Location! Location! Location!
One thing Dave and I have learned in our years of traveling is that choosing the location of your hotel or Airbnb is crucial to enjoying your stay. And ours here in Zagreb did not disappoint. We stayed in an Airbnb right on the main square surrounded by cafes, shops, and the train. All of the streets for more shops and cafes connected as offshoots making our home base the most convenient. When we walked into our Airbnb we were so impressed, it was everything we could have asked for and more. Clean, modern, great kitchen, lots of light, and lots of space. Being here for a week we knew we’d need things like a full kitchen and a washer and were glad to have found a place that offered both. Within a few hours of unpacking we felt settled in and right at home.
Dolac Market
Every day from 7am-2pm you can stroll through the Dolac Market to shop for EVERYTHING! Stalls and stalls of fresh flowers so bright and fragrant you can’t help but smile. Every fruit and vegetable under the sun is still covered in the dirt it was just dug up from. Ladies selling fresh cheeses wrapped in wax paper and towels. Baguettes, rolls, and breads that smell divine. Fresh pastas! Butchers and fishermen that have all of their items on display wanting to explain their origins. Honestly, I could go on. Food shopping here is so different than in the states and we savored every opportunity to appreciate the freshness. Even the eggs we bought had a rogue chicken feather in them when we opened the carton.
National Theater & Botanical Gardens
One attraction we would highly recommend is taking a walk to the Croatian National Theater then following the park system down to the Botanical Gardens. We spent well over an hour just appreciating the beauty of the architecture and landscape.
Upper & Lower Town
Street art in the tunnels connect Upper and Lower Town. Make sure you bring your sneakers because its over 200 steps to the top. Upper town is quieter and more historical while Lower has more restaurants, nightlife, and shops.
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St. Mark’s Church
The 13th-century church is one of Zagreb’s most emblematic buildings. Its colourful tiled roof, constructed in 1880, has the medieval coat of arms of Croatia, Dalmatia and Slavonia on the left side, and the emblem of Zagreb on the right.
Eating Out
When we travel the one thing were always on the hunt for are great places to eat and drink. By far our biggest and best surprise were the “Coffee Bars”…literally a coffee shop and a bar! What more could you ask for? Every day after going for a run we’d come home to shower then head out with our laptops and Niya for coffee to do a little work. We would try a different one every day and we’re never disappointed. Note – you better like your coffee “stain your insides” strong as we call it. If you traveling to Zagreb we’d recommend the following restaurants:
- Restoran Leonardo for an upscale but casual pizza to share and glass of wine
- Restoran Lanterna na Dolcu for a nice evening out
- Otto & Frank on the busy street of Tkalčićeva (skip the menu and go right to their daily specials)
- If you’re in the mood for healthy, gluten free, or juice bars try Vis a Vis by Vincek, Roots, or Good Food
- Kiflice!!! It’s basically a salty croissant that is sometimes filled or just plain. Not to be missed!
- Any coffee bar…all day…everyday!
Parting is such sweet sorrow!
It’s easy to pass over Zagreb on your way to the Dalmatian costal beaches, but do yourself a favor a spend a few days to walk this fantastic city! After spending a week here we loved it so much we even considered staying longer. It’s walkable, clean, and safe. Plenty of culture, people watching, and things to do to keep you busy for a visit or keep you long enough to live.
But the waters of the Adriatic Sea are calling us, so to Split and Hvar Island we go!!
From Abroad With Love – AG
