Zagreb & Samobor Adventure: A Croatian City Break

A Free Walking Tour of Zagreb

We kicked off our Zagreb adventure with a free walking tour – a smart move, I highly recommend it for any new city. It's the perfect way to get your bearings, learn some history, and snag some insider tips on local gems.

Our enthusiastic guide expertly navigated us through both the lower and upper towns. We learned about Zagreb's rich history, admiring the stunning Austro-Hungarian architecture that dominates much of the city's landscape. He pointed out hidden alleyways, charming squares, and shared fascinating anecdotes that brought the city to life.

Exploring both the lower and upper parts of the city gave us a well-rounded view. The contrast between the bustling lower city and the more historic upper town was captivating. We even stumbled upon a fascinating WWII-era tunnel, a cool, unexpected escape from the midday sun.

Lunch and Urban Exploration

By midday, the free walking tour had worked up quite an appetite. I was thrilled to find a delightful smoothie bowl – a refreshing and delicious lunch on a warm Zagreb day. It was the perfect fuel for continuing our urban explorations.

Refreshed and energized, we continued our wanderings. Then, completely unexpectedly, we stumbled upon a fascinating World War II-era tunnel. Initially built as a bomb shelter, it had later been transformed into a promenade. It offered a welcome respite from the midday heat, a cool and intriguing detour from our sightseeing.

Zagreb's Churches and Earthquake Recovery

One thing that struck me during our Zagreb explorations was the sheer number of churches undergoing renovations. It wasn't subtle; scaffolding and construction materials were visible on numerous structures. Our walking tour guide explained that the 2020 earthquakes had caused significant damage, leaving many of Zagreb's historic churches in need of extensive repair.

It was a poignant reminder of the fragility of even the most enduring landmarks. Seeing these beautiful buildings partially obscured by scaffolding was bittersweet – a testament to the city's resilience, and a symbol of the ongoing work to restore its heritage. Yet, it also highlighted the enduring impact of natural disasters on cultural treasures.

Indulging in Zagreb's Chocolate Museum

One afternoon, we decided to indulge our sweet tooth with a visit to Zagreb's Chocolate Museum. The concept was intriguing: a tasting experience woven into a historical tour. Upon arrival, we each received a small box containing various chocolate samples, each numbered to correspond with a specific room in the museum.

Each room focused on a different stage or aspect of chocolate production, from the raw cacao bean to the finished product. We sampled raw cacao – surprisingly bitter! – and progressed through various stages of processing, learning about the history and evolution of chocolate along the way. My personal highlight? A room dedicated to liquid chocolate, where we could indulge to our hearts' content with spoons provided in our little boxes. It was decadent and delicious.

The Ruby chocolate was a standout – a truly unique flavor experience. The museum itself was small but charming, a pleasant way to spend a couple of hours learning about and appreciating a beloved treat. And of course, there was a shop at the end, tempting us with beautifully packaged chocolates and souvenirs – I couldn't resist a few extra treats to take home!

Korean Noodle Dinner in Zagreb

One evening, after a long day exploring Zagreb's wonders, we decided to forgo a fancy restaurant and embrace a more budget-friendly culinary adventure. I'd discovered a Korean supermarket in Belgrade earlier in our trip, and had snagged a pack of Jin Jjajang noodles – a Korean black bean noodle dish I'd been wanting to try for ages.

Back in our apartment, I excitedly prepared the noodles. It wasn't exactly the glamorous restaurant experience you might expect from a travel blog, but it was a delicious and authentic taste of home, reminding me of my own cooking adventures. The black bean sauce was unexpectedly flavorful, a unique taste I hadn't encountered before. Simple, satisfying, and perfectly affordable.

While not exactly Michelin-star dining, this Korean noodle dinner was a highlight of our Zagreb trip. It was a delightful, unexpectedly delicious, and economical meal, proving that sometimes the best travel experiences aren't the most expensive ones. This budget-friendly choice allowed us to allocate our funds to other explorations and made for a fun, memorable evening.

Plitvice Lakes and Samobor: Choosing Our Next Adventure

Our initial plan for our last full day in Croatia involved a trip to Plitvice Lakes National Park, a place famed for its stunning waterfalls. Picturesque, yes, but the reality was a bit less idyllic. Organized tours were prohibitively expensive – around 120 euros – and the DIY bus option involved a ridiculously early start and a significant chunk of our day spent on the bus.

Five hours of travel for a day trip? That felt like a lot to sacrifice, especially given that we were on a budget. We decided a more relaxed approach was in order. Instead, we opted for Samobor, a charming town just a half-hour bus ride from Zagreb. It promised a more manageable day trip with a delightful, less hectic atmosphere.

The bus journey was short and pleasant, and we were soon wandering through Samobor’s quaint streets. The town felt quieter and more relaxed than Zagreb. People moved at a slower pace; the overall vibe was distinctly more peaceful. We stumbled across a charming café for refreshments, and later, a hike to some castle ruins yielded breathtaking panoramic views – a perfect end to our Croatian adventure.

Journey to and Exploring Samobor

Our last full day in Croatia had initially been earmarked for Plitvice Lakes, but the prohibitive cost of organized tours and the prospect of a grueling early-morning bus journey swayed us. Five hours on a bus for a day trip felt like too much of a commitment, especially on our budget. We needed a change of plans.

Instead, we opted for Samobor, a charming town a mere half-hour bus ride from Zagreb. The journey itself was pleasant; a welcome change from our previous long bus rides. Stepping into Samobor felt like entering a different world. It was quieter, more relaxed than the bustling Croatian capital. A slower pace permeated the town, creating a distinctly more peaceful atmosphere.

We soon found ourselves in a charming café, enjoying refreshing drinks. Later, a hike to some castle ruins rewarded us with breathtaking panoramic views – the perfect, unexpectedly tranquil end to our Croatian adventure. The slightly challenging climb was worth the effort for the stunning vista from the castle ruins.

Hike to Samobor Castle Ruin

Our exploration of Samobor led us to a slightly challenging hike, a climb to the ruins of a castle overlooking the town. The heat was intense – 33 degrees Celsius, to be precise – and our initial lack of water bottles made the ascent even more arduous. But, onward and upward we went!

The climb itself was, frankly, quite a workout. Steep sections tested our stamina and presented a few mildly terrifying moments, especially for me, who harbors a slight fear of heights. However, the rewarding panoramic views from the castle ruins completely justified the effort. The vista was breathtaking, a spectacular payoff for the exertion.

We even learned a quirky historical fact: apparently, part of a Jackie Chan film was shot at this very location, and during filming, he almost suffered a fatal accident. Who knew such a seemingly peaceful spot held such a dramatic anecdote?

Cake, Reflections, and Departure

Our last day in Samobor ended on a sweet note. After our surprisingly strenuous hike to the castle ruins – a climb made more challenging by the 33-degree heat and our initial lack of water – we rewarded ourselves with a slice of *kremšnita*, a local cream cake. The jiggly, vanilla-custard-like filling, topped with a flaky pastry, was the perfect end to a perfect day. It tasted far better than any cake I’d ever had in Mostar; a testament to the simple pleasures of discovering a new place.

Sitting there, cake in hand, I reflected on our Croatian adventure. Zagreb, with its blend of Austro-Hungarian grandeur and post-earthquake resilience, had charmed us. The unexpected discovery of the WWII tunnel, the delicious chocolate museum, even the impromptu Korean noodle dinner in our apartment – each memory added to the tapestry of our trip. But Samobor, with its quieter charm and breathtaking views, provided the perfect, peaceful counterpoint to the vibrancy of Zagreb. It reminded me that sometimes, the most memorable experiences are found not in grand plans but in spontaneous detours.

With a final, contented sigh, we boarded the bus back to Zagreb, then on to the airport. Saying goodbye to Croatia was bittersweet. This charming country had woven its magic on us, from the bustling energy of its capital to the serene beauty of its smaller towns. Our Balkan adventure wasn't over, but as we prepared for our next destination, we knew this Croatian interlude would remain one of our favorites.

What type of accommodation did the authors use in Zagreb?

The authors stayed in a modern apartment with a small kitchen, air conditioning, and a washing machine. They described it as a long hallway style but functional, with a cozy bedroom at one end and a clean, modern bathroom.

Why did the authors choose Samobor over Plitvice Lakes National Park for a day trip?

Organized tours to Plitvice Lakes were prohibitively expensive (around 120 euros), and a DIY bus trip would have involved a very early start and a significant amount of travel time (five hours on the bus). Samobor, being closer and offering a more relaxed atmosphere, was a more budget-friendly and manageable alternative.

What was a highlight of the Samobor visit?

A hike to some castle ruins offered breathtaking panoramic views. Despite the challenging climb in 33-degree heat, the authors found the stunning vista and the unique historical anecdote (a Jackie Chan filming accident) to be a rewarding experience, culminating in enjoying *kremšnita*, a local cream cake.