Where to stay in Zagreb?

It's decided, you have chosen Zagreb as your destination where to go in Croatia! Excellent choice, but now you might be wondering where to stay in Zagreb and which neighborhood to prioritize?

If you haven't found a hotel in Zagreb yet, I recommend taking the time to read this guide that will shed some light for you! Here, I share my best tips for successfully finding accommodation and help you target the neighborhood that will best meet your expectations!

Of course, I will also give you some great addresses, shall we?

Zagreb is a city that is considered to be human-sized, although it is the largest city in Croatia and the capital of the country. To choose your accommodation well, it is important to take the time to define what you are looking for as well as the major activities you plan to do during your stay.

Of course, targeting the right neighborhoods is not always enough, as it is important to do your research and book as soon as possible to benefit from the best rates. Generally speaking, establishments with the best value for money fill up quickly, and it would be a shame to settle for a hotel by default...

Several neighborhoods are equally appealing, particularly the historic center of Gornji Grad, which is the most convenient place to stay. The second most popular choice is Kaptol, which travelers love as it offers a prime location close to all the must-see monuments in Zagreb.

If you're more into nightlife and looking for a lively scene, Jarun would be an excellent choice. Conversely, those seeking peace will love Donji Grad for its local and cultural atmosphere. Finally, visitors on a tighter budget may lean towards Novi Zagreb, an expanding but underdeveloped area.

Grand Bells offers excellent value for money with comfortable rooms and spacious enough for €93 per night, breakfast included.

If you are on a tight budget, I recommend the Chillout Hostel, which offers beds in mixed dorms for only €29 per night right in the city center. The rooms are clean and comfortable, and you will have access to a restaurant, laundry facilities, and a terrace!

Hotel Jarun offers a good value for money, located near Jarun Lake! The rooms are modern, the staff is friendly, and you will be just steps away from bus and tram stops for €115 per night.

Unmissable, you will definitely spend a lot of time in Zagreb's historic center, the Gornji Grad neighborhood! And for good reason, it's an excellent base to consider for your vacation.

This neighborhood, known as the Upper Town, is situated on a hill of the same name, offering a particularly authentic and charming atmosphere. During your stay, you can see must-visit places like Ban Jelačić Square, a central meeting point and the most beautiful square in Zagreb.

Not far from there is the traditional Dolac Market to meet producers and various products to take home, as well as St. Mark's Church, a beautiful building dating back to the 13th century. I can also suggest visiting Mirogoj Cemetery, which houses the graves of notable figures like Dražen Petrović and Ljudevit Gaj.

Lotrščak Tower is also a must-see monument if you visit Zagreb! Like St. Mark's Church, it was built in the 13th century to overlook the southern part of the capital.

Overall, the historic district of Zagreb is a pleasant place to live! You can find shops, restaurants, cafés, and nice spots to relax. The accommodation options are also diverse, ranging from guesthouses to hotels, to hostels.

Grand Bells Bed And Breakfast is located just 150 meters from the pedestrian zone in the city center and offers lovely comfortable rooms. The atmosphere is very welcoming, and you can enjoy secure parking and proximity to all landmarks, including the cathedral. Expect to pay around €93 per night with breakfast.

Rooms Zagreb 17 offers beautiful, spacious, and bright rooms for €70 per night, just 30 meters from the largest market in Zagreb! The manager of the establishment is very helpful and friendly, all the amenities are functional, and its location right in central Zagreb is truly privileged!

KAPTOL Rooms is ideal for budget travelers, offering comfortable double rooms starting at €50 per night. The property is located in old Zagreb, near all the shops and just a 10-minute walk from the Upper Town. For a private bathroom, expect to pay from €65 per night.

Considered the best neighborhood to stay in Zagreb, Kaptol is adjacent to the historic center. Along with its prime location for exploring the Upper Town on foot, you will enjoy close proximity to major monuments and cultural sites in the capital without needing public transportation.

The first thing you will see in Kaptol is the Cathedral of the Assumption of Mary, St. Stephen and St. Ladislaus, the tallest building in the country and a symbol of Croatia. This building, which appears on the 1000 kuna bills, showcases beautiful Gothic architecture that can be appreciated during free visits!

The second major attraction in this neighborhood is the Strossmayer promenade, which has a unique character with its artworks and monuments while enjoying views over the Kaptol neighborhood. You can find various entertainment options: street performances, music, as well as pop-up stands for food and drinks.

If you decide to stay in the Kaptol neighborhood in Zagreb, know that it is a sector that always attracts many visitors, even if you are visiting Croatia in the off-season. Regarding accommodation, this area offers a wide range of options suitable for all budgets, but don't wait too long to book either.

Center Gradec Apartment is a beautiful apartment with a garden and terrace. Located in the city center, near museums, this 27-square-meter accommodation has a sofa bed, a fully equipped kitchen, a living area, and a bathroom. Available from €62 per night.

TOP Apartman is another rental apartment featuring stunning interior decor. Modern and spacious, it has stylish furniture. The accommodation includes a bedroom with a large double bed, a sofa bed, a fully equipped kitchen, a large living room, and a bathroom. Available from €85 per night.

Chillout Hostel Zagreb is a youth hostel located 300 meters from the main square! Featuring a restaurant, terrace, and bar, it also offers private double rooms and beds in dormitories. Expect to pay from €29 in a dormitory and €75 for a private double room.

Perfect for travelers looking for a tranquil spot, the Maksimir neighborhood would be an ideal choice due to its location away from the hustle and bustle of downtown Zagreb.

Let's be clear, this neighborhood is absolutely great if you love green spaces and want to sleep in a relaxing place after a day of sightseeing. However, it's not the area with the most accommodation options, so don't be too picky in your search.

Maksimir is a place I can easily recommend to families wishing to visit Croatia, with its major asset being Maksimir Park, a green space that spans an impressive 300 hectares. It's the perfect place for strolls, to recharge near a pond, in the woods, or enjoy the Maksimir Zoo.

For football enthusiasts, you might also catch a match as the Maksimir Stadium is located in this neighborhood! It's where the biggest matches in the country are played, with a capacity of about 35,000 people, home to Dinamo Zagreb, the most prestigious club.

Rooms at Zajčeva 34 will be perfect for a quiet stay in Zagreb, in the Maksimir neighborhood! You will stay in a beautifully decorated bright room. The surroundings are peaceful, the staff is pleasant, starting from €74 per night for an economy room.

Apartment Roza will suit families coming to spend their holidays in Zagreb! This apartment features a double bedroom and two single beds, a bathroom, and a kitchenette. You will be just a few minutes from a tram station in a quiet setting. Expect to pay from €59 per night.

Funk Lounge Hostel is suitable for groups of friends since it offers quadruple family rooms for €67 per night. The property is located 500 meters from the football stadium and a short walk from shops, restaurants, and cafés.

If you are looking for a place to party in Zagreb, then I can only recommend staying in the Jarun neighborhood. It's located near the best nightclubs in the Croatian capital!

A lively place for parties and nights out until dawn, the Jarun neighborhood also hosts the INMusic festival, which takes place every year at the start of the summer season. This is the largest outdoor contemporary music festival, held on Youth Island in the middle of Jarun Lake.

Apart from its energetic atmosphere, Jarun is probably one of the best places to enjoy beach activities during the summer. It features Jarun Lake, a vast body of water offering water activities such as pedal boating, wakeboarding, and canoeing. Other activities such as biking, jogging, rollerblading, and walking are also available.

In general, the Jarun neighborhood attracts a younger crowd and tourists. It's the best place to fully enjoy dynamic vacations, both during the day and at night. There are many accommodation options, and you can reach the historic center in 20 minutes by tram.

Admiral Hotel is a modern and stylish establishment with a restaurant, casino, and terrace, located 1.5 kilometers from Jarun Lake. The rooms offered are spacious and elegant, and the staff is attentive. You will enjoy a high-end and comfortable setting, starting from €146 per night with breakfast included.

Roba's Apartment is perfect if you come to party with friends in Zagreb as it can accommodate up to 5 people. Spacious, fully equipped, and comfortable, you will stay in the liveliest neighborhood of the capital. You will also enjoy a garden and terrace, available from €80 per night!

Hotel Jarun offers beautiful modern rooms with good amenities, the staff is welcoming, and you can enjoy the bar, gym, and free parking. Well-served by public transport, you can easily reach downtown Zagreb. Expect to pay from €115 per night with breakfast.

Finally, one neighborhood I can suggest for sleeping in Zagreb is Donji Grad. This is the lower town, which showcases beautiful Austro-Hungarian style buildings, private hotels, and theaters.

It may not be the number one choice for travelers, but I appreciate the ambiance of Donji Grad for its promenades and all the little details that one can observe!

Donji Grad is the lower town. From Donji Grad, you can easily reach the Upper Town via the funicular, allowing you to enjoy a beautiful view of Zagreb. Notable places include the Croatian National Theatre, founded in 1840, famous for its remarkable architecture and richly decorated interior!

Other points of interest worth noting on your travel itinerary include Zrinjevac Park and the Botanical Garden to discover once spring arrives. For a night out and a drink, many clubs playing jazz music occupy the streets of Donji Grad, as well as concert halls.

B&B Dolac offers a prime location just steps from Ban Jelačić Square and the cathedral. You will stay in a beautifully decorated and comfortable room. The staff is attentive and helpful, just 300 meters from the archaeological museum. Available from €124 per night with breakfast included, with access to a communal lounge!

Hotel Central is well situated, right across from the Glavni Kolodvor train station and just a 5-minute walk to Zagreb's landmarks! This establishment offers beautiful modern rooms and attentive staff, an ideal base just a 15-minute walk from the historic center. Expect to pay around €97 with breakfast included for a night.

Casablanca Boutique Bed & Breakfast benefits from a great location less than a minute's walk to a tram station and 12 minutes from the main square of Zagreb! In addition to friendly and helpful staff, the rooms feature modern decor. At around €113 per night with breakfast included, you will stay in a quiet setting, with a garden and terrace available.

Even though the summer season is highly sought after to discover Croatia and enjoy the festivals, I rather suggest traveling in the spring, around mid-April, to enjoy beautiful temperatures!

In spring, the landscapes have vibrant colors, and it's the best time to visit national parks such as Plitvice and Krka. Tourist traffic is lower, rates are more affordable, and you will have an easier time finding available accommodation at a good price.

As a second option, autumn is an excellent way to experience Zagreb! If you travel between late September and mid-October, you will still enjoy beautiful temperatures. The tourist crowd decreases, major attractions are less crowded, and the city offers a truly relaxing and pleasant atmosphere!

If you have booked your stay in Zagreb, I highly recommend flying! Zagreb Franjo Tuđman Airport is served by several major airlines such as Turkish Airlines, Croatia Airlines, Lufthansa, and KLM. It is also possible to fly with Air France to Croatia.

This is the fastest and most straightforward solution, with many direct and cheap flights available if you book well in advance. From Paris, expect about a 2-hour flight and a little less than a hundred euros for a round-trip ticket. Before booking, find the cheapest ticket by comparing with Ulysse!

We've reached the end of this article! I hope you found it helpful and that you now know where to stay in Zagreb If you continue your journey and are looking for addresses where to stay in Split and where to stay in Dubrovnik, be sure to check out my dedicated articles!