If your pocket is deeper, we recommend staying in the city center, but if this is beyond your means, look for accommodation in the area of the city tram, which is still the most practical and preferred means of transport in the city.
The most suitable starting point for sightseeing in Zagreb is Trg bana Josip Jelačič. There you will find a map of the city and at number 11 the tourist information center where you can buy a Zagreb Card, which will provide you with unlimited free rides on the first zone bus, tram, funicular and cable car, 50 percent discount for admission to museums and the Zagreb Zoo , 20 percent discount for concerts, theaters, opera and enabled special discounts in shops, restaurants, rent-a-car agencies and elsewhere. The Zagreb Card is valid for one adult and a child up to 12 years of age, and with the card you will receive a list of service providers, a Zagreb info booklet from A to Z, with addresses and phone numbers, and a city map. All service providers are visibly marked with a Zagreb Card sticker. Please note that discounts can only be applied if you pay in cash. The price of the card is HRK 60 or EUR 8 and is valid for 72 hours. In addition to the tourist center, you can also find it in the hotel where you stayed. Equipped with the Zagreb Card, you are 100% ready for the challenges of sightseeing, shopping and nightlife in Zagreb.
TRIVIA
Given that Zagreb is a fairly small metropolis both in terms of population and size, all the sights worth seeing are very close, in the wider city center. Among the cultural institutions, there are the Mimara museums - the Museum of Arts and Crafts, the Technical Museum, the Museum of the City of Zagreb - a permanent installation documents topics and events that create an image of the city and its cultural and historical development, the Archaeological Museum, the Museum of Naive Art, the Ethnographic Museum, the Croatian natural history museum. When reviewing the exhibition spaces, we must mention the Klovičevi dvori Gallery, which always surprises with interesting things, such as the Dora Maar exhibition entitled Dora Maar and Picasso. The external image of Zagreb was created under the great influence of Austro-Hungarian culture, so the city is also called Vienna in miniature. You can convince yourself of the similarities between the two cities if you take a walk around the city center. A special experience is a walk through Gornji grad (historical Gradec), the core of Zagreb, from which the modern city of today was created over the centuries. The Upper Castle is considered to be an open-air museum, and together with Kaptol, it ranks among the best-preserved old town centers in Europe. Hundred-year-old winding streets lead you past centuries-old venerable buildings - an environment that creates a romantic atmosphere, especially in summer. While you are walking, enchanted by the romance of the past, see the Stone Gate, the Jesuit Square, the Church of St. Katarina, which is considered the most beautiful Croatian baroque building, Markov trg, where the church of St. Marko with the famous colorfully painted ceiling with the coat of arms of the triple Croatian kingdom of Croatia, Slavonia and Dalmatia and the coat of arms of the free city of Zagreb. The Croatian parliament and the seat of the government are also on the same square, and a little further away are the Zvezdarnica and the Lotrščak tower, from where you can admire the panorama of Zagreb. If you take the Strossmayer Promenade, you will descend on Ilica, the street of the city's pulse. You can also go there by funicular, one of the traditional symbols of the city.
LAWS, LAWS AND MORE
Most travel is associated with shopping. Although Zagreb has a lot to offer here too, be aware of the higher prices. Otherwise, Ilica is the right place for you. Here you can find rags for every taste from global brands such as Mango, Sisley, Magma, Gas, Rašica, Esprit, In Wear, Tom Taylor, Naf Naf, etc. Nearby you will also find Diesel, S. Oliver and Kickers. Some connoisseurs prefer Zagreb stores because they offer a larger selection than Slovenian ones. If you are comfortable with a more personal style of dressing, you can take a look at the offer of Croatian designers. Thus, on RadiÄ?eva ulica you will find the I-gle and Budoir fashion studios, on Gajeva the boutiques of Leonarda, Leonarda Boban, wife of former soccer player Zvonimir Boban, and Matija Matija Vujica, singer of the band Gracia. Lovers of antiques can satisfy their desires every Sunday at the British Market, where they can choose something old, valuable and beautiful from the rich offer. And if that's not enough for you, you still have shopping centers Mercator, Importanne centar, Galerija, King Cross Jankomir and Kaptol centar.
OF COURSE SHOPPING IS EXHAUSTING
It should be noted that the weekend traditionally starts on Saturday around noon with coffee on Špica, even in winter. Špica is the name for the area from the beginning of Gajave ulica, BogoviÄ?eva, Cvetne trg and PreradoviÄ?eva to Masarykova. The most fashionable are Buldog, Maraschino, Charlie, Escobar and the VIP internet café - if you want to see or be seen, definitely sit in one of the listed bars. To fully experience the town below Sljemen, a coffee with a newspaper on a late Saturday morning in Špica is a must. The culinary offer is rich, from local Dalmatian, Liska, Slavonian, Istrian to international Mexican, Chinese, Japanese, Greek, Italian and French dishes. You can also get a good deal financially, from 10 euros for lunch for two people.
FUN
There are a lot of entertainment opportunities, so everyone will find something for themselves. For those who enjoy cocktails, we recommend Tantra bar on Trg Ljudevita Gaja or Papaja on Salata, jazz lovers can find satisfaction in BP jazz club, and those who are only interested in good night parties should head to Tvornica, Sax, Gjuro 2 , Aquarius or the iconic Saloon. Bars are not open at night, with rare exceptions. Among the domestic beers, it is worth trying the Tomislav black beer, and among the spirits, choose pelinkovec. Drink prices vary depending on what and where you drink, but you'll enjoy it cheaper than in any Western capital.
