Zagreb City Breaks

A guide to Zagreb

The capital and largest city in Croatia, Zagreb is located in the northwest of the country, on the banks of the Sava River and at the foot of the Medvednica Mountain. The city itself is a mixture of Eastern and Western Europe, combining Old-World charm with a pulsating energy befitting of a modern European base. Visitors will appreciate the elegant architecture, art galleries, museums and historic buildings found in the city. Zagreb can be roughly split into two halves; the Upper Town (Gornji Grad), consisting of mazy cobble-stone lanes and beautiful buildings dating back to Medieval times, and the contrasting Lower Town (Donji Grad); arranged in a 19th century grid pattern, with numerous green squares overlooked by grand Austro-Hungarian buildings.

Great choice for a Eastern European getaway

Those looking to save money whilst visiting would do well to invest in the Zagreb Card; for a small price, you will be able to save money on museums and galleries around the city (up to half price) and travel free on all public transport, as well as discounts at some bars and restaurants, and money off car-rental. Not only this, but this picturesque city boasts free sights such as the 45-acre Maksimir Park, dating back to the 18th century, the Strossmayer Promenade (Strossmajerov Setaliste); a beautiful, romantic walkway offering the finest views over Zagreb, and Ban Jelacic Square (Trg Bana Jelacica); a 19th century piazza, busy meeting place and fantastic photo opportunity.

Superb shopping and lively nightlife

Shoppers will find Zagreb a great place to look for some bargains. The main shopping area is Ilica Street, where there's a great range of domestic and international clothes shops, department stores and smaller boutiques; the most traditional department store in the city is called Nama, and is located along this street. For a traditional Croatian market, head to Dolac, the market on the north side of Trg Bana Jelacica, which is open every day of the week and sells a huge range of fruit, vegetables, dairy products and meats, as well as boasting craft stalls selling souvenirs. Nightlife in Zagreb is lively and mainly student-based; the busiest area for going out in the evening is the pretty street of Tkalciceva in Gornji Grad, where there is a high concentration of bars and cafes. The city also boasts live music venues, classical concert halls, opera houses, theatres and nightclubs.