Zagreb Holidays

City breaks to Zagreb

Zagreb – Croatia’s capital – comes with all the bells and whistles you’d expect from a European city that dates all the way back to Roman times. There aren’t any beaches, but museums, markets and medieval streets lie in wait. And, if you fancy a jaunt out in nature, you can scoot over to the country’s most famous national park – it’s only a two-hour drive south.

Many a market

Zagreb’s home to more markets than you can shake a shopping bag at. If you fancy mingling with the locals, set your alarm for the morning and make a beeline for the most famous of them all – Dolac Market. It’s right in the city centre, just off Jelacic Square, and you’ll spot it from a way away thanks to its fire truck-red umbrellas. Once you’ve bagged yourself a bargain lunch, head around the corner to the main square to nab a souvenir or two.

Masses of museums

You’ll find shedloads of museums in this city, but you don’t have to be a history buff to want to check them all out. There are loads of quirky places in the mix, like the Museum of Broken Relationships and the Museum of Hangovers. You can even snap selfies in upside-down rooms at the Museum of Illusions. And, if you do prefer something more mainstream, there are places that put stuff like fine art and ancient artefacts centre-stage, too.

Nearby National Parks

If you fancy getting your teeth into Croatia’s wild side, you’re in luck – the famous Plitvice Lakes National Park’s only a couple of hours’ drive away from Zagreb. It’s made up of 16 baby-blue lakes, linked together by Instagram-worthy waterfalls. Bears and wolves roam around the surrounding forest, and there are loads of trails that let you check it all out. It’s best to whizz over there in the morning, before the biggest crowds descend on the park.