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!
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.
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.
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?
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 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!
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).
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.
Ravnice Youth Hostel in Zagreb … Nice friendly hostel. It's a little bit out of the center but in some ways that can be nice as well for a quieter location. It did not stop us from going into the city center and enjoying a few nights out. The tram is really convenient (get off two stops after the football stadium by the Kras chocolate factory). Make sure you buy and validate (orange box on the tram) your tram ticket. Plainclothes inspectors will make a beeline for anyone with a backpack or anyone they hear speaking English. We had one altercation with an officer who insisted he wanted 500 kunas from each of us on the spot — even though we found out later that the official fine is 150. Don't pay them — luckily we didn't have any money on us! But they will try every trick to try and intimidate you. Tourists are an easy target. We were caught out because Zagreb's 24-hour tickets are good only for the day you validate them, not the actual 24 hours after validation.
Anyway, back to the hostel. Internet access is…
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.
Fulir Hostel in Zagreb … Guys will bend over backwards, in other words they will make sure you have all information you need to have a grand time in Zagreb and not only what tourist board tells them to say. Truly friendly and great people to hang out with. All this with clean beds and showers. What more can you ask for?
Ravnice Youth Hostel in Zagreb … This is the best hostel in the world. :D The staff are the friendliest I've ever met, they will help you in whatever way they can. It is so relaxed there. I'm going to stay there for three weeks in June/July, and will always go back to this hostel when I'm in Zagreb.
Ravnice Youth Hostel in Zagreb … This is a great hostel. It's the only option really, considering the horror stories from the youth hostel! It is 20 minutes out of town but it makes up for it with great beds and fantastic staff.
Ravnice Youth Hostel in Zagreb … I've put my friends in this hostel, and this is the best place in Zagreb I can recommend to you. This is definitely a good choice. Everything is clean and new. The owners are friendly, and every time one of my friends needs a place to crash I will take him to this place. Hang loose--Bojan.
Ravnice Youth Hostel in Zagreb … If you're backpacking, this is a welcome change to the average hostel: the best showers, the nicest staff, the cleanest rooms, great large balconies, etc. The only problem is that it's about 15 mins by tram from the centre, but you should definitely stay here!!
Fulir Hostel in Zagreb … This hostel is great. We were with a group of twenty-two people and everybody loved it, since it's so central, it's clean, and it's safe. Everyone got his/her own locker and key so we weren't dependent on each other. Free internet and of course, not to forget, the great staff. They helped us with everything and made sure we had the best study trip ever!
Ravnice Youth Hostel in Zagreb … This hostel was shite. Don't believe what they tell you, they pay people to say this stuff. It's a half an hour to the city. AAAAAGGGGGHHHHHH i cant see wheres whelo gone? ah no i wasnt there really, did you see the deportivo match?
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.
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?
Fulir Hostel in Zagreb … Hostel is in a wonderful location very central to the Old Town and a short tram ride away from the bus station and train station. The staff of Dave and Leo are very accommodating and do everything they can to make your stay pleasant and comfortable. I stayed here for three nights and slept well the entire stay.
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