Found at the foot of the southern slopes of Medvednica Mountain with the banks of the Sava River in arm’s reach, Zagreb is both the capital and largest city in Croatia. In Zagreb you will find a city with welcoming locals and plenty of charisma, a long history and strong culture yet with a modern flair that’s always increasing. Let us guide you through this fantastic Croatian city.
Zagreb – A city of two halves
The city is divided between the old portion and the newer, modern part of the city. The old city is comprised of the Gornji grad (Upper Town) and Donji grad (Lower Town). It’s packed with cobbled streets and historic buildings. Nicknamed the city of museums, there are naturally quite a few to visit. These include the Archaeological Museum, the Art Pavilion and the intriguing Museum of Broken Relationships.
Start off at Ban Jelacic Square
There are of course a number of other sights to visit during your time here, starting with Ban Jelacic Square. This is the main square in the city which is surrounded by beautiful buildings and bustling cafes. Zagreb Cathedral is just off the square and from here Dolac, Zagreb’s main market is close by. Other worthy sights include St Mark’s Church, an iconic sight for the whole country as well as Stone Gate. This is the only surviving city gate dating back to the 13th century. Take a ride on the shortest funicular in the world which at just 66m in length will transport you between the Upper and Lower town.
Laze in the parks of Zagreb
The parks are also notable and are busy year round. Maksimir Park is the largest and is ideal for picnics on the grass, walking through the trees or lunch at the restaurant. You’ll also find Zagreb Zoo here. View the red pandas plus many more animals. Take a trip to Jarun Lake which is found in the south-west portion of the city near the river. Have a go at windsurfing which is very popular here. Alternatively, simply watch the locals whilst you sip a coffee on the shore.
Landlocked, but stunning
Found in the northwest of the country close to the Slovenian border, Zagreb has no coastline to speak of. It more than makes up for its lack of sea with the beautiful countryside that engulfs you. From here, visit the highly acclaimed Plitvice Lakes National Park which is around 2.5 hours away by car. The stunning azure tones of the lakes and waterfalls will have you head over heels. The views will definitely take up plenty of space on your camera memory card.
Day trips
This isn’t all you can visit from Zagreb however. There are a number of other day trips that are well within reach using a hire car in Zagreb. Take the town of Varazdin for example, which is an hour north and boasts fantastic Baroque architecture. Veliki Tabor Castle lies at the end of a 57km scenic drive through rolling hills. The town of Samobor which is dreamy and picturesque is just 30 minutes away.
You can fly into Zagreb Airport from various destinations across the UK from a selection of airlines including easyJet, Flybe and Croatia Airlines. Flight prices are generally quite reasonable although naturally rise in the summer months. With a flight time of well under three hours, you can arrive in the sun-blessed Croatian city in a flash and enjoy all it has offer.
