Zagreb

Zagreb, the quiet capital that reveals itself to anyone who takes the time. 🌿🚆

At the crossroads of Central Europe and the Balkans, Zagreb is a city of discreet charm, but deeply singular. Founded on two rival medieval hills, Kaptol and Gradec, it grew up between trade fairs and Austro-Hungarian traditions. Even today, it blends this multifaceted past with a creative, alternative energy that begs to be explored.

No flashy monuments here. Zagreb is all about the details: the cobblestones of Gornji Grad, St. Mark's Church and its polychrome roof. You'll also discover unique places, like the Museum of Broken Relations, a one-of-a-kind museum that will make you laugh and cry in a single afternoon. Just below, in Donji Grad, the boulevards lead you to lively squares and the famous Dolac market, where local produce is displayed under the emblematic red umbrellas where everything is sold.

And then there's that sweet aroma wafting through the air... that of fritule. These little balls of fried dough, golden brown and sprinkled with powdered sugar, are everywhere in Zagreb. Originally from the coast, here they have become a veritable street tradition. Their popularity is due to their comforting simplicity, their cheapness and, above all, their presence at all the city's liveliest moments: festivals, markets, busy streets... During Advent Zagreb, the multi-award-winning Christmas market, the stalls multiply, each offering its own variation - filled, covered in chocolate, or drizzled with rakija. One bite, and you've tasted the warm, cheerful atmosphere of Zagreb.

For a break from nature, head for nearby Medvednica Park. And for an unusual detour, don't miss the Grič Tunnel, a former air-raid shelter built during the Second World War as a refuge for local residents. Today, it links several streets in the center and hosts exhibitions and sound installations. If you'd like to go on an excursion, the UNESCO-listed Plitvice Lakes National Park, about two hours' drive from Zagreb, plunges you into a world of verdant forests, waterfalls and turquoise lakes linked by wooden footbridges. It's easy to get lost on foot, along paths suspended above the water.

Easily accessible by overnight train from Zurich, Zagreb is ideal for those who want to travel differently: at their own pace, in a lively, gourmet and deeply human capital.

So, ready to take a bite out of Zagreb, fritula in hand? ✨