Things to do in Zagreb

Zagreb offers cafes galore for afternoon coffee drinking or evening schmoozing. Cica is a funky bar choice with a quirky interior and eclectic vibe. Conspicuously positioned on the lively Tkalĉićeva strip, this place is like a living, breathing art installation. Once you’ve tasted the potent rakija (brandy) in fruit and herb flavours, then head on to Saloon, one of Croatia’s favourite night hangouts. It breathes cool without being pretentious and attracts a varied bunch of locals.

By day pay a visit to Zagreb’s Museum of Contemporary Art, home to Croatian movements in abstract and conceptual art, plus international works by Picasso and Dalí. On a lovely summer’s day take a stroll through Zagreb’s peaceful Maksimir Park, catching sight of the English-style gardens and artificial lakes. Zagreb is often skipped as travellers are in a hurry to whizz straight down to the beach, but it really is worth a stop either on the way to the coast or on way back up.

An important monument in the city of Zagrab is Lotrščak Tower –  a fortified tower built in the thirteenth century. A bell was attached in 1646, which was intended to signal the closing of the town gates. In the nineteenth century a canon was also added. To this day the canon is fired each day at noon, so even if you don’t visit the tower, you’ll certainly hear it sounding off!