While it might be a difficult city to fly into, once you are there you definitely know it has been worth the journey. The architecture, the laid back atmosphere, the outstanding food, the friendly locals... Zagreb's really a stunning place that so many people overlook when travelling around Europe! And it doesn't break the bank either, unlike many European cities. I know I will be back on my next travels!
Zagreb is one of the prettiest cities I have ever been to. I have lived there for nine years and I can assure you that you cannot see all it has to offer in two days. People there are friendly and if you get acquainted with someone who lives there they can introduce Zagreb to you. From parks to museums and even pastry shops, it is amazing, and if you are young and like to have fun, night life in Zagreb can be very satisfying. All you can do there is relax and have fun, I know I will when I go this summer there.
I was sguck in Zagreb for 6days, however in my time there I fell in love with the city. The old town matches many of the more popular cities in Europe and the quality for the money you put in is great. The food is very good and nighlife is fantastic. My recomendations would be to go to the Jazz bar - great live music and the most friendly of clubs ive ever been to. Also try a day trip to Krapina or Trakoscanwhere youll be delighted by the views of the lakes and the history of mankind!
I would also recommend taking in a football match while your there - the crowds chant some amazing things and you'll be left speechless by the end of it!
I just went to Zagreb for some cheap dental work as it's about less than half the price in the U.K. The local bread and cheese are very good, and the seafood is nearly the best in Europe and very cheap. Cheap accommodation is scarce but it's a beautiful city for a long weekend.
Zagreb is the capital of Croatia, but it has a small-town feel. It's very easy to get around and is one of the most relaxed capitals in Europe. Unless you're here to live the life, however, the sights of Zagreb can be done in a day (2 days including the museums).
Zagreb is a great city, let's hope not too many people discover it! It is a proud city with beautiful proud people. Only on my third visit did I discover there was an entire old city hidden away behing the main square. Simply stunning. Driving north towards Hungary you find yourself travelling along a windy fairy tale of a road, between tall trees - a moving experience!
I have traveled through Europe a few times over and Zagreb will always remain my favourite city -- the people, weather, and the nightlife is superb. It's uncomplicated and great fun, however, accommodation is a major headache.
You cannot stay one weekend in Zagreb and think that you can have your own complete opinion 'cause...you haven't seen it all. I have lived in Croatia for 21 years and I'm still exploring and finding something every year that I didn't know that we had!
For staying in Zagreb, in my opinion the most important thing is to meet and get friendly with somebody smart from Zagreb. Because you can spend a fortune here, or you can spend very little money. I know a lot of people who actually LIVE IN Zagreb and can give you the right answer about things like: where is good blues/rock'n roll club, where I can eat the best "chevapi," where is the best cheap beer?
Fulir Hostel in Zagreb … Kudos to Dave for perceiving a need in Zagreb for a good central backpackers' and creating an ideal one to meet that need. This is a small, friendly hostel, spotlessly clean, and brand-new, and I absolutely loved it! The dorms are in an upstairs loft that has a friendly feel to it. On the first night they were full, but Dave offered me a mattress on the floor for a cheaper price and it was perfectly comfortable. Free welcome drinks on arrival, free bag storage, clean bathrooms, a great common area to socialize, fantastic recommendations for food and drink and stuff to do, and some of the friendliest staff and guests around, not to mention an unbeatable location right next to the main town square -- what more could you ask for?
Buzz Backpackers in Zagreb … This place is great. The owners know what a backpacker wants -- beer, internet, and bed. It's very reasonably priced but they need to get premiership football sorted so we can all watch it.
Hostel Mali Mrak Zagreb in Zagreb … We actually booked at another hostel which accidentally overbooked us, and we were sent here instead. And I'm glad we were! The location was conveniently close to a tram stop which led right into the city center pretty quickly, and the staff was wonderfully helpful and friendly. The rooms were clean, and the mattresses were the nicest I've ever experienced at a hostel before, and the blankets were also fantastically comfy. The showers and toilets were spotlessly clean. There was a free internet computer room (with three computers), and the common room was well used and great for meeting people and watching movies. Highly recommend.
Ravnice Youth Hostel in Zagreb … This must be the best hostel in Zagreb. The facilities are fabulous, the beds are comfortable, and the atmosphere is relaxed. And it's not THAT far away from the center of town...only an easy 20-minute tram ride. I heartily recommend it.
Carpe Diem Hostel in Zagreb … The new kid in the block, Carpe Diem hostel, is a breath of fresh air in Zagreb. The rooms are colourful, comfortable, and clean (the three vital c's!) and Dom and his posse are just the friendliest hosts. I really wish these guys all the best in the future of their business! The location is in a quiet nook away from the city centre, easy to get to. It's the sort of place where you have no choice but to make friends.
Hostel Lika in Zagreb … This is a great hostel! Ilana and Marco make you feel like a guest in their home. This place is very clean and has comfortable beds. The only reason that I didn't give them five stars is because they don't have internet use as of yet and they aren't in the center of town. They are however in a quiet residential neighborhood and are only five to ten minutes away from the train station by tram. I would definitely recomend this place to anyone including my best of friends!
Buzz Hostel in Zagreb … Twin private room is way too small for two person, almost claustrophobic, and because it is near the bathroom also noisy. The bathroom we used was dirty and without a small equipment. Good points -- peaceful location, nice stuff.
Youth Hostel Zagreb in Zagreb … Location is great but nothing else is. This hostel is fairly unique in my experience in that it provides neither breakfast included in the price, nor any self-catering facilities whatsoever, leaving your only option to eat out every meal. There is free internet, but only on one computer for the entire hostel of up to several hundred people -- queues were epic, I waited over an hour. There is also only one male and one female shower per whole floor, which could be fifty people or so -- again you can imagine the queues. There are no social areas or common rooms. They only provide one key for each dormitory room so you are reliant on the last person to lock the room on their way out -- very unsecure. Worst hostel I stayed at in three weeks around eastern Europe.
HI - Zagreb Hostel in Zagreb … What a terrible place. I was there long enough to know I wasn't welcome. I wasn't given any advice about getting around or how to get to the bus terminal or anything, even though I asked for it. All they want is your cash. I would say skip it and go to the coast because it isn't worth the money. Hot water wasn't there, over-cramped rooms, and terrible service. It may have a good location but Zagreb is small. Any location would be good if it was inside the city lines.
Inicijativa Resting Spot Hostel in Zagreb … do not use the owner is a drunk and becomes abusive.
Hotel Fala in Zagreb … This hotel is clean and the staff are very friendly and helpful. It is a little far from the city center, but you can walk there in about 20 or 30 minutes, or take the bus and then the tram. Fresh food is always offered to travelers.
Servus- Rooms for rent in Zagreb … False advertising. No kitchen, rooms I saw had no air conditioning, threadbare linen, substandard shared bathroom. A hostel without breakfast, cooking or laundry facilities. You have other options in Zagreb. I had paid in advance, but left after first night.
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