Day 4 Balkans Trip Zagreb, Croatia

 

Tour Guide Danielle on “Walk with Tito tour”

4/20

Day 1 in Zagreb: Rain, History, and a Different Side of the Balkans

Today we arrived in Zagreb, Croatia, after a smooth but rainy transition from Ljubljana. The morning started with breakfast at the Cubo Hotel before our driver picked us up right at 9:00 a.m. for what turned into about a 90-minute ride crossing the border into Croatia.

The drive itself was easy, but the weather had other plans. The rain began just as we left Ljubljana and stuck with us the entire way, setting a gray tone for our arrival. Pulling into Zagreb, the city immediately felt like a proper metropolitan hub—busy, structured, and a bit more urban than what we’d experienced so far.

We were dropped off right in front of the towering Zagreb Cathedral, a striking centerpiece of the city. Its twin spires rise about 150 meters, though unfortunately for us, they were wrapped in scaffolding, hiding what must normally be a pretty spectacular view.

After getting our bearings, we made our way to the Airbnb. Our host—a friendly Korean gentleman—showed us up to a third-floor apartment that felt more like a full home: four bedrooms, a kitchen, laundry, the works. Best of all, it overlooks Dolac Square, which we learned transforms into a lively vendor market on dry days. Something to look forward to if the weather cooperates tomorrow.

The highlight of the day came at 3:00 p.m. when we met up with a guide  for a “Walk with Tito Tour.” What followed was one of the more fascinating history lessons I’ve had in a long time. We walked through the evolution of the region—from the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, through World War II and the communist era, and into modern Croatian independence.

Learning about Josip Broz Tito and his 45 years of rule added a whole new layer of understanding to a part of the world I honestly didn’t know much about before. It’s one thing to read about it, but another entirely to stand in the streets where it all unfolded.

We wrapped up the day with dinner at a cozy organic vegetarian spot—simple, healthy, and surprisingly satisfying after a long, damp day of travel and walking.

Rain aside, Zagreb made a strong first impression. Looking forward to seeing it come alive tomorrow—hopefully without the umbrella.