There are few direct flights to Croatia from the U.S., so why not go a little off the beaten path into one of Central Europe’s most aesthetically captivating cities?
While Dubrovnik is all the rage each summer, Croatia’s capital is perhaps the country’s biggest surprise, especially since there’s no beach in sight.
Despite no sparkling Mediterranean shores, that’s actually one of the main draws right now, as Croatia’s beach crowds this time of year are all but unavoidable.
Zagreb is surging in popularity for numerous reasons, seeing a record-setting month of May with 438,000 passengers.
Despite numerous Croatian hotspots calling your name, we at Travel Off Path are all in on Zagreb as both a great bang for your buck and a less-crowded summer escape.
Yes, “Affordable” And “Croatia” Belong In The Same Sentence
Last summer, before Zagreb’s newfound fame, we reported on two things:
One, Zagreb was one of Croatia’s least-visited cities, despite being a large metropolis of over 800,000 people.
Two, Zagreb is surprisingly affordable, as much of Croatia’s most popular destinations will have you double-checking your bank balance with each meal.
Here, though, you can reasonably budget for $40 per day for all your meals, while that might get you a decent salad in Dubrovnik, right?
Depending on what type of accommodations you prefer, you can expect anywhere from $50 for cozy boutique stays to around $100 for nicer digs, such as DoubleTree by Hilton Zagreb, which claims to be 5-star.
Those better be some epic chocolate chip cookies!
Getting around Zagreb is super easy too and won’t cost a pretty penny (or Euro). While it’s not free like Luxembourg, hopping aboard Zagreb’s tram only sets you back about 60 cents for a single ride and averages out to be even cheaper if you buy an extended pass.
Travel Tip: Take the world’s shortest Funicular for arguably Zagreb’s most charming (and pointless) attraction!
One Look Around And You’ll Wonder Why Zagreb Is Just Now Surging
I wasn’t kidding; Zagreb is a beautiful city. It’s just not that most travelers venturing all the way here don’t seek out Croatia’s picturesque streets over the Dalmatian Coast.
Zagreb’s eye-catching cityscape is predominantly medieval, owing to its ties to the roots of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, which once ruled over the region.
Nowadays, you’ll find bustling boulevards and a mix of more modern fixtures, yet they still seem timeless.
Discover sprawling palatial complexes and lush green parks, but Old Town is a world of its own with staggering landmarks like the Zagreb Cathedral.
Split between districts, Lower Town and Upper Town, the latter feels more like a charming village with its own unique flair — think local shops, sidewalk cafes, and sensational eats (yes, many are sourced from the coast).
Just because you’re inland, that doesn’t mean you have to skimp out on renowned Croatian coastal cuisine.
But, before we dive into the array of affordable food options, make sure to make note of these 5 must-visit historic marvels in Zagreb:
- Grič Tunnel
- St Mark’s Church
- Zagreb Cathedral
- Stone Gate
- Croatian National Theatre
Best of all, adding to Zagreb’s affordability appeal, you can book a free 2-hour tour with thousands of rave reviews!
An Underrated Hub For Grub
A trip to Croatia without indulging in seafood is a waste for your tastebuds (sorry, vegans).
Much like Greece, Italy, Turkiye, and so many more Mediterranean countries, there’s just something magical about sitting seaside with a glass of wine, eating a fresh “catch of the day”.
While you’ll have to skip the ‘sitting seaside’ part in Zagreb, you can still treat yourself to a glass of wine (or 2 or 8), since Croatia is also an underrated wine producer.
As for seafood, there’s no doubt it’s still fresh, as Zagreb is a day-trip distance to the coast. A trip to Rijeka is about an hour and 45 minutes, to be exact.
Seafood is a big hit throughout Croatia, but here in Zagreb, you’ll find a mix of coastal cuisine and Balkan staples.
According to TripAdvisor, the top restaurant is HERITAGE – Croatian Street Food & Shop (think Croatia’s version of tapas.
Zagreb Is Easier To Reach Than Ever
Though it’s impossible for Americans to fly here without at least one layover, it was recently announced that Zagreb Airport is expanding.
Though not hard to reach as of now with plentiful European connections, as this under-hyped city begins to gain steam, you should know all your options.
Zagreb will soon welcome flights via Croatia Airlines to these 5 European cities:
- Milan
- Bucharest
- Madrid
- Hamburg
- Prague
Travel Tip: Use our exciting new tool to know entry requirements for Croatia before you go!
Sam Sears
Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 36 countries and written over 1000 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.
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