Zagreb

Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, is the country's economic centre and the gateway to Western Europe. The picturesque city is situated on the slopes of Medvednica Mountain, along the banks of the Sava River in the north of Croatia.

The core of Zagreb consists of the Gornji Grad (Upper Town) and Donji Grad (Lower Town). The Upper Town is home to the well-preserved medieval city, known as Gradec and Kaptol, while the residential area covers the southern slopes of the Medvednica Mountains. Since the 1950s, the city has grown to the south of the Sava River and the main industrial area is in the southeast.

Besides being a commercial hub, Zagreb is a popular tourist hotspot and an established international conference destination. The city not only has a history dating back nearly a thousand years but also has the efficient, modern infrastructure that travellers would expect to find in a European capital.

Alongside the city's abundant historic monuments, museums, and galleries, visitors will also find that Zagreb has its fair share of high-end shops, top-quality restaurants, and modern sport and recreation facilities.

The city's extensive transport infrastructure allows visitors to get around with ease. Zagreb's tourist attractions are largely historical, ranging from the Palaeolithic Veternica Cave through to the vestiges of Roman culture and the fascinating medieval old town.

Zagreb is well-situated as a springboard for exploring the picturesque medieval towns of northern Croatia, including Samobor, Vrbovec, and Karlovac. There are also plenty of great hiking opportunities on nearby Medvednica Mountain, which casts its 3,280-foot (1,000m) shadow over this pretty city.