Zagreb

In the Upper Town you will find St Mark’s Church with its colourful tiled roof showing the coats of arms of Croatia and Zagreb, the Stone Gate, the last surviving city gate, with a small shrine inside, and the Lotrščak Tower, from which a cannon is fired every day at noon. On the neighbouring hill of Kaptol rise the twin spires of Zagreb Cathedral.

The Lower Town centres on Ban Jelačić Square, with its equestrian statue, and the Dolac market, famous for its red umbrellas, sits just above it. A ring of green squares and parks, known as the Green Horseshoe, links museums and grand buildings, while Tkalčićeva Street is lined with cafés. The city also has quirky museums, such as the Museum of Broken Relationships.

Zagreb is a natural stop between the Adriatic coast and the rest of Central Europe on our multi-country Balkan tours. It is visited on day 2 of our Tour of Yugoslavia in 12 Days and, together with the Plitvice Lakes, near the end of our All the Balkan Countries: A 16 Day Tour.

Franjo Tuđman Airport lies southeast of the city. The centre is compact and easy to explore on foot, with trams for longer distances. Spring and autumn are pleasant for walking, and in December Advent celebrations fill the squares. The Plitvice Lakes are about two hours away by road.

Gallery photos: Diego Delso (CC BY-SA 3.0), Diego Delso (CC BY-SA 3.0), Jorge Franganillo (CC BY 2.0), Nikolai Karaneschev (CC BY 3.0), Fred Romero from Paris, France (CC BY 2.0), Diego Delso (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Wikimedia Commons