Way to make a Travel > World Tours >The city of million hearts

ZAGREB, CROATIA – capital and largest city in Croatia, is a thriving metropolis at the heart of Europe. With its rich history spanning over a century, this city perfectly mixes medieval beauty with modern influences, making it an intriguing destination for both tourists and inhabitants. Zagreb offers a wonderful mix of historical buildings, museums, numerous parks, Cold War artifacts and lot of bars, restaurants and bakeries.

The city is divided into two parts, each with its own attractions. Upper Town is called the Old Town and is home to most of the religious and historical buildings, while Lower Town is the younger and more modern part, with most of the theaters, shops and museums. Zagreb is therefore an excellent tourist destination.

Kaptol and Gradec the core of Zagreb

Although Zagreb has only been the capital of independent Croatia since 1991, it has been the country’s cultural and political centre since the Middle Ages. The city emerged from two medieval towns, Kaptol to the east and Gradec to the west, both situated on the southern slopes of Medvednica mountain and separated by a river that doesn’t exist anymore. Zagreb grew rapidly in the 19th century, and many of the city’s buildings are well-preserved.

Getting around Zagreb

Zagreb’s strategic location between Central and Southern Europe and the Adriatic Sea makes it an important transportation hub, and it also has an excellent transit connections to all of Croatia’s major cities and other countries.

The airport is around 15 kilometers from the city center and is accessible via a direct bus route and taxis. The major rail station is a 10-minute walk from the central plaza, or two trams stops away. The bus station is fairly close to the city center and easily accessible by tram.

Regardless of which means of transport you choose, we recommend that you continue your journey to Zagreb by tram. It is one of the city’s landmarks and a fast and comfortable means of transport.

The characteristic blue color of Zagreb’s public transport is easy to recognize. Passengers can choose from three means of transport: tram, bus and funicular. A high-quality tram network serves a large part of the city, especially the center. Outside the city center, buses use this network.

Zagreb’s climate

Zagreb has continental climate with four distinct seasons. Summers are often hot and dry, with average temperatures between 20 and 25 °C, while winters are often cold, with average temperatures between 1 and 5 °C. July and August are the warmest months of the year, while January and February are the coldest.

Dolac

When the city authorities opened a new market in 1930 on the site of a once historic settlement, no one could have imagined that it would soon become a popular meeting place – for those looking for fresh food for lunch, but also for those who came just for a quick bite of gossip. Initially, Dolac was the place where the city connected with its surroundings, and vendors primarily offered products from the surrounding villages.

Today, Dolac is Croatia in miniature, and you’ll easily find fresh cheese and sour cream from Zagorje, tangerines from the Neretva Valley, lemons from the island of Vis, olive oil from Istria, cherries from the Zadar area, and meat from Slavonia. On the upper, open floor of the market, all vendors stand under the distinctive red parasols with the traditional local motif. North of Dolac is Petrica Kerempuch Square, where flowers are sold.

Zagreb, like any other major city, has welcomed new residents and various influences, both from the surrounding area and from afar. The German names are a sign of Central European gastronomic tradition. Mediterranean and Oriental dishes are also native to Zagreb, naturally with a local touch.

Today, Zagreb is a metropolis with a diverse gastronomic offering, and you’ll easily find something to suit your taste, no matter your preference. International and ethnic cuisine, fusion, haute cuisine, or street food are always at your fingertips. But if you want to taste dishes that make everyday life. Special for Zagreb residents and have been prepared by families for generations, we recommend some classics.

Zagreb residents simply love going to the market, and Zagreb has 25 markets located in the city’s various districts, where you can easily find fresh produce from all over Croatia.

Activities in Zagreb

During the spring and summer months, Zagreb residents and the city’s many visitors enjoy spending time in one of the city center’s numerous green spaces, sitting with friends on popular park benches or lying on blankets spread out on the grass. Zagreb also hosts a wealth of musical and culinary events, giving the impression that you can grab a drink or listen to the music of a local, soon-to-be-popular band anywhere.

Lake Jarun

Lake Jarun is not only the largest park in the western part of the city, but also a popular place for sporting activities. Once a mere quarry for building materials for embankments, it was redesigned in 1987 for the Universiade and opened up for sports and recreational purposes. Bike paths and sidewalks, playgrounds and exercise equipment, as well as numerous cafés and restaurants, provide an escape from the hectic city life at any time of day. International rowing regattas also take place on the rowing course. Its long pebble beaches give this lake a special atmosphere, which is why it is often called the Zagreb Sea.

Golf courses

The sports offerings of the green belt in the wider area around Lake Jarun also include golf courses for those who want to pursue this noble sport during the warm spring and summer months. The area is ideal for socializing, relaxing, and spending free time actively.

Zagreb residents’ favorite hot beverage is undoubtedly coffee. Coffee drinking has become a social ritual that encompasses gatherings with friends. Coffee spots are everywhere. Once conventional bars in the city center, Zagreb has transformed overnight into places with exquisitely decorated interiors and terraces, attracting guests based on their beverage selection and preferences.

Food & Beverage in Zagreb

Good food is one of the city’s most popular topics. Word spreads quickly about where to eat well, especially when it’s good value for money. The selection is expanding day by day, and there are more and more original restaurants with a well-thought-out gastronomic vision, whether it’s local, fusion, or exotic cuisine.

Food and drinks are something you can’t miss, but they’re also something you’re not willing to compromise on. The huge selection of restaurants, snack bars, cafes, and bars certainly doesn’t make it easy to make decisions, but these are sweet treats, or salty, perhaps even savory. But definitely fresh, every day.

Cafés

Things to buy in Zagreb

When it comes to places to have fun at any time of day or night, Zagreb is becoming an increasingly diverse, open, and creative city every year, with some corners among the most interesting spaces in this part of Europe. The city also offers many opportunities to purchase useful and fun items and locally sourced products. You won’t leave Zagreb empty-handed.

Souvenirs from Croatian designers

Although this is a relatively new trend, local designers have been actively working to reshape the souvenir sector for several years. The result is items that communicate local experiences in an innovative and attractive way and preserve the memories of their owners.

Several shops have opened in Zagreb that are far removed from conventional commercial production, offering tasteful and unique items that will leave visitors with fond memories of the city for a long time to come.

Licitarsko srce

Perhaps the most famous traditional Zagreb souvenir is the “Licitarsko srce” a painted gingerbread heart made of salt dough. It was once given as a token of friendship and love.

Today, it serves as a decorative item, retaining some of its original shape. The tradition of its production has been added to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List.

Although it owes its worldwide popularity to French aristocrats, it was first seen on the war uniforms of Croatian soldiers during the Thirty Years’ War, meaning this fashionable silk accessory dates back to the 17th century.

Croatian necktie – Krawatte

The French name ‘’ Krawatte’’ comes from the name Kroate (Croat). High-quality ties are available in hundreds of different patterns and are a must-have souvenir from Croatia.

Zagreb Events, Festivals & Places

Advent in Zagreb

Zagreb’s Advent begins with the lighting of the first Advent candle in the city center, and the Christmas atmosphere spreads through the streets like the aroma of mulled wine. In the surrounding streets and squares, visitors can sample many local specialties, as well as specialties from around the world, at the numerous Christmas market stalls.

Street Food Festivals

Street food lovers will truly feel at home in Zagreb. In addition to the standard offerings of popular food stalls available throughout the year, Zagreb also hosts several festivals of high-quality and delicious dishes, which you can enjoy in a relaxed and spontaneous manner, for example, on the grass or on a park bench. Whether you’re looking for exotic flavors or foods, traditional dishes, or perhaps the unique experience of a festival that combines the art of cooking and film through unforgettable film screenings on the grass, Zagreb’s offerings are sure to delight you.

Congress center

Zagreb is the most important congress center in Croatia and is expanding its position as a popular congress destination year after year, so that more and more congresses, conferences, and other business meetings are held in Zagreb. The main advantages of Zagreb’s congress offer include various modern venues and attractive historical buildings, excellent hotels, gastronomy, and cultural offerings, highly qualified staff, and the city’s beauty and pleasant atmosphere, where the most important sights can be reached on foot.

Perfect Zagreb walking Tour

Exploring Zagreb on foot isn’t particularly challenging. If you spontaneously decide to explore the city’s streets, chances are you’ll stumble upon sights wherever you go. However, a good city guide should also be accompanied by a map, at least from the city center and Savska Street in the west to Drziceva and Subiceva Streets in the east, since this area contains almost all the city’s sights described in this post.

Ban Jelacic Square

The tour should begin at Banus Jelacic Square. On the northern side of the square is the city’s most important and largest market, the Dolac, and nearby is the cathedral. North of the cathedral, there are 25 ”curiae” – residential buildings for canons, lined up in a row. Most were built in the 18th century.

Take a stroll down Opatovina, a charming street where you can relax with a coffee or a local craft beer, and then continue along Skalinska Street to the popular Tkalciceva Street. If you find the Felbinger Stairs, which connect Tkalciceva and Radiceva Streets, you will come across a small terraced vineyard. The stairs will take you to a city landmark, the Stone Gate, which leads to the Upper Town.

The Upper Town

The Upper Town is fascinating no matter which side you view it from. Try to be at the Lotrscak Tower at exactly 12 noon, from which the famous Gric Cannon is fired.

St. Mark’s Square is the center of the Upper Town, but what makes this part of the city so special are its charming little streets, unchanged over the centuries. Notice the palaces of the aristocracy and peek into their beautiful courtyards.

The most recognizable roof in Zagreb is undoubtedly that of St. Mark’s Church, located in the Upper Town. This church is famous for its colorful roof, adorned with tiles depicting the coats of arms of Croatia, Dalmatia, and Slavonia, along with the city emblem of Zagreb. The roof was designed by Austrian architect Friedrich Schmidt between 1876 and 1882.

Ilica – the longest street in Zagreb

The funicular brings you to the Lower Town, where you can discover Ilica, Zagreb’s longest street. In addition to various stores and restaurants, this area of the city is noted for its magnificent and harmonious architecture, much of which dates from the nineteenth century. Petar Preradovic Square, which serves as the city’s living room, and Teslina and Masarykova streets, which are lined with stores, cafés, and restaurants where you may relax.

From National Theater to Zrinjevac

The Croatian National Theater and the cultural and scientific institutions surrounding the theater are the ideal starting point for a tour of the Lenuci horseshoe, which continues south along Mazuraniceva Street and Marulic Square to the Botanical Garden. Then walk east along the Botanical Garden to the main train station, located on King Tomislav Square. This square is also one of the horseshoe’s representative parks. Next comes Strossmayer Square, and then, in many people’s opinion, Zagreb’s most beautiful square and park, the popular Zrinjevac, with its beautiful fountains and Music Pavilion.

Time for a break. Now that you’re familiar with the city, you can decide where to have a drink and perhaps a bite to eat. On Tkalciceva Opatovina Street or perhaps on Teslina Street.

Outside Zagreb

One advantage of Zagreb is its excellent location. Everything is within easy reach: mountains, rivers, lakes, and even the sea. Meanwhile, history has also left its mark on the city’s surroundings.

South of Zagreb, the mountains become higher, the forests denser, the nature more dramatic, and the landscape truly fascinating.

We would like to introduce you to some highlights of the Zagreb area. Visit them if you have time. Some of them have been around for several centuries, others for several million years.

Slunj

If you’re driving from Zagreb along the county road to Plitvice Lakes, be sure to stop in Slunj, a small town perched on a steep cliff overlooking the Korana River. Along the river lies the town of Rastoke, where the waters of the fast-flowing branches of the Slunjčica River power several watermills. Visitors can stroll through a picturesque labyrinth of canals and small wooden bridges, and riverside restaurants offer freshly caught trout. Adventure seekers will also find numerous rafting opportunities in the area.

One of the most beautiful natural phenomena in Croatia is certainly the Plitvice Lakes National Park, known for its beautiful waterfalls and turquoise lakes.

Kumrovec

60 km to north of Zagreb is the Staro Selo Museum in Kumrovec. This is the oldest village in the region, the birthplace of Josip Broz Tito, and represents an authentic open-air ethnographic collection of thatched houses from the 19th century. Various everyday objects and tools once used in the fields are on display. You can learn about rural skills from local artisans, and if you wish, you can even try your hand at pottery.

Our Favorite Zagreb Tour

Anne_R, Oct 2024

Zagreb: Restaurants, Food & Old Town Walking Tour

” Great tour with opportunity to try a variety of food and wine. Everything was delicious. Marin was a wonderful guide. He covered a lot of topics and was enthusiastic about sharing his city. Only suggestion is that our group would have liked him to share the meals with us and visit while we ate and drank.”

This culinary tour in Zagreb is a cultural journey that takes you further than the food you’ll eat. As you enjoy authentic local bites ranging from savory, sweet as well as drinks, you’ll also discover the city and its highlights.

Read more about – Zagreb: Restaurants, Food & Old Town Walking Tour”

Book on Viator

The oldest hotel in Zagreb that is still in operation is the Hotel Jagerhorn, opened in 1827.

Booking Hotel in Zagreb

Booking hotel in Zagreb is more than booking just a comfortable bed. From historic hotels to modern youth hostels Zagreb offers a wide range of accommodations to suit every taste, from luxury 5-star hotels and international hotel chains to original youth hostels and a variety of private accommodations.

Historic hotels with a long tradition, smaller boutique hotels with a rich history, or unique youth hostels with an original concept impress with their high standards and quality and are an excellent starting point for exploring the city.

Great location – friendly staff – Excellent stay – Booking hotel in Zagreb by Trivago

Trivago compares and displays different offers from many booking sites.

👉For latest holiday best hotel offers in Zagreb visit our Partner booking links here⤵️

🌐 HOTELS IN ZAGREB BY TRIVAGO

Keywords: @experience zagreb @bhizagreb @bookinghotelin @waytomakeatravel #bookdirectly @bhibookdirectly @bhipromotions #booking hotel in zagreb @hotels in zagreb #zagrebattractions #activities in zagreb #gettingtozagreb #zagrebtour @city of million hearts #cityofmillionhearts @bhiplitvice

Other simiar stories: Pearl of the Adriatic Best Islands to stay in Croatia

Home Travel stories World Tours About