If you like to drink, you’ll never go thirsty in Zagreb!
There are seemingly more bars than people. Most bars are small operations, usually in residential areas with their regular clientele. In the city centre however, Zagreb’s café culture becomes very apparent.
At the very heart of Zagreb, just off the main square (Jelacic trg), you have many bars and cafes to choose from; Tkalciceva street is the main “meat market”, and Saturday mornings are spent sitting at one of the many bars, people watching.
Bogoviceva also has it fair share of cafes and on a Saturday morning, it is almost impossible to get a seat.
Clubbing is also an important part of Croatian culture and the Croatians do it very well. Lake Jarun is situated to the west of the city and is really the heart of Zagreb’s club scene. The place gets very busy at weekends with people bar hoping and partying till dawn.
Most clubs are full of younger revellers, but there are a couple of places that cater for the more seasoned clubber (like myself ahem...)
Apart from the bars and clubs, Zagreb has a lot to offer tourists. From the many museums, theatres, restaurants and open air markets to the breathtaking architecture.
The main drag, from the main square to the train station (zrinjevac park), is a beautiful in the summer and the architecture really does impress, as long as you can take your eyes off the beautiful local ladies long enough to notice….
The southern area of the city (Novi Zagreb, meaning New Zagreb), isn’t as attractive as the centre. It was built during the socialist era and is made up of communist style blocks.
There is, however, a beautiful English style park with a lake (Bundek) and sports facilities and the Zagreb fair (Velesajam) plus some bars which are well worth taking a trip over the river Sava for.
The river dissects the North from the South of the city and on the river itself there are boats which have been converted into bars. They offer live music, comedy nights and late drinking.
Travelling around the city is easy, thanks to the cheap and reliable tram and bus network, it takes about 25 minutes from the main square to New Zagreb.
Zagreb has almost as many restaurants as bars. Prices are very reasonable in most restaurants when compared to say London, so Croatians eat out on a regular basis. The choices aren’t as diverse as London, however. For example, there is only one Indian restaurant in the whole of Zagreb.
Croatian wines are very good, although a little over priced, due to the small quantities produced. They are worth sampling, but always ask the waiters/barmen for the best ones, as there are some very mediocre, pricy wines on the market.
All in all Zagreb is a great place to visit; its’ people, nightlife, architecture, culture and cuisine will leave you longing to visit a second time!
