Digital Nomad Guide to Living in Zagreb

The capital metropolis of Croatia is a vigorous, historic, vibrant, and enjoyable place to spend a while. When you’re considering 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 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 lovely nation. For me, it’s among the finest 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 clean 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 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 filled with historic nods, as the entire metropolis got here to be in 1134.

But it surely’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 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. When you go to a seashore vacation spot, like Split 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 tip 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 spaces 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 unbelievable selection out there to you.

Is Zagreb Protected?

When eager about residing in Zagreb as a digital nomad, or anyplace new, one in every of your first considerations is probably going security. The excellent news is that Zagreb is a safe city. I by no means as soon as felt unnerved or unsafe throughout my time there, even at evening. That being stated, this can be a capital metropolis, so it’s advisable to all the time use your frequent sense, particularly in crowded areas.

Together with normal precautions when visiting any new vacation spot, watch your bag within the metropolis heart, as there’ll all the time be opportunistic pickpockets once in a while. Apart from that, Zagreb is fairly protected throughout, and so far as capitals go, I felt very safe right here.

Finest Areas to Stay in Zagreb

When residing in Zagreb, it’s necessary to decide on the suitable 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 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 little thing, together with cafes and coworking spots. It’s additionally an excellent place for assembly different distant staff.

Nevertheless, it’s not all hustle and bustle as there are some nice parks to calm down in throughout the summer season months. The lease 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 the town heart, and that is one other nice space for distant staff. There’s a really vigorous digital nomad group 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 choose a bit extra peace and quiet, Maksimir is an effective 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, for my part, however it’s additionally dwelling to the town’s soccer stadium so it may possibly get just a little loud throughout dwelling video games. You might say that Maksimir is extra suburban, however it’s nonetheless inside very straightforward attain of the town heart.

4. Šalata

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

You probably have the funds, 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.

How you can Discover Lodging in Zagreb

The largest hurdle for digital nomads, wherever on the earth you might be, is discovering lodging to fit your wants and funds. Listed below are my prime picks on the place to discover a place to remain in Zagreb.

1. Airbnb: There’s a variety of nice lodging out there on Airbnb, and lots of locations settle for long-term stays. I stayed in an condominium for a month this manner, and I managed to save lots of on the common value 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. Booking.com: You’ll discover a wide variety of hostels, motels, and serviced lodging at good costs on reserving.com. Once I first arrived in Zagreb, I stayed in a hostel I booked by this web site, and I used to be very pleased with my selection.

3. Enquire at coworking areas: When you inquire with different distant staff and workers at coworking areas, you might discover somebody who wants a roommate. It’s common to seek out advertisements pinned on the partitions, so maintain 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 out there, and you’ll search for advertisements there. In fact, you too can 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 just a little decrease than in different main European capitals. When you’re being paid in a international forex, e.g. {dollars}, nonetheless, you’ll discover that your cash does go barely additional. That can assist you funds, listed here are some approximate prices.

Eating places and Groceries

When you eat at eating places which might be aimed towards vacationers, you possibly can anticipate to pay much more. As an 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 will get a good-quality cappuccino for round €1.80/$2.

It’s a good suggestion to cook dinner at dwelling 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 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 motive, 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 price round €530/$580 per thirty days, with utilities on prime, 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 price you round €0.60/$0.65. Nevertheless Zagreb isn’t an enormous, sprawling metropolis, and I discovered it fairly straightforward to stroll to most locations, due 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 often. Nevertheless, it’s price remembering that taxis and Uber are the most costly choices. I solely used these after I was out late at evening 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 all through my keep. The cardboard price €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 analogous 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 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 loads of money.
Keep away from peak instances: Zagreb is busy all yr round however Easter, Christmas, and New Yr are while you’ll discover costs for lodging enhance. Try to keep away from these instances if attainable.
Take a look at sharing lodging: Coliving and sharing an condominium are good methods to save lots of money and nonetheless have a snug place to remain. Coworking spots are the place to seek 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 reasonable, it can save you rather a lot in the long run. Keep away from utilizing taxis or Uber until you really want to.

Coworking Areas in Zagreb and WiFi Velocity

When you’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 difficulty with the WiFi and I discovered it to be prime quality. According to 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 lots throughout the town. Listed below are some high-quality choices:

1. Influence Hub

Impact 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 could be very smooth and trendy and has extraordinarily snug 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’ll be able to join a month-to-month membership package deal in the event you intend to make use of the area rather a lot, or you possibly can e book a day area and use one of many scorching desks. When you do that, it’s finest 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 snug really feel, and there’s free tea and low all through the day, in addition to a kitchen space for making ready meals.

3. Regus

I labored from this coworking area a couple of instances and I discovered Regus to be a best choice. It has a really trendy and smooth 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 could be very quick and dependable right here; I did a number of video calls and had no points. The workplace is absolutely shiny, and the seating is tremendous snug, setting you up for a productive day.

Finest Cafes to Work From in Zagreb

Though I like coworking areas sometimes, I do choose to work from cafes. Fortunately, there are various glorious choices in Zagreb – listed here are my prime picks:

Potter: Potter is a smooth and trendy place to sit down for a couple of hours and get some work carried out. The WiFi is great, and their coffees are a number of the finest I discovered in Zagreb. This spot can also be fairly affordable in value, which is all the time a bonus.
Program Bar: This can be a good spot to work throughout the day, and the workers don’t have any points with folks sitting with their laptops. The costs are affordable, and the seats are extraordinarily snug too. The WiFi right here is especially sturdy.
Inverno: When you’re in search of someplace a bit fancier, with actually nice meals, I’d extremely advocate Inverno. There’s an outside 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 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 day 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 within the metropolis:

1. Higher & Decrease Cities

Each the higher and decrease elements of the town are price exploring, and they are often carried out 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’re taking a walking 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 in regards to the historical past and recognize the place you’re residing a complete lot extra.

2. Dolac Market

Dolac Market is the best 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 excellent place to fulfill pleasant locals and maintain prices down on meals expenditure too.

I’d advocate going early within the morning in the event you can, as that is while you’ll seize the freshest fare. It will possibly get very busy right here with locals filling up their pantries, however simply take your time and absorb the ambiance. The distributors may 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 effectively price 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 the town, and it’s the icon of Zagreb general.

You’ll be able to, 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 aware when taking images; it’s finest to keep away from doing so when companies are in progress, however outdoors of that point, you possibly can take images 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. In the course of 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 throughout the winter, when there’s a cozy and nearly Narnia-like really feel.

You might even take your laptop and sit below a shady tree in the event you needed a scenic place to get some work carried out. I did this a few instances and though the previous ‘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 certain what to anticipate from this museum, particularly because the identify sounds fairly miserable, however it’s one in every of my favourite locations in Zagreb. The Museum of Broken Relationships tells the story of affection tales gone incorrect however with loads of emotion and background data.

It’s an excellent spot to go on a leisurely day without work, 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 notably chilly, that is the best 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. Positioned within the northwest of the nation, Zagreb has 4 distinct seasons, and my favourite instances are spring and autumn when you possibly can actually really feel the change of climate within the air.

In the course of the summer season months, Zagreb experiences an average high 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 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 Might when the common 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 an attractive place in summer season and tends to be just a little cooler than cities and cities on the coast.

Professionals and Cons of Residing 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.

Professionals of Residing in Zagreb

Zagreb is a compact metropolis: One of many issues I loved most about Zagreb is that I might stroll to many locations. You will have public transport typically, however 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 various inexperienced areas. Maksimir Park is the most important park within the metropolis and an excellent place to calm down.
Many different digital nomads: With the brand new digital nomad visa, Zagreb has change into an actual digital nomad hotspot, particularly throughout 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. 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 method.
A lot to see and do: Being a capital metropolis, Zagreb gives lots to see and do, together with historical past, structure, tradition, artwork, gastronomy, purchasing, and glorious 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 need 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 actually did, and that’s after I relocated to Split and Korčula.
Lodging could be difficult to seek out: Whereas not inconceivable, discovering lodging in Zagreb could be tough, particularly within the metropolis heart. It’s finest to e book an Airbnb or a hostel earlier than you arrive after which search for one thing extra appropriate when you’re there.
Price of residing is decrease proper now however is rising: Zagreb’s price of residing is low in comparison with another massive European cities, however during the last couple of years there was a slight rise. In fact, this merely means you might want to search for intelligent methods to save lots of money.

Digital Nomad Visa for Zagreb

Residing 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’t renew this visa, so after one yr, it’s a must to depart. The excellent news is which you could reapply six months after your previous visa expires. Click here for all required documentation, and skim our full article here.

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 remember to verify the entry necessities in your nation of origin.

In Conclusion

This digital nomad information to Zagreb has given you all the data you might want to 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 too can use Zagreb as a winter vacation spot after which go to the coastal areas throughout the summer season. With a lot to see and do, Zagreb provides you a snug home base, whereas additionally displaying you the genuine Croatian lifestyle.