Zagreb – A City for the Young

Over the past few years Zagreb has become a real Mecca for young tourists. They come from all over the world and usually stay at one of the twenty or so hostels that have been opened to meet the demand. These hostels offer a warm and relaxed atmosphere and interiors which will delight even the most discerning of modern-day travellers.

As a result of the growing demand by young travellers to not miss the opportunity to visit Zagreb on their travels, several new hostels have been opened in Zagreb this year alone, bringing their overall number to over 20. Nearly all of them are fully booked every summer, and it is not uncommon for the supply to fall short of the demand. They usually offer their young patrons a lot more than just standard accommodation. The owners of Zagreb's hostels, many of whom are of the same generation as their guests, are always on hand to provide information about what is going on in the city, and to recommend places to eat, the best night entertainment, the most interesting events and other attractions. A majority of the newly-opened hostels operate under a similar motto, “my house is your house”, which indeed is one of the main guidelines of Zagreb's hostel supply. Namely, a majority of the hostels have just a few rooms (with en suite bathrooms) and a large common area and terraces where their patrons can get together and socialize.

The newest addition to the existing supply of such small, warm and modern hostels is certainly the Cherry Hostel Zagreb, which was opened just a few months ago. It is conveniently located in the Trešnjevka neighbourhood, quite close to the city centre, just like most of the facilities.

As suggested by its name, the modern and cheerful interior of the Cherry Hostel is dominated by cherries, the fruit typical of the neighbourhood of Trešnjevka (trešnja is the Croatian word for cherry). On its three floors, the hostel offers several rooms with four to six beds each, as well as a large suite for four people comprising a living room, a bedroom, a kitchen and a bathroom. The decor is a happy mixture of antique furniture and modern design.

Another great place to stay is Chillout Hostel Zagreb which was opened in late 2011. Vibrant colours and its modern, youthful design create a very friendly atmosphere, whereas its central location is certainly an excellent selling point.

The biggest youth hostel, with a total of 210 beds, is the Omladinski Hostel Zagreb. The atmosphere is friendly and the hostel’s staff is a well of information about events going on in Zagreb and tips on must-visit attractions.