Zagreb

Zagreb is a vibrant city of around 800,000 people (metropolitan area: 1,200,000). The city boasts a charming medieval 'old city' with architecture and cobbled streets reminiscent of Vienna, Budapest, Prague and other Central-European capitals. 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

• Turistički informativni centar

  address: Trg bana Josipa Jelačića 11

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

By plane

Franjo Tuđman AirportAirport 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)

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

There are direct services to major European cities such as Vienna (6.5 hours), Budapest (5.5 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 mins. 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.

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.

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). You can find a toll calculator here (click Calculator on the left navigation bar).

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

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.

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.

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.

Trains

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 1.5 hours in one direction is 7 kn, and between 00:00 and 04:00 it is 15 kn. Prices when buying at the driver instead of the kiosk are 6 kn for 30 min and 10 kn for 1.5 hours (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.

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).

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.

Walks

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.

Taxi

There are three taxi companies in Zagreb:

• Radio Taxi Zagreb phone: 1777. Starting rates as of January 2012 are fixed at 9.90 kn, the price per kilometer is 4.90 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. Taxis are obliged to have their taxi-meter on and you won't fare well if you try to bargain.
• Taxi Cammeo phone: 1212. Starting rate is 15 kn and includes 2 free kilometres. The price for every next kilometre is 5 kn. They are not permitted to pick up customers at the Pleso Airport.
• Ekotaxi phone: 060 77 77. Start 8.80 kn, 5 kn per kilometre.

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:

• Zagreb CathedralThe 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.

• St. Mark's SquareLocated at the centre of 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.

• St. Catherine's Church

  address: St. Catherine's Square (Upper Town)
  Baroque style church

• Old Town Gate

  address: 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:

• Ribnjak Parkthe 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.

• Museum of Broken Relationships (Muzej prekinutih veza)

  phone: +38514851021
  address: Sv. Ćirila i Metoda 2
  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.

• Klovićevi Dvori Gallery

  phone: +385-1-485-1926
  address: Jezuitski trg 4
  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.

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.

• Strossmayer SquareNamed after Josip Juraj Strossmayer, politician and Roman Catholic Bishop, the Strossmayer Square occupies the central position of the eastern wing of the Lenuci Horseshoe.

• Zrinjevac Squarethe park of the Academy (connecting the Zrinjevac and Tomislav parks).

• King Tomislav SquareKing Tomislav Square is the square overlooking the main railway station (Glavni Kolodvor) of Zagreb. Decorated with floor beds and fountains and lined with trees it is dominated by a horse mounted statue of King Tomislav.

• Botanical Gardens

  phone: +385 1-4844-002

• Mažuranić SquareThe central square of the western wing of Lenuci Horseshoe. It is named after Croatian poet Ivan Mažuranić.

• Marulić SquareMarulić Square is the South Western square of Lenuci Horseshoe. It houses the Croatia State Archive. It also has a statue of Marko Marulić.

• Square of Maršal TitoOne of the largest and greenest squares of Zagreb. It is located on the north western corner of Lenuci Horseshoe. It has the Croatian National Theatre in its centre.

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

• Muzej Mimara (Mimara Museum)

  address: Trg Franklina Delanoa Roosevelta 5
  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.

• Archaeological Museum

  phone: +385 1-4873-101
  address: Trg Nikole Šubića Zrinskog 19
  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.

• Art Pavilion in Zagreb

  phone: +385 1-487-6487, +385 1-484-1070
  address: Trg Kralja Tomislava 22
  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.

• Croatian National Theatre

  phone: +385-1-4888 418
  address: Trg Kralja Tomislava 22
  Croatian National Theatre, Zagreb is located at the centre of Marshal Tito Square. It is built in 1895. There are also Croatian National Theatres in Split, Rijeka, Osijek, Varaždin and Zadar.

• Moderna Galerija (Modern Gallery)

  address: Hebrangova 1
  Comprises all relevant fine artists of the 19th and 20th centuries.

• People and Art House Lauba (Kuća za ljude i umjetnost Lauba)

  address: Prilaz baruna Filipovića 23a
  Presents works from the Filip Trade Collection, a large private collection of modern and contemporary Croatian art and current artistic production.

• Technical Museum

  address: Savska cesta 18
  Has a lot of technical inventions, fire engines, a cabinet of Nikola Tesla, a planetarium and an underground mine.

Street architecture:

• The Grounded Sun

  address: Bogovićeva Street 6
  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

• Maksimir Park & Zagreb ZooThe 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.

• Mirogoj Cemetery

  phone: +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.

• Medvednica and MedvedgradThe 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)

Novi Zagreb

Lakes Zagreb has two very popular lakes:

• JarunJarun 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 actual lake itself, 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.

• Bundekhosts horticultural shows, firework festivals, workshops, concerts and music festivals (mostly during the summer).

Museums:

• Museum of Contemporary Art

  phone: +385 1-6052-700, +385 1-6052-701, +385 1-6052-798
  address: Avenija Dubrovnik 17
  Follows and presents contemporary trends in fine arts.

• Croatian Museum of Naïve Art

  address: Sv. Ćirila i Metoda 3
  Houses more than one thousand works belonging to Croatian naïve art.

• Strossmayerovo šetalište(eng. 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, two km east of city centre.

Snow Queen TrophyLadies 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 20-33 HRK (2,7-€4,4)
• About 30 HRK is the combined price of a medium popcorn and cola.

• CineStar Zagreb

  phone: +385 1 46-86-600 (ticket reservation)
  address: Branimirova 29
  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

  address: 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

  phone: +385 1 56-33-888
  address: Nova Ves 11
  A multiplex cinema (5 screens) within the Kaptol Shopping Center situated to the north of the Cathedral.

• Cineplexx City Center one East

  phone: +385 1 563-2400
  address: Slavonska Avenija 11D
  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 TuškanacShowing much more than just European filmography, alternative and older films, sometimes for free, usually costs about 10 HRK (€1.50)

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.

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.

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&M's, 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

  address: Trg bana Josipa Jelačića 11
  Sells everything ranging from postcards and books to pottery and crystal

• GEA Gallery

  address: Radićeva Street 35
  a wide range of souvenirs that are handmade in Croatia and are very reasonably priced. Very knowledgeable staff.

• Millennium

  address: Radiceva 9
  Pottery, crystal, costume jewelery, and other gifts.

Foreign books

• Algoritam

  address: Gajeva 1

• Profil Megastore

  address: Bogovićeva 7

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

  address: Teslina St
  A sandwich bar that also serves salads and deserts.

• Bonita

  address: Flower Square
  Popular sandwich bar that also serves pancakes and hot wine in the winter.

• Colonia

  phone: +385 1 6698-153
  address: Božidara Magovca 21
  Pizza.

• Dvojka

  phone: +385 1 4817-462, +385 1 4666-111
  address: Nova Ves 2
  Pizza.

• Gigi

  phone: +385 1 3885-092
  address: Petrovaradinska 39
  Be sure to visit this pizzeria if you're going to the Jarun lake.

• Karijola

  phone: +385 1 3667-044
  address: Kranjčevićeva 7
  Pizza.

• Koykan World Food

  phone: +385 1 4827-223
  address: Gajeva 8
  Italian piadinas, Japanese teriyaki sticks, oriental wraps, Bubble tea from Taiwan and Japanese mochi cakes.

• Mamma Mia

  phone: +385 1 4846-093
  address: Ilica 63
  Pizza.

• MOCANewly open at the main square serves great and cheap fried, deep fried and baked potatoes with a large variety of dips for takeout.

• Nocturno

  phone: +385 1 4813-394
  address: Skalinska 4
  Pizza.

• Nova

  address: Ilica 72/1
  Vegetarian.

• Oliva

  phone: +385 1 3020 777
  address: Jarunska 5
  Italian restaurant (pizza, pasta)

• Pizza Cut Duck

  address: Nikole Tesle 15
  A pizza-slice bar that also serves fresh tortillas with veggie and/or meat filling.

• Sandwich Bar Pingvin

  phone: +385 1 48 11 446
  address: Nikole Tesle 10
  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

  phone: +385 1 4846-248, +385 1 4846-562
  address: Medulićeva 6
  Pizza.

• Stara Sava

  phone: +385 1 3634-322
  address: Savska cesta 208
  Arguably the best pizzeria in Zagreb.

• VegeHop

  address: Vlaška 79
  Vegetarian.

• Žirafa

  address: Maksimirska cesta 64
  Cheap Mexican food and drinks. Nice summer terrace.

Mid-range

• Royal India

  phone: +385 1 4680 965
  address: Kaptol, 27
  Serves authentic Indian Dishes.

• Asia

  phone: +385 1 48 41 218
  address: A. Šenoe 1
  Chinese restaurant

• Caramba

  address: Frankopanska 6
  Mexican food.

• Ivica i Marica

  phone: +385 1 481 7321 or +385 1 482 8999
  address: Tkalčićeva 70
  Wonderful food made only from natural ingredients, many sourced locally. Offers traditional, lite, diabetic, and organic cakes, ice creams and such.

• Mali Medo

  phone: +385 1 4929 613
  address: Tkalčićeva 36
  Another traditional Croatian restaurant. Lively atmosphere, youthful clientele, and all very affordable. Excellent ćevapčići and gulaš, not to mention superb beer.

• Manzoku

  address: Gajeva St
  An excellent and so far only Japanese take-out in Zagreb. Tasty but rather expensive.

• Mex Cantina

  phone: +385 1 6192-156
  address: Savska cesta 154
  Mexican food. Good service, great food, on Mondays they offer live music by the best Croatian mariachi band, Los Caballeros starting at 9PM.

• Nishta Restaurant

  phone: +385 1 8897 444
  address: Masarykova ul. 11, 10000, Zagreb
  100% Vegetarian food

• Pivnica Medvedgrad

  address: Samoborska cesta 217, Božidara Adžije 16, Tkalčićeva 36
  Great food and beer for reasonable prices. Make sure to try 'čvarkuša' (4 HRK).

• Restaurant Kvatric

  phone: +385 1 2330 070
  address: Maksimirska 9
  Croatian restaurant with very nice food for a reasonable price. Has a nice terrance in the back garden. Close to tramstop 'Kvaternikov Trg'.

Splurge

• Boban

  address: Gajeva 9
  Italian food.

• Feniks

  phone: +385 1-481 44 11
  address: Jurisiceva 19
  Mexican food.

• Le Bistro

  phone: +385 1 45 66 666
  address: Mihanovićeva 1
  A French restaurant within the Regent Esplanade Hotel.

• Panino

  phone: +385 1 46 69 013
  address: Nova Ves 11
  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

  phone: +385 44 1 33 71 562
  address: Dr. F. Tuđmana 1, Orešje
  An old family-run restaurant on the old Samobor road that offers a variety of roasted food.

• Takenoko

  phone: +385 1 48 60 530
  address: Nova Ves 11, in Kaptol Centar Shopping Center
  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

  phone: +385 1 2781-132
  address: 20km from central Zagreb
  A very popular place that offers Croatian cuisine, live music on weekends, a stable, fish pond and basketball courtyard.

Desserts

• 100% juice bar

  address: Tkalčićeva 5
  Pricey but a good place to get a healthy snack or fruit smoothie.

• SladoMazo

  address: Zelinska 7
  A pancake restaurant with a wide range of crazy both sweet and salty filling ideas.

• The Cookie Factory

  phone: +38599 4949400
  address: Tkalčićeva 21
  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

  address: 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

  address: Ilica
  The local, best known ice cream and cake palace in town center. Offers diet foods.

• Konoba Didov San

  phone: +385 14851154
  address: Mletačka 11, Upper Town
  The best atmosphere restaurant in Zagreb with excellent food, unique menu, large portions and great location!!

Bars and pubs

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

• Booksa

  address: Martićeva 14d
  A cafe/bookshop/library famous with local young intelectuals.

• Harlekin

  phone: +385 99 3864 720
  address: Tkalčićeva 50
  Cozy atmosphere, excellent English, free Wi-Fi, delicious drinks, very reasonable prices, great coffee, DJ or live music on weekends.

• Cica

  address: 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

  phone: +385 98 672 338
  address: Tkalčićeva 52
  Cafe / bar that offers various music night programmes in the basement (mostly alternative, dj-s, 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

  address: Preradovićeva
  Popular golf-themed cafe/bar.

• KIC

  address: Preradovićeva
  Offers free internet and cheap international call center. Hosts a cinema with various alternative movies.

• Kino Grič

  address: Jurišićeva
  Newly re-decorated old cinema. Hosts movies, festivals, music nights and Zagreb's hipster crowd.

• Krivi Put (Wrong Way)

  address: Savska 14

• Mali Medo

  address: Tkalčićeva
  Offers a good choice of local beer and food. Indoors smoking prohibited. Has a terrace facing Tkalčićeva street.

• Melin

  address: 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

  address: Tkalčićeva
  A choice of good Irish beer with a great atmosphere. Big summer terrace in front.
• Cafe de Paris

• Pivnica Medvedgrad

• Portal

  address: Tkalčićeva
  Next to Melin, offers same service, the Portal and Melin crowds often mix at the outdoors terraces.

• Purgeraj

  address: Park Ribnjak
  A bar/club located 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

  address: Opatovina
  A small fantasy cafe/bar for Tolkien lovers. Offers a variety of beers, cider and hot drinks.

Clubs

• Aquarius

  address: 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

  phone: +385-1 481 44 44
  address: Nikole Tesle 7
  Jazz and blues lovers should check it out.

• Funk club

  phone: +385 98 672 338
  address: Tkalčićeva 52
  Very good atmosphere, lots of character, cheap and tasty Rakija shoots and excellent electronic music: funky, electro, jazz, d'n'b, house, dubstep!

• Jabuka

  phone: +385 1-48 34 397
  address: Jabukovac 28
  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

  address: 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.

• Medika

  address: 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

  address: 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

  phone: +385-1 48 72 836
  address: Palmotićeva 22/2
  A great place to enjoy live music of a wide array of styles including blues, jazz, rock and pop.

• The Best

  phone: +385 1 3011 943
  address: Jarunska 5
  Largest club in Zagreb. Mainly dance style music.

• The Jazz ClubJazz, blues, and funk bands, often from other countries.

Budget

Hostels

• Chillout Hostel Zagreb

  phone: +38514849605
  address: Fra Andrije Kačića Miošića 3b
  A brand new hostel in the city centre, free linen, free towels, free wifi, 24-hr bar and reception

• Dizzy Daisy Hostel Zagreb

• Fulir Hostel Zagreb2 rooms, including a 12-bed dorm. Great place to meet people, but can be a wait to use the bathroom.

• Funk Lounge

  phone: +385 1 555 2707
  address: Ivana Rendića 28b

• Hobo Bear Hostel

  address: Meduliceva 4
  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.

• Hostel Carpe Diem

  address: Milana Sufflaya 3

• Hostel Lika

  address: Pašmanska 17
  Small and cozy hostel a bit out of the city center.

• Hostel Mali Mrak Zagreb

  address: Dubicka 8

• Nokturno Hostel

  address: Skalinska 2a
  Free internet access, free linens and towels.

• Logistics Youth Centre

  phone: +385 1 6626 035
  address: Jakuševečka 87
  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

  address: Dordiceva 24 (Ulica Ignjata Dordica)

• Palmers Lodge Zagreb

  address: Branimirova 25

• Ravnice Youth Hostel

  address: I. Ravnice 38d

Mid-range

• Hotel Jägerhorn

  phone: +385 1 48-33-877
  address: Ilica 14
  3-star hotel Founded in 1827, Hotel Jägerhorn is the city's oldest standing hotel.

• Arcotel Allegra

  phone: +385 1 46-96-000
  address: Branimirova 29
  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

  phone: +385 1 48-08-900
  address: Petrinjska 71
  3-star hotel

• Panorama Hotel Zagreb

  address: Trg Kresimira Ćosića 9
  4-star hotel.

• Hotel Aristos

  phone: +385 1 66-95-900
  address: Cebini 33, Buzin
  4-star hotel.

• Hotel As

  phone: +385 1 46-09-111
  address: Zelengaj 2A
  4-star hotel.

• Hotel Central

  phone: +385 1 48-41-122
  address: Branimirova 3
  66 room 3-star hotel

• Hotel Dubrovnik

  phone: +385 1 48-63-500
  address: Gajeva 1
  4-star hotel. Clean, centrally located, good service. Some rooms are small.

• Hotel Holiday

  phone: +385 1 34-96-621
  3-star hotel.

• Hotel I

  phone: +385 1 65-42-238
  address: Remetinečka cesta 106
  3-star hotel.

• Hotel International

  phone: +385 1 61-08-800
  address: Miramarska 24
  3-star hotel.

• Hotel Jadran

  phone: +385 1 45-53-777
  address: Vlaška 50
  3-star hotel. There is a big shopping center near-by - the Importanne Gallery.

• Hotel Laguna

  phone: +385 1 30-47-000
  address: Kranjčevićeva 29
  3-star hotel.

• Hotel Phoenix

  phone: +385 1 20-06-333
  address: Sesvetska cesta 29
  3-star hotel

• Palace Hotel

  phone: +385 1 48-14-611
  address: J.J. Strossmayer Square
  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

• Esplanade Zagreb

  phone: +385 1 45-66-666
  address: Mihanovićeva 1
  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.

• Sheraton Zagreb Hotel

  phone: +385 1 45-53-535
  address: Kneza Borne 2
  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.

• Westin Zagreb

  phone: +385 1 48-92-000
  address: Kršnjavoga 1
  The hotel features the Heavenly Bed and Heavenly Shower and probably offers the best view in the city.

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.

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, located very close to the city centre, is safe during daytime and worth visiting, especially for children. However, it has recently 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.

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

• Albania

  phone: +385 1 481 0679
  address: Jurišićeva 2A

• Australia

  phone: +385 1 4891 200
  address: Centar Kaptol, 3rd Floor

• Austria

  phone: +385 1-488 1050
  address: Radnička cesta 80, 9th Floor

• Canada

  phone: +385 1 488 1200
  address: Prilaz Gjure Deželića 4

• China

  address: Mlinovi 132

• Finland

  phone: +385 1 6312 080
  address: Miramarska 23, HR-10000 Zagreb

• Germany

  phone: +385 1-6300 100, +385 98-227 136 (Emergencies & also SMS)
  address: Ulica grada Vukovara 64

• Greece

  phone: +385 1 4810444, +385 989 228 848 (Emergencies)
  address: Opatička 12

• Japan

  phone: +385 1 4870 650
  address: Boškovićeva 2

• Macedonia

  phone: +385 1 457 2812
  address: Kralja Zvonimira 6/1

• Norway

  phone: +385 1 6273 800
  address: Grand Centar Hektorovićeva 2

• South Korea

  phone: +385 1 4821 282
  address: Ksaverska cesta 111/A-B

• Switzerland

  phone: +385 1-487 88 00
  address: Bogovićeva 3

• United Kingdom

  phone: +385 1 6009 100
  address: Ivana Lučića 4

• United States

  phone: +385 1-661-2200, +385 1-661-2300 (Consular Services)
  address: Ulica Thomasa Jeffersona 2

• 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.