On your trip to the Adriatic coast we recommend you to visit the
Croatian capital. Summer is the ideal season to
explore Zagreb. The city is full of life. Enjoy the hustle and bustle in the green parks and cafés.
The best place to start your sightseeing is the central
Ban Jelacic Square. The central square is named after the Croatian Ban, who is an
important historical figure. Today his statue decorates the main square. Not far from the main square you will find the
largest market in Zagreb called
Dolac, where fruit, vegetables, meat and fish products are sold in the traditional way. Dolac is characterised by red
Sestine umbrellas, stalls and a monument dedicated to the saleswomen (
Kumice). Try fresh products at the market or buy traditional souvenirs such as gingerbread hearts, wooden toys or perhaps a Sestine umbrella.
Nearby is the
cathedral, whose 105 m high towers you will recognise from afar. Take a walk through the
Opatovina and walk along
Tkalciceva Street, which is full of cafes and small restaurants where you can have breakfast and a morning coffee. Find
Krvavi most street (
the Bloody Bridge) and
Radiceva street, which will lead you to the
stone gate and the entrance to the Upper Town.
The Upper Town is a dreamy place, especially because of its small streets and luxurious palaces. In the centre of the Upper Town is
St. Mark's Square and the St. Mark's Church, which is special because of its
unique roof and portal. St. Mark's Church is surrounded by the buildings of the Croatian Parliament, the Croatian Government and the Constitutional Court.
Go south and visit the
tower Lotrscak from which a
cannon shot is fired at 12 noon sharp. Take the famous
funicular (the shortest funicular in the world) to the longest street in Zagreb called
Ilica. The shopping street is famous for its beautiful buildings, small squares and restaurants. The
Masarykova and
Tesla streets are also full of shops, cafés and restaurants where you can have lunch.
Enjoy
traditional specialities such as turkey with mlinci, hearty stews, strukli or cottage cheese with sour cream. After a hearty lunch, take a walk through the most beautiful parks in Zagreb. The
Lenuci Horseshoe is a complex of squares and parks in the centre of the city, also known as the
Green Horseshoe. It consists of seven beautiful green parks and the
Botanical Garden, where you can find palaces, museums and galleries. The largest is
Nikola Subic Zrinski Square, better known as
Zrinjevac. It is located near the Ban Jelacic Square and is known for its beautiful fountains, a pavilion and green lawns.
In the north of the park there is a meteorological column that measures air humidity, pressure and air temperature. Zrinjevac is followed by
Strossmayer Square, where numerous festivals take place. If you go south, you will reach
King Tomislav Square and the
Central Station. Next to the Central Station is the famous Hotel Esplanada, built for the passengers of the
Orient Express, which passed through the city of Zagreb. Take a stroll through the
Botanical Garden and walk westwards, where the
Marulic and Mazuranic squares are located.
There you will also find the
Croatian National Theatre. The building itself is reason enough for a visit, but if you are a lover of opera, drama and ballet, the theatre offers a rich programme that will be the
highlight of your city tour. Spend the evening at the theatre or with the locals in one of the many cafés in the city centre.
Zagreb is a
beautiful and charming city with modern but also traditional style, to which you will definitely want to return. We recommend that you do so during the
Advent season, as Zagreb then turns into a
winter fairy tale. The city leaves nothing to be desired. Visit the
museums, exhibitions, concerts and sporting events. Take advantage of the numerous
shopping opportunities and culinary offers. If you are already in Zagreb, visit the beautiful surroundings and the numerous castles in the region.
Ana-Marija Tot
6.5.2022
MY ISTRIA GUIDE
