how to run into the best of Zagreb in ii days

Full disclosure: I expected zippo from Zagreb. Information technology wasn't that I hadn't heard nice things or read blogs that painted a pretty picture, it's just that I went into the city with very few expectations. We, like every other tourist, came to Republic of croatia for the coastline. Continental Republic of croatia, nevertheless, breathed something dissimilar and I'm here to show you

Zagreb had fewer crowds and improve coffee, prices, and customer service than Dubrovnik and Split. We spent just a few days in the Croatian capital, but talked throughout our trip nigh how Zagreb doesn't properly get the attention information technology deserves, even if information technology is "another European capital".

The city was sprinkled with a hidden quirkiness I really enjoyed. Blessed with sunny conditions but a little brusk on fourth dimension, we managed to scope out some of the coolest things to come across and do in Zagreb. Thus, I've created a two-solar day itinerary for your future travels.

quick facts well-nigh zagreb

Linguistic communication | Croatian CURRENCY | Croatian Kuna POPULATION | 790,000

getting to Zagreb ↴

Zagreb is serviced past Franjo Tuđman Airport. There are many inexpensive flights from beyond the continent available through budget airlines. While the flights across Europe are incredibly easy on your wallet, they aren't good for the environment and they tend to nickel-and-dime you {i.e. making you lot pay for your acquit-on, then once more for your luggage, then again for a window seat, then over again if yous desire water and snacks on the plane, etc.}.

Like most of our European escapades, we arrived via autobus. Europe is very connective by trains and buses, and so it makes sense to attempt and get to the city using one of the more than eco-witting options available.

how to become around ↴

Zagreb is a relatively small urban center and it's incredibly pedestrian-friendly. That doesn't mean there isn't plenty to do in that location, it just means it'southward like shooting fish in a barrel to get around on foot. I e'er suggest walking when possible as it's super sustainable and free {gotta save those dollars, ya know?}. Walking around the city actually is the best manner to come across every nook and cranny, and you can go your own step!

If walking isn't correct for yous, the public transportation in Zagreb is also a shout. In that location are busses and trams throughout the city that make getting anywhere you need to go a cakewalk. Public ship in Zagreb is also very affordable. We took a bus to Mirogoj Cemetery and information technology was relatively unproblematic.

where to eat + catch groceries ↴

Zagreb is known specially for its bumping bar scene, but Luke and I didn't take advantage of the nightlife. Instead, we had many picnics in parks and enjoyed a plethora of cafés. Hither are the places nosotros recommend you eat, grab java, and pick up your groceries {ie. picnic snacks}.

tiffin + dinner

  • Didov San {translates to "Granddad's Dream"}

  • Zinfandel's Restaurant

  • HERITAGE- Croation street food

groceries

  • SPAR supermarket- for bits and bobs

  • Dolac Market- for locally-sourced and fresh produce

what to run across + do ↴

In case y'all want to create your own itinerary for your time in Zagreb, here are the things I most highly recommend doing with your fourth dimension in the capital metropolis {in no particular social club}. There are a long list of museums and boutiques to visit that aren't mentioned in this list, only are added to the suggested itinerary below to help fill out your time. Equally a thing of fact, Zagreb has more museums than

visit Zagreb Cathedral

The Zagreb Cathedral is a Roman Catholic house of worship that doubles equally the tallest building in Croatia, standing 108 meters high. When we visited, there was a church service going on within, and nosotros didn't want to interrupt. Even so, nosotros walked around the outside of the gothic cathedral and were in awe of it's compages.

ride the Zagreb Funicular

The Zagreb Funicular has the record for beingness the shortest cable car in the earth. It was steam-powered until 1934, and takes lx seconds to become yous from Tomićeva Street to the Strossmayer Promenade. It costs 4 Kuna {approximately €0.fifty} and runs every ten minutes from Lower town to Upper Town.

how to see the best of Zagreb in 2 days

stroll through tunnel grič

What in one case was a World State of war 2 bomb shelter has now turned into a pedestrian tunnel that often holds exhibitions of local artwork. Information technology'southward the simply tunnel as role of Zagreb's underground network that's open to the public. Honestly, it's quite spooky, fifty-fifty in the middle of the day, but the history fastened is rather cool and the photographs on display when we visited made it feel super artsy.

marvel at the colourful roof of St. Marker's

It's not difficult to spot St. Marking's Church building— it has the most colourful rooftop in the city. The church dates dorsum to the 13th century, merely its roof wasn't constructed until 1880. There are two identifiable images that cover the roof. The medieval coat of artillery for Croatia, Slavonia, and Dalmatia sits on the left, and Zagreb's city emblem sits on the right.

how to see the best of Zagreb in 2 days

weep at the Museum of Broken Relationships

By far and away the coolest, saddest, favourite matter we did in Zagreb was visit the Museum of Cleaved Relationships. Located in the Upper Town, this museum showcases objects and mementos from broken relationships across the world.

Champagne bottles, dildos, loftier heels, playing cards, a wedding dress, and an axe are just some of the many objects that are exhibited throughout the museum. Each object is accompanied past a note to depicts the object'southward significance. Some made me express mirth, others made me cry.

accept a free walking tour of Zagreb

Are you lot even shocked? Every European capital letter has a costless walking tour, and information technology really is a corking budget way to go introduced to any new urban center. Zagreb is no exception. Zagreb'southward gratis walking bout takes just nether ii hours and divulges history and cultural points you lot might otherwise not know about! The guide will take you from the master square of the city all through the summit tourist attractions and city landmarks. There was then much about Zagreb that I was ignorant of before the tour. I didn't know near the Croatian War of Independence at all— woah, correct?

peep the views from Zagreb 360°

Zagreb 360° is an observation deck on the 16th flooring of a building that offers panoramic views of the city. The terracotta roof tiles and church steeples beneath look cute, especially in the evening when the sunshine isn't glaring through the drinking glass. Tickets at the time of publishing cost lx Kuna {roughly USD $nine.40} for adults, and children take free admission. You can purchase tickets alee of fourth dimension on the website here.

shop at Dolac Market place

Zagreb'south open-air Dolac Marketplace in the principal city square has all the fresh fish, flowers, cheese, produce, and souvenirs. It's a nifty place to option upwards locally-sourced snacks or dinner fixings. At that place are also trinkets like magnets and scarves that say "Croatia" or baseball caps with coats of arms, but many of them are mass produced. Support the artisans and await for those take home items that are handcrafted if yous tin can.

pick upwards a "licitar"

While wandering around Zagreb, you might notice the many red, heart-shaped cookies effectually the city. They're called "licitars" and are a traditional symbol of the city. These take weeks to ready and are virtually similar to a dear cookie. Once baked, the cookies are glazed and frosted with personalized messages and patterns. Licitars are such a deep role of the identity hither that they are recognized by UNESCO are a symbol of northern Croatian culture.

suggested 2-twenty-four hours itinerary ↴

day 1

  • Breakfast at Frank + Otto

  • Check out Dolac Market

  • Take the complimentary walking bout of the city

  • Picnic tiffin in Art Parks

  • Visit the statue of Marija Jurić Zagorka

  • Dinner at  Didov San Restaurant

24-hour interval 2

  • Morning coffee at Botanicar

  • Visit the Archaeology Museum

  • Accept the funicular to Upper Town

  • Prepare to cry and express mirth at the Museum of Broken Relationships

  • Buy a licitar as a pre-dinner treat

  • Head to the Zagreb 360° for views of the metropolis at golden hr

where to stay ↴

We stayed in a cute AirBnB only a brusque walk abroad from the eye of Zagreb. This kept our costs downward, which was great since we found Croatia during peak flavour pretty spendy. For that reason, I propose booking an AirBnB.

Psst… yous can save coin past using my AirBnB invite link here

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metropolis guide, destination guide, Croatia, Europe, travel

Europe, zagreb, croatia, 2019, travel, city guide, destination guides

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