on this space.

When you have the funds, I’d suggest 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.

Methods to Discover Lodging in Zagreb

The largest hurdle for digital nomads, wherever on the earth you’re, is discovering lodging to fit your wants and funds. 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 obtainable on Airbnb, and lots of locations settle for long-term stays. I stayed in an house for a month this manner, and I managed to avoid wasting on the common value of lease throughout the 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 variety 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 website, and I used to be very pleased with my alternative.

3. Enquire at coworking areas: When you inquire with different distant staff and employees at coworking areas, you might discover somebody who wants a roommate. It’s commonplace to seek out advertisements pinned on the partitions, so hold 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 obtainable, and you’ll search for advertisements there. In fact, you can too inquire about sharing alternatives and ask for recommendation from folks already there.

Price of Residing in Zagreb

I discovered the price of residing in Zagreb to be a bit decrease than in different main European capitals. When you’re being paid in a international forex, e.g. {dollars}, nevertheless, you’ll discover that your cash does go barely additional. That will help you funds, listed below are some approximate prices.

Eating places and Groceries

When you eat at eating places which can be aimed towards vacationers, you possibly can anticipate to pay much more. For example, you’re 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’ll be able to decide up a kilo of hen breasts for round €8/$9, beef for round €12/$13, and contemporary produce could be very low-cost, normally round €1-€2/$1.10-$2.20 per kilo. With all of that, you possibly can cook dinner meals that may 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 motive, store round earlier than you decide to something, particularly when it comes to neighborhood.

On common, a one-bedroom house within the metropolis middle will value round €530/$580 per 30 days, with utilities on high, relying on how a lot you utilize. I might 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. Nevertheless Zagreb isn’t an enormous, sprawling metropolis, and I discovered it fairly simple to stroll to most locations, because of 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 commonly. Nevertheless, 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, 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 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 the same setup course of. An eSIM is another choice, and Airalo is broadly used throughout Croatia, with good connectivity.

Cash Saving Ideas for Zagreb

1. 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 rapidly.
2. Keep away from touristic eating places: You’ll pay a complete lot extra, and also you gained’t get to eat genuine meals. Head to the native, genuine eating places and also you’ll save plenty of money.
3. Keep away from peak occasions: Zagreb is busy all yr round however Easter, Christmas, and New 12 months are while you’ll discover costs for lodging improve. Attempt to keep away from these occasions if doable.
4. Take a look at sharing lodging: Coliving and sharing an house are good methods to avoid wasting money and nonetheless have a cushty place to remain. Coworking spots are the place to seek out out extra details about this.
5. 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 loads in the long run. Keep away from utilizing taxis or Uber except you really want to.

Coworking Areas in Zagreb and WiFi Pace

When you’re contemplating working remotely in Zagreb, the web high quality is prone 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 keeping with Speedtest, Zagreb’s common add and obtain speeds are 46.99 Mbps and 111.79 Mbps respectively.

When you’re somebody who enjoys working from coworking areas, you’ll discover a lot throughout the town. Listed here are some high-quality choices:

1. Impression Hub

Impression Hub is among 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 usually standardized. The Zagreb workplace could be very glossy 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’ll be able to join a month-to-month membership bundle in the event you intend to make use of the area loads, or you possibly can guide a day area and use one of many sizzling desks. When you 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 low 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 glossy 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 could be very quick and dependable right here; I did a number of video calls and had no points. The workplace is de facto shiny, 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 often, I do want to work from cafes. Fortunately, there are lots of wonderful choices in Zagreb – listed below are my high picks:

1. Potter: Potter is a glossy and trendy place to take a seat for a couple of hours and get some work executed. The WiFi is superb, and their coffees are among the greatest I discovered in Zagreb. This spot can also be fairly cheap in value, which is at all times a bonus.
2. Program Bar: This can be a excellent spot to work in the course of 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: When you’re searching for someplace a bit fancier, with actually nice meals, I’d extremely suggest Inverno. There’s an out of doors seating space which is good 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 beauty of 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 day without work. 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 components of the town are value exploring, and they are often executed on foot. The winding, cobbled streets are crammed with architectural wonders and small boutiques. I stumbled upon many cute cafes round this space too.

I’d counsel you’re 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 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 a complete 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 hold prices down on meals expenditure too.

I’d suggest going early within the morning in the event you can, as that is while you’ll seize the freshest fare. It might probably 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 the event 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 nicely value a go to simply to take a look at the gorgeous structure. You’ll be able to see the steeple of the cathedral from most components of the town, and it’s the icon of Zagreb total.

You’ll be able to, after all, 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 pictures; it’s greatest to keep away from doing so when providers are in progress, however exterior of that point, you possibly can take pictures of the inside.

4. Maksimir Park

The gorgeous Maksimir Park is the oldest public park within the metropolis, and it’s a beautiful 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 kids taking part in. Nevertheless, my favourite time to go to this park is in the course of the winter, when there’s a cozy and virtually Narnia-like really feel.

You would even take your laptop computer and sit beneath a shady tree in the event you needed a scenic place to get some work executed. I did this a few occasions and though the outdated ‘glare on the display screen’ 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 for the reason that identify sounds slightly miserable, but it surely’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 data.

It’s an ideal spot to go on a leisurely day without work, and it’s definitely 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 notably chilly, that is the perfect exercise to interrupt up your day.

Climate in Zagreb

Residing in Zagreb as a digital nomad means you’re open to the weather relying upon while 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.

Throughout the summer season months, Zagreb experiences a mean excessive of 28C/82F in July, which is the most well liked month. Nevertheless, Zagreb nonetheless experiences rain in the summertime months, with July experiencing a mean of 104.3mm. November is the rainiest month at 117.9mm, and it’s prone 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 typical is round 20C/50F. At the moment, many individuals head off to the coastal areas for the summer season season however don’t assume that’s the one method—Zagreb is a gorgeous place in summer season and tends to be a bit cooler than cities and cities on the coast.

Professionals and Cons of Residing in Zagreb

Earlier than you develop 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 is not any completely different.

SEE ALSO: 15 Professionals and Cons of Residing in Croatia

Professionals of Residing 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 generally, but it surely’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 an ideal place to calm down.
• Many different digital nomads: With the brand new digital nomad visa, Zagreb has develop into an actual digital nomad hotspot, particularly in the course of the winter months. It’s very easy to fulfill 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 affords a lot to see and do, together with historical past, structure, tradition, artwork, gastronomy, purchasing, and wonderful nightlife.
• Glorious 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 Residing in Zagreb

• It’s possible you’ll wish to go to the seashore in the summertime: Zagreb doesn’t have a seashore, so when the summer season months arrive, you might end up craving for seashore time. I definitely did, and that’s after I relocated to Cut up and Korčula.
• Lodging may be tough to seek out: Whereas not unattainable, 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.
• Price of residing is decrease proper now however is rising: Zagreb’s value of residing is low in comparison with another giant European cities, however during the last couple of years there was a slight rise. In fact, this merely means you have to search for intelligent methods to avoid wasting money.

Digital Nomad Visa for Zagreb

Residing in Zagreb has develop into loads simpler because of 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 simply can’t renew this visa, so after one yr, you need to depart. The excellent news is you could reapply six months after your outdated 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. When you do that, you’ll want a visa to enter the nation. Croatia is within the Schengen zone, however you’ll want to test the entry necessities in your nation of origin.

In Conclusion

This digital nomad information to Zagreb has given you all the knowledge you have to determine 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 like to return to.

You can even use Zagreb as a winter vacation spot after which go to the coastal areas in the course of the summer season. With a lot to see and do, Zagreb provides you a cushty house base, whereas additionally exhibiting you the genuine Croatian lifestyle.