Life in Zagreb

AISZ sits in one of Southern Europe's most charming, liveable and culturally rich cities — and we make the most of it. Zagreb is not just where our school is located; it is part of what makes an AISZ education genuinely different.

The city is compact, walkable, and endlessly explorable. From the cobblestoned streets and gas lanterns of the Upper Town to the leafy boulevards of Zrinjevac Park and the buzzing café culture of the Lower Town, Zagreb has a warmth and character that quickly becomes home for families arriving from every corner of the world. It is a city that feels both distinctly European and refreshingly unhurried — the kind of place where students can wander safely, explore freely, and develop a real connection to their surroundings.

Museum of Contemporary Art / Zagreb City Museum / Botanical Garden / Bundek Lake (right next to campus) / Upper Town & Stone Gate / Dolac Market / National Theatre / Advent in Zagreb — one of Europe's best Christmas markets.

Beyond Zagreb, Croatia offers extraordinary opportunities that become part of the AISZ experience. The Adriatic coast — with its island-dotted waters, historic cities like Dubrovnik, Hvar, Zadar and Split, and the drama of the Dalmatian hinterland — is within easy reach. Further inland, Plitvice Lakes National Park and the Krka region offer some of the most spectacular natural landscapes in Europe. Our Grade 11 Unity Trip — a sailing expedition along the Adriatic — is one of the most powerful examples of how Croatia itself becomes a classroom for AISZ students.

For families new to Zagreb, the city offers excellent international amenities, a strong expat community, high-quality healthcare, a rich arts and music scene and a cost of living that is significantly lower than comparable European capitals. It is a city that surprises people — and one they rarely want to leave.