Zagreb is Croatia’s cultural, administrative, business, and political epicenter, surrounded and protected from the cold north winds by the lushly green mount of Medvednica.
Visit Zagreb before or after your Croatia Yacht Charter. The flying time from Split is 45 minutes or four hours and ten minutes by car.
Zagreb has nearly a thousand-year history. First written mentions of the town date back to 1094, so prepare for an old European city with plenty of stories to teach, entertain, and absorb you. A quarter of Croatian inhabitants, about 1.2 million people, live in Zagreb and its surroundings.
This Capital city appeals to newcomers because it is an attractive place to work and live. It is close to the coast, central European destinations, and the Balkan region by air, car, or train. It is a safe city that makes you feel comfortable and at ease. Quiet by midnight, when only a few night trams pass via the longest street, Ilica, and young people are heading out to nightlife destinations.
Don’t expect dynamic nightlife in this easygoing mid-European city (that is more Belgrade’s, Serbia attribute). Zagreb bars and restaurants around the center are open only until midnight, with lounge bars and discotheques open until morning.
You can expect pleasant street hospitality, traditional continental food, the Dolac central market, and ‘the belly of the city.’ The old and new town blends green landscapes and city parks. Add to that Sava, a river that divides the old and new city: playful galleries and museums, modern shopping, and numerous cafes.
Things to See and Do in Zagreb
- Upper Town (Gornji Grad) is the oldest part of the town, with the neighborhoods of Gradec and Kaptol—churches and buildings from an earlier time in the city’s history.
- Museums: Museums of Broken Relationships, Croatian Museum of Naive Art, Zagreb 80’s Museum, Totureum, Croatian Natural History Museum, City Museum.
- Mirogoj Cemetery
- Churches: Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Jesuit Church of St. Catherine, St. Mark’s Church
- Dolac Market
- Historic Buildings: Lotrscak Tower, Sabor,
- Art Galleries: Galerija Klovicevi Dvori, Mestrovic Atelier,
- Historic Locations: Stone Gate, Gric Tunnel, Trg Bana Jelacica – the town’s main center. Katarinin Trg viewing area.
- Lower Town (Donji Grad) is the location of many art museums.
- Museums: Archaeological Museum, Museum of Illusion, Museum Mimara, Museum of Art & Crafts, Ethnographic Museum,
- Art Galleries: Croatian Association of Artists, Art Pavilion, Gallery of Modern Art, Strossmayer Gallery of Old Masters,
- Churches:
- Historic Buildings: Croatian State Archives,
- Historic Locations: Zrinjevac Square, Botanical Garden, Zagreb 360′ Observation Deck,
- Other Places of interest
- Lauba Gallery
- Jarun Lake
- Museums: Museum of Contemporary Art, Technical Museum Nikola Tesla, Drazen Petrovic Memorial Museum (basketball).
- Maksimir Park
- Zagreb Zoo
Hotels
- Hotel Jagerhorn – Upper Town
- Esplanade Zagreb Hotel – Lower Town
- Hotel Dubrovnik – Lower Town
- Garden Hotel – Lower Town
- Astoria Hotel – Lower Town
- Hotel 9 – Boutique hotel.
Tours
- City secrets.
- Secrets of Gric
- Old Zagreb Tour
- Zagrebee Tours
- Kuhaona Foodies Tour
- Zagreb Bites
- Funky City Tours
- Blue Bike Tours
Transportation
The city has a modern airport about 30 minutes from the city center, with an organized bus shuttle and taxi service in front of the entrance.
There’s no metro, so when in town, definitely use public city transportation. A busy network of trams and buses runs through the city in every direction. Taxi service has plenty of providers, so you don’t need a car to get around.
Bicycles are trendy; use them by all means. The relatively flat terrain makes it a perfect location for bike riding.
