Visit Zagreb, make a wish at its main square, fall in love or plan your active vacation – the choice is yours, because Zagreb is waiting for you!
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Big-city life state of mind in Zagreb
While most people travel directly to the Croatian sunny coastline, there is something quite different that attracts many tourists to Zagreb. Feel free and make yourself at home on its streets, at its restaurants, in parks, museums, shopping malls or clubs. Its mesmerising spirit with long history, cultural heritage and the “big-city life” state of mind will make you never want to leave it. Zagreb is a perfect place to be!
Experience Zagreb, Croatia’s capital of culture and politics
Zagreb is the capital city of Croatia and a home to a quarter of the country’s population. It is a cultural and political centre of Croatia that has a thriving and energetic spirit – it is a city that never sleeps. Most of the Zagreb’s attractions are in the city centre that’s divided on Gornji Grad (the Upper Town) and Donji Grad (the Lower Town). We recommend you start your adventure at the very centre of Zagreb – the city’s main square called Josip Ban Jelačić Square where the Upper and Lower Towns meet. Make a wish at the Well of Life – the Ivan Meštrović’s masterpiece – and promise yourself and to Zagreb that you’ll come back to its magnificent streets.
Discover the history of the upper and lower town
The Upper Town lies on a high plateau from which it radiates with history, some old times and tranquillity. It is a home to many city’s most visited tourist localities, including the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, parliament building, and numerous museums and churches such as the St. Mark’s Church, the Museum of Broken Relationships, the Tower of Lotrščak, the Stone Gate, etc. The Lower Town is a modern area known for its world-class museums and the Croatian National Theater. Peek inside of the Atelier Meštrović or Mimara Museum.
In the Archive of Tošo Dabac check out the spirit of Zagreb in 1930s through the lenses of the most appreciated Zagreb’s photographer. If the beauty is in the eye of the beholder, then Tošo was definitely in love with Zagreb. His photographs will explain you, better than any person you meet, what does it mean to be a part of Zagreb. Sit for a coffee or glass of wine in one of the artistic coffee shops where time stops. It seems like its locals don’t care about anything except that cup of coffee – because life is all about the details and small things that make you happy. Croatians sure know hot to forget about the time when it’s necessary.
Zagreb’s outdoor life
If you’re an outdoor person and you’re up for a peaceful evening, take a walk to the Medvednica Nature Park, hike along the Sljeme mountain and take a look inside Veternica cave system where you will find large bat colonies as well as prehistoric remains from the Paleozoic, Mesozoic and Cenozoic eras. Visit Jarun lake that is formed by an inlet of the Sava river. It is the primary spot for many outdoor activities such as rowing, sailing, windsurfing, swimming, jogging, skating, boating and skateboarding. Take a look inside the Botanical Garden Zagreb or Maksimir Park where the Zagreb City Zoo is located. Get to know funny facts about some exotic animals or just take a walk and renew your energy.
The street spirit of Zagreb
If you really want to meet the locals, feel the street spirit and learn their stories, you should visit Britanac, Dolac Market at Jelačić Square or Hrelić. Dolac is an authentic and lively market where you can find a variety of colourful seasonable fruits and vegetables. Hrelić is completely different story. It is a place where you can find everything from old bikes, clothes, Barbie dolls, TVs to the car parts, paintings and sofas. Pick your favorite object, bargain for it, then buy it and talk to the old saleswoman, commonly called kumica na placu (which in free translation means “the godmother of/on the market”), learn what is the Zagreb way of life and what was it like before, back in the days, in Yugoslavia when “everything was better”.
Feel and see Zagreb
Well, we can’t make the memories for you, you should do it by yourself. So, go for it! Climb that hill, sneak into that church, peek into that museum, try the pepper biscuits and beer in that pub! Feel it, see it and get to know it. Everything is in your hands!
What to do in Zagreb
- Bookworms, writers, and artists will find their heaven in the Booksa – a place to chat, drink coffee, read a book, browse the library or surf with free wi-fi
- Climb up the Lotrščak tower that has been built in the middle of the 13th century
- Walk through the Botanical Gardens, a serene oasis in the city centre with trees older than 120 years
- Peek into the Kallina House, one of the most unusual architectural achievement in Zagreb that was constructed at the beginning of the 20th century
- See the 1st organised street art project whose history and Graffiti Wall dates from 1987 when young artists decided to give a gift to their beloved city
- A 10-minute ride north of the city centre will take you to the Mirogoj, the most beautiful cemeteries in Europe, located at the foot of the Mountain Medvednica
- In the centre of Zagreb you’ll find the ‘Nin Salt’ museum/store that reveals the story of how salt was made in the past and how it’s made today
- If you’re tired of walking around, take a tour with the funicular that will take you up to Gradec – one-way trip costs 5 kunas but the winter experience and a view of the city centre is sweet as a candy
Photos by Mario Fajt / CC BY
