Zagreb

About Zagreb

Nestled between the lakes and the mountains in the north of the island, almost 100 miles inland, Zagreb still has a beachy vibe, with café terraces permanently packed out with residents and tourists drinking and lounging in the Croatian sun. The city is also perfect for strolling and cycling, with plenty of places to hire a bike and do some sightseeing.

At the heart of the city you’ll find Trg Bana Jelačića – the central square where most people go to meet up or enjoy the café culture. And there are endless galleries and theatres to explore, including the National Theatre, a neobaroque theatre with a regular programme of opera and ballet, and the Vatroslav Lisinski Concert Hall, the city’s most prestigious venue for live music. You’ll also find countless museums – go serious and highbrow and visit the Croatian Museum of Naïve Art, or keep it light and lowbrow at the Museum of Broken Relationships (exhibits include the “toaster of vindication”, left with a sarcastic note by a jilted boyfriend).

In the daytime Tkalčićeva Street is bustling with boutiques and cafés, while it transforms in the evening with its alfresco bars and restaurants spilling out onto the street. Štrukli is a favourite in the Zagorie region – a cheese-filled pastry smothered in cream and baked, and the ultimate comfort food. There are hundreds of sweet and savoury versions. Don’t leave Zagreb without trying one!