In January 2021, Croatia launched its digital nomad visa, opening the doorways for distant staff to spend longer on this lovely nation. It’s no shock that the digital nomad neighborhood rejoiced; I actually did. You see, Croatia is beautiful, and there are such a lot of experiences to take pleasure in; it’s no surprise so many individuals are researching one of the best cities in Croatia for digital nomads.
As a distant employee in Croatia, you’ll be spoiled for selection each single day. Superb meals, pleasant locals, beautiful pure sights, and loads of historical past. Oh, and the seashores – don’t forget concerning the seashores. It’s additionally a reasonably reasonably priced location in comparison with many different European cities, with nice coworking alternatives.
I spent a number of months residing in Croatia, primarily Break up, Dubrovnik, and Korčula, however I moved round a good quantity. From my superb experiences, I’m fairly well-placed to advise you on one of the best spots to move to as a digital nomad. I can let you know now that there actually isn’t a foul option to be made right here, it’s extra concerning the space that calls out to you most.
Greatest Cities in Croatia for Digital Nomads
Whenever you first take a look at a map of Croatia, you’re going to seek out your self in a dilemma—there are such a lot of locations to select from; however as I’ve talked about, the excellent news is that none of them are a foul concept. Let’s discover ten of one of the best cities in Croatia the place digital nomads have it made.
1. Break up
Definitely, Break up is likely one of the greatest cities in Croatia for digital nomads; you received’t wrestle to satisfy different like-minded individuals right here. The seashores are beautiful, and the overall vibe across the metropolis is in some way chilled-out however vibrant on the similar time. It’s not missing in historical past and tradition both: strolling via Diocletian’s Palace each day is kind of one thing.
I discovered the town to be fairly reasonably priced however you do want to consider staying exterior the central reaches. There are a number of nice high quality coworking areas and loads of cafes to spend your working days. I significantly loved Smartspace as a spot for working and collaborating, with reasonably priced passes and a snug atmosphere.
Nightlife in Break up is a mixture of laid-back and vibrant, so it doesn’t matter what form of night you’re after, you’ll make sure you discover it. Web in Break up can also be prime quality (common obtain velocity of 71.18 Mbps and add velocity of 19.62 Mbps in keeping with Speedtest) so it’s simple to maintain productiveness excessive.
2. Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik is unquestionably a contender for one of the best metropolis in Croatia, however it may get extraordinarily busy in the course of the summer time months. For that purpose, the shoulder months of April to June and September to October are nice occasions to go to. The winter months are calm and charming however you’ll discover a lot of the metropolis closes till the next summer time.
It’s a good suggestion to keep away from the Previous City when searching for lodging and as an alternative go for the suburbs, similar to Babin Kuk and Lapad. You will discover a furnished condo in considered one of these areas for round €530 ($570) per thirty days with utilities on prime. Public transport into the Previous City is simple and reasonably priced.
As Dubrovnik is generally a touristic city, you’ll discover lots to see and do, together with the well-known metropolis partitions. There aren’t at present any coworking areas right here, however there are greater than sufficient cafes; Buzz Cafe & Bar was considered one of my favorites. I by no means had any points with the web in Dubrovnik both, making it the perfect place to work and sightsee in the course of the summer time.
3. Zagreb
Many digital nomads head to the capital, Zagreb, and it’s positively among the best cities in Croatia for sightseeing and day-to-day life. You’ll discover a extra genuine vibe right here, away from the coastal seashore cities. It’s additionally an reasonably priced base to journey from and see the remainder of the nation in the course of the summer time months.
You will discover a furnished condo exterior of the town heart for round €450 ($480), and there are a lot of coworking areas to make use of; I visited Impression Hub a number of occasions and met loads of different distant staff. The web in Zagreb can also be quick, with add and obtain speeds of 44.99 and 110.94 Mbps respectively.
There are lots of superb locations to see round Zagreb, and Plitvice Lakes Nationwide Park is barely two hours away. Town itself is vibrant, with nice nightlife and procuring alternatives. You’ll discover a conventional really feel in lots of components of the town, and there are some nice eating places serving conventional Croatian meals, so you may actually immerse your self within the tradition.
4. Zadar
Lovely Zadar is likely one of the greatest cities in Croatia for digital nomads who need to take pleasure in time by the ocean however with a metropolis vibe. I actually loved Zadar, and it’s an amazing place to community and collaborate with different DNs. The standard vibe blends properly with chilled-out nightlife and superb pure sights.
Zadar has some nice coworking areas, together with Code Hub and COIN Coworking, which provide quick web and reasonably priced membership. The price of residing in Zadar is on par with Zagreb; I stayed within the Kolovare Seashore space and located lodging for round €450 ($470) per thirty days. It’s additionally simple to buy contemporary produce and cook dinner at house, which will certainly carry down your month-to-month payments.
Spending time having fun with the seashore and testing free sights such because the Sea Organ make Zadar an economical selection. Nightlife right here is laid-back, however there are many full of life bars in the summertime months. For me, Zadar is a superb selection of middle-ground; you may go full touristic if you wish to, or you may retreat to the extra conventional aspect of issues.
5. Hvar City
The island of Hvar is a well-liked spot for vacationers in the course of the summer time, however Hvar City itself is changing into a digital nomad hotspot. This port city affords a calming island vibe however implausible nightlife everytime you need it. I met many different distant staff in Hvar City and it’s someplace I intend to return to.
For those who’re searching for one of the best coworking house in Croatia, you received’t discover it in Hvar City; they merely don’t exist at present. Nevertheless, there are some implausible cafes to work from—Kava37 was my go-to for implausible espresso and a productive house. I didn’t have any main issues with the web in Hvar City, however I did discover it was a little bit slower than in Zadar and Break up.
Outdoors of the summer time months (Could to October) you’ll discover that life in Hvar City is quite a bit quieter and plenty of locations shut. As long as you don’t thoughts an absence of others, you’ll get to expertise a extra genuine lifestyle. Regardless of the quieter interval, common ferries over to Break up can be found all 12 months spherical. Most distant staff select to remain in the course of the shoulder and summer time months solely, so lodging prices are decrease in the course of the winter.
6. Pula
The Istrian metropolis of Pula is a superb spot for a distant employee in Croatia. I spent loads of time right here, and I actually loved the pure setting and laid-back vibe. There’s loads of historical past to discover, together with Pula Enviornment, however my favourite exercise was the farmers market, with superb native produce on supply—this can be a actual foodie’s metropolis.
The price of residing in Pula is akin to the remainder of the nation, and there are many markets to buy contemporary meals. There aren’t any coworking spots in Pula to jot down about but, however you’ll discover loads of appropriate cafes, together with Cafe Cinderella, which has super-fast web and comfy chairs. You’ll discover many different distant staff utilizing cafes across the metropolis; they provide nice alternatives to satisfy different individuals.
Pula is a perfect spot for nature and meals lovers and it’s simple to work from too. Web speeds are customary, at round 47.85 Mbps for downloads and uploads at 1924 Mbps – I by no means struggled with Wifi in Pula. I additionally discovered the extra pure ambiance fairly inspiring, and it’s a calming spot to sit back out.
7. Rijeka
Rijeka affords a beautiful mixture of touristic enjoyable and genuine Croatian life. It’s a medium-sized metropolis that sits on the shores of the Adriatic, and there are some lovely seashores to take pleasure in and nice pure spots—Postojna Cave is a must-visit. Trsat Fort is the crowning glory that provides a cultural and conventional really feel to the town.
The digital nomad way of life in Rijeka is fairly laid-back, however you received’t wrestle to seek out different distant staff to attach with. It’s potential to seek out an condo away from the seashore for round €420 ($450), and there are a lot of nice worth metropolis heart Airbnbs to take a look at. Consuming out in Rijeka generally is a little dear, so it’s a good suggestion to buy on the native markets and cook dinner your meals at house.
There are a number of coworking areas in Rijeka, with RiHub being the most well-liked. In contrast to Break up which has many areas to work from, Rijeka affords extra of a restaurant vibe, however the web is powerful and akin to different Croatian cities. For those who’re searching for another spot to the bigger cities, similar to Zagreb and Break up, Rijeka is a superb selection.
8. Osijek
Many digital nomads in Croatia are selecting to move to Osijek, a lesser-known metropolis that gives tradition and a extra conventional lifestyle. I visited Osijek as soon as throughout my time in Croatia, and I assumed it was a captivating metropolis with reasonably priced residing alternatives for distant staff. There are additionally loads of occasions that happen all year long, such because the Craft Beer Pageant.
Osijek is fairly up-and-coming and there’s just one predominant coworking house so far, Bios Inkubator, however meaning you’ll seemingly meet individuals of different like-minded individuals there. Nevertheless, the web within the metropolis is sweet, with obtain and add speeds of 66.19 and 29.04 Mbps respectively. You’ll additionally discover loads of nice cafes to work from, similar to San Francisco Espresso Home.
General, in case you’re searching for a spot to remain that’s off the vacationer route, Osijek is a superb selection with a extra conventional vibe. As a result of it’s much less recognized than a few of the different cities, it’s additionally extra reasonably priced and also you’ll take pleasure in a extra genuine expertise.
9. Korčula
I spent loads of time on Korčula island, and it’s someplace I’d like to return to. The laid-back vibe, the pleasant individuals, and the island’s magnificence are simply off the size. It’s additionally a spot the place many digital nomads head to, and it’s very easy to have productive days with alternatives to sightsee whenever you’re achieved.
One of the best cities in Croatia supply numerous coworking alternatives and a sooner tempo of life, however I cherished Korčula’s easygoing velocity. I discovered the island to be reasonably priced, though it’s a vacationer space so in case you keep near the seashore, you’ll pay extra. There are lots of Airbnbs round, and I stayed in Medvinjak, which is a brief bus experience from the Previous City.
There are a number of coworking areas obtainable, together with Gradac Coworking, which I used a number of occasions. So far as the social component is anxious, nightlife in Korčula is no matter you need it to be, which is one thing I respect. There are many beachside bars and eating places, golf equipment, and extra laid-back cocktail spots to socialize with new mates.
10. Cavtat
Probably the most southern seashore resort in Croatia is Cavtat, which is positioned round 20km away from bustling Dubrovnik. I cherished the calm vibe in Cavtat, and if you wish to be near Dubrovnik however aren’t eager on paying excessive rental costs, otherwise you need to keep away from crowds, this can be a nice selection.
The seashores listed below are beautiful, and Žal is considered one of my favorites. I discovered Cavtat to be much more cultural than another resorts, with loads of small museums and occasions held all year long; the Summer time Pageant in July is a must-do. Cavtat can also be much more reasonably priced than Dubrovnik, and you’ll find an condo away from the seashore for round €500 ($540).
There aren’t any coworking areas in Cavtat at present, however there are tons of waterside cafes, similar to Caffe Bar Delfin. I by no means struggled with the web in Cavtat, and I discovered it a captivating place to remain for some time, with a small but thriving digital nomad scene.
Greatest Cities in Croatia for Digital Nomads: FAQs
Listed here are some solutions to probably the most generally requested questions on one of the best cities in Croatia for digital nomads:
Croatia is thought for its beautiful seashores, historical past, tradition, and pleasant locals. Dubrovnik is considered one of its most well-known locations, made much more in order a filming website for Sport of Thrones.
One of the best time to go to Croatia is between April and October. That is the principle vacationer season when every thing is open and the climate is superb. Nevertheless, the winter months supply a extra conventional expertise for these in search of tradition and authenticity.
Sure! Croatia is 100% price visiting, and it’s develop into extraordinarily standard over the previous few years. You received’t wrestle to pack your time with superb issues to see and do, and the seashores are breathtaking.
Croatia launched its digital nomad visa in January 2021, permitting digital nomads to work within the nation for as much as one 12 months. Nevertheless, this can’t at present be prolonged as soon as the 12 months is completed.
Other than the same old vacationer pickpocketing scams in giant cities, Croatia is a secure nation to go to. In fact, it is best to all the time use your widespread sense regardless of the place you might be, however typically, Croatia doesn’t have a high-risk label.
Sure, Croatia has a digital nomad visa which permits distant staff to remain for as much as one 12 months. Extra data could be discovered right here.
Most expats select to stay on the coast, with Dubrovnik, Break up, Zadar, and Rijeka standard selections. Nevertheless, Zagreb, the capital, can also be the place you will discover a big expat neighborhood, particularly in the course of the winter months.
There are lots of prime coworking areas in Croatia, however Hub385 in Zagreb, Smartspace in Break up, and COIN Coworking in Zadar are all prime choices. Other than coworking areas, there are some nice cafes to spend a number of productive hours with nice espresso and snacks.
In Closing
Regardless of the place you select to go in Croatia, I’m certain you’ll have the very best expertise, simply as I did. It’s a rustic that positively has my coronary heart and with the brand new digital nomad visa in place, it’s now simpler than ever earlier than to work and discover this lovely a part of the world and all it has to supply.
Now one of the best cities in Croatia for digital nomads, your planning can start. Maybe you’ll select to maneuver round and spend time in other places, however no matter you select, you’ll discover that Croatia is greater than welcoming, extraordinarily lovely, and can give you reminiscences like nowhere else.
