Croatian Coffee, Tolkein Bars and Broken Relationships

This gorgeous little park close to the Slovenian-Croatian border is the perfect spot to stretch your legs on the way to Zagreb.

Park up in this handy city centre parking spot and get ready to start exploring this oft-overlooked capital city by foot.

K&K Milčec is a traditional Croatian coffee house that lies on the edge of Zagreb's historical centre. It's beautiful, it's bohemian, and it serves up some of the best coffee you're likely to have on your trip.
Just don't expect to pop in here for a quick coffee. Part of the fabric of Croatian coffee culture is simply sitting, relaxing and letting time go by over a steaming hot cup of coffee. It's the Croatian way.
Opening Hours Monday - Saturday: 7.30am - 11pm Sunday: CLOSED

Caffeine-powered and ready to head out, your first stop in Zagreb is the city's emblematic cathedral. It's a much smaller cathedral than you might typically associate with a European capital, but that's part of its unique appeal. It's still the second-tallest building in Croatia and one of its most-visited landmarks. Admission is free.
Opening Hours Monday – Saturday: 10:00 - 17:00 Sunday: 13:00 - 17:00

You've had some Croatian coffee, now it's time for some Croatian street food. HERITAGE puts a modern twist on Croatian dishes, serving tapas-style meals alongside local wines and craft beers. Be warned, though: this place is tiny and is likely to get busy very quickly. Make sure you book in advance through their Facebook page to guarantee a table.
Opening Hours Monday - Sunday: 12:15pm – 8pm

WARNING: This one probably isn't for the recently broken-hearted.
The Museum of Broken Relationships is a kind of crowdsourced museum that tells the story of former lovers through personal mementos and brief synopses.
It's easy to get lost in these hyper-personal tales of heartbreak and loss. There are also plenty of more light-hearted stories and a book you can write about your own experiences in. You can find out more about the quirky museum on their official website.
Opening Hours Monday - Sunday: 9am - 10pm

This one's quite a walk up the hill, so make sure you've packed some suitable footwear. Don't worry if not - there are plenty of places to stop along the way to take a breather. Anyway, it will all be worth it once you seen this cemetery's stunning baroque façade for the first time.
Mirogoj is within walking distance of Zagreb city centre, but it will seem a world away whilst you're walking through the cemetery's peaceful grounds. It's shielded from the hustle and bustle of city life; a real oasis of calm in a busy city.
Opening Hours Monday - Sunday: 6am - 8pm

At the bottom of the hill leading to the cemetery lies Tolkein's House: Zagreb's very own tribute to the writer of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.
It serves an excellent selection of local and international craft beers, whilst the LOTR-inspired trinkets adorning the walls will keep the Tolkien enthusiasts happy.
Opening Hours Monday - Friday: 7am – 12am Saturday: 8am – 12am Sunday: 9am – 11pm

Close enough to the centre of Zagreb to easily access the city's main sights, but far enough to be away from the busy areas, this quirky accommodation is in an ideal location for your time in Zagreb.
It's time to check-in, drop your bags off and head out for the evening - starting with another sampler of authentic Croatian cuisine.

The simple, traditional, home-cooked food at Stari Fijaker makes it an enduringly popular eating spot in Zagreb.
To try some typical Croatian dishes, look out for Dalmatinska pašticada (Dalmatian beef), Dalmatinska pašticada (slow-cooked shepherd's stew) and Zagrebački odrezak (cutlets of veal prepared 'Zagreb style') on the menu.
Opening Hours Monday - Saturday: 11am - 11pm Sunday: 11am - 10pm

A small, cosy and comfortable Croatian pub serving local and Czech beers. This place is a magnet for Zagreb locals, who come for the Happy Hour (17:00 - 18:00) and stay....well, all night.
Opening Hours Monday - Saturday: 10am - 12am Sunday: 5pm - 12am

Day one of your trip is just about over, so it's time to head back to the apartment to get some rest. Tomorrow, you'll be crossing the border to Belgrade.