Trnje is a district in full development. Located south of the city center, between the railway line and the Sava River, this part of Zagreb has undergone a marked transformation over the past decade, moving from its former working-class and industrial character toward a modern residential area along the Sava embankment. Hermes nekretnine follows this change first-hand, since it is here that buyers increasingly look for new-build apartments with a river view and proximity to nature that few other Zagreb districts can offer.
The Trnje district covers 7.36 square kilometers and has a population of just over 40,000. The terrain is extremely flat, right along the left bank of the Sava, and the district includes thirteen local committees with very diverse character, from the older Staro Trnje to more modern neighborhoods such as Cvjetno naselje and Martinovka.
Historically, Trnje was known for its industrial and working-class character, with factories and warehouses that shaped the district's physical appearance for decades. Today that image is changing from the ground up. Along the Sava embankment, in Staro Trnje, new residential projects are emerging that offer apartments with large balconies, modern design and views of the greenery along the river. This new construction attracts a completely different buyer profile from the one that used to look for property in this district, young couples and families who want modern construction close to the center, but without the price and crowds of the inner city.
At the same time, around the bus station and Marin Držić Street, Trnje retains its commercial role. This part of the district concentrates offices, commercial spaces and transport infrastructure, remaining attractive for commercial rental and for investors looking for space near one of the city's key transport hubs.
Few Zagreb districts offer what Trnje has literally at its doorstep: Lake Bundek and the surrounding park. This recreational area along the district's southern border, with well-maintained running paths, cycling routes and rest areas, is one of the most visited green spaces in the city, and it is accessible to Trnje residents without needing a car. For families looking for a good quality of outdoor life without giving up proximity to the center, this combination is rarely found anywhere else in Zagreb.
Nearby are also Arena Zagreb, a venue that hosts major sporting and cultural events, and Avenue Mall, one of the main shopping centers in this part of the city. All of this makes Trnje a district where everyday needs, from shopping to recreation, can be met without a trip to the center.
Tram lines 6, 7 and 14 connect Trnje with the city center and with Novi Zagreb via the Jadranski most bridge, and the Arena Zagreb stop on line 7 is located right in the heart of the district. The Zagreb bus station, located in Trnje, further underlines the transport importance of this location, both for local residents and for transit passengers arriving from other parts of the country.
According to available data, the average asking price for apartments in Trnje at the end of 2025 was around 3,860 euros per square meter, representing growth of nearly 15 percent compared to the year before. This growth is not accidental and is directly linked to the development of new construction along the Sava embankment and rising demand for locations close to nature, but still within reach of the tram network.
The price range within the district itself remains wide. Older apartments in neighborhoods such as Sigečica or Cvjetno naselje remain more affordable than new construction along the embankment, where large balconies, modern design and views of the greenery drive a significantly higher price per square meter. Because of this diversity, we assess every property in Trnje individually, taking into account the year of construction, distance from the Sava and the specific micro-location within the district.
Young couples and families looking for modern new construction close to greenery and recreational facilities naturally turn toward Staro Trnje and the Sava embankment. Investors recognize an opportunity in the combination of rising demand, good transport links and proximity to the commercial zone around the bus station, which offers possibilities both for long-term apartment rental and for commercial rental of office space.
For those who value an active lifestyle, the proximity of Bundek and the option of running or cycling along the Sava every day is an argument that is hard to find in other, more urban parts of the city. At the same time, the tram connections ensure the city center remains just a few minutes away.
After the earthquake of March 22, 2020, Trnje recorded a little over a thousand inspection requests, of which about fifty buildings were declared unusable and an additional roughly one hundred fifty temporarily unusable. Although the damage was real, Trnje came through considerably better than the inner city center, where old masonry construction was far more vulnerable to earthquake damage. Still, before buying an older property in the district, we recommend checking the building's status after the post-earthquake inspection as a standard precaution.
It is also worth mentioning that the area along the Sava was historically exposed to occasional flooding before the embankment was built. Today the embankment provides protection, but for buyers for whom this topic matters, we recommend an additional check of the current state of infrastructure with the relevant city authorities before making a final decision.
Buying an apartment in a new-build along the Sava embankment raises different questions from those tied to older construction. Instead of worrying about installations and earthquake renovation, the buyer here faces questions such as the developer's guarantee, the construction timeline if buying off-plan, and the quality of materials used and the finish of shared spaces. We always recommend checking the developer's track record, previous projects and warranty terms before signing a preliminary contract, since the difference in build quality between individual projects in the same district can be significant.
It is also worth considering the orientation of the apartment and the building's floor level relative to the Sava embankment. Apartments with a view of the river and greenery typically command a higher price, but orientation also affects natural light and the apartment's microclimate throughout the year, a factor buyers too often overlook at the moment of decision, only to face it as an everyday reality of living there later.
The area around the bus station and Marin Držić Street retains a strong commercial character despite the residential development in the rest of the district. This is home to office spaces of various sizes, from smaller units suitable for young companies to larger business complexes designed for established companies that value transport accessibility and proximity to public transport.
For owners of commercial spaces in this part of Trnje, the key advantage is the combination of accessibility by public transport, tram lines and bus connections, along with a relatively more affordable rental price compared to the tighter commercial zones of Lower Town. This combination makes Trnje an increasingly interesting alternative for companies looking for representative but more reasonably priced commercial space close to the center.
Whether you are looking for modern new construction along the Sava embankment, commercial space near the bus station, or an older apartment in one of Trnje's residential neighborhoods, Hermes nekretnine follows this district in full development first-hand. We know the differences between micro-locations within Trnje and help clients make decisions based on the real state of the market, not on generalized assessments.
Contact us for a free valuation of your property in Trnje or for help finding a property that fits your needs, whether you are buying, selling or renting.
See our overview of all Zagreb districts on the Real Estate by Location page, or explore the neighboring districts Lower Town and Trešnjevka. If you are planning to buy or sell a property, also check out our Free Property Valuation.
Trnje today means new construction along the Sava embankment and commercial spaces around the bus station and Marin Držić street, while houses and vacant land are limited to Old Trnje. Find the city-wide overviews by property type here:
Explore the neighbouring districts as well: New Zagreb East and New Zagreb West.