A Day in Zagreb: Beauty, Bumps, and Broken Doors
We rolled into Zagreb around 11 a.m., dropped off by the tour bus with a chunk of free time before our hotel check in at 4:30 p.m. The plan? Wander, explore, soak in some culture and maybe grab something sweet along the way. The reality? A mixed bag of charm, closed doors, and creaky staircases.
Our first stop was the majestic Zagreb Cathedral, or at least it would’ve been, if it weren’t completely wrapped up for refurbishment. In fact, a number of Zagreb’s iconic sites seem to be in renovation mode right now. Great news for the city’s future… not so great for today’s sightseeing list.
Undeterred, we found a slice of comfort (and cake) at Amélie, a delightful café with delicious treats and a cozy vibe. Coffee and cake always make things better.
From there, we strolled toward the Nikola Tesla Museum, enjoying the unexpectedly lush journey. Zagreb is sprinkled with elegant parks, bubbling fountains, and the heady scent of spring flowers. It’s a city that feels alive, even if its monuments are momentarily asleep.
Arriving at the Tesla Museum, we hit another snag. It was closing in just 30 minutes. The booking site had outdated info, so we had to zip through. Still, it was worth the whirlwind; the museum is compact but fascinating, a fitting tribute to the brilliant mind behind so many of the conveniences we take for granted today.
The Nikola Tesla Museum offered some fascinating exhibits, including a small but striking display of vehicles inspired by Tesla’s innovations. One standout was a sleek green concept electric car, symbolising the future forward vision Tesla helped pioneer. Its bold color and aerodynamic design made it impossible to miss.
Next, we headed for the Upper Town promenade, winding our way past interesting shops and architecture. A peek inside the Porsche Design store revealed some ultra modern flair. Unfortunately, the funicular that usually zips you to the top was out of service. So, up the stairs we climbed; step after step after step.
James found a funky little bar to recharge and visited the the quirky and poignant Museum of Broken Relationships, known for its mix of heartbreak, humor, and humanity. He was just curious about the music he heard coming from inside. I took on the Lotrščak Tower climb (yes, even more stairs). But the view from the top was worth every breathless moment; a beautiful panorama of Zagreb’s rooftops, cranes, and all.
Finally, it was hotel time, or so we hoped. Our assigned room had a problem: the door wouldn’t close. Warped frame. Security risk. Not ideal. Initially, we were told there were no other rooms available, but thankfully our guide came through and secured us a spot on the third floor. Cue the stair workout again, this time with suitcases in tow.
The new room was a family room with only skylights. No windows, no view, no fresh air terrace like the other rooms. We were quite literally in the middle of nowhere, and after reading some of the reviews… let’s just say, we didn’t feel like we struck gold. The air conditioning worked though, which was something.
All in all, Zagreb charmed us, even if it didn’t roll out the red carpet. Between the scaffolding and the unexpected hurdles, we still found pieces of beauty, humor, and even a little science. But we’re ready to roll on.
Next stop: Budapest. Fingers crossed for less construction and more wine.
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