Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, is less known to Russian tourists than cities located on the coast. However, you can come to Zagreb not only to get to know the city, but also, for example, to start a journey through Croatia, Slovenia, Hungary and even Austria from here.
Air traffic
To get to Zagreb from Moscow, you can take a direct flight from Aeroflot (ticket price from 15 thousand rubles) or flights with connections on various European airlines. The most interesting prices are offered by Austrian Airlines, Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines (from 12 thousand rubles for a round trip ticket). From St. Petersburg you can only get to Zagreb with a transfer using the same airlines as from Moscow; ticket prices are almost identical.
Flight time from Moscow to Zagreb is approximately 3 hours.
You can get from the airport, located 15 km from the city, to the center of Zagreb by bus, which departs every half hour. The fare is 30 kuna (about 5 euros). Bus schedules from the airport can be found on the website http://www.plesoprijevoz.hr
Railway connection
You can come to Zagreb by rail both from neighboring countries and from the Adriatic coast of the country. For example. railway connects Zagreb with Vienna, Venice, Budapest, Belgrade, Munich, Ljubljana, Split. The schedule of local and international trains can be found on the website read in full
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Weather in Zagreb by month:
| Month | Temperature | Cloudiness | Rainy days / Precipitation |
Number of solar hours per day |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| During the day | At night | |||||
| January | 3.1°C | -0.5°C | 55.3% | 3 days (54.1 mm.) | 9 o'clock 8m. | |
| February | 4.6°C | 0.1°C | 58.2% | 5 days (64.1 mm.) | 10 o'clock 23m. | |
| March | 11.2°C | 4.2°C | 43.5% | 4 days (52.9 mm.) | 11 o'clock 56m. | |
| April | 17.0°C | 7.9°C | 38.5% | 5 days (59.1 mm.) | 13:00 34m. | |
| May | 20.4°C | 10.5°C | 36.8% | 9 days (108.5 mm.) | 14h. 56m. | |
| June | 25.7°C | 14.8°C | 26.6% | 5 days (71.0 mm.) | 15h. 40m. | |
| July | 28.0°C | 16.7°C | 23.6% | 6 days (64.1 mm.) | 15h. 18m. | |
| August | 28.6°C | 16.8°C | 19.6% | 3 days (38.6 mm.) | 14h. 5m. | |
| September | 22.2°C | 13.2°C | 34.2% | 5 days (85.9 mm.) | 12h. 32m. | |
| October | 16.0°C | 8.7°C | 37.3% | 5 days (60.7 mm.) | 10 o'clock 55m. | |
| November | 9.8°C | 5.3°C | 44.3% | 4 days (67.4 mm.) | 9 o'clock 29m. | |
| December | 4.9°C | 1.2°C | 40.5% | 3 days (38.2 mm.) | 8h. 44m. | |
*This table displays weather averages collected over more than three years
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The beautiful capital of Croatia
As such, the city of Zagreb, the beautiful capital of Croatia, began with a small settlement formed as a result of the merger in the 7th century of two small towns - Gradec and Kaptol. The bulk of the buildings of medieval Zagreb are intact and intact to this day. The Upper Town, located in the north-eastern part of the capital, contains monuments ancient culture and ancient buildings, but the Lower Town is mostly built up modern buildings. Of course, the numerous pedestrian areas with open cozy cafes and restaurants scattered throughout its territory give a special charm to ancient Zagreb. 
While walking along the quiet and picturesque streets of the city, you can get acquainted with a large number of museums, parks, galleries, cathedrals and monasteries. The symbol of the capital is St. Stephen's Cathedral. Not far from it there is a memorial pillar, the top of which is crowned with a gilded sculpture of the Virgin Mary. Since the beginning of the 13th century, burials of not only the highest church hierarchs, but also representatives of the Croatian nobility were carried out in the cathedral. Literally next to the cathedral is the Archbishop's Palace, built in classic style baroque. Work to rebuild the palace took a very long time - from the 13th to the 19th centuries. One of the oldest buildings in Zagreb is also considered a Franciscan monastery, which has existed here since the life of Francis of Assisi, that is, from about the 13th century.
Zagreb (Croatia) - the most detailed information about the city with photos. The main attractions of Zagreb with descriptions, guides and maps.
City of Zagreb (Croatia)
Zagreb is divided into three parts: the ancient Upper Town (Gornji Grad), where the main attractions and museums are located among the ancient streets; Lower Town (Donji Grad) with shops, restaurants, cafes, theaters and parks; The New Town is a modern area built after World War II. Zagreb is famous for its large number of museums and good restaurants with excellent Croatian and European cuisine. The city is located slightly in the shadow of the Adriatic resorts. Nevertheless, more than 700,000 tourists visit it every year, mainly from Austria, Italy and Germany.
Geography and climate
Zagreb is located in continental Croatia on the southwestern edge of the Pannonian Plain on both banks of the Sava. The city is located at the foot of the southern slopes of Medvednica at an altitude of 122 meters above sea level.
The climate is temperate continental. Summers are quite hot and dry with an average temperature of about 20 degrees, winters are cool with frequent negative temperatures.
Practical information
- Population - 790 thousand people.
- Area - 641 square kilometers.
- Language - Croatian.
- Currency - kuna.
- Visa - Schengen.
- Time - Central European UTC +1, summer +2.
- The tourist information center is located at Kaptol 5.
Best time to visit
Late spring and early autumn. High season - summer.
Story
Historically, Zagreb grew out of two neighboring settlements, Gradec and Kaptol, which now form the basis of the historical center. In fact, the two settlements existed independently until the 18th century, when they formed a single city. The first mention of Zagreb dates back to 1094, when a bishopric was established on Kaptol Hill. In 1242, Hradec was destroyed by Batu. A little later it received the status of a free royal city.
In the 17th century, a university was founded in Zagreb, which is one of the oldest in Europe. In 1776, the Croatian government was moved here from Varazdin. In fact, Zagreb becomes the capital. In 1851, Hradec and Kaptol were finally united. During the period when Croatia belonged to the Habsburgs, the city was called Agram. Zagreb was declared the capital of independent Croatia in 1991.
How to get there
Zagreb International Airport is located 17 km southeast of the historical center. There are regular flights to the capital of Croatia from Amsterdam, Athens, Moscow, Munich, Prague, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Rome, London, Istanbul, Vienna, Paris, Madrid, Berlin and other major European cities. The airports of Ljubljana, Graz, Rijeka and Maribor are located quite close. The historical center can be reached by bus. The fare for 2018 is 30 kn.
Zagreb's main railway station is one of the largest in Croatia and has direct message with Vienna, Budapest, Belgrade, Zurich, Munich, Ljubljana, Sarajevo.
It is easy to get to Zagreb by car. Almost all Croatian motorways either start or pass near its capital. Motorways are toll roads. When entering, you need to receive a special coupon (ticket), according to which, when leaving, the fee will be calculated according to the distance traveled.
Zagreb has a developed public transport system, represented by trams, buses and commuter trains. There is a unified zonal system. Tickets can be purchased at newsstands, special ticket offices or from the driver. Interestingly, the trams operate 24 hours.
Shopping and purchases
There are many shops in Zagreb, from small local shops to large chain supermarkets and famous brands. In terms of shopping, the Croatian capital offers ample opportunities. Souvenirs can be bought on Radićeva Street (for example, at GEA Gallery). Oktogon Passage has many fashionable shops.
Shopping centers in Zagreb:
- Arena Centar - ULICA VICE VUKOVA 6.
- Avenue Mall - AVENIJA DUBROVNIK 16.
- Branimir Centar - ULICA KNEZA BRANIMIRA 29.
- Centar Kaptol - NOVA VES 17.
- City Center one East - SLAVONSKA AVENIJA 11D.
- City Center one West - JANKOMIR 33.
- Cvjetni Centro - TRG PETRA PRERADOVIĆA 6.
- Designer Outlet Croatia - ULICA ALFREDA NOBELA 4.
- Green Gold - RADNIČKA CESTA 52.
- Importanne Centar - TRG ANTE STARČEVIĆA 7.
- Importanne Galeria - TRG DRAGE IBLERA 10.
- Point Shopping Centar - RUDEŠKA CESTA 169.
- Rotonda Centar - JURIŠIĆEVA ULICA 19.
Food and drink
Zagreb cuisine has its own characteristics. The Croatian capital offers a large selection of original street dishes, which include ham, dry cottage cheese, dry beef tongue and cheese. Traditional dishes: roast turkey, mlinci (pasta with sauce with goose or duck), buncek (smoked pork tail with sauerkraut), veal steak, češnjovke (garlic sausages) or krvavice (blood sausages), gablec, goulash (influences here). Hungarian cuisine), krpice sa zeljem (pasta flakes with cabbage), prisiljeno zelje (stewed cabbage), žganci s lukom i špekom (polenta with onions and bacon).
Zagreb has many cafes and restaurants with good traditional and European cuisine. The bars are concentrated around the Cvjetni trg square, the main square, Preradovićeva, Tkalčićeva, Radićeva, Bogovićeva and Gaje streets.
Attractions
The highlight of Croatia's capital is the medieval Upper Town, with charming cobblestone streets and ancient houses. This is where the most interesting sights of Zagreb, most museums and cultural monuments are located.
The upper city arose as a result of the union of two neighboring (often rival) settlements of Hradec and Kaptol. Kaptol was the seat of a bishop in the Middle Ages, and Hradec was home to merchants and craftsmen.
At the beginning of Radićeva Street there is the famous stone gate, which is the eastern entrance to Old Hradec. They were built in the 13th century. Inside there is an image of St. Mary, which is highly revered by local residents. This shrine survived a severe fire in 1731. It is recommended not to make noise when passing through the gate. Nearby is a sculpture of St. George killing the serpent (dragon).
Church of St. Marka is one of the main attractions of Zagreb. It is one of the oldest buildings in the city and was first mentioned in 1334. The first church was built in the 13th century in romanesque style. From that building, only the window on the south wall and the base of the bell tower have survived. The Gothic arches were built in the second half of the 14th century, when the church received its most valuable part - the luxurious south portal, which is one of the most beautiful in Croatia. The portal was made in Parler's workshop, one of the most famous medieval sculpture workshops. The northwestern wall contains the oldest known coat of arms of Zagreb from 1499. The most striking feature of the church of St. The mark is a bright tiled roof in the style of the national flag with the coats of arms of Croatia, Dalmatia, Slavonia and Zagreb.
One of the central squares of old Zagreb is Kaptol Square, famous for its many early 17th-century buildings, a 13th-century Franciscan monastery, a cathedral and a column with a sculpture of the Virgin Mary surrounded by four angels.
The Cathedral (Assumption) Cathedral is the most monumental and most impressive sacral building in the Gothic style southeast of the Alps. It was built on the site of an older church destroyed by the Tatars. The building's most famous feature is its two beautiful Gothic spiers. The current cathedral was built in the second half of the 13th century, although it has been modified and rebuilt several times to date. An earthquake in 1880 destroyed large sections of the cathedral, including the dome and bell tower, although reconstruction retained its original medieval appearance. We recommend visiting the cathedral treasury, which houses beautiful works of religious art, clothing and relics.
The Lotršak Tower was built to guard the southern gate of the city wall of Hradec. The structure dates back to the 13th century and has long been one of Zagreb's most recognizable landmarks. Legend has it that this massive square Romanesque tower once had a bell that rang every evening to signal the closing of the gates. Residents who did not have time to return were forced to spend the night outside the walls. You can climb the tower.
Church of St. Catherine's was built in the first half of the 17th century by the Jesuits and is considered one of the best churches in Zagreb. The church has beautiful interior with many fine examples of Baroque art, as well as stucco reliefs by the Italian artist Antonio Quadrio. The façade is decorated with sculptures of saints in niches.
Church of St. Francis - a monumental Gothic church from the 13th century. Located in the northwestern part of Kaptol Square. It is considered one of the best Franciscan sacral buildings in Central Europe.
Maksimir is the largest park in Zagreb, designed in English style. The park has many excellent places for walks and picnics, artificial lakes, and flower beds. The Dynamo football stadium is located here, where the national team plays its matches.
Zagreb at sunset - The Mimara Museum is housed in a neo-Renaissance building from the 19th century and includes archaeological collections from Ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, Persia, Middle East, Far East, India and South America. In addition, there is furniture from the Middle Ages and sculptures from Ancient Greece. The museum exhibits a collection of paintings, including masterpieces by Dutch artists Rembrandt and Ruisdael, Italian artists Raphael and Veronese, Flemish artists Rubens and Van Dyck, and Spanish artists Velazquez and Goya.
- The Art Pavilion is located in a colorful Art Nouveau building. The works of the famous Croatian artist Meštrović are exhibited here.
- The Archaeological Museum of Zagreb has more than 400,000 exhibits: Greek vases, Egyptian mummies and many objects from the Middle Ages.
- Gallery contemporary art- located in a magnificent palace in the Lower City. Includes paintings by contemporary Croatian artists.
- Gallery of Old Masters - contains a collection of almost 600 objects: works by Bellini, Veronese, Tiepolo, Bartolomeo Caporali, Proudhon, Carpeaux, Bruegel, Van Dyck and the Croatian artists Medulik and Banković.
Zagreb is one of the most beautiful cities in Croatia, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe
Zagreb is a modern European city, one of the most interesting tourist destinations in Croatia. Zagreb has 4 climatic seasons: hot sunny summer, very warm golden, moderately snowy cold winter and green fresh spring.
The well-preserved beautiful old center of Zagreb and plenty of entertainment for all ages makes Zagreb is an attractive holiday destination, spend interesting exciting weekends and holidays!
Zagreb is located in the center of Europe, has excellent air connections with all cities of the world, and is fully integrated into the bus and rail transport systems of Europe.
In 2017 Zagreb rightfully took first place in the ranking of “hot” destinations European destinations you need to see in 2017 from a world famous publication Lonely Planet guides()
Zagreb is an ancient European city; the first mention of Zagreb dates back to 1093. Zagreb was never built as a national capital and it was only after the declaration of independence of the Republic of Croatia in 1991 that the city assumed the title of capital of Croatia. Since then, Zagreb has been continuously developing and reconstructing.
Today Zagreb is a modern European city, with a rich cultural and scientific heritage, the political and business center of the Republic of Croatia, the most important transport and trade hub between the Adriatic coast and Central Europe.
GPS coordinates of Zagreb for navigator: 45°10;15\’N, 15°30\’E
Zagreb largest city in Croatia.
Population of Zagreb– 792,875 people (2011), Zagreb city square– 650 sq.km
Zagreb is located 122 meters above sea level, in the northern part of Croatia, 170 km from.
Sights of Zagreb city center
Distance from the city of Pula 268 km
Distance from the city of Split 370 km
Zagreb is a unique combination of the richest history of different eras. The historical center of Zagreb presented medieval Upper Town (Gornj Grad) And architectural monuments of the 19th century - Lower Town (Donij Grad).
Zagreb is one of the oldest cities in Europe; the first mention of Zagreb dates back to 1093.
Zagreb offers its guests a wide variety of museums, parks, art galleries, theaters, concert halls... as well as the Zagreb Zoo, the famous Mirogoj cemetery, the Medvednica walking park and the Medvedgrad fortress and much more.
Zagreb for children
City of Zagreb great place For family holiday with children.
The city has many interesting and exciting places for children, many attractions and events interesting for children.
TOP 10 places to visit with children in Zagreb:
Zagreb Zoo, children's excursion train, observation deck, parks, Botanical Garden, Observatory, city museums...
Shopping in Zagreb
Total area shopping centers Croatia is about 900,000 sq.m. This is approximately 250 sq.m. per 1,000 people, although the European average is 190 sq.m., according to a study conducted by CB Richard Ellis.
Zagreb's largest shopping center Westgate, Avenue Mall, as well as the Arena shopping center, Roses Fashion Outlet...
Hotels, hostels and apartments in Zagreb
Zagreb has a wide range of hotels and hostels to suit guests with different requirements.
For those traveling with a large family or group, it will be more comfortable and profitable to rent private apartments in Zagreb.
The closest airport to the city of Zagreb is Zagreb Airport, 10 km.
The best hotels in Zagreb Croatia based on guest reviews.
Seasonal discounts Hotels and Apartments in Zagreb online:
Bowling alleys in Zagreb
Bowling is equally enjoyable for children and adults of all ages.
This is a great opportunity to spend a wonderful, fun evening in pleasant company, even when the weather is rainy and windy outside.
Zagreb has several modern bowling alleys in the city center.
Bowling in Zagreb is also well developed as a sporting destination.
Water parks and water parks near Zagreb
At a distance of 40-130 km from Zagreb there are several indoor and outdoor water parks.
Most water parks near Zagreb use thermal mineral water.
… Aquae Vivae water park in Krapinske Toplice, Water Planet in Tuchelske Toplice, Terme Jezercica water park, Life Class Terme Sveti Martin water park…
Zagorje and suburbs of Zagreb
Alpine skiing in Zagreb
The ski resort of Sljeme in Croatia is located in the mountain natural park Medvednica.
Total length of slopes ski resort Sljeme/Sljeme is about 4045 meters.
Medvednica Park is located 10 km from the center of Zagreb.
The distance from Sljeme ski resort to Zagreb airport is 33 km.
Christmas and New Year in Zagreb
Christmas fairy parties are organized every year on Christmas Eve and throughout the Christmas holidays.
The largest traditional Christmas market in Croatia is organized in the central square of Zagreb - Trg Bana Jelasica, as well as in nearby streets and squares.
In 2015, users of a popular travel portal Best European Christmas Destination chose Zagreb – The Christmas capital of Europe and in 2016 Zagreb received the title Best Christmas Market 2016!
Štrukli – What to try in Zagreb?
Štrukli - a popular and very tasty dish of Croatian cuisine - a delicacy that came to Zagreb from
Throughout my entire life in Zagreb, I have never ceased to be amazed by the attitude of tourists towards it. Although it is the capital of Croatia, Zagreb is undeservedly not spoiled by the attention of tourists. On the way to the attractive seaside cities, Zagreb, at best, becomes a transit point. However, it is not only a cultural center, but also the center of Croatian architectural treasures. At first glance, it seemed to me to be a mixture of Vienna, Budapest and Belgrade, combining the best of these cities. Its uniqueness and urban identity were revealed to me only the second time.
In fact, Zagreb is two in one, where everyone can find a neighborhood to their liking. On the mountainside lies Gorniy Grad, with narrow cobbled streets, Baroque mansions and majestic churches, and the main government buildings are located here. 
Below is Donij Grad, the center of business and cultural life, with huge squares and wide streets, demonstrating all the possible riot of imagination of architects at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. 
Personally, I love Zagreb dearly for its combination of urban and natural. It is located at the foot of the Medvednica mountain range, the Sava River flows through it, and in the city itself there are lakes where you can swim. Unlike the Croatian coast, where so many cultures mix, Zagreb is the soul and heart of Croatia, where you can feel its history.
How to get there
The fastest and most convenient way to get to Zagreb from Moscow or St. Petersburg is to take a direct flight (more expensive) or with transfers (cheaper). For train lovers, there is an option to travel by train with a transfer in Budapest, but by train it is not only long to travel, but also more expensive than by plane. The trip by car will also take several days (travel time is about 25 hours), and the route passes through countries with toll roads and relatively expensive gasoline.
By plane
- Direct flights from Moscow operate every day Aeroflot, this option is the fastest, but rarely costs less than 300 EUR for a round trip flight.
- There is a direct flight from St. Petersburg on Thursdays and Sundays Croatia Airlines. With a lucky coincidence, I was able to buy round-trip tickets from them for 230 EUR, and tickets for 300 EUR are almost always available.
Of course, it is cheaper to fly with transfers.
- For example, Air Serbia via - the cheapest option with comfortable connections, you can spend 170-200 EUR. If you choose a long connection, you can have time to walk around Belgrade; you don’t need a visa. IN summer period, when Air Serbia has a flight - this option is also available to St. Petersburg residents on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, but the price is comparable to a direct flight from Croatia Airlines.
- WITH Austrian Airlines You can fly with transfers in Vienna, there are very short connections of 40 minutes, more choice of departure times. The price is about 220 EUR.
- Turkish Airlines offers options with three-hour transfers; if purchased in advance, the price will be about 250 EUR.
- Another transfer point is , but you have to take into account that this flight KLM Performs jointly with other companies.
By bus
One of the cheapest ways to get to Zagreb is by bus from, after flying with low-cost Wizz Air from Moscow. You can get from Budapest Airport to the Nepliget bus station by bus (220E) and metro. The bus from Budapest takes about 5 hours, tickets cost 13-16 EUR one way. In terms of time spent, it is comparable to flights with transfers. 
You can get to Zagreb by bus from Italy, Germany, Switzerland and Slovenia. Schedules and prices can be found on the bus station website; you can also buy e-tickets for most destinations on the website.
How to get to the city center
The station is located near the city center, two kilometers from the central square of Ban Josip Jelacic.
You can walk, take tram No. 6 or No. 17, or take a taxi, the cost of the trip should be about 7 EUR. Bus - best solution to travel around the country. This is the fastest way to get to any seaside town or, for example, to the Plitvice Lakes National Park.
By car
The journey from Moscow to Zagreb by car is about 2200 kilometers, 4-5 countries and more than a day of travel. It is better to plan one or two overnight stays along the way. The shortest route is through Belarus, Poland, Slovakia and Hungary, but this route contains mountainous sections with serpentines. Longer, but not longer - through Belarus, Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria and Slovenia, but toll roads on this route are more expensive.
In a number of countries you will have to buy a vignette (payment for travel on toll roads for a certain period of time): (8.9 EUR), (from 9.5 EUR to 19 EUR depending on the class of car), Slovakia (10 EUR), (15 EUR), (12 EUR ). In Croatia itself, payment is made according to the distance traveled at rates that vary for different routes. The journey from the Hungarian border to Zagreb will cost passenger car at 5.6 EUR, and from Slovenian 0.9 EUR. Additional fees apply for some tunnels and bridges. Detailed information and cost estimates can be found on the Croatian Highways website.
In addition to toll roads, to calculate your budget, take into account the cost of gasoline, which when traveling from Moscow ranges from 0.62 EUR in Belarus to 1.32 EUR in Croatia itself. A factor that can significantly increase travel time is crossing the border. According to my feelings, in this regard, the Slovenian-Croatian border is more comfortable than the Hungarian-Croatian border.
Clue:
Zagreb - the time is now
Hour difference:
Moscow 1
Kazan 1
Samara 2
Ekaterinburg 3
Novosibirsk 5
Vladivostok 8
When is the season? When is the best time to go
Season in Zagreb is from April to October. Optimal choice– the beginning or end of the season, already/still warm, no influx of tourists. Zagreb is a very green city, it blooms beautifully in May and turns golden in the fall. My favorite time to visit Zagreb is October, pleasant weather for walking, little rain and a riot of autumn foliage colors.
Summer in Zagreb is not very hot, daytime temperatures range from 19 to 26 degrees, but June and August are the rainiest months. The city is filled with tourists, but during this period there is an active nightlife, various festivals and outdoor events take place.
In winter, the temperature is usually around zero, quite comfortable for walking, but it can be cloudy and grey. But in winter, prices in cafes and hotels are slightly lower, and there are few tourists (especially in February).
Zagreb - weather by month
Clue:
Zagreb - weather by month
Districts. Where is the best place to live?
The main attractions and many hotels are located in Gorniy Grad. It would be logical to settle here, but you need to take into account two nuances. Firstly, prices here are significantly higher. Secondly, getting anywhere other than Gorniy Grad is already a problem; this area is on the slope of a mountain, so to go to the city you need to either go down/ascend stairs or slopes, or pay for a taxi or funicular.
The optimal solution is to stay at one of the many hotels in Donje Grad. This area has a more developed infrastructure (shops, shopping centers, trams and other transport), close to all attractions. From Donego Grad it is more convenient to get to the train and bus stations. Outside of the most touristy places, it makes sense to stay close to the bus station if you plan to travel around the area a lot. It is also worth paying attention to the surroundings of Ilica, Grada Vukovara and Savska cesta streets (highlighted in red on the map). Ilica has convenient tram connections to the center, and many of the city's cultural institutions are located near Grada Vukovara street. Accommodation on Savska cesta is suitable for lovers of sports or nightlife; this street leads to Lake Jarun (more about it in the “Parks” section).
Zapresic
It is a city that is part of the Greater Zagreb urban agglomeration, just 13 kilometers to the west. In Zaprešić and its suburbs there are historical palaces that form the so-called “palace trail”. One of them, Novi Dvori, was the residence of Ban Jelacic and in the park of the palace there is a crypt of his family, made in the neo-Gothic style.
From Novi Dvori you can walk to the Luznica Palace, built in the early 18th century. From the center of Zagreb you can get there by tram and bus: first trams 6 or 11 to the Črnomerec bus terminal, then bus 172. Travel time is about an hour.
Archaeological Park "Andavtonia"
Located on the site of a Roman settlement, near the village of Šćitarjevo, 20 kilometers southeast of the city. This Roman settlement appeared in the 1st century AD. and was one of the largest in this region. Visitors can see the remains of the city with its streets and ruins of buildings, spread over an area of 2500 m2. The park is open to visitors on weekends from May 1 to October 31, from 12 noon to 6 p.m. The entrance ticket costs about 2.7 EUR. To get to the park you need to take trams 6 or 14 from the center to Zaprudje station, and from there buses 307 or 308 to Šćitarjevo III station.
Museum of Krapina Neanderthals
Fans of even more ancient antiquities should go to the city of Krapina, located 50 kilometers north of Zagreb. There is located (Muzej krapinskih neandertalaca). The new museum building took almost a decade to build, and now it is one of the most modern and multimedia museums. The main collection consists of Neanderthal household items, geological and archaeological exhibits. The park around the museum contains sculptures depicting people and animals from that period. An entrance ticket to the museum costs approximately 3.4 EUR. You can get to Krapina by bus or train from the central stations in Zagreb.
Food. What to try
Croatian cuisine varies from region to region. In Zagreb you can try the national cuisine of any region (Dalmatian, Istrian, Slavonian), but it is better to pay attention to the dishes of central Croatia and Zagreb County. Among them are, for example, pork knuckle with stewed cabbage (buncek sa zeljem), Žganci (a dish made from corn flour), which in the vicinity of Zagreb is often prepared with sour cream and bacon. Ajngemahtec or ujušak soup, which is made from chicken and root vegetables, is popular and is popularly considered a hangover cure. The main pride of Zagreb cuisine is Zagreb steak (zagrebacki odrezak), it looks like a schnitzel stuffed with cheese and ham.
Local pastries deserve special attention. For example, bučnica - pies filled with cheese from a local variety of pumpkin. Such a local dish as Štrukli was generally recognized as a national Croatian treasure. They are made from very thin dough in which salted or sweet filling. There are two methods of preparation - boiled or baked. The classic dessert in Zagreb are cakes: Zagreb kremšnita and krempita. The difference between regional options is not noticeable to an inexperienced connoisseur, but local residents claim that it exists.
Safety. What to watch out for
There is no need to worry about security in Zagreb, the country has a low crime rate, and in Zagreb, especially in the center, you are absolutely safe both day and night. As elsewhere, tourists should carefully monitor their belongings in crowded places. Be careful with discussions on political and religious topics with local residents; Croats are a proud and sometimes touchy people.
Things to do
Shopping and shops
Zagreb has several large shopping centers and malls (Avenue mall, Garden mall, Arena Centar), as well as outlets (the largest are two Moda Sport Outlet branches, one in the west, the other in the south of the city).
Of particular interest is flea market Hrelic – a huge amount of useless things with a slight touch of nostalgia for socialist Yugoslavia. The largest number of sellers is on Sundays. To get there, you need to take tram number 6 to the Zaprudje station, and from there walk along the embankment (Sajmišna cesta). On Sundays from 8 am to 2 pm there is an antique market on British Square (Britanski trg).
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Vintage lovers will love the store called “Street Wardrobe” (Ulični ormar) at Jurišićeva 16, where in addition to clothes you can also find shoes and accessories. Actually, shoe production is the main Croatian pride, so you should definitely check out one of the stores of the local Borovo brand. One of them is located at Ilica 142. This street is for local lovers, there are many shops on it, both famous foreign brands and Croatian designers. 
Bars. Where to go
There are great bars everywhere in Zagreb. On weekdays, most of them work until 12, on the night from Friday to Saturday and from Saturday to Sunday, many work until 2 or 4 in the morning. You can choose a suitable bar based on your penchant for certain drinks. If you want to try different types of raki, head straight to Rakhia bar (Tkalčićeva ulica 45), they serve more than 50 types, both traditional and experimental.
There is plenty to do for beer lovers - a great atmosphere and live music at the Bikers Beer Factory (Savska cesta, 150), and the Craft Room (Opatovina ul. 35) has a huge selection of craft beer, as well as a view of the old town from the terrace. In numerous pubs in the city you can find local beer (Ožujsko, Karlovačko, Osječko, etc.). Prices on average are about 2-3 EUR.
There are many themed bars in the city:
- in Latin style (Mio Corazon);
- with jazz (Bacchus Jazz Bar);
- cyberpunk (Nikola Tesla Powerhouse);
- fantasy (Tolkien's House) and many others.
Clubs and nightlife
At night, Zagreb transforms, the calm, dimensional city is flooded with groups of young people moving from bars to clubs and back again. Most places are open until 4 am, face control is inactive. Clubs in former factory buildings have become particularly popular lately. For example, a club converted from warehouse premises. Open on Fridays and Saturdays, there are parties with electronic music.
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For fans of techno and house, a must-visit Club No.1 – Jedinica, conveniently located near Gornji Grad at Nova ves 2. Parties are held every day.
For those who prefer rock and alternative music, there is a direct road to the legendary place. Concerts almost every day, a range of music - rock, punk, jazz, funk. Entry prices vary depending on events from free entry up to 13 EUR. It’s worth visiting during the day, as in addition to concerts and parties, exhibitions, performances and film screenings are held here.
Of particular interest to tourists is the funicular that connects Doniy grad with Gorniy. It allows you to get there in 1 minute, instead of a 15 minute walk up the steps. This pleasure will cost 0.5 EUR for a one-way trip.
Zagreb's urban transport system also includes two sightseeing bus lines: red and green. The red one goes through the city center, and the green one goes past lakes Jarun and Bundek, as well as Maksimir Park. The ticket price, at first glance, is unreasonably expensive - 10 EUR. However, the ticket is valid for 24 hours on both lines, and you can enter and exit at any station an unlimited number of times.
On weekends, a tourist train runs around Donem Castle, the ride on which is free. It departs every 40 minutes from Ban Josip Jelacic Square.
Taxi. What features exist
A taxi ride from the airport to the city center will cost about 16 EUR. The tariff rates of different companies are approximately the same, landing is about 1.7-2 EUR, a kilometer of travel is 1 EUR. At night, as well as on Sundays and holidays, there is a 15-20% surcharge. Make sure the taxi driver turns on the meter. It’s more convenient to order a taxi by phone, but there are taxi ranks everywhere large areas and near train stations, in this case there is a risk that the taxi driver will want to inflate the cost of the trip. I advise you to demonstrate a confident knowledge of prices.
My favorite among Zagreb taxis is . They have a convenient app, when ordering through it you will immediately see the price. Payment is made automatically via a bank card, and there is a 20% discount for Mastercard and Maestro cardholders.
Trams
There are 15 daytime tram lines and 4 nighttime tram lines in Zagreb. Unlike buses, trams travel through the very center of the city. The most useful lines for tourists are 6, 2 and 11. They all start a little west of the city center, trams No. 6 and No. 2 go to the south, and No. 11 to the east of the city. Among the night lines, a tourist may find the N31 line useful, which actually duplicates the route of tram No. 6.
Buses
The bus network is the most extensive; there are about 140 daily lines in the city, which connect not only the districts of Zagreb, but also deliver to the nearest suburbs. Bus lines are tied to terminals, usually from these terminals they go from the city center, rather than to the center. From the Kaptol terminal (part of Gorniy Grad) buses go up the mountainside. Buses 238, 106, 226 can get you to the Mirogoj cemetery. Bus 201 connects Kaptol with Kvaternika Square (from where bus 290 goes to the airport).
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Transport rental
There are many car rental companies in Zagreb. About 15 different companies offer their services at the airport. It is better to use the services of international companies, as the sites provide detailed information and you can choose thoughtfully. Here you can compare prices from different rental companies. The cheapest rentals are from Coldcar and Avantcar; if you want to rent a car in Zagreb and drive to the coastal cities, pay attention to the offers of Sixt and Europcar. In Croatia, gasoline 95 costs about 1.25 EUR, and gasoline 98 costs 1.32 EUR. In Zagreb it is possible to rent a Vespa scooter, but the price in relation to car rental prices is discouraging.
When arriving by car or renting one, take into account paid parking. Parking on the streets of Zagreb is divided into four zones. In the very center there is a red zone where you can park only for two hours at a cost of 0.8 EUR per hour. On Sundays, parking is free. It will be more convenient to use covered parking services (called Javna garaža), some of them are located close to the center. Parking a car for the whole day costs about 4 EUR, an hour during the day 0.5 EUR. All necessary information(zone map, time, parking price) is presented on.
Usually, the cities of Croatia are considered as an excursion addition to a beach holiday, but Zagreb in this case is an absolute exception to the rule.
Firstly, there is no sea in the immediate vicinity of the city, and secondly, the capital of Croatia is beautiful at any time of the year, and there is something to do for three or four days. But, most importantly, the city has its own unique atmosphere, imbued with which you fall in love with this place once and for all and begin to seriously think about moving to the capital of Croatia.
In the photo: art gallery in Gornji grad, Zagreb
By the way, there are quite a few expats living in Zagreb; the capital of Croatia attracts natives of England, Germany and Italy for the following reasons. Firstly, the city is very clean (especially when compared with Rome or Barcelona), even at the central station there were no cigarette butts on the pavement or beer bottles propping up the walls of the houses.
In the photo: park near the Central Station in Zagreb, evaluate the cleanliness
Secondly, the entire population of Zagreb speaks fluent English, so there is automatically no need to learn Croatian. The third point is that the city has an excellent transport system; silent trams will take you anywhere in the Croatian capital at almost any time of the day. Fourth, nightlife in Zagreb is in full swing: bars and nightclubs are open everywhere, and the local population visits entertainment venues not only during the weekend.
And, the last, but first for the stronger sex, moment - there are incredibly many beautiful girls in Zagreb. It is simply impossible not to pay attention to young Croatian women, the reason is not only in the external data of the girls, but also in the local dress code: with the onset of warm weather, all residents of Zagreb under the age of 35 wear denim mini-shorts, which reveal more than they hide, - in a word, a paradise for men's eyes. The capital of Croatia consists of 17 districts, but if you decide to spend a weekend in Zagreb, we recommend not to spread yourself thin and focus on two: the atmospheric Dolni grad and the historical Gornji grad.
DOLNI GRAD: THE MOST ATMOSPHERIC AREA OF ZAGREB
It’s best to start getting acquainted with the city from Ban Josip Jelačić Square; it is easily recognizable by the statue of that same Ban Josip Jelačić in the center. The square itself is the place for evening rendezvous for local residents; it is under the horse that fans wait for their girlfriends in mini-shorts.
In the photo: Ban Josip Jelacic Square
The buildings surrounding the square are an excellent illustration of the concept of eclecticism in a good, but not vulgar sense: houses in the style of classicism are adjacent to baroque and constructivism, and in the southwest of the square there is the first of the skyscrapers built in Zagreb, which in Croatia are called by the funny word “ sky-bearers." To the left of the square is Tkalčićeva ulica. The street is famous for the fact that every house here has either a local restaurant or a bar, and in the evenings street musicians give concerts here. By the way, some bars on Tkalčićeva ulica are focused only on selling drinks. No, there are salads or kebabs on the menu, but if you come to a bar with food bought from one of the street stalls and just order a drink, no one will say a bad word to you.
In addition, there are several excellent shops selling handmade items on Tkalčićeva ulica. Bags with images of girls deserve special attention - there is a great chance of finding one similar to yourself.
In the photo: a ring in the form of a cassette tape and a bag with a girl, handmade from Zagreb
If you climb the stone steps from Ban Josip Jelacic Square to the top, then (provided you do it in the morning) you will find yourself at the farmers' market. In principle, the market is nothing special: carrots, parsley, local cheeses and fruits. But the sculpture of a collective farmer on the steps near the market deserves attention - a monument to a real Slavic woman who would enter a burning hut, collect the entire harvest, and then sell it at a triple markup.
In addition, visiting the market is educational from a linguistic point of view, in order to make sure that the Croatian names of fruits and vegetables are not too different from the Russian ones. Another attraction located right behind Ban Josip Jelacic Square is Zagreb Cathedral. Although the first building of the cathedral was erected already in the tenth century, practically nothing remains of it.
Zagreb Cathedral was almost completely rebuilt in the nineteenth century after the earthquake that occurred in the capital of Croatia in 1880, however, when you admire the beautiful sculptures adorning the facade of the building, you do not think about the age of the building.
It is worth noting that the vast majority of residents of the capital of Croatia are Catholics, and many of them are very proud of their adherence to this direction of Christianity, and therefore there is a crowd of parishioners in the cathedral (especially on weekends). It is better not to disturb those praying, not because it is dangerous, but simply for the sake of decency: they quickly entered, took a couple of pictures and quietly, without attracting public attention, left the cathedral.
In the photo: inside Zagreb Cathedral
To the left of Ban Josip Jelacic Square begins Ulica Ljudevita Gaja. From an architectural point of view, it is the complete opposite of Tkalčićeva ulica; if on Tkalčićeva there are small houses in a traditional style, then here it is completely modern, glass and metal.
The style is set by the Dubrovnik hotel, shining with glass showcases, in the center of the street you can see sculptures in the style of modern art, and on the wall of one of the buildings there is even a panel for playing Tetris.
In the photo: contemporary art at Ulica Ljudevita Gaja
But, like on Tkalčićeva ulica, there are a great many bars and cafes, where there is nowhere to fall, regardless of the day of the week or time of day: in the morning, residents of Zagreb drop in here for a cup of coffee, and closer to 18.00 they switch to beer and wine. The bars on Ljudevita Gaja are located in the center of the street, so that guests of the establishments can watch passersby who are rushing about their business.
If you continue walking around Dolni Grad, you will definitely see the building of the Croatian National Theater. It is an excellent example of the so-called Viennese Baroque, which is not surprising, because the Austrian architects Ferdinand Fellner and Hermann Helmer, who built all the most famous theaters in Europe, including the Odessa Opera and Ballet Theater, worked on the theater project.
In the photo: Croatian National Theater
In general, Zagreb is the cultural capital of Croatia, not in words, but in deeds. Just imagine, in a city with a population of only 780 thousand people there are 16 theaters, 22 museums and 31 art galleries. However, we can talk about galleries separately; they are here, as they say, in every second house.
In addition to places where antiquities are exhibited, contemporary art galleries are incredibly popular, where you can find paintings for every taste: from realism to the wonders of post-impressionism or cubism.
Most galleries have cafes or bars, because according to local residents, it is bad form to saturate your soul and heart with culture on an empty stomach.
GORNI GRAD – THE HISTORICAL CENTER OF ZAGREB
Although Gornyi Grad (or as it is also called Medveshk) in terms of atmosphere is inferior to the lively and more modern Dolniy Grad, it is still unforgivable not to visit it. As the name suggests, Gorniy Grad is located on a hill; you can get here either by the steps of a stone staircase or by cable car.
When exiting the cable car, be sure to stop at the observation deck to admire the view of the orange rooftops of Zagreb from the top.
In the photo: view of Zagreb from the observation deck
Near the observation deck, a stone's throw from the bar decorated with figures of pirates, street artists usually settle down. Incredibly, but true, many of them offer tourists not only eye-watering paintings with views of the capital of Croatia, but also very pleasant miniatures, abstractions, and also good still lifes.
In the photo: paintings sold near the observation deck
The main historical attraction of the area is the Church of St. Mark, considered one of the symbols of the city. Although the first mention of the church dates back to the thirteenth century, the current building with its famous colorful mosaic roof was erected in Zagreb only at the end of the nineteenth century.
The same Austrians Ferdinand Fellner and Hermann Helmer worked on the reconstruction of the church, and decorative design The building was designed by Croatian artist Jozo Kljaković. Unfortunately, the church is usually closed during the day, so all that remains is to admire the colorful roof.
Among the modern attractions of Gorniy Grad, the “Museum of Broken Relationships” or, as it is also called, the “Museum of Broken Hearts” deserves attention. The museum exhibit consists of things that couples donated here after their relationship ended.
In the photo: Museum of Broken Relationships, exhibition
Next to each exhibit is a love story associated with this item. Here is a drawing of a map of Italy on a sheet of book, made by a guy who promised to take his girlfriend on a Vespa around the country. Here is a teddy bear, hugging which a girl fell asleep when her lover was not around, and here is an old red coat that another couple bought together at a sale.
In the photo: exhibits of the Museum of Broken Relationships.
The stories (as well as the exhibits) are different, some are cute and touching, but there are also creepy and sometimes vengeful ones: for example, one girl donated to the museum a frisbee plate that her boyfriend gave her for the two-year anniversary of their relationship. In the comments to the exhibit, the girl said that the presence of the plate in the Museum of Broken Relationships should be a lesson not only for her former unlucky lover, but also for all men, because there is no point in giving girls any nonsense.
Also located in Gornji Grad is the parliament building (easily identified by the impressively sized coat of arms on the wall) and the Mirogoj cemetery, where the most famous figures of Croatia are buried.
GASTRONOMY: YOU MUST TRY THIS!
If you think about it, the name of the capital of Croatia will tell you more than it might seem at first glance. “Zagreb” means beyond the ridge of the mountain and, indeed, the nearest mountains can be reached from the center of the Croatian capital in just an hour. Respectively, national cuisine Zagreb, as befits a mountainous area, consists mainly of meat dishes.
The most famous local dish is cevapchichi, cutlets made from ground pork or beef, grilled. Typically, classic chavapcici look like small sausages, but in Zagreb you can also find variants in the form of one giant cutlet. One more thing, in restaurants in Zagreb they add much more garlic to cevapcici than in Pula, so brushing your teeth after lunch is a must.
Another local meat dish Kobasica. Direct associations with sausage can be misleading, because kobasica is minced meat with spices, compacted into the intestine and twisted into a knot; accordingly, kobasica is grilled before eating. All kinds of sausages and hams are also common in Zagreb. The names are telling: prosciutto = prosciutto, salama = salami, spik and slanina = bacon and lard, and so on. Local varieties of feta and suluguni are popular cheeses.
In the photo: Croatian cheese, local variety of feta
Another national dish, frittele, belongs to the category of so-called street food. Croatians call frittele pancakes, although, in fact, these are typical donuts sold on the streets of the city. Donuts can be sprinkled with powdered sugar, and liqueur, cognac, lemon zest or raisins can be added as a filling to the frittele.
Yulia Malkova- Yulia Malkova - founder of the website project. Former editor-in-chief of the Internet project elle.ru and editor-in-chief of the website cosmo.ru. I talk about travel for my own pleasure and the pleasure of my readers. If you are a representative of hotels or a tourism office, but we do not know each other, you can contact me by email: [email protected]