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There’s something to be said about the Balkan charm that just draws travelers year-round. The friendliness of locals, cheap daily budget, and ease of communication with the locals- it’s no wonder Croatia seems to be on everyone’s travel lists this year.
VisaGuide.World just released their new research, ranking Zagreb as the third-best capital in Europe. The survey included over 1,200 participants from around the world.
When it comes to traveling on a budget, Zagreb outranks most capital cities. Research shows that travelers can easily spend anywhere between €250 and €320 per week here.
As well as the budget-saving perks, Zagreb is also an extremely safe city for both locals and visitors. With low crime rates in the city and political stability, it draws all sorts of travelers each year.
What The Research Shows
We’ve mentioned the budget, and we’ll mention it again! For a week in Zagreb, tourists will only need about $300, depending on lifestyle choices. The city ranked 1.44 in terms of safety score, just below Rome in Italy.
The English proficiency in Zagreb is 637, meaning travelers find it particularly easy to get around and communicate with the locals: always a bonus. Zagreb’s friendliness score ranked at 0.75- exactly the same as London, United Kingdom.
Having recently joined the EU, Croatia’s official currency is now the Euro. The country still remains in a high spot as one of the cheaper destinations in Europe for budget-conscious travelers. Cheap food, affordable beer, and hotel steals: what’s not to love?
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Local Charm
For those who have traveled through the Balkans, Croatians are some of the friendliest people you’ll meet. Proud of their culture, history, and country, they’re always willing to offer up their knowledge, expertise, and suggestions on the best foods and things to do.
With a high friendliness score, any travelers are bound to feel immediately welcomed in Croatia. Zagreb is a smaller city than most, so it’s also easy to see some of the same people and get to know the area.
The locals LOVE to share local favorites, so be sure to ask their opinions on food and drinks.
Safety
As a main city, Zagreb takes the cake here in terms of safety. With a score of 1.44, the capital is extremely safe for both travelers and locals alike.
As a solo traveler too, it’s also really safe to walk around day and night and feel okay.
The city’s winding alleyways are small, making it easy to stroll for hours and still find your way back. It’s a hub for nomads and those traveling alone, so you’ll feel at ease seeing other travelers around too. I traveled here solo last summer and felt very safe the whole time.
Location
Almost in the middle of the country, Zagreb is an ideal hub for travelers looking to explore other parts of Croatia and Europe.
Hop on a short bus ride to Slovenia for a few days or take a longer ride to Hungary or Bosnia and Herzegovina.
In the summer months, most locals venture to the coastal parts of Croatia. Venture to Split or Dubrovnik easily from Zagreb and do some Croatian island hopping.
There are multiple plane routes as well around Europe leaving from Zagreb, so it’s the perfect base for backpackers.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com