Croatia

DUBROVNIK

DUBROVNIK

The City of Dubrovnik is buzzing with life all year around.
The astonishing beauty of the marble-clad Old Town is only
to be found within the city walls. It is always full of people in
the squares, in the small alleyways, in the cafés and in the
bars. The clean beaches and the crystal-clear blue water
surrounding the city walls of Dubrovnik captivate the visitor
with their charm.

THE CITY

Few places in the world master the mix of
young and modern with the medieval and
baroque better than Dubrovnik. The city
naturally evolves around the Old Town
which is inside the city walls. The Old Town
provides a blend of shops, cafés and bars,
a fantastic atmosphere, and some very
beautiful sights as you walk along down
the Stradun. The squares in the Old Town
are lined with bars or restaurants that
have outdoor seating, giving the visitors,
as well as the locals, a chance to relax with
a drink in the sunshine. Outside the city
walls, modern Dubrovnik offers everything
you would expect from a Mediterranean
country and figs, lemons, oranges and
peaches are to be found dangling from the
trees in many of the gardens.
The town’s architecture displays very little
evidence from the ‘Siege of Dubrovnik’ in
1992, during which more than two
thousand bombs were dropped on the
town. The only hint of this is the presence
of all the newly tiled roofs in town.
Dubrovnik is well worth a visit any time of
the year, but, naturally, spring and
summer brings out the best in the city.

DO & SEE
The City Walls

The whole of the Old Town in Dubrovnik is
surrounded by the city walls which served
as a defence against attack from the sea.
The wall stretches nearly two kilometres
and is as high as 25 meters in places. A
walk on the walls provides the ideal
opportunity to enjoy the medieval and
baroque splendours of the Old Town. Open
daily from 10am to 3pm in winter and 9am
to 7.30pm in summer.

The Old Town
Stunning buildings and a great atmosphere
makes the Old Town fantastic to wander
around in. The marble-clad streets are
some of the most fascinating in the world.
The main street, Stradun, begins with an
old monastery and ends in a great square.
The Dominican Monastery And

Museum
This monastery dates back to 1301, and it
was built by the citizens of Dubrovnik who
were ordered to work on it by the local
authorities. The attached museum contains
an impressive selection of arts from
sixteenth-century Dubrovnik.
Museum is open daily from 9am to 5pm in
the winter and 9am to 6pm in the summer.

Mount Srd
The best views of Dubrovnik and the
surrounding area are, without doubt,
experienced from the top of the Srd Hill.
The Dubrovnik Cable Car was built back in
1969 and was always enthusiastically used
by more than 2.5 million visitors who
wanted to enjoy the most beautiful
panoramic views. On a clear day, you can
see up to 60 km (37 miles). For this reason
the neighbouring Imperial Fortress was
strategically built on this privileged spot,
back in the early 19th century. It is also
possible to get there by car or walking. No
matter how you get there, a fantastic view
is your reward!

The Elaphite Islands
Lovely and unspoiled islands between
Dubrovnik and the Peljesac peninsula.
Kolocep is one of the most attractive to
visit, as there is both forest and lovely
sandy beaches available to visitors. Ferry
from Dubrovnik runs four times daily in the
summer.
Trsteno
Just outside of town this beautiful
Renaissance garden is perched on a hillside
overlooking the sea. Palm trees, mandarins
and grapefruits grow in this wonderful lush
garden together with 400-year-old trees
with some reaching heights of 50 metres.
Particularly well-worth visiting on a sunny
day in spring. Open daily from 8am to 3pm
in the winter and 8am to 9pm in the
summer.

BARS & NIGHTLIFE

Dubrovnik’s nightlife takes place outdoors
for much of the year. The area behind the
Cathedral, Buniceva poljana, becomes one
big outdoor bar in the spring and summer.
The locals tend to hang out in the area
between the Old Town and Gruz, where a
strip of flashy bars have turned ‘bana
Jelacica’ into what the locals call ‘Bourbon
Street’.
The nightlife in Dubrovnik is mainly in the
Old Town. The town does not have that
many nightclubs and the Stradun seems to
be the place to be at night. All the shop
canopies roll back and the chairs come out
transforming the street into a processional
of exuberance!

Airport

Dubrovnik Airport is situated about 22
kilometres east of the city centre. Airline
buses meet all arrivals, including the late
night ones. The drop-off for the airport
buses is at the entrance to the Old Town or
at the bus station for a price of 30kn. The
price of the drive from the Dubrovnik
Airport to Dubrovnik is between 200 and
235 kunas, depending on the part of the
city where the hotel is located. The journey
takes about 30 minutes by car.

Public transport

Most parts of Dubrovnik are best
discovered on foot. If you feel the distance
is a little too far, the town has an excellent
system of buses. The price for one way
ticket is 10 kn if bought from the bus
driver and only 8 kn ("S" ticket) if you buy
ticket in a newspaper kiosk. That ticket is
valid for one hour for an unlimited number
of rides within the city. Buying the "P" bus
ticket at the price of 120 kn, you are
entitled to 20 rides at the price of only 6
km.
There is new Dubrovnik Bus Terminal in
Gruz. If you need to go from the Old Town
to the bus station, catch bus number 1, 1a
and 1b.

Telephone
Country code: +385
Area code: 020

PULA
PULA

Jewel of the verdant peninsula of Istria, Pula is the
province’s largest city and forms a dramatic gateway to the
seductive, crystalline waters of the Adriatic. Situated at the
southernmost tip of the area, which has come to be known
as ’the new Tuscany’ for its bright medieval hilltop towns and
ancient ruins, Pula boasts a rich and varied cultural heritage.
The city is bordered by national parks remarkable for their
astounding unspoilt natural beauty and is celebrated for its
wonderfully preserved Roman amphitheatre and forum,
which form a dramatic backdrop for leisurely strolls from the
old town to the coast.

THE CITY

The ancient town of Pula has been
inhabited since 1000 BC, since which time
barely a civilization has failed to leave its
mark. Roman expansion into the peninsula
in the first century AD has left the city with
many of its most glorious monuments,
including the world-renown amphitheatre
which hosts the city’s annual opera festival
every summer. After the fall of Rome, Pula
passed through the hands of various
warring groups including the Ostrogoths
and the Francs before becoming part of the
Venetian republic in the 12th century,
leaving the port city with an eclectic mix of
cultural influences which can be seen in
the architecture of the city today.
Pula has a certain literary fame as well,
mentioned in Dante’s 14th century classic,
"The Divine Comedy," and as the home of
Irish author, James Joyce, who taught at
the Berlitz school in 1905.
21st-century Pula nestles snugly at the
cusp of seven hills that open out into a
wide natural harbour, which has been the
bustling commercial hub of the city since
the mid-19th century. The centre of the
city can easily be explored on foot and
many of Pula’s most exciting museums,
restaurants and parks are within 10
minutes’ walk of each other.
If you have time, venture beyond the city
and into the surrounding area where
Roman ruins lie buried in the fertile
farmland and numerous tiny picturesque
villages cling to the glittering coastline. It’s
a great area to walk in and the exquisite
beauty of the nearby national parks is not
to be missed.

DO & SEE
The Arena

Built during the reign of Emperor
Vespasian in the 1st century AD, for an
audience of 22,000, Pula’s three-storey
Roman amphitheatre is one of the best
preserved in the world and the sixth
largest in existence. Every year, the arena
plays host to Pula’s annual summer festival
which brings in famous names from across
the globe.

Triumphal Arch Of The Sergii,
The Arch of Sergius (also referred to as the
Golden Gate of Pula) commemorates the
Sergii, one of the most influential families
in the early Roman colony. The arch stood
behind the original naval gate of the city
and was paid for by the wife of Lepidus,
Salvia Postuma. Their names are carved in
the stone along with Lucius Sergius and
Gaius Sergius. In its original form, statues
of the two elders flanked Lepidus on both
sides on the top of the arch.

Aquarium Pula
Pula’s ever-popular aquarium occupies the
floor of the city’s 14th-century
AustroHungarian fortress. Highlights of the
aquarium include the large sea water tanks
that contain representatives of North
Adriatic flora and fauna and a massive
open tank that contains dogfish, sea
urchins, crabs and star fish. Visitors can
also take a boat ride to get a closer look at
the aquarium’s inhabitants.

The Temple Of Augustus,
Located in the forum, this temple is
dedicated to the Roman Emperor
Augustus, and was built between the 2 BC
and 14 AD, during the reconstruction of
the colony. Having served a variety of
different functions in its long history,
including storing grain and as a church, the
statuesque building is now used to house a
collection of wonderfully preserved ancient
bronze and stone sculptures.

The Cathedral
This ancient religious edifice is formed of
an eclectic mix of architectural styles,
reflecting the many changes it has
undergone in its lengthy history. You can
still see some of the 4th century remains
on the outside of the church, from a time
when the area was used as a refuge by
Christians in times of persecution.

The Franciscan Church And Monastery
Perched on the hill between the Forum and
the upper part of the city, you will find the
14th-century church and monastery of St
Francis of Assisi. Now used to house a
remarkable collection of stone monuments
and copies of Istrian frescoes, the church
also hosts classical music concerts in the
summer months.

Archaeology Museum
The main entrance to the Archaeological
Museum of Istria (Arheoloski Muzej Istre)
is actually one of the original gates that
served as an entry point into the old
Roman town. The museum carries a
fascinating range of archaeological
artefacts from prehistoric times to the
Middle Ages from the region. You’ll find
architectural highlights on the ground floor,
Neolithic and Roman era finds on the first
floor, Roman antiquities and medieval
period artefacts on the second floor.

Brijuni National Park
A short trip out of Pula takes you to the
acclaimed Brijuni National Park. This
archipelago of islands has long been noted
for its outstanding natural beauty and are
edged with turquoise waters rich in sea
life. A favourite haunt of visiting heads of
state and the summer residence of Marshal
Tito, from 1949 until his death in 1980, the
islands can be reached by boat from
Fažana, a village 5k from Pula, which is
easily accessible by bus.

Food
As a result of its proximity to Italy and its
wealth of glorious coastline, Istria has a
varied, fresh and sophisticated cuisine
which draws on influences from across the
Mediterranean and the Adriatic coasts. As
the largest town in the region, Pula has a
wide range of restaurants serving a
refreshing selection of fresh. The fertile soil
of the region gives a distinctive flavour to
the olives and grapes which grow near to
the sea and the vineyards which give the
area its name for great wine and some of
the finest olive oil in the country.
Istrian cooking takes advantage of many
Italian techniques so expect to find an
interesting mix of Mediterranean. Along the
coast, restaurants serve brancin (sea
bass), list (sole), dagnje (mussels),
vongole (clams) and kozice-racici
(prawns). According to local lore, the
seafood tastes better here than elsewhere
in the Adriatic and Mediterranean because
the waters around Istria are so rich in
nutrients.

BARS & NIGHTLIFE
Laws in Pula restrict bar opening hours,
meaning that most venues are closed by
midnight and nightlife is limited to a
number of bars in the Veruda area of the
city as well as a few larger clubs northeast
of the centre.
Although local law forbid city-centre bars
from opening beyond midnight, Pula does
have a number of sociable and picturesque
venues just outside the middle of town.
Cabahia
This stylishly rustic bar is home to an
interesting mix of locals and discerning
tourists and comes into its own in the
summer when candles light tables outside.

Airport
Pula international airport is just 5k outside
of the city, and taxis are available for hire
outside the building next to the bus
terminal. Buses and taxis both operate
service into Pula and other area
destinations.

Public transport
Pulapromet operates within the city centre
and the suburbs from 5am to 10pm daily.
There are two bus companies that connect
Pula to other cities in Croatia and Italy,
which operate from the central bus station.

Telephone
Country Code: +385, Area code: 052

RIJEKA
RIJEKA

Tucked in a sheltered bay off the Adriatic Sea on the west
coast of Croatia, Rijeka revolves around its university and its
sailing. Yachts can usually be seen in its waters, and its
regatta, along with its carnival, is the largest in Croatia. A
town of large squares, lavish period architecture and
churches is also a thriving free port town and home to
numerous highly regarded art galleries, exhibition halls and
stylish restaurants. Its historically important Trsat castle
hosts cultural events throughout the year.

THE CITY

Rijeka is a bustling, cosmopolitan town
characterised by its fabulous history, its
cultural edge and its waterborne leisure
and industry activities. It can trace its
roots back to prehistoric times, through
various centuries of conflicts, ruling
dynasties and countries, and periods of
architecture change. Today, many
buildings from these periods can be found,
especially around the Korzo and the Riva
avenues in the heart of the town.
It was known as Tarsattica city in Roman
times, St. Vito’s Reka in the 17th century,
and, as Rijeka when it became a free port
in 1719. During this time the city’s
prosperity as a centre for industry and
shipping grew. In the 19th century it
became the eighth largest port in Europe.
In 1970 Rijeka opened its first airport on
the island of Krk, and its tourism, business
sector and university flourished.
Throughout the periods Trsat castle in
Ulica Zrinskog, built in the19th century,
supremely guarded the city as it does
today. Following a renovation in the 1960s
it became the centre of the cultural
activities in the town. Events include
festivals and exhibitions, which are held
almost continuously and often involve the
many other art galleries, museums, sports
centres and exhibition halls found in the
city.

DO & SEE
The Palac Komuna Reckog
The oldest town hall building in the region,
the Palac Komuna Reckog is a glorious
Baroque style building and a ’must see’
feature of the town.

City Clock Tower

Look out for Rijeka’s landmark tower
which, despite being surrounded by
building of several storeys in height along
the Korzo throughfare, still dominates the
skyline.

Our Lady Of Trsat And Trsat Castle
A church and Franciscan monestary, the
Lady of Trsat contains important relgious
artefacts, and leads the way to Trsat castle
perched on a hill overlooking Rijeka.

Natural History Museum
Founded by natural scientist Dr Josef
Roman Lorenz, the museum celebrates
geology and the sea, and is the only one of
its kind in the Rijeka region.

Museum Of Modern And Contemporary
Art
Located on the top floor of the University
Library, the museum has an extensive
collection of 19th and 20th century
national works, along with anthological
pieces of Croatian’s art pioneers.

Maritime And Historial Museum Of
Coastal Croatia
The oldest musuem in Rijeka founded in
the 1870s, it displays important documents
relating to Rijeka’s role in Croatia’s
maritme history.

Cathedral Of St Vitus
A landmark Baroque building on the Ulica
Ivana Zajca thoroughfare, it is the church
of the patron saint of the city. Its
highlights include a 13th century Gothic
crucifix.

City Museum
Linked to the maritime museum by an
arcade, the City Museum is home to a
collection of stone statues and monuments
from Rijeka’s history.

Roman Arch
Located near the Cathedral of St Vitus, the
Roman arch ruin is believed to have been a
gate to the once walled city.

EATING
Rijeka has many restaurants, inns and
taverns serving Croatian delicacies as well
as European dishes from which to choose.
Among the local dishes to look out for are
buzara, a recipe where scampi is cooked in
a tomato, onion and herb sauce, along
with oysters, spicy meat stuffed cabbage
known as sarma, and paprika flavoured
salami (kulen). Desserts include palacinka,
a pancake filled with chocolate or nuts.

BARS & NIGHTLIFE
Rijeka has a lively urban culture that
attracts many young Croatians to its
bar-cum-nightclubs. Evening
entertainment can also be found in its
casinos, restaurants and at venues that
host theatre, musicals and cultural events.

Airports
Rijeka’s international airport (tel: +385
(0)51 842 132) is on the island of Krk,
30km from the city centre and served by
taxis stationed outside, buses and car hire
companies. Typically, a taxi journey will be
around 60 kuna, plus a charge for luggage.

Public transport
The best way to get around Rijeka city
centre is often on foot, but taxis, buses
and hire cars can make the journey easier.
Petrol stations open from 7am to 7pm or
8pm every day, later in high season.
Scheduled bus lines connect Rijeka with
bigger Croatian and European cities.

Telephone
Country code: 385
Area code: 051 for Rijeka
Telephone boxes take only chip cards
which can be purchased in post offices and
news-stands.

 

SPLIT
SPLIT

The people of Split claim that their city is "the most beautiful
one in the world and beyond," and the well spirited Split
aims to convince you of this! The city is full of life and soul,
and the friendly local people of Split are waiting to welcome
you with open arms. Only a few cities in the world can offer
such variety of entertainment and excursions in their closest
surroundings as Split.

THE CITY

Split is the second largest city in Croatia. It
is a modern and vibrant city and the areas
of interest for tourists are concentrated in
the compact Old Town, near the
waterfront, which is made up in part of the
various remains and conversions of
Emperor Diocletian’s Palace.
The city provides its visitors with an
enormous amount of ancient and medieval
history, as well as a vivacious outdoor life
which takes over the streets on all sunny
days. The best place to start exploring
would be at waterfront. This runs along the
southern side of the Palace, and it is full of
cafés, shops and tiny flats. It is here the
locals congregate day and night to meet
friends and catch up in the cafés. On either
side of the Old Town are low-rise suburbs
of utilitarian stone houses. Veli Varos, to
the west, and Manus, to the east, are
among the most beautiful districts and
definitely deem a visit.

DO & SEE
Diocletian’s Palace
The Palace is the pride of the town and
houses several interesting areas. It was
built by the Emperor Diocletian in 305 AD.
The main approach to the Palace from the
Riva is through the Bronze Gate.
The Cathedral Of St. Domnius
Inside the Palace walls and full of ancient
history. It was in this Cathedral that the
remains of the Emperor disappeared after
they had rested there for 170 years. The
building dates back to around 15 BC.

Narodni Trg (People’s Square)
The main square of the city since the
fourteenth century; it is overlooked by the
Romanesque clock tower to the east. The
north side is dominated by the old Town
Hall, which has been turned into an
ethnographic museum.

City Museum
The museum houses a great collection
presenting the cultural and historic
heritage of Split.

Croatian Maritime Museum
Exhibitions show how the maritime
community had a big influence in the
Adriatic Sea in the past.

Archeological Museum
The museum has a comprehensive display
of Illyrian, Greek and Roman artifacts.

Ivan Mestrovic Gallery
A Neoclassical building originally intended
to be the home of the famous artist, now
housing an impressive collection of his
artwork.

Food
Some of Split’s best restaurants hug the
outskirts of the Old Town. They are usually
open till 11 p.m. or midnight, unless stated
otherwise. Look for special chalked up
menus for brunch and specialties outside
restaurants. As Split is on the coastline,
there are plenty of excellent fish
restaurants available. In some places the
waiter arrives with a big tray full of the
day’s catch for you to choose from. Croatia
is also famous for its fabulous Dalmatian
ham, so don’t miss the opportunity to
sample some.

BARS & NIGHTLIFE
Generally, in the evenings the crowd from
the Riva heads towards the Old Town,
where the late night ambiance is provided
by the crumbling palace and squares. It
makes the Old Town a perfect place for a
late supper.
There are plenty of clubs around in Split,
and many of them are based in the Old
Town. However, the best of the clubs are
based on the outskirts of town. It is
important to know that some of the clubs
close down in the summer time as most of
the local clubbers have gone off to the
islands.

Airport
Airport Split
20 kilometres northwest of Split. Airport
buses connect with scheduled flights,
dropping passengers on the waterfront
Riva in Split for 25kn. A taxi from the
airport will cost 200-250kn one way and
takes 35 minutes.
The easiest way to get around in Split,
especially in the Old Town, is by walking. If
you plan to visit the outskirts of Split, use
the city buses. They operate between 5
a.m. and midnight. Tickets can be bought
at the bus or from a newspaper kiosk.
The price is 7kn for a return ticket within
zone 1 and 2. Zone 1 and 2 is in and
around town whereas Kastela and Trogir is
zone 3 and 4. Zone 3 tickets cost 13.50kn
one-way or 20.50kn return and zone 4
16.50 single and 27kn return.

Public Transport
The easiest way to get around in Split,
especially in the Old Town, is by walking. If
you plan to visit the outskirts of Split, use
the city buses. They operate between 5
a.m. and midnight. Tickets can be bought
at the bus or from a newspaper kiosk.
The bus station is located at Ulica kneza
Domagoja 12.

Telephone
Country code: +385
Area code: 021
 

ZADAR
ZADAR

Almost entirely surrounded by the warm waters of the
Adriatic, the rectangular jut of land that is Zadar city centre,
along with the ‘mainland’ area, may not be large, but it is
bursting with personality. A thoroughly cosmopolitan space,
it is full of rich architecture despite its turbulent past, and
offers some of the best sailing around the Zadar archipelago,
and along the western coast of Croatia’s Dalmatia region. Its
sunsets are legendary, too, making it the perfect place to
unwind for romantics young and old.

THE CITY

Zadar, a coastal city and the heart of
Zadar county, can trace its roots right back
to Neolithic times and owes its tidy,
no-nonsense layout of streets to the
Romans, but it is, arguably, in more recent
times that its history has shaped the city.
Almost razed during World War II, it has
only a handful of old buildings, but those
that survived are beautiful and exude
several centuries of Mediterranean
architectural influences. The ‘must sees’
include the Church of St Donat – one of
the finest Byzantine buildings in Dalmatia
and the venue for countless musical
festivals and theatrical events.
Zadar has a modern and cultural feel, yet
is welcoming and unpretentious. Rebuilding
the city gave its residents the opportunity
to blend old architecture with new, with
the result being a city full of character. The
centre can easily be explored on foot. Art
galleries, museums and restaurants
serving traditional delicacies as well as
gourmet cuisine unite with shops – large
and small – displaying ceramics, paintings
and textiles created by local artisans. By
night, Zadar has a lively urban culture that
attracts young Croatians, while romantics
can head for the seafront or marina to
witness amazing sunsets over a chilled
glass of wine made from the grapes of
Zadar county’s renowned vineyards.

DO & SEE

Church Of St Donat
Built in the early 9th century on the site of
a Roman forum, the largely circular
building is one of the finest Byzantine
examples in Croatia. It is no longer used as
a church, but hosts a wide variety of
musical and cultural events.

Archaeological Museum
One of the most important museums in the
region, it houses a collection of local
artifacts dating from prehistoric times,
including rare glass from the Roman
period.

Cathedral Of St Anastasia
An enchanting cathedral dating from the
9th century, and rebuilt to a Romanesque
style several years later, it houses
paintings and Baroque artifacts.

The Forum
One of the main squares in Zadar and
today known as Zeleni trg, the Forum can
trace its history back to the 1st century.
Remains of ancient architecture remain.

Land Gate And Walls (kopnena Vrata)
Originally built as an entrance to the
fortified city, the Land Gate, along with the
16th century walls and their medieval
tower, Bablja Kula, are notable landmarks.

People’s Square
Home of the Town Hall, the city courts and
the Town Guard Palace that houses the
Ethnographic Museum, the square is at the
heart of what was the medieval city.

Church Of St Chrysogonus
Notable as being part of the great
Benedictine monastery that was destroyed
in World War II, the church houses
beautifully preserved 13th-century
frescoes and a Baroque altar.

The Museum Of Sacred Art
A superb collection of gold and silver
artifacts, paintings and famous statues
form the main exhibits in this museum
housed in a former monastery.   

Zadar Archipelago
More than 300 islands make up the Zadar
archipelago, although only a handful are
inhabited. Daily ferries run from the
quayside to the larger islands. Among the
most visited are Dugi Otok, the largest of
the islands and a popular haunt of fishing
enhtusiasts, and Ugljan where many
wealthy Zadar residents own properties,
along with the smaller islands of Pasman,
Molat, Olib and Premuda. All offer
relaxating coastal or beach walks, while
most have restaurants, historical sites to
see and opportunities for watersports.

Food
Zadar hosts numerous restaurants, inns,
taverna and pizzerias serving European
cuisine as well as local delicacies, such as
paprika flavoured salami (kulen), Buzara –
a dish of scampi in a tomato and garlic
sauce – walnut bread and, for dessert,
palačinka – a filled pancake – or cheese
strudels.

BARS & NIGHTLIFE
Much of the city’s evening entertainment
takes the form of relaxing meals at
waterfront restaurants, although Zadar has
a lively urban culture that attracts many
young Croatians, along with venues that
host theatre and musicial events, and
several good casinos.

Airports
Zadar’s international airport (tel: +385 (0)
23 313 311) is around 14 kilometres from
the city centre and served by taxis
stationed outside, buses and car hire
companies. Typically, a taxi journey will be
around 140 kuna, plus a charge for
luggage.

Public transport
The best way to get around Zadar city
centre is often on foot, but taxis, buses
and hire cars can make the journey easier
and give the opportunity to explore
districts such as Borik. Petrol stations open
from 7am to 7pm or 8pm every day, later
in high season. The bus station is located
on the crossroads just east of the Old
Town, heading toward Split, Rijeka and
Zagreb.

Taxi
Taxis are available from the airport and rail
stations, or by telephone to the main call
centre for minicabs.

Telephone
The country code for Croatia is 385,
followed by (0) 23 for Zadar and then the
six digit local number.
 

ZAGREB

ZAGREB

The tall spires of the Cathedral are visible from far away, and
they function as a perfect introduction to the beauty that
Zagreb has to offer its visitors. For centuries Zagreb has
been a focal point of culture and science, and it has now
developed into a centre of commerce and industry as well.
The town has, in recent years, become one of the most
popular places in former Eastern Europe to visit. It is very
much a town with an outdoor lifestyle which offers culture as
well as clubbing, and that is one of the many reasons why
people of all ages love this fantastic, dazzling place.

THE CITY

The town of Zagreb is divided into three
parts, and two of them are stunningly
beautiful. The thousand-year old Gornji
grad (Upper town) contains the
Presidential Palace, the historic church of
St. Mark’s, the Croatian parliament,
museums and galleries. They are all set in
romantic cobbled streets, which are lit by
gas lamps in the evenings. The other
extraordinary district is the 19th century
Donji grad (Lower town) with its shops,
restaurants, cafés, theatres, parks and
spectacular buildings, all making it a
stunning place. Zagreb is also a city of
green parks and walks, with many places
to visit in the beautiful surroundings. The
city will enter into the third millennium
with a population of an estimated one
million. In spite of the rapid development
of the economy and transportation, it has
retained its charm, and a relaxed feeling
that makes it a genuinely human city.

DO & SEE

Tkalciceva Ulica
The prettiest street in Zagreb is home to
shops and art galleries in steep-roofed
19th-century houses. Today, the street is
occupied by bars and cafés and it has been
transformed into the city’s prime area for
having a drink in the summer.
The Cathedral
An ornate and impressive display of
Neo-Gothic artistry, the Cathedral was
rebuilt by Viennese architects after an
earthquake in 1880, and most of the
money and creativity was spent on the two
spires, which, interestingly enough, are not
the same height. One has a height of 104
metres while the other one is 105 metres.

Gornji Grad
The Stone Gate is one of the ’must-see’
things in Zagreb. The gate is the last
remaining entrance to the city. Inside
Kamenita vrata (Stone Gate), you will find
one of Zagreb’s most popular shrines, a
16th-century statue of the Virgin Mary in a
grille-covered niche. There are many
visitors who come here to say a prayer or
to light a votive candle.

Mimara Museum
One of the most controversial and
prestigious buildings in Zagreb was built at
the bequest of Ante Topic Mimara. The
museum houses more than 3,500 works
including original paintings from
Rembrandt, Rubens, Renoir and Manet. It
also houses sculptures, paintings, crafts
and much more. Definitely worth a visit.

Mount Medvednica
The green forest of ’Bear Mountain’ and its
ideal location make it worth a visit. It
provides a nice escape from a busy town.
Can be accessed by public transportation.
Saturday Morning Coffee
It seems that one of the big things to do at
the weekends is to go down to the local
café and drink your morning coffee.
Usually it becomes more than one cup, and
it gives the locals a good chance to catch
up on the latest gossip.

Food
In Zagreb, you will find plenty of good
restaurants serving both national and
international cuisine. In the spring and
summer, dine alfresco and soak up the
kinetic atmosphere. Most of the
restaurants are open until 23:00 or
midnight, unless stated otherwise.

BARS & NIGHTLIFE
Zagreb is full of bars and pubs. At
Tkalciceva there seems to be a pub every
few metres and the area is superb for a
pub crawl – as it looks like one vast
outdoor bar. Most bars and pubs open
around midday.
Zagreb has a solid and lively nightlife that
revolves around several characterful and
informal clubs and discos. Most of the
activity is from September and late June,
and some of the clubs shut down for the
summer, as many locals go and visit the
islands.

Airport
Zagreb Airport is situated about 10
kilometres southeast of the city. Every half
hour, from 7.30 in the morning and 20.00,
buses run by Croatian Airways connect to
the bus station. The bus ride costs 30kn. A
taxi from the airport to the city centre will
set you back around 225kn and the
journey will take about 25 minutes.

Public transport
The local transport in Zagreb is shared
between an efficient system of buses and
trams that are run by ZET, the municipal
authorities. The trams start at 04.00 and
operate a daily scheme until 23.20, then
the night service starts to operate. The
night service is slightly infrequent, and it is
difficult to figure out when trams arrive.

The network is divided into 3 zones, but
the trams operate only in zone 1, so you
only need a ticket for more than one zone
if you are planning a suburban expedition.
Tickets for buses and trams cost 8kn from
the newspaper stand and 10kn when
bought from the driver for zone 1. Night
fares are 16kn from kiosk and 20kn from
driver. A day travel card for zone 1 costs
25 km

Telephone
Country code: +385
Area code: 01

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