If you’re looking for a unique European city with great food, interesting history, and amazing people, Zagreb is the place to be!
It’s very tourist-friendly, but not too crowded. It has amazing architecture and nature as well.
Sounds too good to be true, right? Here are 5 reasons why you should visit Zagreb in 2023. Keep reading to learn how to get to Zagreb by bus, plane, or car.
The architecture is stunning
It goes without saying that the Zagreb Cathedral is a symbol of the Croatian capital. This neo-gothic cathedral was built way back in the 13th century and is as majestic at night as well in the day. Another location you need to save on your itinerary is Ban Josip Jelačić Square. It is rather busy, but the beautiful buildings that surround it make it worth your time.
The food is to die for
If you’ve already visited the Croatian seaside, you know all about the delicious traditional Croatian cuisine.
Here are our recommendations for the best restaurants in Zagreb:
- Lari & Penati – a different menu every day
- Vinodol Restaurant – traditional cuisine prepared in a contemporary way
- Burgeraj – you’ve guessed it right, the best burger is found here
- Rougemarin – a locals’ favorite
When in Zagreb, make sure to try gablec, soparnik, the famous štukli, as well as čobanac. Here’s how to pronounce your order: gabletz, soh-par-nick, shtoo-klee, and cho-bah-naz. Bon appétit!
The people are welcoming
There are few places where you’ll feel as welcome as in Zagreb. Even though it may not be the first place that comes to mind when you think about traveling around Europe, it’s truly a hidden gem.
The best place for meeting the lovely people of Zagreb has to be Tkalčićeva Street. This street is home to many pubs, cafes, and restaurants. The vibrant atmosphere truly comes to life at night.
Take a stroll around local markets and dive into the local culture. For example, you can visit the flea market on Britansky Trg to truly appreciate what life was like a couple of decades ago. Maybe you’ll even find an authentic souvenir here.
Zagreb is surrounded by beautiful nature
If you have only a few days in this wonderful city, that doesn’t mean you’ll be stuck to buildings and concrete.
Don’t miss out on visiting Maksimir Park. It’s Zagreb’s green oasis in the middle of the city. Maksimir Park is home to meadows, lakes, and streams. Like in a fairy-tale, right?
Another stop for nature lovers is Zrinjevac. It’s located in the Lower Town, so when you enter it, it’s like you’re transported from a busy European city into a peaceful paradise.
On the other hand, if you have more than a couple of days in this city, we’d recommend exploring its surroundings.
First of all, you can hike on Medvednica Mountain to enjoy a picturesque view of Zagreb. The uphill hike will take you about 45 minutes. You can take a cable car up from Bliznec as well. The national park Plitvice is an hour away, which makes it a great one-day trip from Zagreb.
The museums are fascinating
Even if you’re not a history geek, we’re sure you’ll find Zagreb’s museums fascinating. There’s something for everyone:
- The Museum of Broken Relationships will heal your broken hearts
- The Museum of Naive Art will show you thought-provoking pictures and sculptures
- The Zagreb City Museum will teach you more about the history of Croatia
- The Museum of Hangovers will definitely be something to write home about
If the museums are this interesting and diverse, imagine the rest of the city!
How to get to Zagreb
By plane
Luckily, Zagreb is rather reachable by plane. You can hop on a nonstop flight from Toronto, Dubai, most countries in Europe, and even Iceland.
By bus
The same goes for traveling by bus – the Zagreb bus station is very well connected with most capital cities in Europe. If your starting point is Belgrade, you can find the bus schedule here on balkanviator.com. When you get to the bus station in Zagreb, it would be a good idea to catch a cab. Click here to find the best taxi service in Zagreb.
By car
If you opt for a car tour around the Balkan region, you’ll surely pass by Zagreb. It’s 1 hour and 45 minutes away from Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, and it’s a 4-hour drive to get to Belgrade. If you’re starting your trip from Sarajevo, you’ll need 5 hours to get to Zagreb.
