Zagreb, Croatia
Zagreb is the capital city of Croatia situated in the northwest corner of Croatia and along the River Sava. With a population nearing one million, Zagreb contains roughly one-quarter of Croatia's population. The city is well-known for its art, ranging from the Renaissance to modern art. The Zagreb Art Pavilion is a great place to see both modern and historical art, ranging from Zagreb's establishment to modern times.
Zagreb first became known in 1094, when Hungarian King Ladislav established the Kaptol diocese while heading to the Adriatic Sea. This landmark is known as the Zagreb Cathedral with its Renaissance-style architecture. Downtown Zagreb is traceable to the Middle Ages with the defining of two parts of the city. There is Upper Town, known as secular Gradec; and the Ecclesiastical Capital area.
The city has developed an expansive network of transportation, travel, and trade routes. The Sava River is Croatia's major hub for economic and trading activities both locally and globally. In 1862, the city established a railway connecting with other central European capitals. Today, the train line is heavily used, as is the Sava River for trading goods. Croatia's official language is Croatian; its currency is the Croatian Kuna, and one Croatian Kuna equals $0.15 USD.
Location
Job Opportunities
From manufacturing leather and textiles to working in the pharmaceutical industry, Zagreb offers great employment opportunities. In the manufacturing industry, leather and textiles are abundant, and some manufacturing includes food production. Tourism is by far Croatia's largest industry, attracting visitors to cities including Zagreb, Split, and Dubrovnik. Jobs in the tourism industry include park managers and operators, transport drivers, receptionists, and guides around historic places including the Walled City of Dubrovnik. From manufacturing to tourism, Zagreb employment opportunities are thriving.
Cost of Living
Renting an apartment is a viable option in Zagreb, and prices rise with occupancy more than location. One-bedroom units in the city average 3,660 Croatian Kuna ($565 USD), while those in city suburbs average 2,700 Croatian Kuna ($415 USD). For larger apartments, three-bedroom units downtown average 6,650 Croatian Kuna ($1,000 USD), while three-bedroom units average 4,800 Croatian Kuna ($720 USD) monthly.
Utility expenses, including heating, cooling, water, and electricity, average 1,350 Croatian Kuna ($210 USD) monthly. Buying a brand-new small car will have comparable costs to other European cities, as the starting prices near 155,000 Croatian Kuna ($23,900 USD). Gasoline also costs 38 Croatian Kuna ($5.85 USD) per gallon. In Zagreb, one crucial decision is whether to own a car or use the city's public transportation.
Transportation
The public transport system in Zagreb is known as ZET, or the Zagrebački Električni Tramvaj. This network consists of trams and buses extending from the city center to neighboring suburbs. There are 19 tram routes in Zagreb, along with 113 bus routes. Routes either run from 4 a.m. to midnight or from midnight to 4 a.m. When riding public transit, it is important to know the costs and times that the buses and trams run; if they are full, or there is a long line of traffic at a station, the vehicles may stop up to 500 feet before the station itself.
There are different ride passes, ranging from one trip of 30 minutes to three days. For a 30-minute trip, the cost is 4 Croatian Kuna ($0.60 USD). For one day of unlimited travel, the ticket costs 30 Croatian Kuna ($4.50 USD); and for three days' unlimited travel, the price is 70 Croatian Kuna ($10.50 USD).
Recreation
King Tomislav Square is a popular gethering spot for both locals and tourists. Named after the first Croatian king, King Tomislav, this square was established in 1927. There is both an art pavilion and a statue of King Tomislav, and activities range from concerts and artistic displays in the Summer to becoming a skating park in the Winter.
Zagreb's history can be seen throughout the city. Upper Town highlights cobblestone streets and historic landmarks, including Saint Mark's Church and the Zagreb Cathedral. There is also the Museum of Broken Relationships, highlighting both fascinating and heartbreaking love stories worldwide. For more cultural experience, Zagreb has the Dolac Market, an open-air market where locally-grown produce is sold and live music is played.
Zagreb also has its share of parks. Croatia is a great country for day or week-long trips to see natural areas. One notable park is Plitvice Lakes National Park. Formed in 1949, this national park consists of forests and an abundance of waterfalls. Krka National Park, located in Croatia's southern end, also has beautiful scenery with shady trees along with waterfalls. Croatia is certainly a place for nature lovers, ranging from parks in Zagreb to national parks with waterfalls throughout the country.
Climate
The climate of Zagreb is continental, consisting of warm summers and cold winters. The warmest months are June through August, with high temperatures between the mid 70s and low 80s (25 to 27 degrees Celsius), and sporadic days in the 90s (32 degrees Celsius); low temperatures average around the mid 50s (13 to 14 degrees Celsius). These are also the most precipitous months in Zagreb for the year, with around 3 to 4 inches of rain per month. By contrast, the high temperatures in Winter are slightly above freezing, averaging betweeen the mid 30s and low 40s (3 to 6 degrees Celsius). The lows also see a significant drop, averaging around the mid to upper 20s (-2 to -4 degrees Celsius). Precipitation amounts are less in Winter months, averaging between 1 and 2 inches monthly.