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Can you tell us why you make a great local editor for Zagreb?

I suppose that what defines me most these days is being a member of the new wave of freelancers and small business startups that have rapidly been spreading all over the world. In fact, I love being part of Like A Local precisely because it seems to me that we share similar motivations and goals.

I recently started a little business offering alternative walking tours around Zagreb. I have other plans too, like going into publishing. Also, I write a little blog about Zagreb. It’s called Secret Zagreb Walks.

The great thing about Zagreb is that there’s always something left to discover and I love noticing such things. As both a tour guide and a blogger, I’m often in contact with authentic travellers, hardly ever with “plain old tourists”, as well as with expats living in Zagreb, so I’ve learned how people experience this city. In fact, thanks to all these people I’ve learned to thoroughly experience Zagreb myself.

Why should people visit Zagreb?

There are so many reasons but I should point out that churches and architecture are not among them. In fact, people who travel to Zagreb for these reasons often leave a bit disappointed because there aren’t that many breathtaking sights here. It’s a great city in so many ways, it’s bursting with creativity. People who really enjoy travelling and exploring usually end up regretting having to leave so quickly.

Zagreb

What are your favourite places in Zagreb?

I love parks. Not because they’re all beautiful, which they undoubtedly are – in fact, there are so many Zagreb parks that are protected as part of national heritage – I love them because they all bear an intangible burden of times long past. Zagreb hides centuries of history, but the most recognisable sights are hardly a century and a half old. Sometimes if you take a moment to sit on a lonely park bench or to hear the pebbles rustling under your feet, you’ll get a slightly uncomfortable sensation. Maybe it’s because the trees of Zagreb parks are the only living things that have been whispering about the events that have happened here through the ages.

One of my favourite places to go out in Zagreb is an alternative nightclub called Jabuka (“apple”). It’s home to an inexplicable yet very true phenomenon – people who come here in their teens and early twenties tend to return as adults, and they even get a nickname that translates to Old Jabuka-goers.

What’s your perfect day in Zagreb like?

I’m not really into routines so any stress-free day in Zagreb with no strict plans will probably turn out to be perfect. Zagreb is a great place to live especially if you have kids like I do. I’m not saying life in Zagreb doesn’t have its flaws, but generally speaking it has so much to offer, so much free and affordable fun.

There are many cultural events and tickets are not so pricey.

Wherever you live in Zagreb you’re just a walk away from a big local park and only several tram stops away from the bottom of a mountain so you can literally spend a day in nature without even leaving the city.

Where else in Croatia do you recommend people visit?

Take your pick, you can hardly go wrong. Croatia is widely known as a Mediterranean destination for its beautiful islands, beaches and cities on the coast. But it’s worth taking a turn to continental parts as well. The diversity of magical natural sights and cultural heritage can seriously make you believe in that old myth about ancient Gods leading Croats from faraway lands to this little piece of heaven on earth.

Personally, I would recommend avoiding coastal touristic hotspots in the peak summer season because they’re simply over touristy.

What should someone visiting Croatia definitely know?

The country is still known to be crime-free and safe. Even tap water is safe so there’s really no reason to order bottled water at cafés and restaurants.

Speaking of drinking, Croatia is known for its wonderful wines. It also has several breweries and local producers of strong alcoholic beverages called rakija.

Photo credit: brankomaster

Some Croatian cities, including Zagreb city centre, have free Wifi. Croatia recently joined the European Union but we still use Kuna, our own currency.

I could probably give you a lot of similar suggestions and advice, but once you get here you’ll manage without a problem. The only thing you really need to know when visiting Croatia is to actually know about it! Believe it or not some people come here without even knowing that it’s an independent country.

Tell us a joke about your nationality.

That’s a hard one since we have stereotypical regional jokes. For example, one region is considered to be full of drunks and everyone makes jokes about their wine-drinking habits. Then there’s one specific island where the people are known for being cheap. But I shouldn’t be the one to share these jokes with the world since Zagrebers are often considered to be arrogant and I wouldn’t want to prove that On the outside, we all seem like a homogeneous nation of laid back friendly people.

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