If you are able to plan your stay around an annual event, the tourist office's calendar will guide you, because every season there is something going on in Zagreb.
Often you arrive and leave from King Tomislav Square! Going north, parks and green alleys connect the railway station with the pedestrian center. With its rich historical heritage, its numerous museums and galleries, its many shops or cafés-restaurants, the heart of the city is thrilling. Around the main square (Trg bana Josipa Jelačića), most of the 19th century buildings look at the equestrian statue of the governor. Nearby, the large Dolac market connects with the popular Tkalčićeva Street. It runs through the Kaptol district, dominated by the Gothic cathedral. On Radićeva Street, stairs lead up to the very peaceful Gradec neighborhood. To see, the Strossmayer promenade, the Lotrščak tower,St. Mark's church, the art gallery (Galerija Klovićevi dvori), the Museum of Broken Hearts, sad and funny at the same time.
In autumn, the red ivy invades the Mirogoj cemetery
It's time for fruits and vegetables galore. If it rains, it is time for wild mushrooms and in the taverns (konoba), various dishes will be prepared with the precious "meat of the forest". After Halloween and St. Nicholas' Day, the year-end festivities begin in early December. Almost every night there are classical concerts, Slavic carols, choirs, organ music, and a living nativity scene in the cathedral
Advent in Zagreb is a return to childhood
Candles and lamps flicker everywhere. Cups of wine or hot chocolate warm the hands. Gingerbread and gingerbread hearts(licitar) are offered. And if it snows, the magic takes even more around the ice rink. The city was awarded the European Christmas Market Prize for its chalets, giant Christmas trees, illuminated buildings, covered passages, streets and stores with traditional decorations. Even the Grič tunnel is illuminated until New Year's Eve. In winter, in the county of Zagreb, we ski on the Medvednica mountain and we love the Carnival of Samobor! Music, masks and disguises brave the cold until Mardi Gras. That night, Fasnik is judged, a scarecrow that is accused of all the evils of the past year: rules (sanitary!), taxes, local elected officials ..
Then we burn it in the good mood. The new year can then begin under better auspices. At Easter, restaurants open on Sunday and Monday holidays offer real feasts: lamb on the spit, cakes, Sirnica brioche and pretty colored hard-boiled eggs
In May, the Mali Zagreb festival sets up its miniatures in the street to remind the buildings and workshops of the craftsmen of the past. In early spring, the visual artists of the Festival of Lights also use the city and the night sky as a backdrop. Art, design, architecture and great spectacle are in the spotlight, this festival delights all audiences
Created in 1972, thanks to the international reputation of the Zagreb School of Animation, Animafest has become one of the most important international festivals. With films, exhibitions, meetings and workshops, current trends in creative animation attract filmmakers as well as film lovers here
Since 2016, at the end of June, the Zagreb Classic Open Air festival offers three days of free concerts. On King Tomislav Square, a varied program with, of course, the presence of the prestigious Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra
In summer, holidaymakers know that they can swim and have fun at Lake Jarun, while waiting for the opening of In Music, an international festival of current music. More dedicated to electro, Let the Music be Free also invites world-renowned DJs. The fireworks festival is held at Lake Bundek. In Maksimir Park, every Saturday of the month, lovers of lunch on the grass meet at the Piknik Zagreb festival to share gourmet baskets. At the end of August, back in town for Cest is d'best, a highly anticipated festival with a whirlwind of street performances, music, dance, folklore
More arty events are part of our selection
In the upper town, the summer on the Strossmayer Promenade programs eclectic concerts. Lots of people at the food trucks! The Dvorišta festival offers a more muted atmosphere for a moment of gastronomy and music in the inner courtyards of former palaces. More confidential, the Art Park (Ribnjak) welcomes Croatian and foreign creators. Together, they will give life to a participative art gallery. In the same spirit, the Artupuncture project, in September, also occupies the city with common artistic activities. The works in situ write a new history of Zagreb.
FUTURE INFO
When is it open?
Unlike other tourist cities, Zagreb has the advantage of being served year-round by direct air flights. Whether you're into heritage, shopping, hiking, skiing or swimming, the city renews itself
Duration
Some tourists will tell you that 3 days are enough to visit the city... but will they have time to do all the must-sees, escapades, evening outings?
Public
Unusual museums, boutique galleries, a media library that closes late, theaters, countless cafes, pubs, restaurants, parks and green alleys... Zagreb is decidedly romantic, young. Perfect for solo travelers or couples. Families will appreciate the Advent celebrations, the Museum of Illusion, the zoo, the ski slopes and the lakes
The pluses
On thescale of a relatively smallcountry, Zagreb is close to everything, 140 km from Ljubljana, 176 km from the Adriatic coast, 268 km from Pula. It is therefore a good base to start or finish the tour without detours
Unlikesome coastal cities, which are deserted in winter, the capital is lively all year round
The large pedestrianarea.
English translations are omnipresent.
Minuses
An uninvitingbus station far from the city center.
Big commission at the airportmoney exchange. Better to change more money in the post office. Always have kunas on you (transportation, cafes)
Museums closed because of the earthquake
Useful
TOURIST INFORMATION CENTER
Ban Jelačić Square
Tel: +385 1 48 14 051
TOURIST OFFICE - More information at
Kaptol 5
Phone: +385 1 48 98 555
With the Zagreb Card, free transportation, 3 museums and zoo + discounts in several museums, restaurants, stores. One card 24h/72h, 13/18 €.
