Croatia
Zagreb
Away-day guide
Zagreb is compact, relatively inexpensive and easy to handle by tram, with most drinking and accommodation within walking distance of the main square. The key complication for 2026/27 is Dinamo's possible mid-season move from Maksimir to Kranjčevićeva, so confirm the ground before making matchday plans.
Public transport
Zagreb has no metro. Trams are the backbone of the centre, backed by buses and HŽ suburban trains. Buy ZET paper tickets from Tisak kiosks or ZET sales points and validate them immediately inside the first tram or bus; buying from the driver can cost more. The basic 30-minute ticket is 0.53, with longer timed tickets also available. A ZET day ticket is 3.98 and makes sense if you are travelling between the centre, airport bus 290 and a ground several times. The Moj ZET app sells and activates mobile tickets. HŽ suburban rail normally uses separate railway tickets. Central Zagreb is compact: the main square, Lower Town, Dolac and the main station are all readily walkable.
Typical prices
- Beer (0.5L)
- EUR 3.5
- Coffee
- EUR 2.2
- Meal, mid-range
- EUR 15
- Taxi from airport
- EUR 30
- Single transit ticket
- EUR 0.53
✈ Airports & cheaper alternatives
- Zagreb Franjo Tuđman Airport ZAG primary 15 km ZET bus 290 runs to Kvaternikov trg in eastern Zagreb, where you can change to trams for the centre; allow roughly 40 minutes. The Pleso Prijevoz airport coach runs to Zagreb Central Bus Station and takes around 35–40 minutes. The obvious choice for a short trip. City bus 290 is cheapest; the airport coach is easier with bags, while Bolt or Uber generally undercuts taxis from the rank.
- Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport LJU alternative 145 km Take the airport bus to Ljubljana bus or railway station, then a coach or train to Zagreb. Allow at least three hours overall and leave margin for the connection. Can be cheaper on some routes, but the two-stage cross-border transfer makes it awkward for a tight weekend.
- Zadar Airport ZAD alternative 285 km Take the airport shuttle to Zadar Central Bus Station, then an intercity coach to Zagreb Central Bus Station. The coach leg is normally around three to four hours. Worth checking for very cheap low-cost flights, particularly in the warmer months, but the long coach journey can wipe out much of a weekend.
🍺 Supporters' pubs
GNK Dinamo Zagreb
Home fans: Home supporters gather along Maksimirska cesta, particularly 300–400 metres west of Maksimir. Regularly mentioned bars include Daba, Caffè Royal, Maksimilijan, Storm, Kocka and Boro's; Ožujsko Pub Maksi is on the Svetica side. The Bad Blue Boys clubhouse by the North Stand and Caffe Bar Dinamo, Mije Krešića 12, are hard-core home venues. The Old Pharmacy Pub, Hebrangova 11, is a Dinamo gathering place in the centre on match nights.
Away fans: Bulldog Zagreb, Bogovićeva 6, is the clearest documented away-friendly option: it was an official meeting point for Celtic supporters in December 2024. Avoid the Bad Blue Boys clubhouse at the North Stand, Caffe Bar Dinamo on Mije Krešića and The Old Pharmacy on a Dinamo match night. The Maksimirska stadium-bar strip is heavily home-supporting, so use it only if dressed neutrally and keeping a low profile.
Dinamo are Zagreb's only club in a 2026/27 UEFA competition. They are due to begin the season at Maksimir, but their season-ticket information also covers the rebuilt Kranjčevićeva Stadium, anticipating a possible move later in the campaign. Confirm the venue before booking accommodation or arranging a pub meeting.
Sourced from supporters' forums — always follow your club's and police advice for the fixture.
Nightlife
Tkalčićeva is the easiest central strip for groups, with plenty of terraces but tourist-centre prices. Opatovina, immediately uphill from Dolac, is better for beer bars and a less polished atmosphere. Bogovićeva and the streets around Cvjetni trg are convenient for a first meeting point, including Bulldog. Martićeva has more relaxed bars and cafés east of the centre, while Savska cesta has student bars and cheaper alternatives such as Krivi Put. Jarun has late clubs but is well outside the centre and means a tram or taxi home.
Food & drink
Try ćevapi with flatbread and onions, Zagreb-style schnitzel, sarma, grilled meats and štrukli, the local baked or boiled cheese pastry. Burek is the standard cheap breakfast or post-pub option. Ožujsko and Karlovačko are the common lagers; Zagreb breweries such as Medvedgrad and Zmajska offer more interesting local beer. Rakija is usually poured generously, so take it steadily before a match.
Cheap eats & beer
For a quick feed, the bakeries around the main station, Dolac and Kvaternikov trg sell burek, pizza slices and filled pastries for roughly 2–5. Nokturno on Skalinska is a central, group-friendly option for pizzas and pasta, while Pingvin on Nikole Tesle does late-night sandwiches. Expect roughly 8–12 for a basic sit-down meal away from the most touristy terraces. Krivi Put, just off Savska cesta, is a reliable student-priced beer garden and is useful if Dinamo play at Kranjčevićeva; it is around 10–15 minutes' walk from that ground. Opatovina, above Dolac, has several beer bars and is usually better value than the front row of terraces on Tkalčićeva. Bulldog on Bogovićeva is the best-documented neutral or away-fan meeting point in the centre, although it is not the cheapest. Around Maksimir, Daba, Caffè Royal, Maksimilijan, Storm, Kocka, Boro's and Ožujsko Pub Maksi are established matchday bars, but they are primarily Dinamo territory: visiting fans should not head there in away colours. Avoid the Bad Blue Boys clubhouse and Caffe Bar Dinamo entirely on matchday.
Staying safe
Zagreb is generally straightforward, but watch phones and wallets on crowded trams, around the main station and in late-night bars. Use Bolt, Uber or a clearly metered taxi rather than accepting an unsolicited ride. Football is the main extra concern: avoid displaying away colours around Maksimir before and after the match, do not approach Bad Blue Boys venues, and avoid confrontations over chants, flags or stickers. Keep your passport or national ID with you because personalised match tickets may be checked against it. If seated outside the official away allocation, admission in visiting colours can be refused.
On matchday
Check the venue against the official ticket before setting off: Dinamo may use either Maksimir or the rebuilt Kranjčevićeva during 2026/27. At Maksimir, visiting supporters should use the official segregated South Stand allocation rather than buying in a home section. Tickets can be personalised, so carry the passport or ID used for the purchase; stewards may also inspect flags and banners. Do not wear away colours near the Bad Blue Boys clubhouse, the North Stand or the main home-fan bars on Maksimirska. Police may hold away fans after full time and can close or divert roads and tram stops immediately around either stadium, so leave extra time and follow the route issued by your club or local police.