Upper Town

The Upper Town, formerly called Gradec, has kept its old appearance to a great extent, and includes a number of Zagreb sites. Located on the slope of the Medvednica Mountain, it was fortified with walls and towers in the 13th century, and many legends are associated with it, like the ones of the Bloody Bride and Stone Gates – the only remaining out of four gates to Gradec, where there is still a unique and frequented shrine covered with devotional plates. Along the south side of the Upper Town stretches the Strossmayer promenade where the longest Zagreb street festival takes place in June, and, apart from its contribution to the Zagreb nightlife in terms of free concerts and film screenings, this promenade is a favourite among the citizens of Zagreb due to its magnificent view over the Lower Town and shades from century-old trees during summer. As the core of modern Zagreb, the Upper Town still plays an important role, not only on the tourism map of the city, but also as the seat of the Croatian Parliament and the Croatian Government that are located in its very centre, next to the Church of St. Mark.

Lotrščak Tower

Among many Zagreb sites located in the Upper Town, one should mention the medieval Lotrščak Tower erected in the 13th century at the south entrance to the former Gradec. One of the landmarks of Zagreb, the Tower is the best preserved part of the former city fortification. Back in the old days, the thieves’ bell, after which the Tower got its name, would go off in the evenings, and for more than a hundred years, the legendary Grič cannon has been firing from the Tower to mark midday. According to the legend, the shot from the cannon curbed the Turks’ invasion of the city. An interesting fact is that the Tower used to be leased to the citizens, provided that it can be used for defence purposes, and today, the Tower, with its beautiful view over Zagreb, contains a museum and a souvenir shop.

Tkalčićeva street

Tkalčićeva street, lovingly referred to as Tkalča, developed between the two oldest Zagreb neighbourhoods, Kaptol and Gradec, at the place of the former stream surrounded by mills and arched by bridges, the most famous one being the legendary Bloody Bridge.
Tkalča has been the home of craftsmen and merchants for centuries, and today it is a picturesque promenade most famous for art galleries, pleasant coffee shops and festivals that have transformed it into one of the most popular places for going out of citizens and tourists alike. Its somewhat eclectic atmosphere is a setting for exciting Zagreb nightlife so, if you plan to spend a weekend in Zagreb, make sure not to miss it!

Dolac

Lively Zagreb market located in the heart of the city, Dolac is the biggest and most famous market in Zagreb, with a distinctive touch of history and tradition. Here you can find many tradicional groceries as well as meet the friendly market sellers called "kumica".

Manduševac

Manduševac Fountain is among the most famous Zagreb sites and the city’s landmark, and due to its location and historical background, it is a favourite site both of the citizens and those who come for a weekend in Zagreb. The fountain is located at the Ban Jelačić Square at the former spring associated with the legend of the naming of Zagreb. According to the legend, the names of Manduševac and Zagreb originated from a random encounter of a young man and a young woman at the spring and his plea “Manda, scoop” (Croatian: zagrabiti). For almost a hundred years, the spring was covered and forgotten until it was rediscovered and at the request of the citizens, a fountain was built at the site.

Cathedral

The main church in Zagreb and the largest in Croatia, Cathedral of the Assumption and its towers have become a symbol of the Kaptol and Zagreb. The cathedral is located in a medieval fortress, within which there are well-preserved towers and walls. Zagreb cathedral was built in Gothic style, and its highest parts, towers, are reaching a staggering 105 meters.

Botanical Garden

Due to its location at the heart of the city and its unique charm, many consider the Zagreb Botanical Garden as their favourite Zagreb park. This protected monument of garden architecture was founded in 1889 for the purpose of university lectures and is a home of autochthonic plant varieties from different parts of Croatia as well as a number of plant varieties from the sub-Mediterranean, Mediterranean and Alpine regions. A sale of garden plants takes place here every year, and the park’s exhibition pavilion is a valuable example of the late 19th century pavilion architecture. If you decide to spend a weekend in Zagreb, spend half an hour walking in the Zagreb Botanical Garden. Its shades and winding pebble paths make this little Zagreb oasis a quiet refuge and place for a relaxing romantic walk from April to November.

Ilica

Ilica is the most famous Zagreb street and a favourite place for shopping in the old part of Zagreb due to a number of prestigious clothes and shoe stores. Dating back to the 15th century, this street is also one of the longest Zagreb streets, passing through the main square and dividing the centre of Zagreb into the Upper and the Lower towns. Some say that the name originates from the stream of the same name from which the potters dug out the clay for making pots. Nowadays, Ilica is considered the main city street and commercial centre, and its location, charm and trade tradition made it an unavoidable destination for tourists who pick Zagreb as their city break destination.

Croatian National Theatre

The famous Zagreb Art Temple was built back in 1895th year. Baroque building of the Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb is surrounded by many buildings of high architectural value, which represent the late 19th and early 20th century architecture . The repertoire of the Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb boasts a rich and diverse offer, of world and national work.