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Ban Jelačić Square

Zagreb is a city in Central Croatia and the capital of Croatia. The city has a charming medieval 'old city' with architecture and cobbled streets reminiscent of Vienna, Budapest, Prague and other Central-European capitals.

Understand

Zagreb is a vibrant city of around 800,000 people (metropolitan area: 1,200,000). In 2017 it was visited by over a million tourists, mainly from Austria, Germany and Italy. Zagreb is also well known for its Advent festival, which occurs from December to early January, boasting vibrant nightlife and extra events not available in other parts of the year.

Tourist information

  • 1 Turistički informativni centar (Tourist Information Centre - Ban Jelacic Square), Trg bana Josipa Jelačića 11. M-F 08:30-21:00; Sa Su 09:00-18:00. (updated Sep 2016)

Other information points are located at the airport, bus station, railway station and at the Lotrščak Tower.

Get in

By plane

1 Franjo Tuđman Airport (ZAG  IATA Zagreb International Airport) (in the locality of Pleso in 17 km south-east from the city centre). Airport facilities include restaurant, cafe, bars, post, bank, ATMs, numerous car renting outlets. It's open 24 hours with 6 cots on the upper level outside security if you need to sleep in the airport. And it has limited free Wifi, or paid access to the Internet (via terminal) Zagreb Airport (Q128016) on Wikidata Zagreb Airport on Wikipedia (updated Sep 2016)

Getting there:

  • Buses leave the airport at 07:00 and every 30 minutes between 08:00 and 20:00. Beyond these hours, there are buses leaving for the bus station every time a Croatia Airlines plane lands. In the opposite direction, from the bus station towards the airport, the buses are scheduled between 04:30 and 20:30. A journey takes ~30 min. Single 30 kn; same-day return 40 kn. Online timetable can be checked at the Pleso prijevoz website. Buses leave from the main bus station in the city center, airport buses leave from its northeast wing (toward the city)—look for "Croatia Airlines" and "Eurolines" banners on the building.

By train

Glavni kolodvor - Zagreb's Main Railway Station

There are direct services to major European cities such as Vienna (6½ hours) via Graz (4 hours), Budapest (5½ hours, €10 if bought on Hungarian Railways website), Zurich, Munich, Salzburg, Ljubljana and Belgrade as well as domestic services to all major towns (except Dubrovnik). There is also an all-year-round overnight train (with sleeping compartments) between Zagreb and Split (6 hours, 8 if going overnight).

As for the local destinations, then despite of introduction of new “tilting trains” (up to 160 km/h) connecting Zagreb with Split and other major cities in Croatia such as Varaždin, Osijek and Požega. Trains are not everywhere fast in the country. A journey to Split takes ~6 hours while by bus it takes ~5 hours, while other destinations along the coast practically are not reachable by train.

Tourists coming from or going to neighbouring capitals should note the following EuroCity and InterCity as well as EuroNight railway lines:

  • EC "Mimara": Villach - Ljubljana - Zagreb
  • EC "Croatia": Vienna - Maribor - Zagreb, also by EuroNight train
  • IC "Agram": Budapest - Zagreb
  • EN "Lisinski": Munich - Salzburg - Ljubljana - Zagreb (overnight service)
  • EN "Alpine Pearls": Zurich - Innsbruck - Ljubljana - Zagreb - Belgrade (day part from Belgrade, overnight from Zurich)
  • B 410: Ljubljana - Zagreb - Belgrade (overnight service)

Trains no longer run across the border to Sarajevo in Bosnia. The work-around route is to take the local train from Zagreb main station at 09:00 to Hrvatska Kostajnica, arriving by 10:45, for a fare of €8. This is 3 km from the Bosnian borderpost, either take a taxi, or walk south into town then east and cross the river by the first bridge. Once you've entered Bosnia, find a taxi to Banja Luka, 100 km southeast, costing around €50 and taking maybe 90 min. You'll reach Banja Luka in plenty of time to catch the 15:49 local train to Sarajevo via Zenica, arriving by 20:41.

Most of the services are operated by Croatian Railways. EuroNight trains can be booked via ÖBB (Austrian railways), DB (German railways) or SBB (Swiss railways), or any other ticketing agency by phone.

2 Zagreb Glavni kolodvor (Main railway station) (close to the main bus terminal). Zagreb Main Station (Q140377) on Wikidata Zagreb Glavni kolodvor on Wikipedia (updated Sep 2016)

By bus

International destinations are as far as London, Paris, Rotterdam and Amsterdam, numerous cities in Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Italy, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Hungary, many destinations in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, and Macedonia. Direct buses from Budapest, Hungary to Zagreb by Eurobusways.

Timetable information and prices can be found at the AKZ website. Croatian and international coach operators maintain scheduled lines covering all major domestic and European cities.

3 Autobusni Kolodvor Zagreb (Zagreb Bus Terminal), Av. Marina Držića 4 (to the south-east of the railway station - approximately 10 minutes walk, or 3 stops by tram (lines 2 and 6)), ☏ +385 1 6112 789. It has 24/7 left luggage, at the arrival terminal № 106. For baggage up to 15 kg: 5 kn per piece per hour up to 4 hour, afterwards 2.5 kn; otherwise 10 kn per hour (updated Sep 2016)

By car

Almost all highways (motorway; autocesta in Croatian) in Croatia start or end in Zagreb.

Travellers from Vienna can pass by Graz and Maribor and then take the A2 highway upon entering Croatia. Mind the toll in Slovenia.

Travellers from Budapest can pass by Székesfehérvár and then use the Croatian A4 motorway. It also connects Varaždin. You will have to pay toll from shortly after entering Croatia until shortly before reaching Zagreb.

Travellers heading from Serbia, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Greece and Turkey can use the Croatian A3 motorway to reach Zagreb.

Travellers heading from Ljubljana can use the A3.

Travellers coming from the west - Italy, Rijeka or Istria - can use the A7 motorway (near and bypassing Rijeka), A6 motorway (Rijeka-Bosiljevo) and then the A1 (Bosiljevo-Zagreb).

Those travelling from Italy can bypass the expensive motorway toll in Slovenia by using the state route SS21 through Trieste, route E61 through Slovenia (in a bad shape) and then A7 south to Rijeka, then Rijeka bypass, then A6 east to Bosiljevo and A1 northeast to Zagreb.

Travellers heading from the south - Dalmatian coast (Zadar, Split, Dubrovnik...) or from Montenegro - can use the A1 highway, often combined with the state roads D8 (by the coastline) and D1 (through the hinterland).

To use highways in Croatia you must pay a toll either in Croatian kuna, or in euro. You may also pay by credit card- American Express, Diners, MasterCard, Maestro or Visa cards. A third option is to use the HAC Smart Card, which can reduce the cost of travelling on the Croatian highways by 10-25%. It is issued by Hrvatske Autoceste, but pays off only if travelling more than 500 km (that's a return trip Zagreb-Zadar or Zagreb-Serbia) or 250 km for a seasonal Smart Card (a return trip Zagreb-Rijeka or two return trips to Zagreb from Austrian border). There are also transponders by Hrvatske Autoceste for electronic toll collection (called ENC). You can find a toll calculator here (click Calculator on the left navigation bar).

Get around

Zagreb Tram
Zagreb Bus
Funicular Railway
Suburban Railway

Zagreb has a well-developed and efficient public transport system that consists of trams, buses and trains.

By tram

The tram network operates 24 hours a day - from 04:00 to 00:00 there are 15 "day-time lines" (tram lines 1–9, 11-15 and 17), and from 00:00 to 04:00 there are 4 "night" lines (tram lines 31-34) which cover most of the day-time lines on a reduced (around 30-40 minute) frequency. Occasionally, buses replace trams on night lines. Tram lines 1, 3, and 8 do not operate Saturdays, Sundays and on public holidays.

From 1st December- 7th January to promote Zagreb's truly beautiful Christmas Markets, public transport is free during the weekend and holidays and that includes the funicular but not the trains.

There are maps of the tram lines on almost every stop, so if you know the nearest stop to your destination you can simply figure out the shortest trip while you're at the stop.

By bus

As for the buses, there are 138 day-time and 4 night lines. ZET buses cover the area outside the city center, and some neighboring towns in Zagreb county. The buses use the same ticketing system as the trams.

By funicular

A historic funicular railway (uspinjača in Croatian), one of the steepest and shortest in the world, operates between the lower and upper towns with a travel time of just one minute. Monthly, daily as well as single tram/bus ticket can be used, otherwise there is a 4 kn ticket for a ride. The funicular operates every 10 minutes, for a fee of 20 kn (in addition to regular tickets for everyone on board) an immediate start can be purchased.

By train

Trains operated by Croatian Railways (Hrvatske Željeznice) run every 15 minutes from east to west, connecting the suburbs of Zagreb with the central railway station. They are usually the quickest form of transport for those coming from the areas of Zagreb far from the railway station (Glavni kolodvor), or beyond the tram network.

Ticketing system

As single one-zone ticket valid for 30 min is 4 kn, a single ticket for 1 hour in one direction is 7 kn, 1.5 hours is 10 kn and between 00:00 and 04:00 it is 15 kn (Mar 2020). Prices when buying at the driver instead of the kiosk are 6 kn for 30 min and 10 kn for 1 hour (Feb 2019).

There is also a day ticket (dnevna karta), valid until 04:00 of the next day, available at 30 kn. For longer stays there are tickets available for 3 (70 kn), 7 (150 kn), 15 (200 kn) and 30 days (400 kn). Buy a ticket and stamp it (insert it) in the little orange machine once you enter to validate. All single tickets are transfer tickets valid in multiple vehicles travelling in a single direction, so you won't need a new ticket when switching trams and/or buses. Tariff zone system exists, but only for townships and communities outside of Zagreb city limits, all trams are in zone 1, as well as buses in the City of Zagreb. If you plan on taking more than two rides, buy a daily ticket.

Most locals use electronic chip cards to pay for the ride. These can be bought at ZET company offices for 10 kn and need to be filled up with money in advance. The advantage is easier use than tickets, as buses and trams often have fewer machines that accept paper tickets. If you want the cheaper short-duration option, you need to select it on the display before waving the chip card, otherwise you'll buy the 1.5 hour ticket.

Zagreb Card

Travelers who intend to visit many museums should consider buying the Zagreb Card. The card offers unlimited travel on public transport in Zagreb, discounts at virtually all of the city's museums, reduced prices at many restaurants, shops, and service providers and many other concessions. As of September 2013, it costs 60 kn for 24 hours or 90 kn for 72 hours from the date and time entered on the card. Holders of the card also receive a special booklet with a list of all of the establishments and the discounts available to them. The card can be purchased at any of Zagreb's Tourist Information Centers, at the reception desks of the majority of Zagreb's hotels, and ordered online (shipping cost is added).

By bicycle

There are automated public bicycle rental stations in Zagreb. Bikes are available at 9 stations in the city centre including: at the main train station; in front of the Technical Museum at Savska Street; at the intersection of Petrinjska and Amruševa; at the intersection of Gundulićeva and Varšavska; in front of the National University Library; at Šubićeva Street at the green market on Kvaternik Square; in Novi Zagreb next to the Avenue Centar Mall at the tram/bus stop museum of contemparary art (muzej suvremene umjetnosti).

Payment can only be made with credit or debit cards from Visa, MasterCard and Diners, in addition a mobile phone (can also be foreign) is required. The registration at nextbike Zagreb is free, account activation requires transferral of 79 kn, which can be completely be used for bike rental. As of September 2013 there are two tariffs: In the standard tariff, which does not cost a monthly fee, per day the first half hour is free of charge, then each started hour costs 8 kn up to a maximum of 5 hours (including the free first half hour), a longer rental costs a flat fee of 79 kn up to a total of 24 hours. Warning: If a bike is not returned to a station no longer than 24 hours after it was removed, a late fee of 750 kn is charged! The next tariff costs a monthly fee of 20 kn, for that on each rental process (even several times per day) the first 30 minutes are free, the next up to 4.5 hours are only 4 kn each, and the flat fee for rentals between 5 and 24 hours is reduced to 39 kn. Even here if the bike isn't returned after no more than 24 hours the late fee of 750 kn is charged. A customer card for easier rental (instead of using a smartphone app or activation SMS) cost a one-time 20 kn fee.

By foot

Zagreb is a compact city and can be best explored by walking. For the lower town (Donji Grad) the six squares of Lenuci Horshoe and the Botanical Garden can be covered in about 2 - 3 hours of walking. This area is also the home of Zagreb's major museums, galleries and theatres. The upper town (Gornji Grad) can also be covered in about 2 - 3 hours of walking and includes the cathedral, St. Mark's Church and Square and the Museum of Broken Relationship.

By taxi

There are three taxi companies in Zagreb. Taxis are obliged to have their taxi-meter on and you won't fare well if you try to bargain.

  • Radio Taxi Zagreb, ☏ +385 1 1777. Base fare is 10 kn, the price per kilometer is 6 kn/km, waiting by the hour is 40 kn/h and an additional fee for luggage is charged (3 kn per piece). Taxis are readily available at the Pleso international airport. Approximate fare to the city centre is 110 kn. (updated Dec 2019)
  • Taxi Cammeo, ☏ +385 1 1212, . Fixed rate between airport and the city; to the central district is 100 kn. Otherwise, starting rate is 5 kn, the price per kilometre is 3 kn, and each minute is 1 kn. They have an app for calling cabs and paying. Cash and credit cards also accepted for payment. To book by phone within Zagreb, dial "1212", and wait through the greeting entirely in Croatian (it tells you what to dial for other cities, but by default you get Zagreb); the dispatcher who comes on later probably responds to English-language requests. (updated Dec 2019)
  • Ekotaxi, ☏ +385 060 77 77. starting rate is 4 kn, the price per kilometre is 4 kn, and each minute is 1.67 kn. Vans available for a higher fee. No night surcharge. Call for fixed price to the airport. (updated Dec 2019)

By car

Zagreb has about average traffic congestion for a city of its size. However parking in the inner city is a problem. It is expensive and time limited and empty parking spaces are hard to find. Much of the inner city is 12 kn per hour during daytime and limited to 2 hours per day (after which an expensive daily ticket will be attached to your wipers by the parking warden), and a few areas like Gornji Grad are even pricier. It is best to park for free in the suburbs and use the ubiquitous public transport.

See

Zagreb Cathedral
St. Mark's Church
Old Stone Gate
St. Catherine's Church
Museum of Broken Relationship
Klovićevi Dvori Galleryl
King Tomislav's Statue at King Tomislav's Squarel
Pavilion at Botanical Garden
Mimara Museum
Archaeological Museum
Art Pavilion
Croatian National Theatre
Museum of Contemporary Art
Grounded Sun
Entrance to Mirogoj cemetery
Ariel View of Jarun Lake
Bundek Lake

The city of Zagreb is mainly divided into two parts Gornji grad (Upper Town) and Donji grad (Lower Town). They are the cultural, religious, and commercial hubs of Zagreb. These are where most of the restaurants, bars and tourist sights are located. The Upper Town, which is the medieval core of the city, developed as two separate (and often warring) towns - Kaptol, the seat of the Bishop (where the imposing Cathedral now stands), and Gradec, the free town where tradesmen and artisans lived (proclaimed by King Bela of Hungary in the 12th century) merged in the 1770s to form the northern section of historic Zagreb. Following this, the city expanded south of today's Trg Bana Josipa Jelačića (Jelačić Square) to the railway station and the Sava River. Apart from the two main parts the City of Zagreb extended both is North - South and East - West. The Northern part consists of the mountains and wilderness while the Southern part extends beyond the River Sava and consists of modern Zagreb and is known as Novi Zagreb. So Zagreb can be classified under four areas:

  • Upper Town (Gornji Grad)
  • Lower Town (Donji Grad)
  • Northern Zagreb
  • New Zagreb (Novi Zagreb)

Gornji Grad (Upper Town)

Churches and Religious Structures:

  • 1 Zagreb Cathedral (Kaptol). The Zagreb Cathedral with its twin spires is the most well known landmark of the city. The original cathedral dates back to 1217 but the present structure dates to 1906. The chief architect was Hermann Bollé. Free. Zagreb Cathedral (Q312220) on Wikidata Zagreb Cathedral on Wikipedia (updated Jul 2015)
  • 2 St. Mark's Square (Crkva sv. Marka) (St. Mark's Square). St. Mark's Church is known for its colourful roof tiles depicting the coat of arms of Croatia and Zagreb. St. Mark's Church was constructed in 1499. Free. (updated Jul 2015)
  • 3 St. Catherine's Church (Crkva sv. Katarine), St. Catherine's Square (Upper Town). Baroque style church 
  • 4 Old Town Gate, at the top of Radićeva street (Upper Town). now a shrine to virgin Mary - the "Kamenita vrata" where you can light a candle and, as the locals believe, your wish will be granted. Please be silent, even if just passing through the Gate. The portrait of Mary is said to be sacred, because it is the only thing that survived the large fire. Near the Old Town Gate is the sculpture of St. George having slain the dragon. The other statue, him fighting the dragon, is located on the Marshal Tito's Square near the Croatian National Theatre (roughly 1 km away). 

Parks:

  • 5 Ribnjak Park (next to Zagreb Cathedral, Kaptol). the Ribnjak is an English-style park complete with exotic plants, sculptures, and a children's playground. The park was originally the site of Bishop's fish pond. 

Museums: Most museums and historical sights close at 13:00 on Sundays and do not reopen until Tuesday.

  • 6 Museum of Broken Relationships (Muzej prekinutih veza), Sv. Ćirila i Metoda 2, ☏ +38514851021, . Oct-May: daily 09:00-21:00; Jun-Sep: 09:00-22:30. What remains after a break-up? Museum's permanent display is an opportunity to experience a unique emotional journey through dozens of love leftovers collected from all around the world. Museum is also the winner of Kenneth Hudson Award 2011 for the most innovative museum in Europe. 25 kn. 
  • 7 Klovićevi Dvori Gallery (Galerija Klovićevi Dvori), Jezuitski trg 4 (Upper town, close to funicular (uspinjača) and stone gate (kamenita vrata). Bus line 150 (except Sunday) from Trg bana Josipa Jelačića, exit Kamenita vrata or Markov try; back to Trg bana Josipa Jelačića enter at Katarinin trg.), ☏ +385-1-485-1926. Tu-F 11:00-19:00, M and holidays closed. This gallery in the old Jesuit monastery with changing exhibitions introduces Croatian and foreign cultural and artistic heritage across all eras. In most exhibitions, photography without flash is permitted. around 30 kn, varies by exhibition. (updated Apr 2015)

Donji Grad (Lower Town)

Parks: Other city parks are connected in the "Lenuci Horseshoe", an unfinished project of combining small green squares and parks at the core of the center of the town.

  • 8 Strossmayer Square (Strossmayerov trg) (the central position of the eastern wing of the Lenuci Horseshoe). Named after Josip Juraj Strossmayer, politician and Roman Catholic Bishop. (updated Jan 2017)
  • 9 Zrinjevac Square (just southeast of the main square). The park of the Academy, connecting the Zrinjevac and Tomislav parks. 
  • 10 King Tomislav Square (Trg kralja Tomislava) (south of Zrinjevac, just outside the main railway station (Glavni Kolodvor)). Decorated with floor beds and fountains and lined with trees it is dominated by a horse mounted statue of King Tomislav. (updated Jan 2017)
  • 11 Botanical Gardens (Botanički vrt) (south of the K. Tomislav Square, near the Hotel Esplanade), ☏ +385 1-4844-002. (updated Jan 2017)
  • 12 Mažuranić Square (western wing of Lenuci Horseshoe). Named after Croatian poet Ivan Mažuranić. 
  • 13 Marulić Square (southwestern square of Lenuci Horseshoe). Marulić Square houses the Croatia State Archive, and a statue of Marko Marulić. 
  • 14 Republic of Croatia Square (Trg Republike Hrvatske) (northwestern corner of Lenuci Horseshoe). One of the largest and greenest squares of Zagreb, with the Croatian National Theatre in its centre. (updated May 2020)

Museums: Most museums and historical sights close at 1PM on Sundays and do not reopen until Tuesday.

  • 15 Mimara Museum (Muzej Mimara), Trg Franklina Delanoa Roosevelta 5, . Tu W F Sa 10:00-17:00; Th 10:00-19:00; Su 10:00-24:00. Houses some 3,700 works of art donated by Ante Topić Mimara. The collection comprises more than 1,500 exhibits dating from the prehistoric period up to the 20th century. Some of the most famous exhibits include works by Lorenzetti, Raffaello, Giorgione, Veronese, Caravaggio, Canaletto, 60 paintings by the Dutch masters Rembrandt, Van Goyen, Ruisdael, 50 works by the Flemish masters Van der Weyden, Bosch, Rubens, Van Dyck, more than 30 by the Spanish masters Velasquez, Murillo, Goya, some 20 paintings by the German masters Holbein, Liebermann, Leibl, some 30 paintings by the English painters Gainsborough, Turner, Bonington and more than 120 paintings by the French masters Georges de la Tour, Boucher, Chardin, Delacroix, Corot, Manet, Renoir, Degas. 
  • 16 Archaeological Museum (Arheološki Muzej), Trg Nikole Šubića Zrinskog 19, ☏ +385 1-4873-101. Possesses over 400,000 objects, not all of them being exhibited. The holdings include evidence of Croatian presence in this area as well as rare samples which have made the museum known to the whole world. The most famous are the Egyptian collection, the Zagreb mummy and bandages with the oldest Etruscan inscription in the world (Liber Linteus Zagrabiensis), as well as the numismatic collection. A part of the museum is set aside for the collection of stone monuments dating back predominantly to the Roman period. (updated Jan 2017)
  • 17 Art Pavilion in Zagreb (Umjetnički paviljon u zagrebu), Trg Kralja Tomislava 22 (tram stations Glavni kolodvor (lines 2, 4, 6, 9, 13) or Zrinjevac (lines 6, 13)), ☏ +385 1-487-6487, +385 1-484-1070, . Tu-Th 11:00-20:00, F 11:00-21:00, Sa Su 11:00-20:00, M + holidays closed, closed between exhibitions. Designed by the Hungarian architects Korb and Giergl for the Millennium Exhibition 1896 in Budepest, its iron frame was transported to Zagreb after the exhibition, where the permanent pavillion was built by the famous Viennese designers of theatres in Central Europe Hellmer and Fellmer. It is a neo-classical exhibition complex and one of the landmarks of the city center. The exhibitions are also held in the impressive Meštrović pavilion on Trg žrtava fašizma. Current exhibition: Auguste Rodin - Rodin in Meštrović's Zagreb (until 20-Sep-2015), showing 55 large and small sculptures, 2 paintings and 10 scetches by Rodin and 10 early photographs of Rodin's work by then-famous photographers. Photography is not permitted by order of the Rodin museum in Paris despite the fact that Rodin's work is now in the public domain. adults 40 kn, reduced 30 kn, family (2 adults, 2 children) 130 kn. (updated May 2015)
  • 18 Croatian National Theatre (Hrvatsko Narodno Kazalište), Trg Kralja Tomislava 22 (at the centre of Republic of Croatia Square), ☏ +385-1-4888 418, . Croatian National Theatre, Zagreb was built in 1895. There are also Croatian National Theatres in Split, Rijeka, Osijek, Varaždin and Zadar. 
  • 19 Modern Gallery (Moderna Galerija), Hebrangova 1. Comprises all relevant fine artists of the 19th and 20th centuries. 
  • People and Art House Lauba (Kuća za ljude i umjetnost Lauba), Prilaz baruna Filipovića 23a. daily 15:00-23:00. Presents works from the Filip Trade Collection, a large private collection of modern and contemporary Croatian art and current artistic production. 
  • 20 Technical Museum Nikola Tesla (Tehnički muzej Nikola Tesla), Savska cesta 18. Has a lot of technical inventions, fire engines, a cabinet of Nikola Tesla, a planetarium and an underground mine. 20 kn. (updated May 2020)

Street architecture:

  • 21 The Grounded Sun (Prizemljeno Sunce), Bogovićeva Street 6 (Head south from the Ban Jelačić square to the Dubrovnik hotel, then turn right into the Bogovićeva street. You can't miss it.). Prizemljeno sunce by Ivan Kožarić is a 1971 sculpture, a 2 meter wide bronze sphere, which represents the scale model of the Sun, with 9 planets of the solar system in their scaled size compared to this Sun. Mercury is in Margaretska street, a couple of hundred meters to the west, turn right after reaching Cvjetni trg, you should see it on the wall to the right after passing a dozen or so meters. Venus is on the pole of the building with Hypo bank on the Ban Jelačić Square. Earth is in Varšavska street to the left. For other models, click the link of the sculpture above. 

Northern Zagreb

  • 22 Maksimir Park & Zagreb Zoo (tram #7 if you are coming from the Central Bus Station or trams #11 and #12 from the main square or the #4 of your coming from the railway station). The biggest park in Zagreb. Great place to chill out, drink coffee, eat lunch (picnic or at the park's restaurant) or take nice long walks through the forest or by the small lakes. Good for joggers, cyclists, also child and dog friendly. Offers lake rowing. The 85-year old zoo has red pandas. 
  • 23 Mirogoj Cemetery, ☏ +385 1-4696-700. Mirogoj is the central cemetery of Zagreb. It was opened in 1876 north of the city center. The mortuary, the impressive and picturesque arcades with the church of Christ the King (architect H. Bollé, 1883-1914) make it one of the most impressive cemeteries in the world. Here stand the tombs of notable personalities (including that of basketball hero Drazen Petrovic) who are relevant to Croatian history. To arrive from the central square, go to the nearby Cathedral and take bus number 106 (Kaptol - Mirogoj - Krematorij). The ride takes approximately 10 minutes. Note: the Croatian Day of the Dead is on November 1st. You may find the sight of hundreds of thousands of candles after nightfall impressive and worth seeing, but you may take note that on that day and a few preceding and following days the cemetery will be very busy and quite different from usual peaceful appearance; on those days buses to the cemetery are very frequent but crowded. (updated Jun 2015)
  • 24 Medvednica and Medvedgrad. The imposing mountain overlooking Zagreb (Medvednica) contains a preserved fortress (Medvedgrad) and fascinating views of the city. Being respectful in the fort is a good idea, since it is the site of the Altar of the Homeland memorial, dedicated to Croatian soldiers who died in the Homeland war. There are several historical festivals during the year, including knights tournaments. (updated Jun 2015) (updated Jul 2015)

Novi Zagreb

Lakes Zagreb has two very popular lakes:

  • 25 Jarun (at the south part of the city. Tram #5 or #17). Jarun Lake is a recreational area based around a large lake where locals go to relax, exercise - and party! The centerpiece of the area is the lake, which is used for windsurfing and has a large rowing section with spectator stands. There are also shingle beaches surrounding the water, alongside which are several bars that get very busy during the weekends but are also nice for a sunny lunchtime snack. All the bars there are considered 'fancy' places and usually play commercial music. 
  • 26 Bundek. hosts horticultural shows, firework festivals, workshops, concerts and music festivals (mostly during the summer). 

Museums:

Do

  • Strossmayerovo šetalište (Strossmayer's walkway). In the summer, it is an outdoor scene for painters, musicians and other artists offering food, drinks, performances and concerts. Popular meeting place for all ages, with a great view of the Lower Town. 
  • Watch football ie soccer at GNK Dinamo Zagreb, who play in Prva HNL, the top tier of Croatian football. Their home ground is Stadion Maksimir, capacity 35,000, 2 km east of city centre.
The city's other top-tier team is NK Lokomotiva who play at Stadion u Kranjčevićevoj ulici, capacity 10,000, 1 km southwest of city centre. They share this stadium with third-tier NK Zagreb.
  • Snow Queen Trophy. Ladies Night Slalom : Zagreb is the only capital in the world that hosts a Ski World Cup race. The slalom event - known as the "Snow Queen Trophy" (Snježna kraljica) - usually takes place in January. It is the most expensive race on the women's world cup tour and an exceptionally popular sporting event in Croatia that attracts a crowd of around 25 thousand people. 
  • Mount Sljeme. Part of the Medvednica mountains, this is the highest mountain (1,035 m) of Zagreb and quite popular with hiking, trail running. Take Tram 14 to the last stop and a smaller tram forward and you are at the start of the hike. You can also go up by bus or car. Different trails exist with good views and restaurants on the top where you can enjoy some traditional Croatian hiking food.

Cinemas

  • Most English-language movies are subtitled, not dubbed; only children's movies are dubbed.
  • A ticket will cost you 20-40 kn
  • About 30 kn is the combined price of a medium popcorn and cola.
  • CineStar Zagreb, Branimirova 29, ☏ +385 1 46-86-600 (ticket reservation). A multiplex cinema (13 screens) in the vicinity of the Sheraton Hotel. The website is in Croatian, but can be understood using a Croatian-English online dictionary. 
  • CineStar Novi Zagreb, Avenue Mall, Avenija Dubrovnik 16. A multiplex cinema (9 screens) in the vicinity of the Museum of Contemporary Art. 
  • CineStar Arena IMAX (the only IMAX movie theatre in Croatia), Lanište 32 (west from Arena Zagreb). Located in a large mall.
  • Cineplexx Centar Kaptol, Nova Ves 11, ☏ +385 1 56-33-888. A multiplex cinema (5 screens) within the Kaptol Shopping Center situated to the north of the Cathedral. 
  • Cineplexx City Center one East, Slavonska Avenija 11D, ☏ +385 1 563-2400. A multiplex cinema (7 screens) located on the east side of Zagreb. 
  • Kino Europa, Varšavska 3. - this cinema is located in the city center.
  • Kino Croatia, Katančićeva 3; +385 1 48-13-711.
  • Kino Jadran, Ilica 42; 062-100-100 (within Croatia).
  • Kino Central, Petrinjska 4; 062-100-100 (within Croatia).
  • Kino Tuškanac. Showing much more than just European filmography, alternative and older films, sometimes for free, usually costs about 10 HRK (€1.50) 

Learn

The University of Zagreb combined with the Croatian Heritage Foundation Matica Hrvatska offers comprehensive Croatian language courses for foreigners. The courses occur in the fall and spring semesters along with an intensive one-month course in July. All courses cost around €600. More information can be found by visiting the University's website.

Many universities in Croatia accept a small group as international students every year, who stay in dorms and learn Croatian.

FER (Fakultet elektrotehnike i računarstva, trans. Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science) is a globally-appreciated school of computer related learning. It is part of the University of Zagreb and accepts around ten international students a year.

Zagreb has its own hackerspace called Radiona where anyone interested in computers, technology, machining, science, digital art or electronic art can meet, collaborate, learn and engage in the ongoing workshops open for public.

Work

For creative types, Croatia is occupied by some street performers and many stands selling jewellery or other hand-crafted products, so the populace has an open mind to casually buying things from an interesting stand near the main square or dropping a few coins into a musician's case.

Buy

There are many small grocery stores around Croatia such as Konzum and Diona. There you can buy most necessary foods, hygiene products and items like cigarettes and alcohol.

If you have a more specific need (like appliances, cutlery) or wish to go bulk shopping then try one of the larger Konzums, Kaufland or Mercator.

Bread in Croatia is sold unsliced and is generally inedible after the second day of life, so if you don't eat bread much then ask for half a loaf "pola".

Most brands that you likely know from home, like Nutella or M&Ms, can be found in the larger stores but are rather expensive. Trying a domestic alternative or knock-off is not a bad idea.

Zagreb also has designated areas, the singular being a "platz", where you can buy and bargain for clothes and shoes as well as perfume, chocolate and souvenirs. Illegally imported cigarettes are also often sold for cheap there (because of high importation taxes).

Souvenirs

  • Turistički Informativni Centar, Trg bana Josipa Jelačića 11 (in the central squar). Sells everything ranging from postcards and books to pottery and crystal 
  • GEA Gallery, Radićeva Street 35. a wide range of souvenirs that are handmade in Croatia and are very reasonably priced. Very knowledgeable staff. 
  • Millennium, Radiceva 9 (off Jelacic square). Pottery, crystal, costume jewelery, and other gifts. 

Foreign books

Eat

Tobacco smoking is banned in all enclosed public spaces, including restaurants and some (but not all) bars and cafes. The smaller bars / cafes could opt (and some did) to allow smoking.

Budget

There are many take out, pizza-cut, sandwich bars and fast foods around the city. Most are located in the city center (main square - Ban Jelačić and surrounding blocks). There are also food chains such as the "McDonald's", "Daily Fresh", "Mlinar", "Pan Pek", and the preferred "Dubravica". Sandwich prices around the city varies from 10 to 20 kuna. You can also find many kebabs and pancake-to-go places.

  • American Doughnut, Teslina St. A sandwich bar that also serves salads and deserts. 
  • Bonita, Flower Square. Popular sandwich bar that also serves pancakes and hot wine in the winter. 
  • Colonia, Božidara Magovca 21 (In New Zagreb, in Mamutica), ☏ +385 1 6698-153. Pizza. 
  • Dvojka, Nova Ves 2 (On Kaptol close to Centar Kaptol), ☏ +385 1 4817-462, +385 1 4666-111. Pizza. 
  • Gigi, Petrovaradinska 39, ☏ +385 1 3885-092. Be sure to visit this pizzeria if you're going to the Jarun lake. 
  • Karijola, Kranjčevićeva 7, ☏ +385 1 3667-044. Pizza. 
  • Koykan World Food, Gajeva 8 (Go south from Trg Bana Josipa Jelačića square past the Dubrovnik hotel until you reach Gajeva street (Ulica Ljudevita Gaja Street=Gajeva Street)), ☏ +385 1 4827-223. Italian piadinas, Japanese teriyaki sticks, oriental wraps, Bubble tea from Taiwan and Japanese mochi cakes. Up to US$10. 
  • Mamma Mia, Ilica 63, ☏ +385 1 4846-093. Pizza. 
  • MOCA. Newly open at the main square serves great and cheap fried, deep fried and baked potatoes with a large variety of dips for takeout. 10 kn. 
  • Nocturno, Skalinska 4 (On Kaptol, between Tkalčićeva street and Cathedral), ☏ +385 1 4813-394. Pizza. 
  • Oliva, Jarunska 5 (located at the Jarun near the students' hall Stjepan Radic at the Eastern part of the volleyball center.), ☏ +385 1 3020 777, . 11-24. Italian restaurant (pizza, pasta). 
  • Pizza Cut Duck, Nikole Tesle 15. A pizza-slice bar that also serves fresh tortillas with veggie and/or meat filling. 
  • Sandwich Bar Pingvin, Nikole Tesle 10 (on one of the central streets, close to the Flower Square and Trg Ban Jelcica), ☏ +385 1 48 11 446. Classic sandwich bar with a wide menu and reasonably good mix of languages. One of the most popular dishes is the toplo/hladno (hot/cold), a grilled chicken and vegetables sandwich. 
  • Šestica, Medulićeva 6, ☏ +385 1 4846-248, +385 1 4846-562. Pizza. 
  • Stara Sava, Savska cesta 208 (Close to rotor and Mladost sports center), ☏ +385 1 3634-322. An excellent pizzeria. 
  • VegeHop, Vlaška 79. Closed Sunday. Vegetarian. 
  • Žirafa, Maksimirska cesta 64. Cheap Mexican food and drinks. Nice summer terrace. 

Mid-range

  • 1 Royal India, Kaptol, 27 (Located in Kaptol, 2 minutes walk from the Zagreb Cathedral), ☏ +385 1 4680 965, . Serves authentic Indian dishes. (updated Jul 2015)
  • Asia, A. Šenoe 1, ☏ +385 1 48 41 218. 12:00-00:00. Chinese restaurant 
  • Caramba, Frankopanska 6. Mexican food. 
  • Ivica i Marica, Tkalčićeva 70, ☏ +385 1 481 7321, +385 1 482 8999. Tu–Su 12:00-23:00. Wonderful food made only from natural ingredients, many sourced locally. Offers traditional, lite, diabetic, and organic cakes, ice creams and such. 
  • Restaurant Kvatric, Maksimirska 9, ☏ +385 1 2330 070. Croatian restaurant with very nice food for a reasonable price. Has a nice terrance in the back garden. Close to tramstop 'Kvaternikov Trg'. 
  • Mali Medo, Tkalčićeva 36, ☏ +385 1 4929 613. Another traditional Croatian restaurant. Lively atmosphere, youthful clientele, and all very affordable. Excellent ćevapčići and gulaš, not to mention superb beer. Mains: 25–60 kuna. 
  • Manzoku, Gajeva St. An excellent and so far only Japanese take-out in Zagreb. Tasty but rather expensive. 
  • Mex Cantina, Savska cesta 154, ☏ +385 1 6192-156. Mexican food. Good service, great food, on Mondays they offer live music by the best Croatian mariachi band, Los Caballeros starting at 18:00. 
  • Pivnica Medvedgrad, Samoborska cesta 217, Božidara Adžije 16, Tkalčićeva 36. Great food and beer for reasonable prices. Make sure to try 'čvarkuša' (4 Hkn). 500ml beer: 12 kn. 
  • 2 Zrno bio bistro, Medulićeva 20 (Walk down the passage with the Books sign), ☏ +385 1 4847 540, . M–Sa 12:00–21:30 (last order 21:00), Sun closed. Almost all vegan and organic. Some ingredients come from their own Zrno farm, less than an hour away. Mains rich in umami, luscious desserts. An extensive beer and wine list. Dinner 110 kn/person, including drink. (updated Dec 2019)

Splurge

  • Boban, Gajeva 9. Italian food. 
  • Feniks, Jurisiceva 19 (5 minutes walk from the Zagreb's main square), ☏ +385 1-481 44 11. Mexican food. 
  • 3 Le Bistro, Mihanovićeva 1, ☏ +385 1 45 66 666. Daily 08:30-23:00. A French restaurant within the Regent Esplanade Hotel. 
  • Panino, Nova Ves 11 (Centar Kaptol), ☏ +385 1 46 69 013. Nice little restaurant with great service and wonderful food. If you are into French and Istrian style food you will probably love this place. 
  • Restaurant Suhina, Dr. F. Tuđmana 1, Orešje (near the Podsused bridge), ☏ +385 44 1 33 71 562. An old family-run restaurant on the old Samobor road that offers a variety of roasted food. 
  • Takenoko, Nova Ves 11, in Kaptol Centar Shopping Center (Centar Kaptol), ☏ +385 1 48 60 530. Zagreb may not be synonymous with sushi restaurants, but this is one is superb. It is not cheap, but sushi they make is incredible. 
  • Velika Klet Obitelji Bunčić, 20 km from central Zagreb, ☏ +385 1 2781-132. A very popular place that offers Croatian cuisine, live music on weekends, a stable, fish pond and basketball courtyard. 

Desserts

  • 100% juice bar, Tkalčićeva 5 (in the center of Zagreb. Down some stairs - look for the small sign). Pricey but a good place to get a healthy snack or fruit smoothie. 
  • SladoMazo, Zelinska 7. A pancake restaurant with a wide range of crazy both sweet and salty filling ideas. 
  • The Cookie Factory, Tkalčićeva 21 (Head north of the large clock on the Ban Jelačić square towards the Dolac market, and turn left before the stairs. Head into the Tkalčićeva street and when you see the statue of Marija Jurić Zagorka the Cookie Factory should be to your left. You'll notice it by the decorated outside with funny drawings.), ☏ +38599 4949400. 09:00-22:00. Homebaked American sweets. Cookies, brownies and bars, krispy treats, muffins, cupcakes, banana breads, scones, cobblers, biscotti, top notch coffee, smoothies, cakes and pies. 
  • Torte i To, Nova Ves 11, second floor of the Kaptol Centar. A great little caffe offering the best cheese cake in town, and other great cakes. 
  • Vincek, Ilica. Closed on Sundays.. The local, best known ice cream and cake palace in town center. Offers diet foods. 
  • Konoba Didov San, Mletačka 11, Upper Town, ☏ +385 14851154. The best atmosphere restaurant in Zagreb with excellent food, unique menu, large portions and great location!! 

Drink

Bars and pubs

Many bars are found around Flover square (Cvjetni trg), the main square (Trg Bana Josipa Jelačića), Preradovićeva, Tkalčićeva, Radićeva, Bogovićeva, and Gajeva streets.

  • Booksa, Martićeva 14d. A cafe, bookshop and library famous with local young intellectuals. 
  • Harlekin, Tkalčićeva 50, ☏ +385 99 3864 720. 09:00-02:00. Cozy atmosphere, excellent English, free Wi-Fi, delicious drinks, very reasonable prices, great coffee, DJ or live music on weekends. 
  • Cica, Tkalčićeva. Bar mostly known for its great and varied choice of the local schnappses (rakija). Interesting always changing, gallery-like interior. The whole bar is small but offers outdoor seating. Very popular and crowded, brimming with young business and student clientele. 
  • Funk club, Tkalčićeva 52, ☏ +385 98 672 338. 11:00-02:00. Cafe and bar that offers various music night programmes in the basement (mostly alternative, DJs, world music) and spacial backpacker evenings. Very good atmosphere, lots of character, cheap and tasty Rakija shoots and excellent electronic music: funky, electro, jazz, d'n'b, house, dubstep. 
  • Golf, Preradovićeva. Until 02:00. Popular golf-themed cafe/bar. 
  • KIC, Preradovićeva. Offers free internet and cheap international call center. Hosts a cinema with various alternative movies. 
  • Kino Grič, Jurišićeva. Old cinema. Hosts movies, festivals, music nights and Zagreb's hipster crowd. 
  • Krivi Put (Wrong Way), Savska 14. 
  • Mali Medo, Tkalčićeva. Offers a good choice of local beer and food. Indoors smoking prohibited. Has a terrace facing Tkalčićeva street. 
  • Melin, Tkalčićeva. A cheap bar brimming with young people and students. Offers indoors, a roofed terraced leveled seating and an open terrace facing Tkalčićeva street. Known for crowds of people often drinking even around the bar, in the park and playground in front of it. 
  • Oliver Twist, Tkalčićeva. A choice of good Irish beer with a great atmosphere. Big summer terrace in front. 
  • Cafe de Paris
  • Pivnica Medvedgrad. 
  • Portal, Tkalčićeva. Next to Melin, offers same service, the Portal and Melin crowds often mix at the outdoors terraces. 
  • Purgeraj, Park Ribnjak. A bar/club in the Ribnjak park in the city center. Offers mostly rock, blues and alternative music. Daily happy hour when you get two drinks for the price of one. Sometimes hosts concerts. Popular with student crowd esp on Thursdays when it hosts the newly popular "take me out" evening offering a mix of indie and alternative music. In the summer, outside Purgeraj, in the Ribnjak park there are live concerts and various workshops offering summer fun under the name 'Park In Zagreb'. 
  • Tolkien's House, Opatovina. A small fantasy cafe/bar for Tolkien lovers. Offers a variety of beers, cider and hot drinks. 

Clubs

  • Aquarius, Aleja Matije Ljubeka bb (Jarun Lake). Saturday night is drum'n'bass & dancehall music, Friday is hip-hop/r'n'b night. Good concerts. 
  • BP Club, Nikole Tesle 7, ☏ +385-1 481 44 44. Daily 22:00-02:00. Jazz and blues lovers should check it out. 
  • Funk club, Tkalčićeva 52, ☏ +385 98 672 338. 11:00-02:00. Very good atmosphere, lots of character, cheap and tasty Rakija shoots and excellent electronic music: funky, electro, jazz, d'n'b, house, dubstep! 
  • Jabuka, Jabukovac 28, ☏ +385 1-48 34 397. Cult club for alternative, punk music. Cheap drinks opened on weekends, often concerts of alternative bands. Mostly visited on weekends, especially Fridays. Admission fee: 25 kn. 
  • KSET, Unska 3. A popular student club. Offers various indie and alternative programmes every night of the week. Indoors smoking prohibited. Serves only beer and non alcoholic drinks. Entrance prices from 10 kn (students) to 45/60 kn for concerts.. 
  • Medika, Pierottijeva 11. A local alternative club/legalized squat usually loaded with people during weekends, playing various music genres until the early morning. Best Croatian beers for 10 kn. 
  • Močvara, Prisavlje. A local alternative club (rock, punk, metal, indie)with various concerts and theme nights/programmes. Sometimes hosts festivals, young indie talent concerts, movie nights, exhibitions. 
  • SAX! - Klub hrvatskih glazbenika, Palmotićeva 22/2, ☏ +385-1 48 72 836. A great place to enjoy live music of a wide array of styles including blues, jazz, rock and pop. 
  • The Best, Jarunska 5 (out near the Jarun Lake complex), ☏ +385 1 3011 943. Largest club in Zagreb. Mainly dance style music. 
  • The Jazz Club. Open daily. Jazz, blues, and funk bands, often from other countries. 

Sleep

Budget

Hostels

  • 1 Chillout Hostel Zagreb, Fra Andrije Kačića Miošića 3b, ☏ +38514849605, . Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 11:00. A brand new hostel in the city centre, free linen, free towels, free wifi, 24-hr bar and reception Dorm bed: 97-127 kn. 
  • Dizzy Daisy Hostel Zagreb. Dorm bed: 100-150 kn. 
  • 2 Fulir Hostel Zagreb. 2 rooms, including a 12-bed dorm. Great place to meet people, but can be a wait to use the bathroom. 
  • Funk Lounge, Ivana Rendića 28b (From main train station: Take a tram number 4 (direction Dubec), and get off on the 7th station (Masiceva). Continue along Maksimirska street until you see 'Dublin Pub' across the street on your left side, cross the street and go behind 'Dublin' on the right side in 15-story building. Just by Mlinar bakery and hair stylist is the entrance.), ☏ +385 1 555 2707, . Check-in: from 13:00, check-out: until 11:00. dorm from: €13, private from: €20. 
  • 3 Hobo Bear Hostel, Meduliceva 4. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 11:00. A cozy hostel very near the town center. There is a basement hang out lounge with a TV, including cable and many DVDs, as well as free (fast) internet and computers. The staff is amazingly helpful and speak perfect English, the beds are comfortable and come with free linens and blankets, and there is also a well stocked kitchen facility. Dorm bed: 105 kn. 
  • [dead link] Hostel Carpe Diem, Milana Sufflaya 3. Dorm bed: 80 kn. 
  • Hostel Lika, Pašmanska 17. Small and cozy hostel a bit out of the city center. Dorm bed: 100 kn. 
  • Hostel Mali Mrak Zagreb, Dubicka 8. Dorm bed: 100 kn. 
  • Nokturno Hostel, Skalinska 2a. Free internet access, free linens and towels. Dorm bed: 130 kn; Single: 200 kn. 
  • Logistics Youth Centre, Jakuševečka 87, ☏ +385 1 6626 035. Logistic youth center, also works as a regional information center. From the host, you can get complete information about everything that interests you. The space has 10 rooms, lobby with fireplace, dining room, kitchen and a cinema hall, where you can stream movies from your laptop. The most interesting part is the terrace with space for tents and 30 seats. Located further from downtown, but the center has its own bus which runs as needed. Parking for approximately 30 vehicles. 
  • Old Town Zagreb Hostel, Dordiceva 24 (Ulica Ignjata Dordica). Dorm bed: 100 kn. 
  • Palmers Lodge Zagreb, Branimirova 25 (300 m from the main train station, 700 m from the main bus station.). Dorm bed: 115 kn. 
  • Ravnice Youth Hostel, I. Ravnice 38d. 

Mid-range

  • 4 Hotel Jägerhorn, Ilica 14, ☏ +385 1 48-33-877. 3-star hotel Founded in 1827, Hotel Jägerhorn is the city's oldest standing hotel. 
  • 5 Arcotel Allegra, Branimirova 29 (300 meters from the central railway station (Glavni kolodvor)), ☏ +385 1 46-96-000. 4-star hotel which is Zagreb's first "lifestyle" hotel. All rooms are spacious and air-conditioned and feature mini bar, safe, internet connection, bigscreen TV and DVD player. A very cool touch are the free apples supplied in your room in a very funky holder! 
  • Best Western Premier Hotel Astoria, Petrinjska 71 (not far from the central square of Ban Jelačić), ☏ +385 1 48-08-900. 3-star hotel 
  • 6 Panorama Hotel Zagreb, Trg Kresimira Ćosića 9 (in the business district of Zagreb some 2.5 km away from the central railway station (Glavni kolodvor)). 4-star hotel. 
  • Hotel Aristos, Cebini 33, Buzin (in the vicinity of the Zagreb airport at the southern gates of Zagreb, in the Buzin commercial center), ☏ +385 1 66-95-900. 4-star hotel. 
  • Hotel As, Zelengaj 2A (2.5 km north-west of the railway station (Glavni kolodvor)), ☏ +385 1 46-09-111. 4-star hotel. 
  • 7 Hotel Central, Branimirova 3 (150 meters from the railway station (Glavni kolodvor)), ☏ +385 1 48-41-122. 66 room 3-star hotel from €57. (updated Apr 2018)
  • 8 Hotel Dubrovnik, Gajeva 1 (overlooking Zagreb's main square - Ban Jelačić Square), ☏ +385 1 48-63-500. 4-star hotel. Clean, centrally located, good service. Some rooms are small. 
  • 9 Hotel Holiday (at the western entrance to Zagreb not far from the Zagreb Fair), ☏ +385 1 34-96-621. 3-star hotel. 
  • 10 Hotel I, Remetinečka cesta 106 (near the southern entrance into Zagreb, south of the Sava and in the vicinity of Zagreb Fair), ☏ +385 1 65-42-238. 3-star hotel. 
  • 11 Hotel International, Miramarska 24 (several hundred meters south of the central railway station), ☏ +385 1 61-08-800. 3-star hotel. 
  • 12 Hotel Jadran, Vlaška 50 (in the city center some 500 m east of the cathedral), ☏ +385 1 45-53-777. 3-star hotel. There is a big shopping center near-by - the Importanne Gallery. 
  • Hotel Laguna, Kranjčevićeva 29 (near the Cibona Business Tower), ☏ +385 1 30-47-000. 3-star hotel. 
  • Hotel Phoenix, Sesvetska cesta 29 (in an eastern suburb of Zagreb - Sesvete. It is located some 500 meters from the motorway on the main road that leads from Zagreb to Dugo Selo.), ☏ +385 1 20-06-333. 3-star hotel 
Hotel Esplanade, Zagreb, Croatia
Palace Hotel
  • 13 Palace Hotel, J.J. Strossmayer Square, ☏ +385 1 48-14-611. 4-star hotel. It was built in the Secession style in 1891 and converted into a hotel in 1905. The Arts Pavilion is 50 m away. 

Splurge

  • 14 Esplanade Zagreb, Mihanovićeva 1 (just across the central railway station), ☏ +385 1 45-66-666. Built in 1925 for passengers of the famous Orient Express train, which connected Paris and Istanbul. If you can, check the Emerald Ballroom with its soaring dome shaped roof. The hotel includes the Zinfandel's Restaurant, Le Bistro and the Esplanade 1925, the hotel's lounge and cocktail bar. 
  • 15 Sheraton Zagreb Hotel, Kneza Borne 2, ☏ +385 1 45-53-535. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. Features air-conditioned rooms and suites with classic furniture and marbled bathrooms. It also includes King Tomislav Restaurant, Fontana Restaurant, Piano Bar, Café Imperial, 17 meeting rooms and an 800-m² Grand Ballroom. 
  • 16 Westin Zagreb, Kršnjavoga 1 (next to the Mimara Museum and the Croatian National Theatre), ☏ +385 1 48-92-000. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. The hotel features the Heavenly Bed and Heavenly Shower and probably offers the best view in the city. 

Connect

Internet

  • Art Internet Caffee, Tkalčićeva 18, "Art" is an internet cafe bar, situated in the center of Zagreb (Tkalčićeva 18), a few steps from the Ban Jelačić square. In this modern and comfortable bar you can enjoy a fine selection of beverages as well as a large variety of computer services. +385 1 48 11 050. Daily 08:00 - 23:00.
  • Aquarius net, Kralja Držislava 4.
  • Art Net Club, Preradovićeva 25.
  • KIC, Preradovićeva 5/1.
  • Klub SC, Savska 25.
  • Mama, Preradovićeva 18, is one of the coolest and cheapest cyber cafes in the city. They charge 10 kn per hour or you can pay by the minute. Wireless connection, Skype, cool juices and coffee are available. The place is run by Multimedia institute, a nonprofit organization working in the fields of new media culture and digital technology, so there's chance of meeting some of the local and international cutting-edge artists or attending some interesting program.
  • Sublink, Teslina 12.
  • Vip, Preradović square 5.
  • Vip, Ibler square.

Stay safe

As other cities in Croatia, Zagreb is very safe, but just as anywhere else dark alleys, parks during the night, etc. should generally be avoided, and common sense should be followed. The chance of getting in trouble in Zagreb is fairly low, especially in the center where most of the hotels and restaurants are located, and for foreigners, who are in general respected and welcome. Visitors soon realize that Zagreb is much safer than the majority of other European capitals such as London, Paris, Vienna, Rome, and Budapest.

Pickpocketing isn't a particularly common occurrence in Zagreb, but you might be approached by beggars and similar people on the street – ignore them and they will go away.

Also, outbursts of homophobic behaviour have been known to occur, so it is advisable for homosexual couples not to show affection when near large groups of skinheads or people that look like football hooligans. For example, a lesbian couple from UK was assaulted by an angry passenger in a tram, and they suffered minor injuries, and the perpetrator was apprehended by the police.

Park Ribnjak, very close to the city centre, is safe during daytime and worth visiting, especially for children. However, it has become a night-time meeting place of alternative youngsters, and subculture violence involving skinheads and similar violent young people has occasionally occurred. It's best to steer clear of Ribnjak after dark, which shouldn't be a problem because of a lack of interesting activities there for most tourists anyway.

Further, if you are going out at night (especially on weekends), steer clear of any drunk and rowdy groups of young people you might encounter in the street or night trams as random beatings have been known to occur. It is not uncommon for such groups to start unprovoked attacks on passers-by, although they target mainly younger crowd and teenagers. These are not common, but they do happen occasionally, and people have been killed by such attacks in the past, so take precautions. It is advisable for men not to wear overly pink clothes.

Avoid clubs which play what is known in Croatia as "Turbo-folk" music. These clubs are often featured in the local newspapers as violence erupts in them quite easily.

Also, avoid strip clubs at all costs. Zagreb is not famous for such clubs and they are rare; however, most of them are often run by very shady characters, and often overcharge their guests. Foreigners have been charged €2000 for a bottle of champagne. These clubs overcharge their customers to the extreme, and their bouncers will not have any mercy if you tell them you are unable to pay. You will soon find yourself in a local hospital. This not only applies to strip clubs in Zagreb, but also all over Croatia.

Cope

Reading and speaking

Croatian children start learning a foreign language in primary school, and for the majority it is English, so younger people can usually speak the language well enough, and many older people know some. You may also try German or Italian, as both are popular (for historical and cultural reasons).

It is also advisable to learn a some basic Croatian words and phrases - because Zagreb can be a vibrant, busy city, a few basic molim (please), hvala (thanks) or oprostite (excuse me, pardon me, I'm sorry) will go a long way to avoid being ignored by a busy local.

Visiting during summer

Summer time is traditionally time in Zagreb for maintenance and road repairs. If you visit Zagreb at that time, you should do some research on what streets are open and what aren't and also be prepared to get stuck in traffic jams during rush hours.

Embassies

Go next

  • Samobor - a picturesque medieval town with well preserved old lore and long tourist tradition. 25 km west of Zagreb, accessible by bus (~30 min distance from Zagreb, ticket price ~20 kn).
  • Sisak - a beautiful town at the intersection of 3 rivers with long history. 50 km southeast of Zagreb, accessible by fast train (about 30 min), and bus.
  • Vrbovec - a town for all who would like to see the typical way of Croatian life. 32 km northeast of Zagreb, accessible by bus.
  • Karlovac - a stunning town at the intersection of 4 rivers. 45 km southwest of Zagreb, accessible by bus.
  • Ljubljana, Slovenia.
This city travel guide to Zagreb is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.

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