Where to Stay in Zagreb
I know that Zagreb might not be the first destination that comes to mind for many travelers when they think of Croatia, but if you’re thinking of visiting Zagreb, you definitely have the right idea!
While coastal destinations like Split and Dubrovnik might be way more popular, I honestly believe that Zagreb is also worth a stop on your Croatia itinerary. While Zagreb wasn’t initially on my radar, it ended up being the best city for me to fly into to start my two-week trip to Croatia. So off I went!
I decided to spend a few days in Zagreb, and I’m so glad I did.
Why You Should Visit Zagreb: My Opinion
Zagreb is the capital of Croatia. Located in the northwestern part of the country, this city is distinguished by its grand Austro-Hungarian architectural style with many beautiful and historic buildings.
It’s a lively city with great culture, museums, cafes, and nightlife. I was pleasantly surprised by all that Zagreb had to offer. It reminds me of other small, charming capital cities like Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Zagreb is a great place to start your trip to Croatia before moving further south to destinations like Split and Dubrovnik. That’s exactly what I did. Not only are there plenty of cool things to do in Zagreb to occupy your time, but you are also less than two hours from Plitvice Lakes National Park.
This is an extremely popular destination in Croatia that makes for an easy day trip from Zagreb. I visited Plitvice Lakes from Zagreb, and I found it a lot easier than going from Split, which is further away.
How many days do you need in Zagreb? I would recommend spending at least two full days in Zagreb, and adding another day if you plan to take a day trip to Plitvice Lakes National Park.
Best Places to Stay in Zagreb
The best areas of Zagreb to stay in are Lower Town and Upper Town.
Is it better to stay in Upper or Lower Town Zagreb?
Upper Town is the most historic part of the city, where you’ll find hilly cobblestone streets, historic churches, and quaint restaurants and cafes. You can walk or take the funicular up to Upper Town.
Lower Town is the busy city center of Zagreb and where you’ll find the largest public squares, parks, museums, shopping, and more. Both are great areas to stay in, but Lower Town has more hotel options.
Here are my top picks for where to stay in Zagreb:
- Best luxury: Esplanade Zagreb Hotel
- Best mid-range: Hotel Central
- Best budget: Chillout Hostel
And here’s a full breakdown of the best hotels in Zagreb:
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Esplanade Zagreb Hotel
One of the top-rated luxury hotels in Zagreb is Hotel Esplanade. This is the best place in the city to stay if you want to splurge. However, even though this is a luxury five-star hotel, it’s still very affordable compared to similar hotels in more expensive cities around Europe, making this a wallet-friendly splurge.
The hotel, which is built in a beautiful Art Nouveau style, has luxuriously appointed guest rooms, a fitness center, and a sauna. It’s centrally located in Zagreb’s Lower Town, very convenient to the train station.
The Westin Zagreb
Another great luxury hotel in Zagreb is The Westin Zagreb. Part of Marriott, this is a good place to stay if you are looking for a standard international chain hotel that is comfortable and centrally located. This hotel has been recently renovated and offers sweeping views over Zagreb from many guest rooms.
There’s also an indoor pool, fitness center, sauna, and world-class spa. This hotel is conveniently located near museums, parks, and other attractions in Zagreb, making it an excellent place to stay.
Hotel Le Premier
Hotel Le Premier is a luxury boutique hotel in Zagreb. Set on a quiet tree-lined street, this hotel offers tastefully appointed guest rooms and a location that is very convenient for travelers.
Located in Zagreb’s Lower Town, the historic Upper Town is just a short walk away.
Hotel Jägerhorn
Founded in 1827, Hotel Jägerhorn is the oldest continuously operating hotel in Zagreb. It’s a boutique hotel that has been recently renovated to highlight its historic charm and offers luxurious modern comforts.
Although it’s centrally located in Zagreb, just steps away from the main pedestrian shopping street and Ban Jelacic Square, guests will enjoy the hidden private garden and terrace this hotel offers. Hotel Jägerhorn also provides a delicious included breakfast every morning and free parking, a rarity in central Zagreb.
Hotel Central
If you’re looking for a well-rated and affordable mid-range hotel for your stay in Zagreb, you can’t go wrong with Hotel Central. As the name implies, this hotel is centrally located in Zagreb’s Lower Town.
Hotel Central is just steps away from Zagreb’s train station and all the sights of the city. Rooms are modern and clean, and the hotel provides a free buffet breakfast for guests every morning.
Hotel Jadran
Another top-rated hotel in Zagreb is Hotel Jadran. This affordable mid-range hotel is a great place to stay if you want to be in a good location that is close to Zagreb’s historic Upper Town and Lower Town.
The rooms here are clean and comfortable, and it makes a great base for exploring Zagreb.
Chillout Hostel
Chillout Hostel is one of the best hostels in Zagreb if you want to stay somewhere that is affordable and has a fun, social atmosphere. In addition to dorm rooms, private rooms are also available.
The hostel offers a communal kitchen, outdoor bar and restaurant, free walking tours, and organized activities like pub crawls and day tours. This is a great place for budget travelers to stay in Zagreb.
Swanky Mint Hostel
Swanky Mint Hostel is another one of the top-rated hostels in Zagreb. This is where I personally stayed for four nights in Zagreb, and while it was a decent place to stay, it’s not somewhere I’d be rushing back to. Some of the staff were rude, it was really noisy, and my private room was not all that clean.
However, it seems like it could be a fun place to stay. I also went during a weird time (it was late April 2021 and tourism was still extremely low due to COVID restrictions), so none of the hostel’s events and activities were happening. Normally, there’s a lot going on, plus a pool and outdoor bar.
Where to Stay in Zagreb, Croatia: My Top Picks
This guide showed you the best hotels and hostels in Zagreb, Croatia.
To recap, my top three picks for where to stay are:
- Best luxury: Esplanade Zagreb Hotel
- Best mid-range: Hotel Central
- Best budget: Chillout Hostel
Have a great trip and enjoy your stay in Zagreb!
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