The 10 Best Areas to stay in Zagreb 

If you’re heading to Zagreb for your next weekend getaway or summer holiday, we don’t blame you. The capital city of Croatia is a beautiful, eccentric, energetic, and historical center to the country. Although Croatia is well-known for its coastlines, islands, and cheap beer, we recommend that anyone who visits this picturesque country to spend a few days in the capital city of Zagreb – you won’t be disappointed.

With a mixture of museums, cultural institutions, green spaces, outdoor pubs, beer gardens, and restaurants with traditional Croatian food, you are going to have the time of your life wandering around the cobblestone streets. Located in the northwestern section of the country, Zagreb Contains a population of around 800,000 people – and almost every single one of them are friendly!  

Let’s see the best areas that you should visit during your next visit to the Croatian capital!

Kaptol

Zagreb 2014 – By rom@nski photo from Rakov Potok, Hrvatska – Tramvaji, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=51268501

Kaptol is arguably the center of Zagreb. With historical buildings, tourist sights, and the Zagreb Cathedral, the Kaptol contains a sense of historical prominence, importance, and Croatian culture. Located near the Upper Town, you can easily walk here after wandering around the Upper Town and crossing the Bloody Bridge.

As far as accommodating goes in the Kaptol, you will have no shortage of choosing the accommodation that fits your needs and your budget. Here are extremely cheap hostels, where you can pay for a bed for around 5 euros or less per night, or you can splurge on a fancy hotel.

British Square

Britanski trg Zagreb – By Suradnik13 – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4681007

Arguably the best place to stay in Zagreb if you are staying for multiple weeks or months, the British Square in Zagreb is known for being an eccentric, artistic, and cultural center of Zagreb. Currently housing lots of the younger generation who are rebelling against social norms and bringing a new sense of worldliness into the country, the British Square is the best place for young travelers who want to meet like-minded people. 

Head here if you enjoy speaking to local artists, musicians, and meeting others who are young professionals. You can walk around the open-air markets, visit vintage shops, and do some remote work at one of the many local cafes. 

Jarun

Jarun Lake, Zagreb – By Suradnik13 – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4952078

Another popular neighborhood that is a great place to stay on your next trip to Zagreb is Jarum. If you want to get outside of its noisy city center Friday and Saturday nights, stay here – this is the best place to choose if you are staying with young children! You will get more peace and quiet, while still having close proximity to the center of the city. 

Maksimir 

Eugen Kvaternik Square maksimir from air – By By Suradnik13 – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4952811

If you’re someone who enjoys going for walks on your vacation, running during the mornings, or enjoys spending some time outside in nature, we recommend checking out local hotels and apartments in this neighborhood. You can head to the nearby Jarun Lake and Jarun Park in the mornings to enjoy some fresh air, sunshine, and quiet time before you head in the city center to see Zagreb’s tourist sights! 

Speaking of outside spaces, nature, sports, and peace and quiet, we recommend Maksimir if you want to get a feel for what life’s really like in Zagreb. Since you will not be in the city center of Zagreb, you will get a feel for how most people live, with local cafes, restaurants, bars, and close proximity to the other sections of the city.

The district of Maksimir has a massive park, which is ideal for you and your family to explore during the cold and sunny mornings in Croatia. You can then hop in your car, or take public transportation, to the bustling sections of Upper or Lower Town in just 20 minutes! 

Lower Town

Zagreb Croatian National Theatre – CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=465617

If you are heading to Zagreb for the first time, staying in Lower Town can be your best bet. After all, the Lower Town makes up most of the city center of Zagreb. If you want to meet new people, see all of the best sights, and never run out of things to do, the Lower Town has everything for you – after all, the Ban Jelacic Square is located here!

This square is a popular meeting place for any tour groups that you may be a part of, running clubs, meeting friends, and taking photos in the sunshine. Along with the plethora of things to do in your free time, you can check the influential Austro-Hungarian architecture on the historical buildings, shopping avenues, and nearby museums. 

Upper Town

Church of Christ the King – By Budgiekiller – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2141768

The Upper Town is the section of the city that contains the other half of the center. Known as the Old Town, this historical section of the city center might not have as many hotel and accommodation options, but is certainly a cultural hub for those who have been to Zagreb before. If you’re coming back to Zagreb for the second or third time, we recommend staying here. Not only will you have enough to do, but you can start to move on towards the less-touristy things to do in the city and check out where locals like to frequent in their free time.