The almighty capital (Zagreb)

Member Name: dangaroo

Product:	Zagreb
Date:	22/04/09 (52 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great place to have fun or relax, sightsee or party!

Disadvantages: None

Zagreb the wonderful capital of Croatia is one of my favourite European cities, cold in the winter and warm most of the rest of the year, it's a great place to spend afternoons outside the cafes and bars that line the cobbled streets. The city which has become popular with tourists in recent years has seen numerous budget options pop up in the form of hostels and the days of having to stay in the dour HI hostel nicknamed "The Prison Hostel" for its miserable staff and lack of light has long gone.

To compliment the wonderful choice of places to wine and dine is a fine selection of magnificent buildings and statues from the stunning National Theatre through to the horse statue on Trg Jelacic (Jelacic Square), the tourist information is extremely helpful to tourists and well-prepared. Zagreb has three other very worthy districts the arty streets of Tkalciceva, the historic museum and church filled area of Gornji Grad which is very quaint but a little bit too busy with tourists sometimes. Last but not least those with power left in their legs should climb up to Mirogoj, a cemetery at the base of Mt Medvenica with a stunning range of well sculptured tombs and an impressive wall. This is a very peaceful area and rates as one of the best cemeteries in Europe, even if you're too lazy to climb - at least hop on the 106 bus.

For nightlife buffs, the choices are excellent - visit the restaurants and hip pubs of the oldy worldy Tkalciceva, the dance clubs around Maksimir Park which really get very lively on summer nights, the factory come alternative music venue of Tvornica which is massive with two stages and cheap beer in plastic cups.

Zagreb roads are often being re-built but that shouldn't let you be put off by exploring the outskirts a little bit, there's numerous parks with fountains which make a shady change from the blinding summer sun. Dinamo Zagreb's stadium on the way to the zoo is home to some very interesting graffiti, as is the road between the train station and the bus station (although it's looking a bit worse for wear of late)

Public transport in Zagreb is fairly modern with a new range of trams and buses, it is forbidden to take dogs but there are not many inspectors so it is likely that the driver will only ask you to get off, if you are travelling with one.

There are numerous residential areas which seem a little seperated from the city by small country lanes, they are still considered part of the city and many of them are always under construction. This is because during the Balkan War, there was a large population exchange with people swapping houses and land to get out of a country they would be in trouble in - ethnic croats moving out of bosnia and serbia and vice-versa. The houses or land they have inherited often had little in the way of infrastructure, so are continuously updated when the owner has the money - the fact that some people are doing better than others is evident in the size, colour, progression and designs of the houses.

I find Zagreb fascinating and relaxing but at the same time it manages to remain a working and student city. This is why I find it better than the average Croatian tourist destination.

Summary: An excellent city