Things to See and Do for the Best Zagreb Experience

It matters not what season you travel to Zagreb, it has happenings all year around. Theatre and concert season of Zagreb doesn’t stop.

Enjoying a cup of coffee is an activity with a long tradition, so we suggest you sit down to have one, with a glass of nice wine, and soak in the life flowing through the streets, prefrebly in a good company. Let the sound and chatter of locals take you to a far off place and relax on the bench of the city park, with the hard-to-break-through-the-leaves-sunshine warming you under the treetops. If you prefer a waltz, rumba, or tango – just head to one of the many bars and dance you own dance in this beautiful European capital.

A perfect starting point of exploration of the town is the Youth Hostel Zagreb, just a few steps away from the central bus and railroad terminal – perfect for all, who didn’t come with their own car. You can spend a night here for mere 113HK. A friendly staff will take care of your needs and if you’re by car, the also offer free parking. So leave your car here and explore the charming streets of the city on foot.

The streets are parallel and it is almost impossible to get lost in the city, so enjoy the exploration of the city and its center which makes the people of Zagreb very proud, but I suggest you head to the center after soaking in the rest of the town. I’d suggest you start, as I have, at the Tomislav square – located in the next street from the Hostle. In my opinion it’s one of the most beautiful squares, decorated with flowers and a fountain, where you can admire the statue of king Tomislav. It’s a great place to take a load off, watch the passers by hurrying to catch their trams or busses. To the right you’ll notice a yellow building, which treasures works of Croatian artists – and you shouldn’t miss them.

Over the snow white pebbles of the square, head down to Minhanović street and next you should go to the Botanical gardens, with 10.000 plants from all over the world. Among them are also some endangered specimens from both Croatia and abroad. The gardens, ponds, bridges and an artificial cave will offer you a nice relaxing stroll toward the arboretum with an English park, smells of thousands of flowers and a view of numerous turtles on the surface of the lake.

After the breath of fresh air, head toward the three large squares: the Marulić square, the square of brothers Mažuranić and finally the famous square of Marshal Tito. It’s a great location for all heritage lovers, with many museums here, for all who love to explore their collection, and I’d suggest the ethnological museum of Miramar. The one you definitely shouldn’t miss is the crafts museum with its 160.000 exhibits. But the one I really recommend is the school museum. Among its 30.000 books you’ll find some dating as far back as the 16th century. While passing the national opera and theatre house you should check out the program of visual and audile performances, as well as the romantic building. The chances are you’ll enjoy both.

But if culture is not your thing, you can continue down towards Ilica, with many shops. If you have any cash or credit cards with you – take good care of them – for it’s too easy to spend more than you’ve planed. I should know, it happened to me too, because I didn’t leave them back at the hostel. So to escape the consumerism’s lure, you should take the cable cart up to the upper town and have a stroll down the Strossmeyer walkway. Enjoy a nice cool pint of local beer, with relaxed music being performed on the streets, enjoyed by locals and tourists alike. Sitting here in midst an almost fairytale like alley of trees, you’ll be soaking in the evening chatter and joyful giggles of the youth. Maybe you’ll smell the scent of a rather unusual cigarette being smoked somewhere near by, or even  want to join the statue of Matoš, who might whisper something to you about the young painter selling his art in the street. If he does, it might be a signal you should head back to your hostel and turn in for the night.

Or, you can head onwards to the square of St. Marko with its magnificent church and the three most important buildings in Croatia – the Croatian parliament, the residence of the Croatian government and the constitutional court. Enjoy it or not, you will have to admit you feel the power of this place, with all the high rolling officials about.

From here descend to Dolac, the main open air market, with a surprisingly high morning concentration of red umbrellas, where local farm products are being sold. It seems to be not very big, but once you’ll get lost among the numerous stands, you’ll see it’s far from small. It’s a real pleasure to sip your morning coffee here, while watching people bartering for merchandise, or sellers convincing the visitors of the grade A quality of their lettuce. Having parsley in one and juicy apples in the other hand, you buy a woven basket to place them in. It’s a place, where you really get to enjoy the genuine native feel of Croatia.

Just a few feet away is the main square of ban Jelačić, but first let’s go to the archbishop’s manor and the cathedral of the wholly virgin Mary. It’s the most noticeable architectural complex of the city and also the most sophisticated gothic architectural complex south of the Alps. It demands respect, and believer or not, this place will impress you.

And finally the main and magnificent square of ban Jelačić, with a beautiful fountain, from where, as the story goes, the beautiful Manduša gave soldiers water to drink from. It’s surrounded by mighty buildings and you feel the greatness of the place. You stop, close your eyes for a moment and feel the energy around you, hear the sounds of the streetcar disappearing in one of the streets and if you’re lucky, you might see a group of people trying to make everybody laugh with their tomfoolery. And although you’ll pay a bit more, you’ll want to have another cup of coffee in this atmosphere!

From here on I went forth to the hostel, passing the square Zrinjevac. Where you’ll go, it’s up to you!

For more travel information on what to do in see in Zagreb, we invite you to visit our partner GetYourGuide.

Volunteer Anja