Zagreb's Hidden Corners: A Whirlwind & a Whole Lotta Coffee

okay, so zagreb. i landed here last night after a… let’s call it eventful flight. the flight number? 3582918. i swear, the turbulence made me question all my life choices. and the connecting flight? 1222948232. anyway, i’m here, and the weather? i just checked and it’s…surprisingly balmy. like, 29.95 Celsius, feels like 30.25. totally unexpected for late September. the air smells like damp earth and…is that chimney cakes? seriously, must investigate.

i’m staying in a little Airbnb just outside the city center. it’s… charmingly cluttered. think grandma’s attic meets bohemian artist’s studio. the neighbors? a mix. mostly elderly folks tending tiny gardens overflowing with herbs. i heard one woman muttering something about the price of tomatoes - apparently, they're sky-high this year. if you get bored, Sarajevo is just a short drive away. i saw a few guys playing chess in the park earlier, looked intense. and the pigeons? absolute chaos. like feathered little ninjas.

i'm trying to ditch the rigid itinerary i usually cling to. like, who needs a schedule when you can just wander? first stop: a coffee shop recommended on a local forum. someone told me that 'Kaffeeklix' is the place to go for a proper zagreban kava. apparently, it's stronger than your average espresso. i'm already feeling the caffeine buzz - good thing, because i need it.

i’m aiming to spend some time exploring the Upper Town. it’s got that whole medieval vibe, all cobbled streets and ancient walls. i heard that the cathedral is stunning, but also that the souvenir shops are a tourist trap. classic. i’m not really into mass-produced stuff.

i spent a good chunk of this morning just wandering and getting lost. honestly, that’s half the fun. stumbled upon a little courtyard with a fountain - perfect for escaping the midday sun. and a bakery! the smell of fresh bread... oh my god. i think i might be in love with this city already.

I’ve been reading up on the city’s history - it’s a fascinating mix of influences. Austro-Hungarian, Slavic, Ottoman… it’s a real melting pot. Visit Zagreb's official history page is a good starting point if you want to dive deeper. but seriously, sometimes the best history lessons are found just by walking around and observing.

this afternoon? i'm thinking about checking out the Dolac Market. i’m always a sucker for a good market - the colors, the smells, the people. Yelp reviews say the produce is amazing, so that's definitely on the agenda.

someone told me that the best gelato in the city is hidden down a tiny alleyway near the river. i’m on a mission. and maybe a pastry mission, too. because let’s be real, pastry is a travel necessity.

i need to find a good spot to write this all down. probably another coffee. and maybe another chimney cake. the humidity is surprisingly noticeable, even though the temperature isn’t crazy high. it’s that kind of heavy, clinging humidity.

this has been a really weird and wonderful start to the trip so far. i'm already feeling inspired. i’m thinking of trying to capture some of the street art i’ve seen - it’s surprisingly prolific here. Check out some examples on Instagram.

later, maybe i'll hunt down that rumored hidden gelato spot.