September 6, 2021 - Rudi Witkowsky, the Zagreb Digital Nomad Ambassador for August, is back in his native Cape Town after a month in Zagreb. Some reflections of digital nomad life in the Croatian capital.
Where do I begin?... I was sitting in self isolation in Split and wanted to get up to speed with Croatian news as we had planned a minimum stay of 3 months.
I cam across the application for digital nomad ambassador. At the time I really did not see myself as a digital nomad, but then I realized I have been working remotely and via my laptop for the past 2 years from hotels to endless amounts of coffee shops. At that point I realized I am a digital nomad. I am working remotely online as business and finance consultant and fitness instructor from Croatia. Surely, I am a digital nomad right?
I loved Croatia as it was my 3rd time. I thought this will be an amazing experience and merely thought of networking with people in Croatia.
I decided to apply and not thinking much of it. I was still sitting in my sleeveless t-shirt and did a quick 1 minute video about myself. I was in my gym attire.
I had totally forgot about it and did not think anything further. We ventured off to Dubrovnik where I received the news that I was selected as the new Zagreb digital nomad ambassador. I could not believe it. I was in shock and woke up my girlfriend whom was sleeping. She was recovering from a water skiing accident where she was in a neck brace.
She thought I was lying. I was so excited and she was more excited. I thought that immediately meant we are leaving the coast. We are leaving the Adriatic ocean during prime summer? I then became concerned with moving to the city. Long story short we decided let's do this. We extended our Dubrovnik stay and booked a flight to Zagreb to start a new adventure entirely with not really knowing what to expect.
Zagreb was on the cards, but merely to purchase property as we were interested in purchasing in Zagreb as we love Croatia so much. We knew that the city would be a good buy, but it felt like work if we went there and kept on delaying our visit to Zagreb. I had passed through Zagreb before for 4 hours before a flight. I really did not know much about Zagreb, after all everyone comes to Croatia for the clear blue ocean and fresh seafood along the Adriatic.
First experience with arriving in Zagreb on Sunday the 1st August, I was shocked. The city was dead with everyone closed and minimal people. Could not find an open restaurant. I was concerned that we made a mistake.
However, the accommodation was really great. We had a lovely welcome from Adel , the manager of the Doma Zagreb Serviced apartments https://www.domazagreb.com/ The apartment was central , right in the city center with a tram that stopped outside the place. It was fully fitted with a full kitchenette, working desk, bright and sunny apartments with a modern touch. Not to mention that the wifi was absolutely incredible. I struggled with Wifi in some Coastal locations. Many a days I worked from home as it was too comfortable to leave. The apartment had everything that I needed. I could finally relax and settle in nicely in Croatia as we were centrally based. It is easy not to venture off more than a 5km radius from your apartment as everything is in close proximity.
However, I had already missed the sea breeze, however the weather was amazing in Zagreb. A lot more mild without the strong sunshine on the coast.
We met the team on Sunday and received the most amazing welcome ever from top quality wine to quality meats and cheeses. We had so much fun. I then thought that this city might just be amazing. The food and wine was really great.
After the first days of settling in and getting to explore the city had picked up and become a lot more lively. With the trams running through the city and all the cyclists it felt like a real authentic city. It started growing on me bearing in mind that I am not a city person. I am all things water.
I was in awe the trams running through the city. I loved it. Walking through the Ban Jelacic Square felt like a real authentic Croatian experience. The city was alive.
The food was incredible at every restaurant we went to. Not to mention we ate out every single day (sometimes 2 or 3 times a day). The food was just too good and a lot more affordable than the Coastal region.
There were amazing bars and restaurants on every corner with excellent WIFI. Victoria and I are major foodies and Zagreb did not disappoint. We were in love with the food scene. The fitness centers were of top quality and I signed up immediately. I was the happiest person alive as I could work, keep fit and healthy, travel and live my best life ever in Zagreb.
I was extremely shocked to find that English was as widely spoken in Zagreb. I was concerned as it was the capital city with more Croatians. I think more people spoke English in Zagreb than the coast.
Zagreb started growing on us very fast and it was extremely safe. I never felt weary or unsafe at any point of the day. Victoria felt super safe and she would walk around on her late at night. Many a time we would casually wonder through the streets for hours and just admire all the beauty and people watch. You might be in the heart of a city, but it is has a calming effect on you.
I loved the lifestyle and pace in Zagreb where people would sip a double espresso for 2 hours. The city was great for my mental health as I started to adapt the relaxed way of life in Zagreb. I was like what have I been missing all this time in my life? People would meet up for hours and chat with you and take in the fresh air. This is what you call living!
We met a few people briefly for 2 minutes and offered to take us for a drink or join them at lunch there and then. The people were friendly and loved hearing stories of tourists. 2 locals even offered to drop us off at home one evening.
We also loved that there were so many green spaces/parks were one can go for walks and escape the city life not that it is chaotic, but merely to find some more natural beauty.
We went to the coast – Opatija and Rovinj for a weekend from Zagreb. It was a quick 2hr 10min bus ride from Zagreb to the coast. A week later we visited the most magnificent wine farms just 40mins from Zagreb which included Zagorje. It was absolutely the BEST wine experience ever with the most amazing wines, vineyards and scenery. One could easily spend days there. The vineyard felt like something out of a dream. At that point I realized that If I had to stay in Croatia I would stay in Zagreb. It is centrally located in Croatia from the best wine regions to the most exotic coastal regions all within a 2 hour drive. Not to mention Zagreb has many farmers markets with fresh and organic produce. We bought most of our veggies and fruits from Dolac farmers market.
Not to mention we had the privilege of attending the LMF music festival in Zagreb which was world class. They hosted world class artists with the likes of Claptone with the most amazing lighting and stage all based at the beautiful Jarun lake. LMF consisted of 7 different dance stages with plenty of green space and areas to relax. If you are a lover of dance music or festivals, Zagreb surely hosts the best in the world and are right up there in terms of festivals.
Zagreb is also more affordable than the coast and you can experience so much. Everything is easily accessible and in close proximity. Zagreb would definitely see us again. This city has touched our hearts in many ways. I believe Zagreb is something not to miss during Christmas time and hopefully we can make it back up for Christmas.
From a digital nomad perspective Zagreb has everything you need from quality wifi to exceptional co working spaces.
We worked form many co working spaces namely, Canopy by Hilton and BIZKoshnica in Zagreb which offers everything you need from fast wifi, to networking events, to casual drink meet ups and a space where you can break away from work to clear you head space. If you require further information on co-working or co-living I found Saltwater Nomads to be extremely helpful. Feel free to reach out to them as they will answer all your questions on co-working and co-living. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
If you are looking for amazing events or things to do reach out to the Zagreb Tourist board as they are willing to assist you with anything you need. They are a young vibrant team and sure to share the best secrets with you about Zagreb. Thank you for all your recommendations.
I am beyond happy to have ventured to Zagreb as it was truly something special and it did not disappoint. Please make sure to include Zagreb on your list of places to see in Croatia, but not just visit actually live there for a bit and immerse yourself in the culture. You will fall in love.
Everyone is extremely friendly in Croatia. Even the Tax director at KPMG was willing to take my calls and have a casual conversation on how things are etc. Tax directors normally have no time for you. KPMG was extremely helpful. For all your tax related queries as a digital nomad please reach out to Kristina at KPMG in Zagreb This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . She is extremely knowledgeable and helpful.
Thank you for the most special time in Zagreb. You will be missed, but will definitely see you soon.
For more news and features about digital nomads in Croatia, follow the dedicated TCN section.
