Zagreb is less famous than the coast but much easier to live in year-round. It has an Austro-Hungarian centre, parks, a café culture where coffee can last two hours, a good tram network and a steadier rental market than the seaside. It is also the country's business and tech hub, with most coworking spaces. Winters are cold and grey, summers warm, and the coast is two to four hours away by car or bus. Donji Grad, the lower town, is the most convenient area for a first stay.

• A stable rental market, without the summer price spikes of the coast

• Good trams and a walkable centre

• Most of Croatia's tech companies and coworking spaces

Donji Grad is central, with parks and trams. Gornji Grad, the upper town, is historic and quiet. Trešnjevka and Maksimir are residential and more affordable, and Novi Zagreb, across the river, is modern but less charming.

Donji Grad★ 8.0Zagreb's lower town, with parks, trams and Austro-Hungarian buildings.Moderate

Rents are lower than on the coast in summer and more stable throughout the year. Eating out and public transport are reasonable.

Fibre is widely available and coworking spaces are well equipped. Zagreb has the best connectivity in the country.

Younger people speak excellent English. The international community is smaller than on the coast in summer but more stable.

Zagreb is very safe, day and night. Earthquakes are a known risk, and some older buildings in the centre were damaged in 2020.

Trams cover most of the city, the centre is walkable, and the airport is around 20 minutes away. Buses and trains link Zagreb to the coast and neighbouring capitals.

Continental

Cold winters, sometimes snowy, and warm summers that can be hot in July and August. Spring and autumn are pleasant.

• Cold, grey winters and air pollution on some winter days

• Geography and destination overviewWikipedia2026-10-07

Last reviewed 2026-10-07