Located between the Medvednica mountain and the Sava river, Zagreb is the capital of Croatia. Composed of an upper and a lower city, a visit is an opportunity to admire its most beautiful buildings, and in particular its beautiful Austro-Hungarian architecture of the 18th and 19th centuries. If Zagreb attracts more and more city trip lovers in Europe, it is also for its incredible cultural dynamism. With museums and entertainment facilities, hosting a multitude of festivals throughout the year, Zagreb is a place to enjoy music, theater, art in all its forms and gastronomy. Both quiet and vibrant, urban and close to nature, here are all the good reasons to stop in one of the cities that definitely deserve to be known on the Old Continent.
Discovering the many treasures of Zagreb
Once comfortably installed in Zagreb, we start by taking the smallest funicular in the world. Once in the upper part of the city, which is also the old town, we walk through a maze of colorful streets and alleys, like Ivan-Tkalcic street and its pastel-colored facades. The Strossmayer promenade, which runs along the edge of the Gradec hill, is often inhabited by huts offering drinks and snacks.
There are several heritage features not to be missed once you get there. The Lotrščak tower, which was originally one of the main fortifications of the city, offers one of the most beautiful views of the Croatian capital. Also a symbol of Zagreb, St. Mark's Church, dating from the 13th century, displays beautiful Romanesque and Gothic elements. But what immediately catches the eye are its beautiful polychrome glazed tiles with coats of arms, as well as its bulbous bell tower. Government buildings surround the square where it is located. After visiting the neo-Gothic Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption in Zagreb, which took no less than 800 years to build, there is another place of worship to be seen, called Kamenita vrata (Stone Gate). This small chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary is said to have survived a major fire that ravaged much of the city.
Back in the lower part of Zagreb, a first stop is necessary in the nerve center of the city: the Ban Jelačić square. This is where Croatians like to meet to enjoy the bars and join the adjacent streets animated in the evening. Not far away, the famous Dolac market is held every day. From early morning until early afternoon, producers from the surrounding area gather to offer the best of local products, including a great offer of fruits and vegetables. It is a must for a total immersion in the atmosphere of Zagreb. If you're an architecture buff, don't hesitate to go and see the Croatian National Theater. With its Austro-Hungarian architecture, it is a real masterpiece with its yellow facade and its decorative elements.
Zagreb is a capital city that has managed to keep its human size, but it also has beautiful green spaces where you can rest after a lively evening. One thinks of the botanical garden with its beautiful collection of plants, the Maksimir Park, one of the oldest public parks in Europe, but also the Zrinjevac Park, very elegant with its flowery alleys, its music pavilion, its fountains and its sculptures of famous people. Another place is very popular, especially on sunny days. It is Lake Jarun, on the outskirts of Zagreb. Here locals and visitors alike enjoy the space for skateboarding, cycling, jogging, but also sailing, canoeing, kayaking and swimming along artificial beaches.
Zagreb, a range of cultural events
Zagreb is a cultural powerhouse. It is a destination of choice for all those who want to go out in all kinds of ways, whether you are young or old! The discovery of its offer starts with a few strolls in its art galleries and museums. There is a lot to do in Zagreb with places like the City Museum, which traces the history of the capital. The MSU is the museum dedicated to contemporary art exhibitions. Travelers also often pass by the Museum of Broken Relationships, less cultural but infinitely curious and original with its objects related to stories about broken relationships.
One should also keep an eye out for the cultural programming of unusual places like the Grič Tunnel. This 350-meter-long tunnel, which served as a shelter during World War II and the 1991-1995 conflict, offers exhibitions and other cultural events in its wide part. It is also a magical place at Christmas.
We can also clearly state that Zagreb is a city of festivals. There are several events that are not to be missed. From mid-spring to late summer, the Zagreb Time Machine offers a multitude of events to go back in time and dive into the history of the city. People dressed in old-fashioned clothes and telling the history of the city, meeting the people who have marked the history of Zagreb, the changing of the guard ceremony of the Regiment of Ties and other singers, the upper part of the city is bustling at this time of the year.
Like everywhere else in Europe, the summer season brings many festivals with highlights such as " Zagreb Classic ", dedicated to classical music; "INmusic", the biggest open-air festival in Croatia with great pop and rock stars; "The Courtyards", which offers sounds ranging from jazz to pop to classical; "Art Park", which during the summer months enlivens a park with open-air exhibitions, circus and music; and "Summer at Matoš's", which turns the Strossmayer promenade into a living space with wooden chalets offering food and drinks, sunbeds and umbrellas, games for parents and children, etc.
The other seasons are not left out. A trip to Zagreb in late summer and early autumn is an opportunity to attend the International Puppet Festival. " Artupunktura " is another highlight and sees many places in the city adorned with beautiful exhibitions of works by Croatian and international artists. In winter, Advent in Zagreb illuminates the city with Christmas decorations, concerts and warm moments of gastronomy. The " Zagreb Light Festival " is also a highlight in spring. Artists decorate the streets, parks and monuments of the city with incredible light installations. It is an opportunity to discover the city from another point of view, with an enchanting and modern side.
Zagreb and the cuisine
In Zagreb, the cuisine is rich and varied. It would be wrong not to take advantage of it. Among the specialties to be tested absolutely, the Sarma, which meets a beautiful success the day after the New Year. These are cabbage leaves stuffed with rice, minced meat and spices. They are cooked in a sauce with bacon and served with mashed potatoes. Gourmets also enjoy Štrukli with cheese, a kind of ravioli-doughnut filled with fresh cheese, local cream and eggs. The final dish is turkey served with mlinci, a traditional pasta typical of northern Croatia.
