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Zagreb, Croatia's capital, is a laid-back Central European city that many travellers overlook on the way to the coast. Its medieval Upper Town of cobbled lanes, gas lamps and the colourful tiled roof of St Mark's Church sits above the grand Austro-Hungarian Lower Town, linked by one of the world's shortest funiculars.
Life revolves around Ban Jelačić Square, the open-air Dolac Market and endless cafe terraces where locals linger over coffee. The city's museums range from the classic to the quirky, including the Museum of Broken Relationships, and the Lenuci Horseshoe chain of parks and squares is perfect for strolling. In winter, Advent in Zagreb is regularly named one of Europe's best Christmas markets.
Zagreb is compact, safe and good value, with an easy tram network. It also makes a convenient starting point for Plitvice Lakes National Park, the hills of Medvednica and a road trip down the Croatian coast.
Country
Croatia
Region
City of Zagreb, northwestern Croatia
Population
~765,000
Elevation
~158 m above sea level
Time Zone
CET (UTC+1), CEST (UTC+2) in summer
Currency
Euro (EUR)
Language
Croatian
Nearest Airport
ZAG (Zagreb Franjo Tuđman), ~17 km
Airport to City Centre
~30-40 min by shuttle bus; ~25 min by taxi
Typical Cost Level
Mid-range
Transport Pass
ZET daily tram and bus ticket; Zagreb Card (24/72 hrs)
Spring (Mar-May)
7-19°C
Summer (Jun-Aug)
16-28°C
Autumn (Sep-Nov)
7-18°C
Winter (Dec-Feb)
-2-6°C
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Entry rules, stay length and passport validity by nationality.
May to June and September to October are the best times to visit Zagreb, with warm weather and fewer crowds than the coast. Late November to early January is when Advent in Zagreb turns the city into one of Europe's most celebrated Christmas markets. July and August can be hot, and some locals leave for the coast.
The airport shuttle bus is the easiest way from Zagreb Airport to the city centre. It runs to the main bus station in about 30-40 minutes, from where trams reach the centre in a few stops. A taxi takes around 25 minutes.
Walking and trams are the best way to get around Zagreb. The Upper Town and Lower Town are compact and connected by a short funicular, and blue trams run across the whole city. You do not need a car in Zagreb, though one helps for trips to Plitvice and the countryside.
Two days is enough to see Zagreb's highlights. Spend a day in the Upper Town and at Dolac Market, and another on museums, parks and cafe culture in the Lower Town. Add a day for Plitvice Lakes National Park.
Yes, Zagreb is one of the safest capital cities in Europe. Violent crime against tourists is very rare. Keep an eye on your belongings in crowded trams and at the Advent markets.
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Plitvice Lakes National Park is the top day trip from Zagreb, about two hours away by bus or car. Samobor, a pretty small town famous for its custard cream cake, is just 30 minutes away. Baroque Varaždin and Trakošćan Castle are good options to the north, and Ljubljana in Slovenia is a little over two hours away.
Štrukli is the signature dish of Zagreb, a pastry filled with fresh cheese that is boiled or baked with cream. Also try purica s mlincima (roast turkey with pasta flatbread), zagrebački odrezak (a stuffed breaded veal cutlet) and kremšnita custard slice. Dolac Market is the best place to taste local cheese and produce.
