While most tourists bound for Croatia head to coastal hubs such as Split, Dubrovnik, or Hvar, we’d recommend carving out some time to visit the nation’s capital too. Filled with a range of captivating Gothic and Austro-Hungarian buildings, it’s an architecture lover’s dream, plus it has a buzzing F&B scene. If you are heading inland, be sure to stay at one of the best boutique hotels in Zagreb.
The best boutique hotels in Zagreb, Croatia
1. Met Boutique Hotel | Lower Town, City Centre
Hotel: Met Boutique Hotel
Location: Praška 4, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Neighbourhood: Lower Town, beside Ban Jelačić Square and close to Zagreb Cathedral
Rooms: 26 rooms across five floors, with contemporary interiors and individually designed details
Style: Five-star boutique hotel combining contemporary design, art and understated luxury
Family-friendly: Suitable for families, although most rooms are designed for two guests; selected categories offer additional sleeping arrangements
Wellness: Met Spa offers massages, facials, body treatments, a sauna, jacuzzi and fitness facilities
Pool: No swimming pool
Dining: Valmarie serves contemporary cuisine with panoramic city views, while Pen 22 is the hotel’s cocktail bar
Best for: Couples and design-conscious travellers seeking luxury accommodation in the city centre
Prices starting from: Approximately €200 per night, depending on room and season
Home to 26 rooms across five floors, Met Boutique Hotel is an artistic escape in the heart of the Croatian capital. Designed with the modern traveller in mind, rooms here feature a contemporary aesthetic that blends light woods with pops of colour that feel homely.
Offering sweeping views of nearby Zagreb Cathedral and Ban Jelačić Square, Valmarie is the onsite restaurant serving dishes crafted with fresh local ingredients. Pen 22 is the popular bar regularly visited by both locals and tourists. Plus, the hotel is introducing a spa in 2025, so get ready for some pampering.
Find out more about Met Boutique Hotel or Book through Booking.com
2. Amadria Park Hotel Capital | Lower Town, City Centre
Hotel: Amadria Park Hotel Capital
Location: Jurišićeva 22, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Neighbourhood: Lower Town, around five minutes’ walk from Ban Jelačić Square
Rooms: 112 rooms, including Standard, Superior, Deluxe and Family Rooms, as well as suites
Style: Heritage hotel in a former bank building, featuring restored Art Deco and Art Nouveau details
Family-friendly: Yes. Dedicated Family Rooms accommodate up to three guests, while connecting rooms can be arranged through the hotel
Wellness: Fitness centre; no dedicated spa is listed
Pool: No swimming pool
Dining: Restaurant Momentum serves gourmet cuisine and breakfast, while Bela Caffé offers coffee, cakes and refreshments
Best for: Couples, business travellers and architecture enthusiasts seeking an elegant central hotel
Prices starting from: Approximately €150 per night, depending on room and season
Amadria Park Hotel Capital
Boutique hotels in Croatia don’t get any better than Amadria Park Hotel Capital. Once home to a bank, the heritage property blends early 20th century architecture with all the mod-cons you could ask for. Design influences are taken from Art Deco and Nouveau periods, meaning there’s oodles of character to be found in every space.
Rooms are warm and spacious, and we definitely recommend splurging for the Studio Suite that offers views of the city alongside chandeliers, and lush interiors. Restaurant & Bar Capital serves up fine dining in a space filled with greenery and the breakfast here is renowned for its imaginative dishes. The Capital Private Club is available for hire for groups of 25 and features the original vault door that once concealed money bags and gold bars at the bank.
Find out more about Amadria Park Hotel Capital or Book through Booking.com
3. Stay Swanky | Lower Town, City Centre
Hotel: Stay Swanky
Location: Ilica 50, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Neighbourhood: Lower Town, close to the Upper Town and the city’s main attractions
Rooms: 10 private rooms, two studio apartments and eight dormitory rooms
Style: Creative, social accommodation in a converted 19th-century textile-dye factory, with colourful contemporary interiors
Family-friendly: Suitable for families, with private rooms and studio apartments available; dormitories are better suited to solo travellers and groups
Wellness: No dedicated spa or fitness centre; outdoor terraces provide space to relax
Pool: Seasonal outdoor swimming pool
Dining: SOI Fusion serves Asian-inspired cuisine, while Swanky Bar offers drinks and regular entertainment
Best for: Budget-conscious travellers, solo visitors and groups who enjoy social spaces and a lively atmosphere
Prices starting from: Approximately €50 per night for private accommodation, depending on room and season
Offering a range of affordable accommodations in the heart of the city, Stay Swanky is a stylish place to base yourself in the capital. Once a 19th century textile-dye factory, these days, you’ll find an outdoor pool, live music, plenty of terraces for relaxing, and amazing service at the property.
There are 10 private rooms and two studio apartments available alongside the eight dorms, and each blends contemporary design with pops of colour. The Swanky Bar is a mingling space for locals and tourists alike, and Soi serves a range of cuisine inspired by Asian fare.
Discover more about Stay Swanky or Book through Booking.com
4. Canopy by Hilton Zagreb City Centre | Lower Town, City Centre
Hotel: Canopy by Hilton Zagreb City Centre
Location: Ulica kneza Branimira 29, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Neighbourhood: Lower Town, near Zagreb’s main railway station
Rooms: 151 rooms and suites across six floors
Style: Contemporary design hotel inspired by Zagreb’s neighbourhoods, history and creative culture
Family-friendly: Yes. Cots, a children’s menu and family-friendly accommodation are available
Wellness: 24-hour fitness centre and complimentary bicycles for exploring the city
Pool: No swimming pool
Dining: ReUnion serves Mediterranean and continental dishes using fresh local produce, alongside a bar for drinks and small plates
Best for: Couples, business travellers and visitors wanting modern accommodation near the railway station
Prices starting from: Approximately €120 per night, depending on room and season
Canopy by Hilton Zagreb City Centre
Conveniently located near the centre of the city, Canopy by Hilton Zagreb City Centre offers tastefully designed rooms and suites with influences of Zagreb neighbourhood interwoven throughout.
Restaurant ReUnion serves a range of Mediterranean and continental dishes, all crafted from fresh produce sourced at the nearby market. There’s a 24-hour gym, and be sure to try out the complimentary bikes available and discover the cobblestone streets of the capital.
Learn more about Canopy by Hilton Zagreb City Centre or Book through Booking.com
5. Hotel 9 | Lower Town, City Centre
Hotel: Hotel 9
Location: Avenija Marina Držića 9, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Neighbourhood: Trnje, opposite Zagreb’s main bus station and east of the Lower Town
Rooms: 20 individually designed rooms across several floors
Style: Modern boutique hotel featuring opulent interiors, marble, glass and contemporary furniture
Family-friendly: Suitable for families, with accommodation options for different group sizes
Wellness: No dedicated spa or fitness centre
Pool: No swimming pool
Dining: Breakfast and an on-site aperitif bar; several restaurants and cafés are available nearby
Best for: Couples, business travellers and visitors arriving by bus who appreciate modern design
Prices starting from: Approximately €100 per night, depending on room and season
Hotel 9
Designed by renowned local architect Ante Vrban, Hotel 9 is an uber cool getaway that promises some of the friendliest service in town. The modernist rooms here have an opulent style and feature materials such as marble and glass. Choose from the silver, gold, or white floor, with each inclusive of oversized beds and trendy furniture.
The expansive breakfast selection is sure to set guests up for a day of work or play. Enjoy a tipple at the bar before heading out to the discover the city from this hotel located conveniently close to the city’s bus station.
Discover more about Hotel 9 or Book through Booking.com
6. Palace Hotel Zagreb | Lower Town, City Centre
Hotel: Palace Hotel Zagreb
Location: Trg Josipa Jurja Strossmayera 10, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Neighbourhood: Lower Town, overlooking Strossmayer Square and close to Zrinjevac Park
Rooms: The previous hotel offered 116 rooms, three suites and three semi-apartments; the renovated property is planned to have 133 rooms and suites
Style: Historic Art Nouveau hotel originally built in 1891, undergoing a comprehensive restoration
Family-friendly: The previous hotel offered larger suites suitable for families; details of the renovated property’s family facilities have not yet been confirmed
Wellness: The renovated hotel is planned to include a Health & Beauty area
Pool: An indoor swimming pool is planned as part of the renovated property
Dining: The new hotel plans to include Drago Hall rooftop restaurant and Kavana
Best for: Architecture enthusiasts, couples and travellers seeking a historic central Zagreb stay
Prices starting from: Not yet published for the renovated hotel, depending on room and season
Palace Hotel Zagreb
Sitting pretty inside a gorgeous Art Nouveau-style building, Palace Hotel Zagreb can be originally opened in 1891. In fact, the property claims the title of the first hotel to open in Zagreb. With such a noble title, you’d expect stellar service, and regal interiors, and that’s exactly what you get.
Spend time in the wellness centre, enjoy the beloved delights at the restaurant, and explore the city to your heart’s content, thanks to the central location. The property is undergoing renovations currently and is expected to reopen in 2025.
Find out more about Palace Hotel Zagreb
7. Lobagola | Lower Town, City Centre
Hotel: Lobagola
Location: Bosanska 3, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Neighbourhood: Upper Town area, in a quiet residential pocket near Ilica Street
Rooms: Nine individually themed guest rooms in a restored mid-20th-century house
Style: Intimate design-led B&B featuring modernist interiors, upcycled furnishings and Croatian-inspired details
Family-friendly: Yes. Selected rooms accommodate families, with cots available on request
Wellness: No dedicated spa or fitness centre; guests can relax in the garden and on the spacious terrace
Pool: No swimming pool
Dining: Buffet breakfast featuring local products, with occasional Saturday barbecues and Croatian wine
Best for: Couples, independent travellers and guests seeking a personal stay with local character
Prices starting from: Approximately €80 per night, depending on room and season
Lobagola
Launched by a passionate people person who wants to share his love for his country with others, Lobagola is an intimate B&B converted from a mid-20th century house. The design here is on point, with loads of upcycled elements sitting pretty inside the modernist spaces, and each of the nine guestrooms are named after Croatian cities and renowned products from the area.
The devil is in the details here and guests will love perusing the vinyl collection and spending time in the hammocks on the terrace. Enjoy a buffet breakfast with goodies from local suppliers and be sure to book in for a Saturday, when the hotel throws a barbecue complete with Croatian wine.
Find out more about Lobagola
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best area to stay in Zagreb?
Lower Town is ideal for first-time visitors, with easy access to Ban Jelačić Square, museums, shops and restaurants. Upper Town offers historic streets and a quieter atmosphere.
How many days should you spend in Zagreb?
Two to three days are enough to explore the main attractions, museums, markets and cafés. Add another day for a relaxed pace or a day trip outside the city.
Is Zagreb a walkable city for tourists?
Yes. The historic centre is compact, and many major attractions are within walking distance. Trams are useful for reaching neighbourhoods farther from the centre.
When is the best time to visit Zagreb?
May, June and September offer pleasant weather for sightseeing. December is popular for its Christmas markets, although accommodation can become more expensive.
Is Zagreb worth visiting as part of a Croatia holiday?
Yes. Zagreb offers a different experience from Croatia's coastal destinations, with historic architecture, museums, markets and a strong café culture. It also makes a convenient starting or ending point for a wider itinerary.
How do you get from Zagreb Airport to the city centre?
The airport is around 17 kilometres from central Zagreb. Airport buses, taxis and private transfers are available, with journey times depending on traffic.
