Croatia’s capital is divided into three main parts – thousand-year-old Gornji Grad (Upper Town), 19th-century Donji Grad (Lower Town) and the high-rise buildings of Novi Zagreb (New Zagreb). Its well-preserved cultural heritage has earned Zagreb the nickname ‘City of Museums’, and you’ll find more of them per square metre than anywhere else in the world. Even if you’re not a history buff, Zagreb will delight with bustling streets, excellent art galleries, and numerous coffee shops, markets and boutiques.

See

• Gornji Grad (Upper Town) – The city’s medieval Upper Town is characterised by cobblestone streets lined with red-tile-roofed buildings. This historic district is where you will find Zagreb’s cathedral and parliament building as well as many of the best museums, galleries and churches.
• Donji Grad (Lower Town) – The lower town is spread around a series of parks forming a horseshoe shape. This relatively modern area is home to museums, galleries and the National Theatre.
• St Mark’s Church – One of Zagreb's most photographed sites, St Mark's Church is famous for its unique 19th-century tiled roof, which displays the coats of arms of Zagreb and the old Triune Kingdom.
• Ban Jelacic Square – Zagreb’s central square and meeting place is dominated by a statue of Josip Jelacic, a 19th-century ruler regarded as a Croatian hero for his role in the revolutions of 1848.
• Maksimir Park – Zagreb’s oldest public park is an important part of the city’s cultural heritage. Covering 1000 acres, the park features five artificial lakes, a zoo, several splendid neoclassical buildings and a variety of plant and animal species.

Experience

• Museums – All of Zagreb’s museums are world-class, but one of the finest is the Mimara. Housed in a neo-Renaissance palace, this facility houses superb archaeological wonders and artworks by well-known European masters such as Rembrandt, Van Dyck, Murillo, Renoir and Degas. Another fascinating institution is the City Museum, which showcases the cultural, economic and political history of Zagreb through some 75,000 different items.
• Markets – There are many markets around Zagreb, including the open-air Dolac farmers’ market – a great place to try local meat, cheese, and fruits and vegetables. Then you can follow your nose to the nearby Flower Market, which boasts an array of stalls selling colourful, sweet-smelling blooms.
• Skiing in Croatia – Just outside Zagreb is Mount Sljeme, a small ski resort with three lifts and four runs. Other options for winter sports include the Croatian Olympic Center at Bjelolasica and Platak, which has six ski lifts and 10 km of cross-country trails.

Secrets of the city

• Museum of Broken Relationships – Almost certainly the quirkiest of Zagreb’s museums, this unique institution is dedicated to failed love affairs. Its collection consists of donated personal objects left over from former lovers, each accompanied by a brief explanation.