Let's Go Europe 2019. Harvard Student Agencies

let the night take you to some of the most interesting bars Europe has to offer. Zagreb is the perfect antidote to the high prices of Vienna and an oasis after the party scene of Berlin. With the world’s shortest funicular, good craft coffee, and brewery startups, we’re not complaining.

       ORIENTATION

      Zagreb is Croatia’s capital, located in the northwestern region of the country. If you count the surrounding Zagreb country, Zagreb is the only Croatian city with a population of over one million people, but, that said, it doesn’t feel that large. The city center, known as Upper Town, is famous for landmarks such as the Zagreb Cathedral and the very photogenic St. Mark’s Church. In Upper Town lies Trg bana Jelacica (Governor Jelacic Square), the home of crowds and the largest tram stop in Zagreb. Many tourist destinations are concentrated in this area, which is also characterized by Austro-Hungarian architecture that lends it a charming old-timey feel. On the northern end of Upper Town is Gradec, the oldest region of Zagreb that is easily accessible via the funicular. Just south of Upper Town (and perhaps a bit obviously) lies Donji grad (Lower Town). This area has a more modern feel than its northern neighbor with more urban spaces and office buildings.

       ESSENTIALS

      GETTING THERE

      The best way to get into Zagreb is by plane. Franjo Tuđman Airport, more commonly known as Zagreb Airport, is the largest airport in Croatia and serves many airlines, both domestic and international. From within Europe, travel to Zagreb by train, docking at Zagreb Central Station (Trg kralja Tomislava 12). Like the airport, the train station is the largest and busiest in all of Croatia, making it the main hub of the Croatian Railways network. Traveling in and out of Zagreb is also possible via bus at the station located at Avenija Marina Držića 4.

      GETTING AROUND

      Zagreb has a functioning tram system with major hubs at Ban Jelacic Square and by the Zagreb Central Station. Tickets (10 kn during the day) are valid for 90min. If you don’t want to walk to Upper Town, you can take the funicular (4 kn); Zagreb’s funicular is the shortest inclined railway in the world. At the city outskirts, you must make the switch to Zagreb’s buses.

      PRACTICAL INFORMATION

      Tourist Offices: Tourist Information Centre (Trg Bana J. Jealcica 11; 01 481 40 51; open M-F 8:30am-9pm, Sa 9am-6pm, Su and holidays 10am-4pm)

      Banks/ATMs/Currency Exchange: ATMs are located throughout the city, but most ATMs will dispense money in 200 and 100 kn bills. An exchange office is located at the bus station.

      Post Offices: Hrvatska pošta (Jurišićeva ul. 13; open M-F 7am-8pm, Sa 7am-2pm)

      Internet: The many coffee shops and cafés of Zagreb serve as Wi-Fi hotspots. Trg bana Jelacica also offers free public Wi-Fi.

      BGLTQ+ Resources: Iskora (Petrinjska ul. 27; 091 244 4666)

      EMERGENCY INFORMATION

      Emergency Number: 112. The American Embassy in Croatia also maintains an emergency number for American citizens: 01 661 2400.

      Police: Petrinjska ul. 30; 192

      US Embassy: There is a US Embassy in Zagreb (Ul. Thomasa Jeffersona 2; 1 6612 200; open M-F 8am-4:30pm).

      Rape Crisis Center: Centre for Women War Victims - ROSA (Kralja Drzislava 2; 1 4551 142; open daily 10am-6pm)

      Hospitals: Clinical Hospital Center Zagreb (Šalata 2; 1 49 20 019)

      Pharmacies: Gradska Ljekarna Zagreb (Trg Petra Svačića 17; 01 485 65 45)

       ACCOMMODATIONS

       SUBSPACE HOSTEL ($)

      Ul. Nikole Tesle 12; 1 481 9993; www.subspacehostel.com; reception open 24hr

      Subspace is not subpar, unless you’re claustrophobic, that is. Instead of bunks, this newly opened hostel has space capsules stacked on top of each other. Each one is soundproof and comes equipped with a mirror, blue mood lighting, and a TV. The space theme extends to the bathrooms where you shower inside a “regeneration unit” that, in reality, is a large repurposed industrial pipe. The ceiling glows with a mural of the stars and the whole hostel is covered with sci-fi themed art. We’re still trying to figure out why the bathroom doors are so damn hard to close and why you have to unlock the hostel door before you exit—rookie errors we suppose.

       i Dorms from 170 kn; reservation recommended; Wi-Fi

       HOSTEL CHIC ($$)

      Pavla Hatza 10; 1 779 3760; www.hostel-chic.com; reception open 2pm-11pm

      Chic is a word that describes a Parisian fashion show, not a budget hostel with purple and green walls. If you can overlook this poor usage of the French language, Hostel Chic is a comeback kid, as it’s a solid, centrally located budget option. Many of the rooms have balconies, which is a definite plus considering the hostel’s social spaces are relatively small. Unlike the other comeback kid, Joe Montana, however, “The Catch” to Hostel Chic is not positive: namely, the small kitchenette (emphasis on the -ette) is très petite indeed.

       i Dorms from 85 kn, privates from 260 kn; reservation recommended; Wi-Fi; kitchen

       HOSTEL SWANKY MINT ($$$)

      Ilica ul. 50; 1 400 4248; www.swanky-hostel.com; reception open 24hr

      You shouldn’t need any encourage-mint to stay at this establish-mint, but, in the rare case that the “Best Hostel in Croatia” commend-mint isn’t convincing, let the free towels, locks, and welcome shot of rakija do the job. While we wish there were more bathrooms, the proximity to Zagreb’s center makes it worth the stay. Swanky, boasting an added cool factor of being converted from an old laundry factory, has a bar-pool complex frequented both by locals and tourists. Although that disrupts the traditional hostel community vibe, if it turns out you’re mint to be with someone, you can always upgrade to a private room, no judge-mint.

       i Dorms from 150 kn, privates from 520 kn; reservation recommended; Wi-Fi

       SIGHTS

      CULTURE

      DOLAĆ MARKET

      Tržnica Dolać; open daily 7am-1pm

      In the center of Zagreb lies the Dolać Market. Think of your typical farmer’s market, then multiply it to fill a city square and add in some souvenir stands. You can always grab materials for a picnic and then head behind the cathedral to Ribnjak Park to enjoy your fresh acquisitions. While there, don’t miss out on seeing the Roman monument in the park’s center.

       i Prices vary; wheelchair accessible

       FUNICULAR

      Uspinjaca; open daily 6:30am-9:50pm

      When you have an opportunity to ride the world’s shortest funicular for 75 cents, go for it. Although built in the late nineteenth century to practically connect the Uper and Lower Towns, today it’s used more by tourists than locals. Like all of Zagreb’s public transit, the funicular is blue and easily spotted on the hillside. But if you’re not one to roll out those 4 kuna, there are steps located parallel to the funicular.

       i Ride 4