Croatia : Safety by CityZagreb is the capital and the largest city in Croatia.
About 800,000 people live in this beautiful city whose streets and architecture remind of Vienna, Budapest, Prague, and other Central-European capitals.
It attracts over 700,000 tourists who are interested in the cultural heritage of the city and country.
You should taste the delicious dishes of local cuisine or experience vibrant nightlife in bars and clubs that are open all night long.
Some of the most popular tourist sights are Old Town Gate, St. Mark’s Church, Mimara Museum, Museum of Contemporary Art and Museum of Broken Relationships.
Warnings & Dangers in Zagreb
OVERALL RISK: LOW
Zagreb is overall a safe city where violent crime is rare, and the most common crimes are non-serious ones, like theft and pick-pocketing. To make your journey as smooth and relaxed as possible, take care in busy tourist areas, where pickpockets are known to operate and avoid carrying large amounts of cash.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
You can rent a car and drive in Croatia with your driving license, but if you come with your car, you may need to provide proof of ownership. Be aware of the fact that driving in Croatia can be hazardous, and traffic accidents are common. If you ride a motorbike, a helmet is obligatory. Only use registered taxis and consider sitting in the back seat rather than the front. Zagreb has a well-developed and efficient public transport system, but be aware that public transport is a place where pickpockets operate.
PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
When it comes to pickpockets’ risk, travelers should exercise normal safety precautions in Croatia. Use common sense and look out for suspicious behavior, as you would in any other country.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
Earthquakes are possible, but very rare. Of all-natural disasters, forest fires are common during the extremely hot summer months. Floods can sometimes occur and in case any of the hazards happen, simply follow the advice of local authorities.
MUGGING RISK: LOW
The level of mugging and kidnapping risk in Zagreb is low. There are some dangerous neighborhoods during night time, so pay attention not to get to these risky areas. Never accept food or drinks from strangers and report any kind of dangerous activity against you.
TERRORISM RISK: LOW
Terrorist attacks usually happen in places visited by foreigners and Croatia may not be an exception. Individuals are motivated by the conflict in Iraq and Syria and represent a threat throughout the world. European cities are often targets, so when in Zagreb, you should be alert to possible threats.
SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
Drink spiking is one of the possible scams, and it is used to rob a victim or to sexually assault him/her. Overcharging scams are also very common, as well as credit card scams, so pay attention when paying at restaurants, shops and especially the bars and clubs.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Women travelers are free to visit Zagreb and should not feel worried since this is a very safe city. To make sure that you are safe to avoid dangerous places if you are alone.
So... How Safe Is Zagreb Really?
Croatia in general, as well as Zagreb itself, is a very safe capital, and getting in trouble there is not very frequent.
Nevertheless, there are dark and dangerous neighborhoods that need to be avoided during the night as in any other city with a high population and the large number of tourists.
Foreigners are well respected and welcomed, but you might be approached by beggars asking for money in the street.
If you are going out at night, stay away from drunk young people in groups who might start a fight or conflict.
On the whole, Croatia is very safe, even for solo women travelers, as long as you use your common sense.
How Does Zagreb Compare?
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Zagreb | 80 |
| Dubrovnik | 87 |
| Rijeka | 85 |
| Split | 67 |
| Melbourne (Australia) | 80 |
| Montreal (Canada) | 81 |
| Sydney (Australia) | 80 |
| Santiago de Chile (Chile) | 71 |
| Vienna (Austria) | 88 |
| Hong Kong (China) | 70 |
Useful Information
Visas
Because Croatia is an EU member state, tourists do not need a visa if they stay less than 90 days. You may only be asked to produce evidence of the financial resources which will be high enough to cover your stay and return. Your passport should be valid during your stay. If the reason for your travel is to work or study, you will need a visa.
Currency
Kuna is the official currency of the country. It is advisable to exchange money in banks rather than in local exchange offices due to high exchange rates and possible scams. Credit and debit cards are accepted in most banks and hotels, ATMs are everywhere and US Dollars and Euros are easily exchanged for local currency.
Weather
The climate of Zagreb has four separate seasons. Summers are warm with occasional thunderstorms and heatwaves. Rainfall is abundant especially in autumn when the temperature falls. Springs are generally mild and pleasant with frequent weather changes. Late spring and summer are the best parts of the year to visit Zagreb.
Airports
Some of the main airports in Croatia are in Zagreb, Dubrovnik, and Zadar. Zagreb International Airport has located 17 km from the city center in the district of Pleso and operates flights major international capitals such as Amsterdam, Athens, Barcelona, Brussels, Copenhagen, Munich, Paris, Podgorica, Pristina, Tel Aviv, Rome, etc.
Travel Insurance
When coming to Croatia, taking out of comprehensive travel insurance is advisable, regardless of how healthy you are.
Zagreb Weather Averages (Temperatures)
Average High/Low Temperature
| Temperature / Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 4 | 7 | 12 | 17 | 22 | 25 | 27 | 27 | 22 | 16 | 10 | 5 |
| Low °C | -1 | 1 | 4 | 8 | 13 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 13 | 9 | 4 | 0 |
| High °F | 39 | 45 | 54 | 63 | 72 | 77 | 81 | 81 | 72 | 61 | 50 | 41 |
| Low °F | 30 | 34 | 39 | 46 | 55 | 61 | 64 | 63 | 55 | 48 | 39 | 32 |
Croatia - Safety by City
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Dubrovnik | 87 |
| Rijeka | 85 |
| Split | 67 |
| Zagreb | 80 |
Love it!
I have family in Croatia (distant relatives) and I got to see them for the first time last year. I loved it! Despite everything happening with COVID in the world, I was able to experience the city and see family I had not seen since I was a toddler! I am planning on going back again later this year!
Cottage cheese
Oh Zagreb, they have this yummy dish that was some sort of cottage cheese. It was amazing and it made me feel stuffed for the whole day. A lot of good hostels too that are bang for your buck. It is an unassuming place and pretty laid back I would say. Making a quick trip there wouldn’t hurt if you’re in Croatia.
Zagreb by night
I live in Zagreb and I don’t know about dangerous neighborhoods where you shouldn’t walk at night. You are more likely to encounter a police patrol than a problem. Zagreb is a safe city, a taxi is cheap even by Croatian standards.
I love Croatian food!
Zagreb has a lot to offer and I found myself wanting to come back. I managed to visit the main attractions like Mimara Museum or the Broken Relationships museum (which is quite something) and the Old Town Gate. There are many bars and restaurants that offer traditional food and I love Croatian food!
One of the best cities to visit from Europe
Zagreb is definitely one of the best places to visit in Europe. It’s also a very safe place. While I saw a few pickpockets trying to do their thing, nothing else jumped at me like other petty crime, not to mention muggings and other crimes that happen in other bigger cities. So aside from some pickpockets that are probably inevitable in larger cities like this one, the place is pretty safe.
We started our Zagreb adventure by walking on the Tkalciceva Street which is one of the most known ones in Zagreb. It has everything you could want from restaurants, cafes, boutiques, a vegetable and fruit market and St. Mark’s Church – which is beautiful inside and out and very easy to spot (you’ll see why if you visit it or do a Google search).
Zagreb is home to lots of museums, all of which you should visit as each has something special about it. The Museum of Contemporary Art is one of the newer ones and the biggest in Croatia actually. The museum has no less than 12000 artworks with most being made by Croatians. There are well prepared tours available to help, educate you on the history of certain pieces of art or answer any questions.
Another interesting museum (well all are interesting) is the Croatian Museum of Naïve Art. Naïve art means the art that has a dreamlike quality plus considerable color to it. It was very popular in the 60s and 70s and many well known Croatian artists chose it to express themselves.
Again, there are many museums in this city and you should make time to visit all of them. Some are very weird in a good way and you won’t be disappointed.
Another pleasant surprise was the Zagreb Botanical Garden. It has over 10,000 various plants and offers an amazing escape from the busyness of city life. There are 2 ponds you can admire, a beautiful bridge and an arboretum to visit.