Zagreb is a surprising city – only a 5 hours 20 minutes flight from the UAE, the capital of Croatia might not yet be a top choice for arriving into Europe from Arabia, but let me help set things straight.

I suspect Zagreb may be a little of a mystery for the average UAE person – as it was for me!

Well, it is a 3.5 hour drive from either Vienna or Venice, so the location as a gateway to Europe is fabulous, and direct flights from the Gulf make it a very attractive destination for a European vacation – but beyond thinking where to go after landing in Zagreb, I think you will be so enchanted by the city itself that you will not want to leave!

Zagreb is a large city, but not so enormous to make you feel small.

It is also a modern city, with all the amenities and services you may want to find whether you’re traveling for fun, but with an eye for business; or traveling for work with an option open for fun!

And it is a lively shopping city – not so much with the fancy brand names we are used to in the UAE, but with very unique items of great quality and creativity that would be difficult to find elsewhere. If you want something special that nobody else has ever seen – then Zagreb is your city!

For example, did you know that the necktie is a Croatian invention? Visit Croata, a luxury designer and producer of the finest neckties and scarves, and see the youtube video below to learn about the history of this male fashion accessory:

http://youtu.be/mgw1T4Tu4bY

Above all, it is a friendly city, of friends taking walks in the parks, and of mothers enjoying a conversation at a street-side cafe’ with their baby in a stroller beside them. We felt very safe there, despite the scourge of graffiti on public buildings.

But also there are surprises! You never know what will be around the corner in Zagreb!

Zagreb is also a capital of culture and the arts.

And around Zagreb is its best surprise!

Green hills covered with forest extend from the city suburbs, up to a thousand meters elevation where in winter there is a ski slope. And if you like to drive, the road is as fantastic as the views!

And the last surprise, specifically for Muslim travelers, is that Zagreb is home to a vibrant Muslim community. Muftija Aziz Hasanovic works effortlessly on welcoming Muslim visitors and bridging the understanding with non-Muslims in Croatia, as well as holding strong brotherly ties with the United Arab Emirates. You may read about the Zagreb Mosque here.

Here is an interactive map showing the location of Zagreb:

View Zagreb in a larger map and download the GPS track coordinates here.

Zagreb Tourist Board
Kaptol 5
Tel: +385 1 48-98-555
www.zagreb-touristinfo.hr