Location: Zagreb
Day 1 - 16 Aug 2021
Bureau
Content: The hostel is located in the very centre of the imaginative and playful Zagreb. We are only three minutes away walking from Zagreb's main, Ban Jelačić square, but still in a quiet and peaceful yard isolated from traffic noise.
Cathedral of Zagreb
Content: The Zagreb Cathedral is the second-tallest building in Croatia, and also the most monumental and the most impressive Gothic-style sacral building southeast of the Alps. The entrance inside is free, but don’t forget to turn your mobile off! Always keep in mind that this is a place of worship. The best time to experience the Zagreb Cathedral is while attending the daily mass. Check out the Cathedral mass time and schedule your visit accordingly. Do not forget to see the top ten finest and top-quality organs in the world. If you get a chance, attend the Organ festival during summer. An interesting fact is that as you exit the Cathedral, on your right you will notice a stopped clock. The time is always 7:03, the exact time when the big earthquake hit Zagreb in 1880.
Pekarne Dinara
Content: We love Croatian bakeries! Here you can find all sorts of good stuff to eat for lunch (and breakfast) for really good prices. Make sure to try out the Börek, which comes in either meat, cheese or potato fillings.
Mesnica NENO
Content: Large market with many stands offering flowers, fruits, veggies & meats in an indoor/outdoor setup. This is a great way to get a feel of the local vibe!
Tortureum - Museum of Torture
Content: This museum offers an insight into its unique collection of various instruments of torture and execution that have been employed since the ancient times to the present day. The Museum vividly depicts the notion of violence throughout history, with over 70 full-scale instruments of torture, which even the thought of chilled people to the bone. Open everyday, from 12.00 to 19.00
Capuciner
Content: We found this as a great place for dinner. The location is really nice and the prices are good as well. Needless to say, food was delicious.
Harat's Pub
Content: We couldn’t end the day without a pint of beer 🍺
Location: Zagreb
Day 2 - 17 Aug 2021
Botaničar
Content: This cute social cafe opens everyday from Monday to Saturday at 08:00am and 11:00am on Sunday so it served as a perfect spot for a mouthwatering breakfast.
Botanical Garden Pavillion
Content: This garden is home to over 10,000 plant species from all over the world, and some of those are exotic ones! We would say that we loved the ponds the most, just because they're huge and they're home to so many aquatic plants and species (including turtles!!). Opening hours are 9am–7pm
Jarun
Content: South of the city centre is the Jarun lake also called "Zagreb Sea". With its cycle tracks, lakes for water sports and sports grounds for team sports, Jarun lake is the largest entertainment centre in Zagreb. The place is ideal for sunbathing or swimming on hot summer days. During the day the lake is host for walkers and athletes and in the evening nightclubs welcome night creatures. You can either prepare some food for a lovely picnic, or else have lunch in one of the restaurants around the lake.
Nokturno
Content: Honestly, one of the best Pizza we’ve ever eaten (if not the best). Don’t get there late as the place is usually full. We had to wait in order to get a seat, but I promise - it’s totally worth it!
Location: Zagreb
Day 3 - 18 Aug 2021
Otto & Frank
Content: We loved this one! It's a small bar & bistro located right by the next activity. And it has anything we could dream of having for breakfast, from oatmeal and french toast to homemade granola! We immediately knew we would be starting the day on the right note after finding this place.
Museum of Broken Relationships
Content: We couldn't miss this museum just because of its originality. Basically, it's all about treasuring and sharing heartbreak stories and symbolic possessions. At its core, the museum is an ever-growing collection of items, each representing a past relationship and every item is accompanied by a personal, yet anonymous story of its contributor for us to understand what really went on. We wandered around all the items and indulged ourselves in each of the funny, sad or cruel stories tied to each piece of memorabilia.
Pod starim krovovima
Content: Great local spot near St. Mark’s Church for a coffee or beer stop, or else to grab a bite.
St. Mark's Church
Content: It's an iconic building in Zagreb due to its signature colourful tiled roof - a glazed tile with coats of the arms of the city of Zagreb and the Triune Croatian Kingdom.
Lotrščak Tower
Content: We had heard a lot about this fortified tower before we actually went on our trip. It’s also located in the old and upper part of town (called Gradec or Gornji grad) and it’s the best preserved building within the city’s defensive system. We learned that every day at noon, for over 110 years, the cannon has been firing from the top of this tower in memory of an event from Zagreb’s history. A legend says that exactly at 12:00pm one day, the Grič canon fired a discharge from Lotrščak to the Turkish camp located across Sava and blew out a turkey (which the cook was taking to Pasha on a platter). After that event, the Turks scattered and did not attack Zagreb. So, what once served as the main city fort is now one of the main Zagreb’s trademarks. We can’t forget to mention the belvedere that provides such a wonderful view of the city and its surroundings.
Funicular
Content: Ride the world's shortest funicular. It’s just 66m long and it's also the oldest form of transportation in the city!
Snogu
Content: For dinner we were looking for something rather international so went for this fast food restaurant. Definitely the best wok we’ve tasted in a long while!
Cremme / The Cookie Factory
Content: There was still room for desert that night so we just couldn’t skip it. The sweets there are so beautiful and delicious so nobody would want to miss that. For us, we tasted the banana pie and the NY cheesecake and it’s safe to say that they were both so good!
Location: Zagreb
Day 4 - 19 Aug 2021
Melt - Gelato & Brunch Bar
Content: We started the day with one berry and one tropic smoothie and a mouth-watering fruity breakfast. It tasted heavenly!
SUS Tunel Grič
Content: This was built back in 1944 during World War II. It costed the city of Zagreb 490 million kuna (€65 million by today's rate) due to the high inflation at the time. Apparently, the tunnel's primary purpose was to shelter civilians from the bombings during WWII & the Croatian War of Independence. But not just that! During the latter battle (in 1992), it hosted the legendary rave party - one of the major stepping stones towards the future we enjoy today. Entrance: FREE
Stadion Maksimir
Content: Maksimir Stadium is a multi-use stadium in Zagreb, Croatia. It takes its name from the surrounding neighbourhood of Maksimir. The venue is primarily the home of Dinamo Zagreb, the top club of the country with 22 league titles, but it is also the home venue of the Croatia national football team. Plan ahead and try to find a Dinamo Zagreb home match. The atmosphere is said to be phenomenal!
Bakery Maksimir
Content: This bakery offered one of the best burek we tasted in Zagreb. It’s 100% worth a try.
nextbike Maksimir
Content: Rent an e-bike from a ‘next bike’ station nearby and… (next activity)
Maksimir Park
Content: Roam around Maksimir Park. This is the largest, oldest (it has been 220 years since its founding) and most popular public park in the city of Zagreb, also known as a green oasis. It forms part of the city's cultural heritage and is a habitat for many different plant and animal species. We had a blast!
Buffet Orkan
Content: We were looking for something tasty and delicious and this restaurant ticked all boxes. It offered traditional bbq meals and they were super homey.
Swanky Monkey Garden
Content: Not quite tired yet? Time for a few drinks. Head over to this place. The environment was really cute and chill, with a good service and a wide variety of drinks.
Location: Zagreb
Day 5 - 20 Aug 2021
EGGSPRESS
Content: We found a really cute breakfast place which is a hidden gem yet to be discovered! It’s basically a paradise for eggs benedict and mimosas. We would recommend this place to anyone on the search of having a fulfilling breakfast because honestly, the portions are huge.
Groblje Mirogoj
Content: This has to be the most beautifully put cemetery we ever visited. It’s a city cemetery also known as a cemetery park, considered to be one of the most noteworthy landmarks in the city. The cemetery has members of all religious groups including Muslim, Catholic, Orthodox, Jewish, Protestant and also latter-day saints. Moreover, irreligious graves can be found too and that’s mostly what we loved about it – it doesn’t matter what religion you follow, we’re all the same.
Pekarna Draškovićeva
Content: After spending a few hours roaming around the cemetery (it’s pretty huge by the way), our appetite started coming back. So we paid a visit to the pekarna closest to our next planned destination. We had some burek and some pastries too which tasted pretty good.
Worldclass
Content: Enjoy some fitness and pampering time. They have it all from fitness to wellness, including a fully equipped gym, group and personal fitness classes, a swimming pool, two saunas, massage rooms, and a relaxation area. We were spoilt for choice with all the facilities being accessible as late as 10.00pm ⏰
Street Food
Content: Since we loved Ribnjak neighbourhood so much, we decided we would go back to the area for dinner, and go have some food there. We did actually find a restaurant there and once again, just like the other nights, it didn’t disappoint. And since we were so exhausted from a full day of the outdoors and pampering, we had desert there too. 10/10 recommend tasting the crepes!
Location: Zagreb
Day 6 - 21 Aug 2021
Korica
Content: Great breakfast place with freshly baked croissants.
Art Pavilion in Zagreb
Content: This is the oldest (120 years) art gallery in Zagreb built in 1898, located on the Lenuci Horseshoe, Lower Town area of the city. And when we did some more research about it, we got to know that it serves as a centre and institute for artistic and cultural life in the city and it hosts several exhibitions and community events as well. Basically, every important exhibition in Zagreb has been sited here. We walked by the pavilion a few times along our trip but we had never actually checked it out. We surely loved the architectural design, and the area surrounding it- the beautiful floral displays and statuary
Stone Gate
Content: We spent the afternoon roaming around one of the major Zagreb sights situated in Upper Town. It has undergone many reconstructions and was devastated more than once. For example, on 31st May, 1731 a fire destroyed much of Gradec, burning all the houses to the ground. At that time the Gates displayed a painting of the Mother of God, which was miraculously undamaged by that fire. To commemorate this event, citizens built a chapel within the arch of the old Stone Gate. The chapel, which still houses the painting of the Mother of God, has since become Zagreb’s biggest shrine and is regularly visited by people who come to light a candle and thank the Lady for protecting them.
Muzej čokolade Zagreb
Content: Who doesn’t love chocolate? 😍👌 Explore the history of chocolate, going back as far as the ancient Indian tribes of South and Mesoamerica, taste nine types of chocolate from our sample box, take selfie in our mystical rainforest, our lavish baroque royal court or in Willy Wonka’s magical chocolate factory, grind cocoa beans using a metate like the Aztecs did or make a foamy chocolate drink like the Mayas
Ulica Ivana Tkalčića
Content: For the rest of the day, we decided to stroll around this street and it was great. There were bars offering live music and cafes but we opted for a good sit-down meal. We noticed a mix of both locals and tourists and altogether, the street was jam packed which made everything so fun. It’s truly a charming street lined by low-rise painted houses with balconies. We don’t recommend missing this place, whether you would like to pick up something to go, or have an elegant meal with a loved one, we can assure you that you’ll find what you’re looking for.
Location: Zagreb
Day 7 - 22 Aug 2021
Hrelić Jakuševec
Content: One thing we love most about travelling is to indulge in the culture and interact with locals. And what a better way to do that other than a flea market? This one is only open on Sundays and opening hours are approximately from 05:00 am - 12:00 pm. We didn’t go at its earliest of times because we weren’t interesting in buying anything (because of our limited space). We were keener on ‘window shopping’. And to be completely honest we were impressed. We think it was rather organised when we compare it to other flea markets we’ve visited before. Fun fact: Years ago, some organized this market in Paris which specialized in shabby second-hand goods. The name given was marché aux puces (flea market), just to warn off people that there's a mighty good chance that the products contain actual fleas. Nowadays, you can find these in several cities, with locals selling all kinds of junk and treasures ... and we just love that! In our heads they just scream 'local’ & ‘culture', starting from the items on sale, the food, the vibe and everything in between. PLENTY of options to eat and grab a few beers 🍻
Muzej iluzija
Content: It’s an unusual museum that blew our minds. As soon as we entered the fascinating world of illusions, we were fascinated mostly because nothing was what it appeared to be. We can admit that it’s a perfect place for a fun new experience as you become the exhibition. Moreover, it’s intriguing, visual and sensual but also an educational experience for all generations. We mostly enjoyed the anti-gravity room and the maze of mirrors but there are so many others!
Pupitres - Wine & Coffe Bar
Content: For a perfect Sunday, have some good quality Croatian wine. What we mostly loved about the bar we selected were the staff because they were so knowledgeable about what they were selling. Besides, the wines are hand-picked by quality and region, and they also range from very affordable to rare gems. That over a good conversation and some quality time turned out into quite a memorable Sunday afternoon.
Synlab Hr
Content: This was our last event of the trip, getting tested to move on to the next country. We received such a wonderful service from Synlab. We required a COVID-19 test as we needed to travel, and the staff set out everything for us in the easiest way possible. We highly recommend this place because not only is it efficient and professional, but the staff is so kind and helpful too, with prompt results. After a few hours, we received everything. Couldn't recommend it more!