Flight to Zagreb (ZAG)

Flying to Zagreb: tips and information for your trip

Croatia’s capital, Zagreb, is a popular city breakthings to do. Zagreb also has a quirky side, with unique events, festivals and museum exhibitions taking place throughout the year. Combine this with the plentiful green spaces to be found around the city and there truly is something for everyone. Set out on your next adventure and book with Brussels Airlines today.

What to do in Zagreb?

1. Discover the Upper town. This intriguing, historical neighbourhood has some of Zagreb’s most interesting attractions, including many restaurants, bars and cafés. The central square, Trg Bana Jelačića, is a great place to start.
   
   
2. Visit the Museum of Broken Relationships. The museum’s intrigue lives up to its name – it’s a truly unique exhibition which uses an ever-growing collection of personal items to tell the stories of loss and love of people from around the world. A real must if you’re in the city, even if museums aren’t usually your thing.
   
   
3. Experience the Dolac market. Make sure to visit this daily open-air market in the city centre. Have a wander around or why not buy a delicious snack?
   
   
4. Head out to Plitvice Lakes. Only a couple of hours from Zagreb by bus, this UNESCO heritage site is definitely worth a day trip. Stunning views await!The park even has its own transport system to help you see as much as possible. There are also a number of hotels, should you want to stay longer, and plenty of outdoor activities to try out.
   
   
5. Take a trip to the Mirogoj cemetery. Tranquillity, architecture, history and art are just a few of the things Mirogoj boasts. Visitors can take a leisurely stroll to explore the grounds and buildings of this impressive place.
6. Step inside Zagreb Cathedral. The two spires of the building can be seen from almost anywhere in the city and the architecture is noted for its beauty, both inside and out.
   
   
7. Walk the Green Horseshoe. Milan Lenuci, the architect largely responsible for the design of the city, chose to include a beautiful winding green space in the centre of Zagreb, which is home to a number of museums and attractions.
   
   
8. Visit St Mark’s Church. With its colourful tiled roof, this 13th-century building is a favourite photo spot for tourists.
   
   
9. See a sports game. Zagreb is a true sporting city and options include seeing the Dinamo Zagreb football team at the imposing Stadion Maksimir or RK Zagreb (the city’s handball team) at Arena Zagreb. There are also ice hockey and basketball teams, so you can be sure to find interesting games at any time of the year.

Practical information for your trip

• Brussels Airlines flights land at Zagreb Franjo Tuđman International Airport, which is 19 km from the city centre. Both local and shuttle buses make getting to and from the airport very easy, whilst taxis and rental cars are readily available upon arrival.
   
  
• Currency: Euro. Credit cards are widely accepted in Zagreb’s big stores but cash is always handy for restaurants and smaller places.
  
  
• Telephone calls and Wi-Fi: : +385. Many restaurants, cafes and bars offer free Wi-Fi to customers.
  
  
• Electric sockets: Type C and F. Croatia operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz.
  
  
• Travel Information: European Union citizens do not need a visa for a trip to Zagreb. All they need is your passport or identity card.

Dos and Don’ts in Zagreb

• Do embrace Croatian café culture. Going for a coffee may seem a rather normal thing to do, but it’s a key part of the social scene in Zagreb. If you want to get a real feel for the place and the locals, find a cafe and enjoy an espresso whilst watching the world go by.
  
  
• Do try and see the changing of the guard. This march through the city happens on weekends, April-October, between 11.40 a.m. and 2.20 p.m.
  
  
• Do use the funicular between the Upper town and Lower town if your feet get tired.
  
  
• Don’t feel limited to the city if you have a little more time in Zagreb. You can easily take the train to Croatia’s celebrated coast and beyond. It’s also straightforward to get from Zagreb to Ljubljana and other parts of the former Yugoslavia.
  
  
• Don’t miss the city’s live music scene. When it comes to nightlife, Sax is one of the best places in Zagreb to have a good time and see lots of local bands strut their stuff.

Local phrases & essential vocabulary

As a popular tourist destination, many of the locals in Zagreb speak some English. However, some key survival phrases will make sure your trip runs smoothly. Pronunciation a problem? Apps like Google translate are a great way to hear the words spoken aloud.

• Yes: Da
• No: Ne
• Thank you: Hvala
• Please: Molim
• Hi or Bye: Bok
• You're welcome (formal): Izvolite
• Maybe: Možda
• Excuse me (formal): Oprostite
• Good morning!: Dobro jutro
• Good day!: Dobar dan
• Good evening!: Dobra večer!
• Goodbye!: Doviđenja!
• Do you speak English?: Govorite li engleski?
• I'm sorry, I don't speak Croatian: Žao mi je, ne govorim hrvatski

Cultural events

As a popular tourist destination, there are many cultural events that run throughout the year in Zagreb:

• Take part in an interactive night-time tour of the city with The Secrets of Grič. The tour starts at 9 p.m. every Friday in Croatian and every Saturday in English, from May to September.
  
  
• In summer, there are plenty of events to get involved in. For example, Summer at Stross offers a number of shows and music events for both children and adults.
  
  
• See the Gradec Summer Cinema in Catherine’s Square; it’s a real favourite, with people often gathering on the ground to watch.

When to go to Zagreb?

There are great reasons to visit Zagreb all year round, but if you’re looking for good weather and pleasant temperatures, spring and early summer are your best bets. December is also a very popular time to go, as the city’s squares are filled with Christmas markets and festive activities to enjoy.

What to eat and drink in Zagreb?

• Croatian beer and wine, both emerging on the international market and both very popular with tourists and locals alike.
  
  
• Zagorski Štrukli: a kind of cottage cheese strudel which comes in both savoury and sweet varieties.
  
  
• Čušpajz: a delicious meat and vegetable stew which is a staple of the local diet.
  
  
• Kremšnite: a custard cream cake made with flaky pastry and sprinkled with icing sugar.
  
  
• Orehnjača: a traditional walnut Swiss roll that will satisfy your sweet tooth.