Experience in Zagreb, Croatia by Zeljka

What is it like to live in Zagreb? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

Zagreb is the cultural centre of Croatia. There are 15 theatres, a dozen concert halls and numerous cinemas. Zagreb is also a European centre for modern and alternative movements in culture. The well-known music Zagreb Bienial Eurokaz Festival of New Theatre, the Contemporary Dance and Performance Week of Zagreb Artists, Zagreb Film Festival are all important parts of the European cultural scene.
Zagreb is proud of its many galleries and museums where you can find or even purchase diverse works of art.
Young people have plenty of opportunities for entertainment. There are many discos, pubs and cafés where one can dance the night away or just have a nice cup of coffee with a friend.
All information you need you can find here:

https://international.unizg.hr/international_students/exchange_students/living_in_zagreb

What is the student lifestyle like in Zagreb?

Croatia’s party city is without a doubt Zagreb. It has a limitless supply of bars, cafés, pubs and night-clubs suitable for all tastes. You have the Upper Town with the sinuous, bar-lined Tkalciceva street and the Lower Town with Bogoviceva and Trg Preradovica plus the Branimir Centre across from the train station. Then you have Out-of-Town down by Jarun Lake and south of the Sava river (where a car is most convenient). For the most part, the vibe is pretty relaxed in Zagreb clubs. Ruthlessly selective door policies and watery cocktails have not yet made inroads onto the scene. There are a few clubs where you're expected to show up in movie-star fashion but they are a definite exception. The cover runs from about 30 to 50HRK. Drinks are about the same.

How much does it cost to live in Zagreb?

Student living expenses will vary according to individual needs and the ability to budget and manage finances. In particular if you want to travel a lot and take full advantage of the available cultural and social opportunities, expenses will be higher. The estimates below are therefore only a very general guide.

Food 1000 kn/month
Rented room and Utilities (water, electricity, heating, phone) 1500 kn /month
Transportation 100kn/month
Books 400 kn/month
Miscellaneous 800 kn/month
TOTAL 3800 kn/month
(approx. 530EUR

Public transportation
There are three ways of public transportation - trams, buses and city railway. They operate all day (every few minutes) and night (every hour). Tickets can be bought on board (10 kn) or at newsstands (8 kn). Daily tickets are available at a price of 25 kn. Make sure that you stamp your ticket once you board: an unstamped ticket is as good as no ticket at all!
Monthly or annual tickets can also be bought in ZET (Zagreb Electric Tram) offices at a reduced price (www.zet.hr).
Students are entitled to subsidized monthly tram tickets. In order to get a student card for public transportation, you will need to fill in a ZET-form (you will get it at the Orientation meeting) and stamp it together with a passport photo at the Faculty/Academy that will host you. Then you will go to ZET central office in Ozaljska 105, HR-10000 Zagreb – the end tram station called Ljubljanica. There you will purchase a pass (35 kn, app. 4€ + photo) and every month you will buy a ticket for 83kn, app. 12€. This monthly ticket enables you to use all buses and trams in the area of the City of Zagreb.)


Taxis
Taxis can be found them in front of all major hotels, the train and bus stations and at numerous other central locations. Different companies operate in Zagreb, here are the most important ones:

Radio taksi Zagreb
Taxis should only charge a 9.90kn flat fee plus 4.90 kn/km. These prices are consistent for night rides, holidays and weekends. There is no additional charge for luggage.

Oryx taxi
The starting price is 14kn with a 4.80kn charge per kilometre. Waiting per hour is 41kn and the transport of animals in a cage is 10kn. There is no additional charge for transporting people in a wheelchair.

Taxi Cammeo
These taxis do not park at the usual taxi stands but you can stop them by raising your hand or by phoning 1212 and 060 71 00. The starting price is 15kn which includes the first two kilometers. Every 100 meters thereafter comes at a charge of 50lp, or to put it simply, 5kn per kilometer. These prices are consistent for night rides, holidays and weekends. There is no additional charge for luggage.

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Zagreb?

Is there any advice you can give? It's not very difficult, there are a lot of places for rent. For students there are couple of big dormitories(SAVA, CVJETNO, BORONGAJ)

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

Eating Out
Zagreb offers a great variety of cuisine. There are many restaurants with national as well as international food. They vary in prices but are generally quite pleasant. Zagreb Restaurant Guide can be found at the following link http://www.inyourpocket.com/croatia/city/zagreb.html .

What places would you recommend visiting in Zagreb?

Go to this site and you find all information you need
http://www.inyourpocket.com/croatia/zagreb

Is it good to eat out in Zagreb? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

Eating Out
Zagreb offers a great variety of cuisine. There are many restaurants with national as well as international food. They vary in prices but are generally quite pleasant. Zagreb Restaurant Guide can be found at the following link http://www.inyourpocket.com/croatia/city/zagreb.html .

Is the nightlife good in Zagreb? Where is good to go?

Nightlife
Croatia’s party city is without a doubt Zagreb. It has a limitless supply of bars, cafés, pubs and night-clubs suitable for all tastes. You have the Upper Town with the sinuous, bar-lined Tkalciceva street and the Lower Town with Bogoviceva and Trg Preradovica plus the Branimir Centre across from the train station. Then you have Out-of-Town down by Jarun Lake and south of the Sava river (where a car is most convenient). For the most part, the vibe is pretty relaxed in Zagreb clubs. Ruthlessly selective door policies and watery cocktails have not yet made inroads onto the scene. There are a few clubs where you're expected to show up in movie-star fashion but they are a definite exception. The cover runs from about 30 to 50HRK. Drinks are about the same.

I recommend clubs: Aquarius, http://www.aquarius.hr/ (if you want to dance)
Tvornica kulture http://www.tvornicakulture.com/ (great place for concert, and those who like rock and alternative music)
Mojo bar https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mojo-Bar/428913070464172 (good wine, and music, one of the best place if you go out with your frend)
Vintage bar: http://www.vintageindustrial-bar.com/vib/ (live concert, rock music, cheap beer, good atmosphere)
Green gold (fancy place, but expensive)...........

What advice would you give future students headed to Zagreb?

If you have time go outside of Zagreb (Plitvice lakes, Zagorje, Istra, Plesivica (wine region) and obviously go to "špica" in Saturday morning.(http://www.likecroatia.com/news-tips/cracking-the-spica-code/)