Are you looking for the next destination to live in and work remotely? As a digital nomad or a traveler who wants to work remotely, you need a convenient, stable, and comfortable workplace, and Croatia offers just that. Zagreb, Croatia, is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a dynamic city full of life to work in. Croatia has grown tremendously to become a thriving city for digital nomads, remote workers, and even travelers. The city is full of history with a rich culture filled with Italian vibes. It is, indeed, a treasure for remote workers and digital nomads.
Croatia is a beautiful country that’s undoubtedly well worth visiting for its unique culture, beautiful scenery, sights, and coastline. It’s quirky, full of history, and has lots of things to offer for remote workers who choose to live here. Read on to discover why Zagreb, Croatia is an excellent choice for remote workers and digital nomads.
A Brief History of Zagreb
Zagreb, Croatia’s capital city, is the largest and most populated city in Croatia. The city is ideally situated along the Sava River in the country’s northwest. After undergoing a series of transitions, Croatia celebrates about thirty-one years of independence in 2022, from the Ottoman Empire to Yugoslavia, and now independent Croatia. Zagreb came about in 1904 through the founding of the Zagreb diocese of Kaptol and was later named the capital city of Croatia in 1945. Croatia has a rich history, with so much to offer.
Zagreb’s Cathedral is the tallest building in the country and is surrounded by tons of history. However, the current Cathedral is not the original building, since an attack and fire damaged the original one in the 13th century. The building was damaged again following an earthquake in the 1880s. Thus, making it one of the most beautiful and unique historical landmarks in the country open to visitors. Croatian food is also a great culture to look forward to. Just like the culture here, Croatian cuisine is also varied and complex due to the many cultures that took part in and influenced the city’s evolution.
For Digital Nomads and Remote Workers
Why should you live in Zagreb as a digital nomad or a remote worker? Zagreb city is perfect for remote workers because of its vast features, including the cafe culture, reliable WiFi, incredible walking tours, iconic landmarks, and a great history to explore. It’s also a safe city that gives digital nomads the confidence to explore the city.
The Cafe Culture
Zagreb’s cafe culture is more outstanding compared to most places, with great coffee and excellent WIFI meant to make it a dream city for any remote worker or digital nomad. There are excellent local cafes distributed throughout the town, perfect spots for remote workers who want to enjoy beautiful sceneries and work conveniently. Here are some of the famous local cafes to check out:
- Quahwa: Whether you want an outdoor or indoor setting, Quahwa is the perfect cafe with so much to offer. The cafe provides a quiet room where you can work and other spaces with soft music where you can relax and sip your tasty joe. This is a perfect place to chill while being productive simultaneously.
- Cogito Coffee Shop: This is a perfect place to explore if you love working in a fun outdoor atmosphere. This local coffee shop offers fast WiFi, cozy seating areas, and excellent coffee to fuel some energy. Thus, making it an ideal spot for remote workers and digital nomads. They also have good music usually playing in the background.
Incredible Fresh Food Produce and Traditional Croatian Cuisines
There is a constant supply of fresh seasonal produce in Zagreb city, which you can find in the Dolac Market. Here, you’ll find everything from dairy products like cheese and yogurts to baked goods and pickled everything. The city also features a unique restaurant scene with traditional Croatian cuisines. Several distinct regions influence Croatian food, and the long coastline also gives the country access to a wide variety of seafood. In addition, due to various cultures that have influenced Croatia’s evolution, the food is varied, so don’t be shocked if you recognize some of your delicacies.
A Residence Visa That Eases the Stay of Digital Nomads
Croatia offers a residence or digital nomad visa, which specifically aims at attracting more remote workers. Zagreb is, therefore, relatively easy for foreigners looking forward to living and working remotely. Zagreb being the capital city of Croatia, it is considered safe and features lots of English speakers. With Croatia’s digital nomad visa, you can stay in Zagreb for up to a year. With many cafes throughout the city with good WIFI connections, the city is an excellent choice for remote workers and digital nomads that like to explore and have fun.
Finding a Perfect Coworking Space and Airbnb
Are you wondering if you’ll find a perfect place to work? Zagreb features plenty of customized working spaces and Airbnb, where you can stay. Once you acquire your residence visa, you can easily find short-term rentals within the city through various Facebook groups where people constantly share spots or opportunities for renting. You can also opt for Airbnb, but make sure you search for reviews before settling, whether it’s a long or short option.
Zagreb also features plenty of coworking space, a perfect option for the digital nomads and remote workers that love working outdoors. Some famous spots to find coworking spaces include BIZkoshnica, Impact Hub, and Hub 385. Apart from the relaxed and cozy working spaces, you’ll also access networking, events, or support areas.
Numerous Museums and Walking Tours to Explore
Zagreb is a unique city with a great history, and the numerous local museums, art galleries, and other walking tours will tell you a lot about Zagreb city through paintings and other artifacts. Take a tour to Zagreb City Museum, housed in the restored monumental complex of the former Poor Clares’ Convent. You’ll learn about Zagreb city’s artistic, cultural, political, and economic history, spanning from Roman finds to modern times. Another must-see museum is the Ivan Mestrovic Museum, which provides insights into Zagreb’s great artists’ lifestyles. Here, you’ll find some permanent collections, including drawings, designs, works of sculpture, architecture, and furniture.
Apart from museums, another must-visit place is uptown Zagreb, an entertainment area rich in history and culture. Uptown Zagreb features one of the most colorful streets, Tkalciceva Street. Among other attractions, uptown Zagreb also boasts the famous Zagreb Dolac Market. If you tour the upper town of Zagreb, expect to experience a unique culture where hundreds of lanterns are manually lit on the streets in the evening and then put out each dusk. It’s a sight to look forward to.
Zagreb also features many religious buildings and a diverse architectural scene with several buildings that are of national importance. Most historic structures like monuments, churches, towers, and theaters were renovated after being destroyed by natural calamities, but they still retain their initial splendor. Zagreb is genuinely a picturesque city with a great history worth exploring.
Bonus: experience Advent Zagreb in December
If you happen to visit Zagreb in December, you’ll get a chance to experience Advent Zagreb. At this time of the year, the beautiful atmosphere around Christmas comes with lots of activities across the town. You’ll also get to enjoy mulled wine, roasted chestnuts, and last but not least, the Christmas market. If you’re a digital nomad, there’s no doubt you’ll love to live and work in Zagreb city. There’s truly something for everyone to explore here, and you’ll experience more advantages if you choose Zagreb as your next destination.
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