What should I see in Croatia?

Question

I'm going to Zagreb around New Year for about a week. What are the 'must-see's'?? Is it worth going to the south of the country for a day or two or is it too far?

I'm asking for personal experience rather than anything else. A cool link will be appreciated, but, please, don't paste huge passages into your answer. Thanks a lot!

well, my bfd and I are going to stay with a buddy who lives in Zagreb. So that's where we will spend most of our time. How much time (and money) will it take to get from Zagreb to Dubrovnik or Split?

Answer 1

before i going further, i want to make some clarification. i am not Croatian. i am Malaysian exchange student and i am staying in Split, Croatia until next year February.

i arrived Croatia through Zagreb in January this year. i did not stop long there because the weather is too cold and nothing was interesting to visit in winter. i went back there in May; however, i did not have much time there to visit any interesting place around Zagreb. basically i can't help much about Zagreb.

you might ask me what is my purpose. well. my purpose here is to add some information about interesting things you can visit beside Zagreb. one of thing is Plitvice Lakes National Park. the view in the park is wonderful. waterfall and lakes freeze during winter. the entrance is free during winter. it is very convenience to be reached through bus from Zagreb. the only disadvantage is the transportation service within the park will stop operation.

the next thing i want to suggest is Diocletian's Palace in Split that was built by the emperor Diocletian the 3rd century AD. it is one of UNESCO World Cultural Heritage. the national park is located between Zagreb and Split. there are buses in front of national park to get you to Split in every hour.

the last thing you should visit from my opinion is wall city in Dubrovnik. Dubrovnik is the warmest tourist spot in Croatia during winter. it is known as Pearl of the Adriatic. the wall city is so beautiful even my italian friend praise it. there are buses from Split to Dubrovnik. it will take around 4 and half hours.

that is all for my recommendation although there are more things to be seen in Croatia.

if you need further guide and information, drop me an email.

have a wonderful trip

Answer 2

I spent my New Year's of 2003 in Zagreb! Zagrebcani (the people from Zagreb), stay up all night in New Year's eve parties... I was amazed that we didn't get home until 6 am from the party we attended! :)

I had a great time during my New Years there, but that is because I was visiting friends that I had made the previous year when I lived in Zagreb for four months. :) I LOVED living in Zagreb. Springtime was absolutely the best time to see Zagreb. January was snowy, cold, and not many people were out. But it was a cozy experience during New Years because I had made such great friends during my time living there previously.

While I lived for four months in Croatia, I traveled the country quite a bit. I was doing anthropological research, studying society and culture. :) I have been to Split, Dubrovnik, Hvar, Plitvice, and several villages in the south eastern countryside.

I would recommend waiting to see Croatia in April-June if possible. There won't be as much to see and do during New Years. Zagreb was pretty quiet during that time... though there were people out and about... there were Christmas lights all over the city... and there was a live nativity scene still set up. There might even be New Years masses in the large cathedral downtown.

If I were you, I would wait until late Spring to travel the coast of Croatia (what it is known for!)... and go to Prague, Budapest, or Athens for New Years... much more happening in those cities. :)

ADDITION: Whoops, I just noticed you mentioned that you would be staying with a friend. :) In that case, you will find things to do in Zagreb. I climbed a mountain with my friend a couple of days before New Years. It was a lot of fun! I wouldn't invest time and money into traveling to the coast because it won't be that impressive in January. Dubrovnik is quite a ways by bus, but your friend living in Zagreb should know details about how long it would take. :) Some of the museums and archeological digs might be open in January...? It may be worth checking into because they aren't so far from Zagreb. There is some wonderful architecture around Zagreb too. :)

Answer 3

Hey I live in Zagreb. Unfortunately, around New Year's there isn't much to do here, 'cause it's very very cold, everybody stays indoors and people usually travel some place else for the New Year's Eve.

Zagreb is the capital, but the nature is far more beautiful if you travel towards south. About an hour and a half ride from Zagreb in all directions there are some really great sights, such as castles, lakes.. It depends on what you wanna see..

Feel free to contact me by e-mail and I will do my best to answer all your questions. I'm pretty well informed about all the events and who can you get the best reccommendations from if not from the local people???? :)

Answer 4

Around New Year in Zagreb could be snowy. Zagreb by itself could be nice place to go around especially if your buddy from Zagreb will be a good guide for you and your friend. There is lot of museums you could see, as well. One of those e.g. is Archeological museum in Zagreb where you could se the longest Etruscan text (15 m long). Around Zagreb there is also lot of old castles. In winter ambient it could be very nice and interesting. Not far, about 2,5 – 3 hours driving are Plitvice lakes which are beautiful to see in every season. As well, you may visit Split or Dubrovnik. Split is about 5 hours from Zagreb by bus and Dubrovnik about 9 hours. Bus tickets (depending on bus company) for Split costs about 155 Croatian Kunas (see exchange rate for your domestic currency, bellow in the source links) and to Dubrovnik about 212 HRK. By plain you could be in Split or Dubrovnik for an hour. In that case you may go early in the morning and return late evening, for one day sightseeing trip. In fact the possibilities are endless, but as you are staying only for a week, I've just mentioned few. My suggestion is to speak about it with your buddy from Zagreb and make a plan in advance, and of course telling that person what kind of things you would like to see.
Never the less, welcome to Zagreb and Croatia and enjoy your stay!

Answer 5

Croatia is a very cool and beautiful country, You will gonna enjoy there for sure, If you will live in Zagreb then it is great , because there are many good places there. such as museum of naive art,zagreb city museum,Zagreb zoo etc, and you do not need to worry about transportation there, As you can hire an affordable taxi service provider there.

Answer 6

Zagreb has numerous cultural and historical monuments, museums and galleries. It has also got a variety of modern shops, quality restaurants and sports/recreational facilities.

The historical part of the city to the north of Ban Jelačić Square is comprised of the Upper Town and Kaptol, a medieval urban complex of churches, palaces, museums, galleries and government buildings that are exceptionally popular with tourists on sightseeing tours. The old town's streets and squares can be reached on foot, starting from Jelačić Square, the central part and the heart of Zagreb, or by a funicular on nearby Tomićeva Street. Tkalčićeva ulica is a winding street in the old town that features many very popular cafés and is a popular place for people-watching, particularly among the younger generations.

Apart from Zagreb, you can visit the beaches along the Croatian Adriatic coast and old historic Renaissance cities such as Dubrovnik, Split, and Zadar:
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Split
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zadar
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dubrovnik

Find more inforamtion at: http://www.world66.com/europe/croatia/zagreb

Answer 7

trip journeys... An unique, secluded, quiet, sunny area could be appropriate appropriate now. Lounging on the sea coast listening to the sound of the water lapping with a drink in hand...mmmm. back to certainty...i'm tipping Croatia additionally so i will provide you my prediction besides..3-a million Croatia :) Edit..ET and nonetheless 0-0..boy this Turkish part are combatants !

Answer 8

Must see, in this order :
1) Dubrovnik
2) National park of Plitvice (super must)
3) island of Kirk
4) Zadar
5) Split

Zagreb has nothing special, so concentrate on the coast & Plitvice.

Answer 9

only thing different in the capital to see is the old sector above the city,the country to drive is thru is not easy mountains and coastlinetil you get to anyplace worth while will take too longso i recomend going to solvenia its very close by

Answer 10

Croatia is a communist country//I think they have a statue of Stalin to see.