Where to Stay in Zagreb: Upper Town, Lower Town and the Main Square
Zagreb is Croatia's capital and a completely different city from the coastal destinations. The prices are lower, the crowds are smaller and the city runs on cafe culture, cobblestone streets and Habsburg-era architecture rather than the sea. Where you stay comes down to three genuinely distinct choices: the grand hotels of the Lower Town, the boutique properties of the Upper Town and the hotels around Ban Jelacic Square. Get the area right first, then find the hotel within it.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission if you book through our links, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend hotels we’d stay at ourselves.
We have only visited Zagreb once so far but the city immediately won us over. Unlike Croatia's coastal resorts, Zagreb hotels occupy Belle Epoque buildings, Art Deco masterpieces and converted palaces: you are not paying for sea views here, you are paying for history and architecture. Every hotel in this guide comes from in-depth research across multiple platforms. We go further than the photos and the star ratings and look at what guests who know what they are doing actually say about service, value and what the rooms are really like.
Quick Picks: Best Hotels in Zagreb
- Esplanade Zagreb Hotel, best overall splurge with a century of Orient Express glamour
- Boutique Hotel HOH, our top pick for character in the Upper Town
- Hotel Dubrovnik, best location in the city, directly on Ban Jelacic Square
- Art’otel Zagreb, best design hotel, in a 1929 Art Deco building
- Canopy by Hilton Zagreb, best value near the train and bus stations
Quick Comparison: Best Hotels in Zagreb
All our picks across all three areas at a glance.
| Hotel | Area | Best For | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Esplanade Zagreb Hotel | Lower Town | 1925 Art Deco icon built for the Orient Express | $$$$ |
| The Westin Zagreb | Lower Town | Modern luxury with city views and an indoor pool | $$$$ |
| Sheraton Zagreb Hotel | Lower Town | International five-star comfort near the historic streets | $$$$ |
| DoubleTree by Hilton Zagreb | Green Gold district | Contemporary comfort and value in the business district | $$$ |
| Boutique Hotel HOH | Upper Town | Nine-room literary boutique steps from St. Mark’s | $$$ |
| Art’otel Zagreb | Lower Town center | Design hotel in a 1929 Art Deco building with rooftop bar | $$$ |
| Hotel Jagerhorn | Off Ilica Street | Zagreb’s oldest hotel with a hidden courtyard | $$-$$$ |
| Hotel Dubrovnik | Ban Jelacic Square | The most central address in Zagreb since 1929 | $$-$$$ |
| Canopy by Hilton Zagreb | Branimir Center | Bold design near the stations without boutique prices | $$ |
Your Guide to Where to Stay in Zagreb
Best Area for Grand Hotels: The Lower Town
The Lower Town (Donji Grad) is where Zagreb's Habsburg past shows off: grand avenues, parks, museums, theaters and the best hotel selection in the city. This is the right base for a first visit, with trams that reach everywhere and the main square, the Cathedral and the funicular to the Upper Town all on foot.
The grand hotels here are genuinely grand, not resort-priced: a five-star in Zagreb costs less than a mid-range hotel on the coast, which is what makes the city such good value.
Grand Hotels in the Lower Town
- Esplanade Zagreb Hotel ($$$$): Built in 1925 for passengers arriving on the Orient Express and still Zagreb's most iconic hotel. The Art Deco marble corridors have hosted Josephine Baker, Charles Lindbergh and Queen Elizabeth II, Le Bistro serves some of the best strukli in the city and the 1925 Lounge is made for afternoon cocktails. This is where we want to stay on our next visit: pre-war European glamour, done properly.
- The Westin Zagreb ($$$$): Modern luxury near the Croatian National Theatre with sweeping city views from the upper floors, an excellent fitness center and one of the few indoor pools in Zagreb. In a quieter part of the center but still walkable to the major sights: a strong pick for a relaxed stay.
- Sheraton Zagreb Hotel ($$$$): International five-star standards with Croatian warmth, just off the main avenue near the historic streets. Comfortable rooms, a genuinely good breakfast buffet and service that feels less corporate than you might expect.
- DoubleTree by Hilton Zagreb ($$$): Contemporary comfort in the Green Gold business district, with a glass-walled sauna overlooking the city and that warm cookie at check-in. Not the historic center, but excellent value if you prioritize modern amenities and a quieter neighborhood.
Best Area for Character: The Upper Town and Boutique Zagreb
The Upper Town (Gornji Grad) is medieval Zagreb: cobblestone streets, St. Mark's Church with its famous tiled roof, the Museum of Broken Relationships and gas lamps still lit by hand. It connects to the Lower Town by the world's shortest funicular, and it is quieter at night than the streets around the square.
The hotels up here and in the streets just below are small and personal: this is where Zagreb's boutique properties with real character live, and where we would book for a second visit or a romantic city break.
Boutique Hotels in the Upper Town and City Center
- Boutique Hotel HOH ($$$): An intimate nine-room hotel on an Upper Town street where Croatian writers and artists once lived, with each room named after a famous writer. Homemade breakfast, a terrace with city views, a sauna and staff who treat you like family. Steps from St. Mark's and the Museum of Broken Relationships, and quiet at night. Our top pick for character in Zagreb.
- Art’otel Zagreb ($$$): A design hotel in a beautifully preserved 1929 Art Deco building, showcasing original artworks by Boris Bucan, whose work has hung at MoMA and Tate Modern. Minimalist rooms, a rooftop bar with panoramic views, an indoor pool and a cafe that doubles as a local gathering spot. The choice for design enthusiasts.
- Hotel Jagerhorn ($$-$$$): Zagreb's oldest continuously operating hotel, tucked just off Ilica Street with 18 restored rooms and a hidden ivy-covered courtyard. Dolac Market, St. Mark's and the main square are all within an easy walk, and the private parking is a rare luxury in the center.
Best Area for Convenience: Ban Jelacic Square and the Center
Ban Jelacic Square is the main square and the meeting point of the city: trams in every direction, Dolac Market with its red umbrellas directly behind and both the Cathedral and the funicular a short walk away. Staying here means maximum convenience without a premium price tag, and the area near the train and bus stations just south works well if you are arriving or leaving by rail.
Hotels on and Around Ban Jelacic Square
- Hotel Dubrovnik ($$-$$$): You cannot get more central: directly on Ban Jelacic Square since 1929, with the historic checkered-floor Dubrovnik Cafe overlooking the square below. Rooms vary between renovated and classic wings, the tram stop is literally outside and Dolac Market is steps away. Good value for what is genuinely the best location in the city.
- Canopy by Hilton Zagreb City Centre ($$): A vibrant four-star in the Branimir Center near the train and bus stations, with colorful common spaces full of bookcases and comfy chairs. Fresh, bold design without boutique prices, and perfectly positioned for travelers arriving by rail.
What to Know Before You Book in Zagreb
Zagreb is noticeably more affordable than the coast: a four-star on the main square costs less than a mid-range property in Dubrovnik, and the five-star grand hotels are genuine value. Spring and early autumn are the ideal windows, with pleasant weather and the city at its most lively.
The one time Zagreb books out is December. The Advent market is one of the best Christmas markets in Europe and hotels fill weeks ahead, so if your dates touch Advent, book early and expect higher prices.
You do not need a car. The tram network covers the center, the Upper Town is reached by the funicular or a short climb and taxis are inexpensive. For Upper Town tips, Dolac Market and where to eat, see our Zagreb travel guide.
Frequently Asked Questions About Where to Stay in Zagreb
What is the best area to stay in Zagreb?
For first-time visitors, Lower Town near Ban Jelacic Square gives you the most central base with trams to everywhere and the main sights on foot. Upper Town is quieter and more atmospheric but requires the funicular or stairs to get up and down. If you want boutique character and do not mind a bit of elevation, Upper Town is the better choice. If you want convenience above all, the main square area is the answer.
Is Zagreb worth visiting as part of a Croatia trip?
Yes, absolutely. Zagreb is genuinely one of the most underrated capitals in Europe. It rewards visitors who take the time to explore Upper Town, eat at Dolac Market and spend evenings in the cafe culture that defines the city. A two-night stop as part of a broader Croatia trip will change how you think about the country.
How do you get around Zagreb?
The tram network is excellent and covers most of the city center. Upper Town is walkable from the main square via the funicular or a short climb up the stairs. Taxis and rideshare apps are inexpensive. For most visitors, Zagreb requires no car and the tram system handles everything efficiently.
When is the best time to visit Zagreb?
Spring and early autumn are ideal. April through June and September through October offer pleasant temperatures, manageable crowds and the city at its most lively. Zagreb also has an excellent Advent market in December that makes it one of the better European Christmas destinations. Summer is warm but the city is less crowded than the coast.
Is Zagreb more affordable than Croatia’s coastal cities?
Yes, noticeably so. Hotels, restaurants and general costs in Zagreb are lower than Dubrovnik and comparable to Split. You can stay in a four-star hotel on the main square for less than a mid-range property in Dubrovnik. Zagreb offers excellent value for the quality of accommodation and experience on offer.
Our Takeaway on Where to Stay in Zagreb
For a first visit, the Lower Town is the right base: the grand hotels are the best in the city and everything is walkable or a tram ride away. The Upper Town is where to look for boutique character, with the HOH capturing the soul of the city. For pure convenience, Hotel Dubrovnik on Ban Jelacic Square is the best-located address in Zagreb.
Whatever you book, remember that Zagreb is the value play of Croatia: Orient Express glamour, Art Deco design and main-square locations all cost less here than a mid-range room on the coast. Use the links above to check current rates and availability for every hotel in this guide.
