Things to do — Zagreb region

Zagreb and Continental Croatia offer an experience that combines refined urbanity, mid-mountain hiking, wine tasting and baroque exploration.

In Zagreb, exploration is articulated in two stages. Upper Town (Gornji grad): ascent by the Uspinjača funicular (66 m, one of the shortest in the world) or by the stairs, visit of the Lotrščak tower (panorama over the lower town, midday cannon that resonates daily at noon), of Saint Mark's church (polychrome roof with the arms of Zagreb and Croatia), of the Museum of Broken Relationships (one of the most original museums in Europe), and of the cathedral (Kaptol, recently restored after the 2020 earthquake). Lower Town (Donji grad): visit of the Mimara museum (Raphael, Velazquez, Manet, Degas collection), of the neo-baroque National Theatre, walk in the 'Lenuci horseshoe' (succession of 7 green park-squares in U shape), and obligatory passage at the Dolac market early in the morning (stalls of fruits, fish, cheeses and flowers). At the end of the day, terrace on Tkalčićeva or in the trendy Martićeva neighbourhood — Zagreb's nightlife is surprisingly dynamic.

Day trips from Zagreb: Samobor (25 min) for the central baroque square, the famous samoborske kremšnite (emblematic cream millefeuilles) at U Prolazu and hiking to the Žumberak natural park. Mount Medvednica (30 min by cable car from Sljeme) for hiking and panoramic views. Trakošćan (1h30) for the romantic castle on its lake and its landscape park. Varaždin (1h30) for exceptional baroque architecture and the international Varaždin Baroque Evenings festival in September. Plitvice (2h) — the UNESCO national park can be visited as a round trip from Zagreb on an intense day.

Further into the hinterland, Risnjak National Park (1h30 from Zagreb) offers hikes in primary forests inhabited by brown bears and lynx — one of the last wildernesses in Central Europe. The summit of Veliki Risnjak (1,528 m, 4-5h round trip from Crni Lug) offers in clear weather a view as far as the Adriatic Sea. Accommodation in guesthouse in Crni Lug or in forest lodge. To the east, Slavonia (3h by train or car to Osijek) unfolds its baroque heritage (Osijek Tvrđa citadel, Đakovo cathedral) and its Pannonian cuisine (čvarci, kulen, fiš paprikaš) in a local, little-touristed atmosphere.

December: Advent in Zagreb is unmissable from 30 November to 7 January — 6 interconnected market sites, illuminations, ice rinks, free concerts and gastronomic specialties (fritules, kobasice, kuhano vino, medenjaci). Voted best Christmas market in Europe three consecutive years.