Where to Stay in Zagreb

Zagreb is a vibrant city with an enticing mix of historic and modern. You’ll find everything from a wealth of museums, art galleries, and theaters to a hilltop fortress and castle. When it comes to where to stay in Zagreb, you’ll want to choose the neighborhood based on what you’d like to do most but other factors like budget will come into play too. The Upper Town and historic district date to the 11th century, stretched between Gradec and Kaptol hills. It’s a fabulous place to explore with some of the city’s most fascinating museums along with great bars and eateries. The Lower Town makes up the other half of the city center, sitting below the Upper Town.

In Zagreb, stay in the Upper Town rather than near the main station: it costs you a few extra minutes on the tram, but you’ll wake up to cobblestones and church bells instead of traffic.

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Nichol

Croatia Specialist

Donji Grad

Donji Grad is the Lower Town, one of the best places to stay in the Croatian capital as a hub for many happenings throughout the city. It’s home to the main square and the Christmas markets during the holidays, while walking tours congregate and locals sip coffee in cafes. Ideal for first-time visitors, history enthusiasts, and art lovers, there are multiple museums while the wide boulevards are lined with buildings from the Austria-Hungarian period and secession-style frontages dating to the early 20th century. In between you’ll find picturesque tree-lined streets and beautifully maintained gardens. There are many attractions here, including the Botanical Garden and Croatian National Theatre. You’ll also find a wide range of accommodations, from affordable family-friendly chain hotels to luxurious 5-star properties.

Gradec

Gradec is Zagreb’s Upper Town. It’s a bit further from the action making it ideal for those who want to be away from the hustle and bustle yet within walking distance of the Lower Town. This is one of the oldest parts of the city, originally known as Grič and encircled by walls to protect against Mongol invaders in the 13th century. There are some grittier parts that add to the city’s character along with a wealth of attractions like the 13th-century St. Mark’s Church with its unique tiled roof featuring the Croatian coat of arms. The popular Museum of Broken Relationships and the Croatian Museum of Naïve Art featuring expressionist paintings by untrained artists are here too.

Kaptol

Kaptol is Zagreb’s historic religious hub. Located north of the city center, part of the Upper Town, it’s centered around Zagreb Cathedral and Dolac Market. There are intriguing galleries and museums like the Zagreb City Museum and the Croatian Natural History museum with its over 140,000 artifacts. Wine enthusiasts can sip a glass in one of the city’s oldest wine cellars at Vinoteka Bornstein. It’s ideal for those looking for historical significance and buzzing nightlife. And, if you’re on a budget, you’d be hard-pressed to do better with an excellent selection of accommodation at more affordable prices.

Maksimir

Located a couple of miles east of the city center, Maksimir is an ideal place to stay if you want to be among tranquil, tree-lined streets and enjoy more budget-friendly accommodation. A residential neighborhood offering a central location with plenty of hotel options at a wide range of prices, it was developed around picturesque Maksimir Park, one of the most appealing and pristine green spaces in the country. If you want to have easy access to a great place to walk or jog, this is the locals’ favorite area for doing so before or after work. It also hosts the Zagreb Zoo and Maksimir Stadium where the Dinamo, a Croatian professional football club play their home matches and concerts frequently take place.

Novi Zagreb

Just south of the Lower Town, divided by the Sava River, Novi Zagreb is often called “New Zagreb.” It’s filled with wide avenues and socialist architecture while jam-packed with parks and green spaces. It has a more local feel with few tourist attractions, but the Museum of Contemporary Art is here and there are often flea markets and art exhibitions set up, along with vendors selling local street food. The main reason to stay is the accommodation is priced lower than what you’ll find in the Upper Town and other neighborhoods. The downside is that it’s a 45-minute walk to the central square, Ban Josip Jelacic which means you’ll probably need to use public transport to get into the centre.