Budget — Zagreb

Zagreb is one of Europe's most affordable capitals — markedly cheaper than Vienna, Munich or Berlin, comparable to Budapest or Ljubljana. The baseline budget of €75/day/person covers a comfortable stay in a central 3* hotel with meals in a local restaurant.

Accommodation. Hostel (Swanky Mint Hostel, Chillout Hostel): €20-35/night in a dorm. Apartman with locals or Airbnb: €50-90/night for two in the city centre. 3* hotel (Hotel Jagerhorn, Hotel Best Western Astoria): €80-130/night. 4* hotel (Hotel Esplanade Zagreb, Sheraton Zagreb, Hotel Dubrovnik): €130-220/night. 5* hotel (Esplanade Zagreb 5*, Hotel Westin): €200-350/night. Prices +30-50% in December (Advent) and June (INmusic festival) vs other months.

Dining is excellent and affordable. Dolac market (breakfast or snack): €3-8 per person (cheese, bread, charcuterie, fruit). Local cafeteria (Mali Bar, Vinodol): €8-15 per person for a dish. City-centre restaurant: €15-25 per person for a full meal with drink. Fine dining (Esplanade Zinfandel's, Noel — Michelin-starred, Dubravkin Put): €50-100 per person. Viennese cafés and slastičarne (pastry shops): €2-5 per coffee, €3-6 per pastry. Specialities: štrukli, zagrebački odrezak, sarma, kulen, fresh cheeses, Plešivica wines (wine region 40 km away), local beers (Ožujsko, Karlovačko).

Entry fees are very moderate. Cathedral (exterior + main interior): free. Museum of Broken Relationships: €8. Mimara Museum: €8. Strossmayer Gallery: €5. Archaeological Museum: €4. Croatian Museum of Naïve Art: €5. Lotrščak Tower: €3. Funicular: €1. Zagreb Card (24/72h, €13/22): unlimited transport + entries to main museums + discounts.

Transport. ZET trams (dense network, ideal for city-centre travel): €1.30 single ticket, €5 day pass. Airport-centre: Pleso Prijevoz bus (€7, 30 minutes) or public bus n°290 (€2, 45 minutes). Taxi: €25-35 from the airport.