Out & About in Zagreb

Zagreb is a magical city and one succumbs under its charm unnoticeably.

It prides itself on its rich history, picturesque Austro-Hungarian architecture with lavishly ornate facades, beautifully preserved monuments and sightseeing places, good music and fantastic food. As a tourist you could fill your schedule to the brim with the activities that are offered to you because the nooks and crannies of Zagreb are truly endless.

The hubbub of it is the main square called Trg Bana Josipa Jelacica and this could be your starting point for whatever you plan to do. Zagreb has an incredibly well organized public transport (trams & busses) and the net of trams has the heart at the square spreading across the city in every direction.

We stayed at a place about 4 stops from the main square and I do recommend you rent a place near the square to be able to be (almost) everywhere at the reach of the hand, or the leg, to be more specific. Sightseeing Zagreb on foot is a real treasure hunt and you’d be up for a ton of surprises.

Starting uphill at Radicka Street you get at the Upper Town that cradles numerous interest points such as St. Mark Church, the Museum of Broken Relationships, the Croatian Museum of History & Kamenita Vrata (Stone gate).

Down from the Stone gate you turn up at Radiceva street that is filled with so many beautiful artisan shops your glances are stolen at every pace. There is also Zagreb ’80s Museum, but that’s for another post.

Parallel to Radiceva is the most colorful and bohemian street that we loved dearly. That one is an incredible magnet for people. It’s called Tkalciceva Street and it is packed full with small bars, pubs, restaurants and small artisan shops. Spending time there is a must.

As a contrast to the narrow and cobbled street of Upper Town, the streets of Donji Grad (Lower Town) are mostly wide and there you’ll find most of the city’s museums interlaced with parks, cafes and classy shops.

This part of the Zagreb city, may seem reserved and apparently hidden at first contact, but after a short walk through the city’s streets, diving in its rhythm, exploring the architecture or talking with people, it reveals its most imaginative and festive face.

The elegant Viennese influence is visible from that first contact with the Lower Town. Laced with Austro-Hungarian buildings the city breathes with the air of the past in a most charming way.

The Lower Town cradles the Archeological, Ethnographic and the Museum of Arts & Crafts; note that most of the museums do not work on Mondays! If you are in a need of a light and refreshing energy boost, take a stroll through the Botanical Gardens or the Zrinjevac Square.