Zagreb's Public Toilets: A Mixed Bag of Cleanliness and Neglect

An inspection of public restrooms in Zagreb revealed a mixed bag of conditions, with some facilities offering a passable experience while others fell far short of acceptable standards.

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I can't talk much about this specific restroom because I haven't been here long, but one sees all sorts of things in this job, I don't even want to talk about it, but well, I'll endure a little longer until retirement.

The restroom at the Importanne Center near the main train station, despite being in a high-traffic area, was found to be clean and free of unpleasant odors. Each stall contained toilet paper, and sinks were stocked with soap. However, a notable absence was paper towels for drying hands. The facility also showed signs of age, with worn-out toilets and loose toilet seats in some stalls.

In contrast, the public toilet near the cathedral in Cesarčeva Street, one of the city's most frequented, was in a "decent state" during a morning visit. While not appearing freshly cleaned, it had toilet paper in the stalls, soap by the taps, and multiple hand dryers. This location fared better than the facility at Britanski trg.

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We don't need a golden toilet, just one that is in decent condition. You came in the morning, and you see that it's not tidy even now. It's no wonder, the whole market uses this toilet, and there aren't enough workers to maintain it throughout the day.

The restroom at Britanski trg presented a starkly different picture. Described as being in a "shameful" condition for the 21st century, it was noted as being unsanitary even in the morning. A local flower vendor expressed dismay, stating that the entire market uses the toilet and that insufficient staff are available for daily maintenance. She added that the current cleaner does a better job than previous ones, who allegedly only performed superficial cleaning. The vendor confessed to enduring discomfort throughout the day to avoid using the facility, even considering urinating in a bucket as a preferable alternative.

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Sometimes I hold it in all day because I don't want to go in there, and then in the evening I feel like I'd rather pee in a bucket than go there.