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The capital of Croatia is situated between the hills of Medvednica and embankment of the Sava River, a favorable position for a city that continues to develop. Gradec and Kaptol make up the historical nucleus of the city, along with Donji grad (the so-called Lower part of the city), residential areas on the hills of Medvednica, and Novi Zagreb (the newer part of the city) with neighborhoods which have been developing since the mid 1950s, south of the Sava River. Zagreb is the center of state functions, however it still manages to charm visitors and is admired by tourists, regardless of the season. If you plan on coming to Zagreb on business or pleasure, the city will greet you like an old friend and as you bid farewell the city will remind you of everything you didn’t get a chance to see during your visit. There is really only one thing you can do: come again.
General information
- Number of inhabitants: 973,667 in 2005.
- Area:640 km2
- Geographic position: Northern Croatia, 122 m above the sea level, 170 km away from the Adriatic Sea, 45°10;15'N, 15°30'E
- Climate: continental
- Average summer temperature:
- Average summer temperature: 20° C
- Average winter temperature: 1° C
- Time zone: Central European Time (GMT +1)
History
The first written documents about a settlement in Zagreb's present area date back to 1094, when the diocese was founded and the building of the cathedral started. Kaptol and Gradec where built next to the cathedral. In 1242, the city was devastated by Tatars and its inhabitants provided refuge to the Hungarian king Bella IV. Therefore, Gradec was awarded the 'Golden Bull' (Zlatna bula) and was proclaimed a Free City. In the 16th century, Zagreb was the political center and capital city of the Banate of Croatia. Intensive economic, political and cultural development of Zagreb began in the 19th century when the first theater (1834) and the first university (1874) were founded.
to topGastronomy
If you are looking for a place to refresh after a walk around the city, or after a sightseeing tour, then a restaurant in the city is a right spot for you. The choice is up to you, since the city offers something for everyone.
Starting from a range of restaurants prepairing and offering specialties of international cuisines, like Chinese, Mexican, Italian, Japanese or Indian, up to restaurants offering seafood and of course unavoidable restaurants offering local specialties from Zagreb and Prigorje area.
Some of the restaurants with traditional offer are on the town outskirts, in the so called green area, so the visit to such a restaurant is at the same time a good daytrip suggestion. The city centre, however, abunds in small, mostly Italian restaurants. Some of those places have nice terraces, so you can enjoy your meal and the view to the city as well.
If you don't like to spend to much time munching your meals and sitting in restaurants, in that case you have plenty of fast food restaurants, sandwich bars where you can have a quick meal or some pastry, and then go on to learn more about the town.
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If you arrive to Zagreb and wish for some sports activities, the choice is small, but interesting. You can play tennis on the tennis courts in the part of town called Šalata, or on the tennis courts near the river of Sava, or play golf on the golf courts near the new part of town, Novi Zagreb, or have a swim in some of the swimming pools.
One of Zagreb specialties is the lake of Jarun, popularly called "Zagreb Sea". The lake and the surrounding area offers different solutions how to wake the sportsman in you. You can test you strength in swimming, skating or bike riding along the paths by the lake. When you get tired, relax in one of the numerous cafes by the lake. Those charming places become a meeting point of the party people by night, but a more details about that can be found in another story. Let's stick to sports, because we would like to put stress on beach volley. You can rent a court and play a match with friends, or be a loud supporter during the tournament.
If you don't like swimming in the lake, the refreshment from the city heat can be found in swimming pools. One of them is in the northern part of town, Šalata, and the other near the Sava river. Swimming or just easy sunbathing-it's up to you...
For those who like horseback riding, there is a court in the part of town called Kajzerica, and even if you are not a fan, we certainly suggest you to visit the Hippodrome and enjoy in the sun while you observe horses.
Above all that, if you wish to have some fresh air, and a walk of a quicker pace, then we suggest you to visit Medvednica, a hill in the northern part of Zagreb, where you can enjoy easy trekking and fresh air. When you are there, don't miss visiting Medvedgrad, the citadel on Medvednica.
to topFun and night life
Are you a party animal? You like dancing? You like good concerts? Then you are on the right spot! Zagreb has many places where you can go out in the evening, and end up dancing the night away. However, Zagreb offers quiet places as well, where you can enjoy a sip of coffee, read newspapers and pleasantly chat with friends.
Thus the city centre abunds with caffeterias which offer fine coffee and a view to busy streets, and there are fancy cocktail bars as well, which can be a good starting point for a night out. Tkalèiæeva and Bogoviæeva Street are a real treasure for all fun seekers, where in numerous caffeterias and bars you can find party atmosphere and music according to your preferences. Set out to explore all those places that organise concerts, to get the club feeling, or the places where you will be attending literary evenings, which is an interesting way to spend the evening.
Zagreb night clubs offer good choice of music and party, so you can dance to rock, pop, r'n'b, and even to punk or ska music and rhytm. The choice range is wide, the choice is yours...
Summer time is a great time for party on Jarun lake, where you can dance the night away in some of the bars and clubs by the lake.
But don't neglect the daytime activities. Make sure that you visit Maksimir park, a lovely place for refreshing walks. Maksimir park is an ideal place for a getaway from the noisy streets, since its green paths offer peace and comfort, which can be ideal, especially if you have been dancing the night away...
to topHow to get there?
- By car: Amsterdam 1412 km, Berlin 1434 km, Bratislava 397 km, Brussels 1963 km, Budapest 372 km, London 1678 km, Ljubljana 135 km, Milan 672 km, Paris 1574 km, Prague 949 km, Vienna 371 km
- By plane: www.croatiaarilines.hr
- By bus: www.akz.hr
- By train: www.hznet.hr
What to see?
Gornji grad
If the starting point is the main city square, Trg bana Jelacica, and you go up Radiceva street, you will reach Gornji grad, also known as Gradec. Make sure to take a look at Marko Square and Sv. Marko Church as well as Banski dvori (Ban's Halls) - a Baroque palace now functioning as the main building of the Croatian Government. Visit the Croatian Museum of Naive Art, take a walk to Katarina Square, visit the Museum of Modern Art, the city Palace Dverce and Lotrscak tower. The Strossmayer Promenade offers a fantastic view of the city. Also worth visiting are the Croatian Museum of Science, Museum of the City of Zagreb and the Astronomical Observatory.
Kaptol
If the starting point is the main city square, Trg bana Jelacica, and you go up Bakaceva Street, you will reach Kaptol. Here you will find Zagreb's cathedral, while a unique part of Kaptol is Opatovina. The part called Dolac is nowadays Zagreb's main open market. Nearby is Tkalciceva Street, known for numerous cafés.
Donji grad
Below Kaptol and Gradec is Donji grad, famous for the main city square - Trg bana Jelacica, Ilica - the longest street in Zagreb. Visit Zrinjevac, the Music Pavilion, the Archeological Museum, the Strossmayer Gallery, the Modern Gallery, the Graphic Cabinet and the Art Pavilion. We also recommend Tomislav Square and Starcevic Square where you will find the Botanical Garden. Marulic Square nearby and its impressive Croatian National Archive building is considered one of the most beautiful examples of Secession architecture in Zagreb. To the north, there are Roosevelt Square, the Mimara Museum, as well as Marshall Tito Square with its Neo-baroque Croatian National Theater building.
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