Mirna from Zagreb

About me I'm a freelance translator, journalist and photographer with a passion for travelling. I'm very much into arts and culture, and my very special passion is music. I've been living in Zagreb since 2000 when I came here to study Comparative Literature and English Studies, and I fell in love with this city. From my own travels, I know how precious it is to meet locals and g...
Sep 4, 2025

Botanical Garden Zagreb

Meet the diverse Croatian flora

"Botanical Garden in Zagreb may not sound like the most exciting proposition, but I love coming here for the events and the quiet from the city noise..."

The Botanical Garden may not sound like the most exciting spot to visit in Zagreb, but it’s a lovely patch of greenery, and it’s on your way if you are exploring the so-called Green Horseshoe or Lenuci Horseshoe, a U-shaped system of green areas surrounding the very heart of downtown, conceived in the late 19th century as a basis for Zagreb's urban development.

The garden was founded in 1889, and since 1946, it's been a part of Zagreb’s Faculty of Science. In 1971, it became a protected monument of nature and culture. The arboretum is arranged freely (in English landscape style), while the flower parterre is strictly geometrical (in French style). But my personal favourites are a picturesque artificial lake and a section with indigenous Croatian plants – which are unusually numerous and diverse because Croatia, however small, stretches both into the Mediterranean and the continental zones.

It’s worth mentioning the art-nouveau head office house (former head gardener’s house), a valuable 19th-century exhibition pavilion, the greenhouse with exotic plants, a public toilet (a representative example of a public utility from the late 19th century) and the lovely little gazebo.

I love to come here to read a book and rest from the city noise, or to enjoy some of the special events organized in summer, like e. g. “Biljke i svirke” (“Plants and performing”) – when the whole garden becomes a music stage with official concerts as well as spontaneous performances of all who feel inspired to make music among the plants.

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Relaxing

About this spot

Trg Marka Marulića 9A

Entrance fee:

2

14898061

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Indulge in an overdose of documentaries

Dokukino has been bringing joy to cinephiles since 2009 when it opened in the space of KIC (Cultural and Information Centre). The cinema has only 70 seats, so the atmosphere is really homey.

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Nature cuts into concrete

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Kino Tuškanac

A celebration of the art of cinema

"Kino Tuškanac" is a cinephile's cinema in Zagreb. It's got unpretentious looks, but don't let that fool you -- the program is great. No popcorn allowed!

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Maksimir Stairs

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Galerija Link

A paradise for design fans

"Galerija Link" in Zagreb is a design-oriented souvenir shop that has such great decorative and useful items, I often come here to shop for myself, too!

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Ribice i Tri Točkice

Tasty fish, joyful ambience

Ribice i Tri Točkice Zagreb makes some of the best value-for-money seafood in the city. It's my first choice to eat fish, and I love the joyous ambience.

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Petras Atelier

Offbeat jewelry and other goodies

Petras Atelier in central Zagreb is based on the artworks by a creative mother-daughter duo. I come here for original gifts though, I like just browsing!

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Soak in the charm of Upper town

Kavana Lav Zagreb is situated in a former palace and still has a gallery. Almost never crowded, together with its balcony it's peaceful & quiet...

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Museum of Contemporary Art

Long-awaited showpiece

Zagreb's Museum of Contemporary Art took many years to be completed, but it's well worth it. I come here to rediscover classics or catch cultural events.

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Aug 25, 2025

Wirtshaus

Hearty Meals at the Foothill of Sljeme

The food is delicious - from hearty seasonal soups and crispy fried potatoes to their staple Wiener Tafelspitz, everything is fresh and very tasty.

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Breadclub

Cruffins from heaven

Breadclub is an artisanal bakery in Zagreb. It sounds like an exaggeration, but believe me, everything is delicious here - it's always hard to choose...

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Aug 23, 2025

Beef Shop

MEAT me there!

"I died and went to heaven!” That’s how I felt discovering Meat and Grill Boutique—premium beef such as Austrian Simental or Australian or Japanese Wagyu.

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