A layover in Zagreb

Rashid

14 minutes ago3 min read

On the way to Sarajevo, my friend Jos and I had to take an unplanned layover of 6 hours in Zagreb. I was very happy that it happened as it's been on my list of cities to visit. Zagreb is the capital city of Croatia and blends Austro-Hungarian architecture with a lively cultural scene and street art. Located along the Sava River, it serves as Croatia’s political, economic, and cultural hub.

Population: ~800,000 (the largest city in Croatia)
Language: Croatian (English is widely spoken, especially in tourist areas)
Currency: Euro (€) (since January 2023)
Time Zone: Central European Time (CET, UTC+1)

To get to the city from the airport, you have two options: a taxi for €35 or a shuttle bus for €7. The bus departs every 30 minutes, on the hour and half-past (please double-check the schedule), from the front of the airport. We saw the bus leaving as we were walking out of the airport building, so we took a taxi. Taxi goes by the meter and you can pay with a card (ask the driver before getting in, though, to make sure).

'Where to?' - the driver asked.

'To the main attractions!' - we responded.

The driver, being a seasoned professional, registered the task well, understanding that he was dealing with a couple of crazies, and delivered us right into the heart of Zagreb - Ban Jelačić Square – the city's central square, a great starting point for exploring. 'Here is a square, a church, and a restaurant.' - said the driver. 'Bingo!' - we thought to ourselves.

We wandered around, sadly without visiting any museums, as our time was limited. Yet Zagreb seems to be a hub of hip and unique museums.

Unique & Thematic Museums

Museum of Broken Relationships – One of Zagreb’s most famous attractions, showcasing objects and stories from past relationships.
Croatian Museum of Naïve Art – Features folk and self-taught artists, mainly from Croatia.
Zagreb City Museum – Chronicles the history of Zagreb from medieval times to the present.
Museum of Illusions – A fun, interactive space with optical illusions and mind-bending exhibits.
Mimara Museum – Houses a collection of European fine art, including works by Rembrandt, Rubens, and Velázquez.

We went through the main square, up to the Dolac Market and ended up in a cool little park called Opatovina, with funky murals. Then we cruised down Ul. Ivana Tkalčića, which is one of Zagreb’s most vibrant and charming streets. Located in the heart of the city, it runs parallel to the historic Upper Town (Gornji Grad) and is a must-visit for both tourists and locals.

Parks to visit:

Maksimir Park – A large, scenic park perfect for a relaxing stroll; also home to Zagreb Zoo.
Zrinjevac Park – A small, elegant park in the city centre.
Jarun Lake – A great spot for outdoor activities like cycling, jogging, or relaxing by the water.

Key locations:

Ban Jelačić Square – the city's central square, a great starting point for exploring.
Tkalčićeva Street – A lively street full of cafés, bars, and restaurants.
Dolac Market – A traditional farmers' market where you can sample local produce and delicacies.
Ilica Street – The main shopping street in Zagreb, stretching from Ban Jelačić Square.

All in all, we were hesitant to visit Zagreb in just 5 hours, but it was easy, doable and worth it. Don't waste your time in a tiny and overpriced airport. Head to the city and enjoy.

On the way back we walked through Zrinjevac Park to the train station, thinking that we could take a bus back to the airport from there. Turns out, buses run from the bus terminal (duh), 1.3 km east of the train station.

At the bus terminal, there was an unenthusiastic lady behind the window who promised that the bus would come at 30 after the hour. Her words worked like a prophecy, we got on, paid to the driver and off we went to the airport. The drive was super fast and 30 minutes later we were already at the terminal. Off to Sarajevo... more to come.