You can reach the upper town Gradec in Zagreb by walking over from Kaptol (including some stairs to take; have a break at one of the bars in Ulica Ivana Tkalčića) or by the funicular bringing you to Lotršcak tower. From there it is a short walk to the main square: St. Mark’s square (Trg svetog Marka). The building with the multicoloured roof is St. Mark’s church (Crkva svetog Marka).
Continue reading “Trg svetog Marka”The Zagreb Cathedral
The Cathedral of Zagreb (Katedrala Uznesenja Blažene Djevice Marije i svetih Stjepana i Ladislava) on Kaptol hill is a must-see. You can start on the Ban and walk over the Dolac – if you turn to the right you’ll first see the cathedral square and behind it the cathedral dedicated to Virgin Mary.
Continue reading “The Zagreb Cathedral”Dining with views on Dolac
When it comes to traditional Croatian restaurants in Zagreb, the variety is small but only a limited number of locations are mentioned. Often the Starij fiaker (Mesnička ul. 6) is named, but it was closed during my visit. The best restaurant I tried was Kerempuh, close to the market place Dolac.
Continue reading “Dining with views on Dolac”Central meeting point
If you need to meet someone at the city center of Zagreb, Croatia – do it at “The Ban“. The central place of the city is easily reachable and is a good starting point for discovering the city center, Gradec and Kaptol. It is named after emperor (ban) Josip Jelačić.
Continue reading “Central meeting point”The funicular
The city center of Zagreb is divided into a lower town (with the railway station and the “green horseshoe”) and an upper town including two twin cities: the clerical town Kaptol in which you’ll find the market place (Dolac) and the cathedral – and the town of the citizens (Gradec), which includes the parliament, the seat of government and the Lotršcak tower.
Continue reading “The funicular”Crossing the Sava for contemporary art
One of the few sights away from the city center is the museum of contemporary art. To get there, you have to walk southbound, cross the railway tracks and the river Sava – and then you’ll discover the difference between the European style city center and the place where people actually live.
Continue reading “Crossing the Sava for contemporary art”Just laid back
The “green horseshoe” is a wide green corridor at the lower town of Zagreb, Croatia with the shape of a “U”. Along this green area the most important museums, the botanical garden and art galleries are located.
Continue reading “Just laid back”In love with Štruklji
A traditional Croatian dish I got to know in Zagreb, Croatia and immediatly fell in love with is Štruklji – cooked dough with various fillings. I found it throughout all of former Yugoslavia. It was once reserved for special occasions but is nowadays an everyday meal.
A visit to cloudy Budapest
The decision to visit Budapest, Hungary was nothing coming from the heart. I just couldn’t remember of ever having been at Hungary. And it was easily reachable by train – using the Keleti pályaudvar / railway station. Everybody seems to have been in Budapest already. It is quite touristic and maybe famous as a place for lovers. I was unsure whether this was a good choice.
Continue reading “A visit to cloudy Budapest”Refreshing at the Gellért spa
What is not obvious while walking through Budapest, Hungary is the fact, that it is a spa town. There are over 100 thermal springs producing water with a temperature between 21 and 78 degrees celsius. Therefore one definitly needs to try one of the spas; the most famous being the Gellért spa and the Széchenyi spa. And after walking around so much in this town this is always a great idea.
Continue reading “Refreshing at the Gellért spa”