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Car hire in Zagreb – Discovering Croatia

Bursting with art, music and fine 19th-century buildings, Zagreb is a quintessentially central European metropolis that's often overlooked by visitors heading for Croatia's sun-soaked Adriatic shoreline. Blessed with a vibrant gastro-bistro culture, the city has emerged in recent years as a foodie's delight with a plethora of amazing dishes to try, most of them very affordable. It is also a bastion of the country's famed coffee culture, with its pavements lined with cafés buzzing with social activity throughout the year.

Compact and relatively relaxed for a capital city, Zagreb offers its visitors an abundance of elegant architecture intertwined with an enticing blend of urban authenticity. Cultural attractions are plentiful in Zagreb, ranging from the stylish Museum of Contemporary Art to the quirky Museum of Broken Relationships. There's more to see and admire in the city's preserved Upper Town (Gornji Grad) where many landmark buildings and churches exist, as well as in the lovely Lower Town (Donji Grad) which is home to many of the capital's top tourist sights.

With a car hire in Zagreb you'll be able to enjoy the best of both worlds by exploring one of Europe's most appealing capital cities before embarking on a series of exciting excursions. Chief among these is the bewitching experience promised to travellers visiting the stunningly beautiful Plitvice Lakes National Park, just a couple of hours' drive south of the city. Croatia's idyllic Adriatic coastline is quickly accessible from Zagreb, with the magnificent port city of Rijeka just 160 kilomentres away and easily reachable on the E65 motorway in less than two hours.

You can rent a cheap car in Zagreb in just a few steps through the high-tech Auto Europe booking engine. Just select your dates, destination, car category and preferred supplier and we'll find you the best deal on the market in a couple of seconds. Alternatively, why not reach out to our award-winning rental specialists and they will be more than happy to find you the best deal and help you with all your travel plans in Zagreb and elsewhere in Croatia.

For added peace of mind, you might also be interested in seeing the supplier user ratings and reading the comments posted by some of Auto Europe's previous visitors in the city by visiting our Zagreb car hire reviews page.

For more information on renting a vehicle in Zagreb, click on the car hire related topics listed below:

Where to pick up a car hire in Zagreb

As one of the world's leading car rental companies, Auto Europe works with all the world's top car hire providers, such as Europcar, National, Sixt, Hertz, Alamo, Budget, Dollar and Avis. This means that we are able to offer you a wide choice of locations in and around Zagreb, meaning that you can pick up your vehicle from the airport or in the city centre (including Zagreb Train Station) and be on your way in just a few minutes. Our website is designed to help you make the right choice for your trip, aided by our state-of-the-art booking engine which allows our customers to do an extensive search to find the best vehicle and the most suitable pick-up point for their trip by keying in their dates before an interactive map comes up with all the available locations for cheap car hire in Zagreb.

Zagreb Airport

Zagreb Airport (officially named Franjo Tudman Airport) is located a short drive south-east of the city centre. It is the largest and busiest international airport in Croatia, with a single passenger terminal and a second terminal exclusively for cargo. The passenger terminal is a large, modern building spread across three levels, with several cafés, 30 check-in desks and over 10,000 car parking spaces. The airport first opened in 1909 and now serves 180 routes with 33 airlines. Many low-cost airlines fly from ZAG to a large number of European destinations. A wide selection of international car hire companies serve passengers arriving at the airport, the majority of whom have their welcome desks situated inside the main terminal building after luggage-reclaim.

Zagreb Airport (ZAG)
Website: zagreb-airport.hr
Address: Ulica Rudolfa Fizira 1, 10150, Zagreb, Croatia
Telephone: +385 1 4562 170

Zagreb Train Station

Known locally as Zagreb Glavni Kolodvor, Zagreb Train Station has direct routes to and from Croatia's main cities (including Rijeka, Dubrovnik and Split) and numerous international destinations like Belgrade, Budapest, Munich, Frankfurt, Vienna, Salzburg and Zurich. Opened in 1892, it was designed by the famous Hungarian architect Ferenc Pfaff and today ranks as one of the city's most impressive buildings. Many global car rental companies operate in very close proximity to the station premises (including Dollar, Enterprise and Thrifty) whose offices are a stone's thrown from the main entrance. Please make sure you have your documents ready on arrival in order to make the pick-up process as speedy as possible.

Zagreb Train Station
Website: hzpp.hr
Address: Trg Kralja Tomislava 12, Zagreb, Croatia
Telephone: +385 1 3783 240

Book with the best car hire suppliers in Zagreb

Auto Europe is a leading international car hire company currently offering a vast selection of convenient pick-up and drop-off locations in 190 different destinations around the world. Thanks to our many years of experience dealing with all the global and local car rental companies, we can offer you the best standard of service and cheapest prices on the market.

Should you require additional information about the car hire companies we work with or their policies, for example out of office pick up or questions regarding age restrictions, our car rental specialists are just a phone call or e-mail away and happy to assist you.

Frequently asked questions about renting a car in Zagreb

This section features the most frequent questions asked by people booking a car hire in Zagreb. Scroll down for important tips relating to a wide range of essential car hire topics, such as credit cards, coverage, tolls, traffic and much more. If you need any more information, please call our reservations team and they will be happy to help you with your reservation and assist you with your travel itinerary.

Zagreb Travel Guide

With its many hills, lakes, parks and gardens, Zagreb is one of the world's most picturesque capitals yet small enough to be traversed by the tourist in a couple of days. With more cultural attractions per square kilometre than any other place in Europe, the city is as quirky as it is fascinating, with museums covering a vast range of themes, such as broken relationships, hangovers, illusions and (last but not least) chocolate!

Best day trips with my car rental in Zagreb

Surrounded by forests and parkland, Zagreb is as popular for its surroundings as the many tourist attractions to be found in the inner city. The wonderful Plitvice Lakes National Park for the many travellers who visit with a cheap car hire in Zagreb due its many walkways, bridges and boardwalks allowing people to get right up close to its spectacular scenery.

Split

If after visiting Zagreb you are craving the scent of the ocean, head south, to Split, a town on the Dalmatian Coast. This four-hour day trip is the perfect way to explore Croatia's countryside in all its beauty. Upon arriving in Split, you can bask in the sun at the beach, admire the terracotta buildings, and visit the 4th century Diocletian's Palace. During the summer, the changing of the Diocletian Guards Ceremony happens every day at noon. The city has numerous shops, bars, cafes, hotels and touristic attractions. End your day with a cold drink at a riverside bench, observing this vibrant environment.

Pula

If you rent a car in Zagreb, you can drive to another seafront city in Croatia, Pula. It's located on the Istrian Peninsula, just three hours away from the capital city. Perhaps most known for its impressive Roman ruins, Pula reflects the wealth of Roman architecture in all its glory. A special highlight is the most famous landmark in town, the Amphitheatre, popularly called the Arena of Pula. Here, gladiator fights used to take place as early as in the 1st century AD! You can learn about the city's heritage by joining a walking tour or exploring the old centre and its lovely streets at your own pace. Alternatively, you can spend a relaxing day on the sand and pebble beaches, looking for the hidden coves and islets.

Ljubljana

Why not take advantage of Croatia's proximity to Slovenia and visit the absolutely stunning city of Ljubljana? Following the E70, this trip will take you less than two hours. Stretch your legs during a walking tour of the historic Slovenian capital, buy some fresh fruits at the local market and enjoy the jaw-dropping views from Ljubljana Castle. To learn more about the history and culture of Slovenia, visit one of the several museums in the city, such as the National Museum of Slovenia and the Museum of Modern Art. Ljubljana is one of the greenest capitals in Europe, so we highly recommend spending some time at Tivoli Park, a safe and relaxing place for picnics and hikes just at the western end of the city centre.

Plitvice Lakes

Known locally as Nacionalni park Plitvicka jezera, the impressive Plitvice Lakes National Park (the country's first such attraction) is Croatia's most visited inland attraction. Encompassing vast verdant hills and over a dozen turquiose lakes connected by a series of photogenic waterfalls, it is a wonderful place to hike along the many footpaths and cross the many wooden bridges that feature inside the park, which is a natural habitat many different species of wild animal, including bears, wolves and eagles. Why not make a night of it and stay in one of the many hotels situated on the edge of the park.

What to do in Zagreb

Perhaps the best way to truly get to know Zagreb is by exploring its picturesque streets filled with local stores and small cafes! There is always something happening in this charming city, especially in the many marketplaces. Take the time to visit the Archbishop's Palace, St. Mark's Church and Jelacic Square, as well as to admire the beautiful mansions with Austro-Hungarian style facades. Nature lovers should plan a visit to Maksimir Park, an old zoo that has been modernized and is currently one of the best places to exercise in the open air in the city. Another option is the Zrinjevac Park, near the Old Town, which is suitable for a family picnic or a long stroll. Zagreb's nightlife is unlike any other capital, and attracts tourists from around the world looking to dance the night away to the beats of the best DJs. With our top recommendations below, a perfect holiday is guaranteed!

• Tkalciceva: Tkalcićeva Street is a traditional street in the city centre. It's very close to the main square and lined with lots of souvenir shops, pubs and inviting cafes. Perfect for a nice walk or afternoon tea, this street is a very popular tourist attraction. Be sure to stop at one of the local restaurants and have a bite of the delicious Strukli, a traditional dish consisting of dough filled with cottage cheese and sour cream. For something heartier, try the meat and vegetable stew known as Cuspajz. Both will have you asking for second portion!


• Ban Jelacic Square: This is the central square of Zagreb, known by the locals as Jelacić plac. It's a busy place, but also great to have lunch while admiring a variety of creative and entertaining street performers, as well as the iconic statue of ban Josip Jelacić, mounted on a horse. It´s impossible to miss this monument of this Croatian hero, remembered for his military battles during the Revolutions of 1848. To the east, it features the Mandusevac fountain. The square provides an excellent example of the fascinating architecture that exists around the historic areas of Zagreb, ranging from classicism, secession and modernism.


• Maksimir Park: Maksimir Park, one of the oldest public parks in Zagreb, is matched by few other places. This beautiful and well-kept green space is the habitat for many different plant and animal species, as well as part of the city's cultural heritage. This is a great park at all seasons, excellent to spend a lazy afternoon, visit the large zoo inside and take the children to one of the many playgrounds. With numerous trails surrounding lakes and the forest, places to drink a nice cup of coffee and benches to sit down and relax, you will have a lovely weekend here.


• Zagreb City Museum: Established in 1907, the Zagreb City Museum provides an interesting experience to its visitors, which includes theme music, interactive displays and sprawling city models. It helps elucidate the development of Zagreb through a comprehensive overview of the history of the city, from prehistoric times to the most recent developments. This truly awesome place offers information in Croatian, English, German and Braille, as well as mobile guides in several other foreign languages. Curious fact, the building used to be a convent. The opening hours are: Tuesday to Saturday from 10 am to 7 pm and Sundays from 10 am to 2 pm.


• Museum of Illusions: If you are looking for an even more interactive and thrilling experience, this unique museum will make you feel like a kid again! With several attractions featuring optical illusions, a playroom filled with intriguing games and puzzles, and much more, this amazing place cannot be missed. It's guaranteed to blow your mind. Visitors here can test their perception, as things do not appear as they should, up is down and down is up. Experience this world of illusions, where the impossible could be possible, with English, German, Italian and Croatian being the main languages for visitors.

Useful links

Zagreb Tourist Information