Zagreb

Sarajevo to Zagreb

Zagreb is the capital city of Croatia, located around 300km from Sarajevo. Croatia was also part of Yugoslavia until 1991 and joined the EU in 2013. I booked a bus online, just like last time, and it was about an 8-hour trip. There are two bus terminals in Sarajevo, and I chose the one in the central area because the southern terminal, where I had arrived in Sarajevo, is quite far away. The bus station was compact, and I didn't need to pay an extra baggage fee.

After stopping several times and picking up other passengers, we reached the border. Croatia is an EU country, so we needed to go through passport control and a quick luggage check. You need to register your fingerprints when entering EU countries, but I had already done it in Athens, so the staff didn't ask me anything.

Once we were driving in Croatia, we used a bigger highway and the ride became more comfortable. I saw a lot of factories and trucks on the outskirts, which made me think about the scale of the Croatian economy.

City and Food in Zagreb

Croatia has many great places such as national parks and coastal cities, but I only stayed in Zagreb this time.

Zagreb is the capital and largest city of Croatia, with a population of around 800,000. Located in the country's interior, it has long been the political, cultural, and economic heart of Croatia. The city is divided into two main parts: the historic Upper Town (Gornji Grad), home to medieval churches, cobblestone streets, and landmarks like St. Mark's Church with its colorful tiled roof, and the Lower Town (Donji Grad), a 19th-century area of grand Austro-Hungarian buildings, parks, and museums.

The city is very modern, and what made me happy was that there were a lot of parks full of greenery and flowers. I just sat on a bench and watched people for a while.

I also went to Zagreb Cathedral, a big church in Zagreb. It's been under construction due to the earthquake several years ago, but the inside is still safe. In the center, there was a tomb where a former bishop was laid to rest. He seems to be a controversial figure because of his actions, depending on the country. I also saw old Croatian script on the wall.

Zagreb Cathedral is the tallest building in Croatia, standing at around 108 meters with its two iconic Neo-Gothic spires. Officially dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, it dates back to the 13th century and is the most recognizable landmark of Zagreb. The cathedral has been damaged and rebuilt several times throughout history, including after a major earthquake in 2020.

Štrukli is a popular Croatian dish, and I tried it at a restaurant. It consists of thin dough filled with cottage cheese, which can be either boiled or baked — I chose the baked one with truffle flavor. It was really good, and I couldn't resist ordering a glass of beer too — they matched amazingly well.

It was only a two-day stay, but I had a great time and felt refreshed by the beautiful city and food.

Continuing to Budapest