Play hockey where the Adriatic meets Central European culture.

Yes- Croatia is better known for their beaches and Game of Thrones filming locations, but there's a growing hockey scene here, especially in Zagreb.

You get stunning coastline, island hopping, rich history, and Mediterranean lifestyle at prices well below Greece. The culture is warm and family-oriented, and the expat community is increasingly international.

Ex-pat Friendliness:

High
Due in big part to the tourism industry initially, English is widely spoken along the coast and in Zagreb. Croatians are friendly, welcoming, and import players usually find it easy to communicate and settle in when they play here.

Cost of Living:

Affordable to Moderate
It will vary depending on the city, but cost of living is quite reasonable in many parts of Croatia.

Weather/Climate:

Mediterranean
Mediterranean on coast with mild winters and hot summers. Continental inland with cold winters (28-40°F/-2 to 4°C) and warm summers (75-86°F/24-30°C).

Proximity of Travel:

Island Gateway

Within Croatia, you can explore Dalmatian Coast, Plitvice Lakes, and much more in the land of a thousand islands.

Easy access to Bosnia, Montenegro and other close countries make it a great place to be in-season!

Hockey Culture:

Niche

Hockey in Croatia is small but growing, concentrated primarily in Zagreb.

It's not a traditional hockey nation, but the sport is gaining traction and attracting more interest.

Leagues

The main league in Croatia with a small set of teams is called the Croatian Ice Hockey League.

There are also various youth tiers for players as they move up in age.

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