Meet the People of Zagreb: Filip, from Split Boy to Zagreb Man

Our Meet the People of Zagreb feature has started with a bang, thanks mostly to two fantastic interviews with Sanja and Ana – thank you ladies!

But are there any cool guys out there willing to tell us a little about their Zagreb? Ana nominated some Split boy, turned Zagreb man, called Filip. Here he is.

1. We are hearing rumours… A boy from Split in love with Zagreb. Explain! And are you Hajduk or Dinamo?

First and for most, thanks for this interview. It’s an honor to participate and it is even more of an honor since I am the first male interviewed. On behalf of all the entire male species, I take this task seriously or at least on behalf of the ones in Zagreb that will read this!

Even though the first air that ever entered my lungs was the one in mesmerizing Split, I am more from Zagreb than from Split. My heart pumps in a joyful beat every time our Dalmatian pearl is mentioned and some of my closest friends and allies are there. But truth be told, with time a boy from Split became a man of Zagreb. Most of my life I have been living and actively participating in the vibrant flow of our lovely capital. Even though Split enchants you immediately with its climate, architecture, friendliness of the people and the easy going side of life, when you scratch beneath the surface you come to realize that real life is happing in Zagreb. Split is adequate for boys and your first baby steps but if you want to prudently utilize your time and energy in order to reach true success, Zagreb needs to be your playground. It’s the only proper metropolis in Croatia. When it comes to love I will admit that my first love was not a girl, it was a city – Zagreb! And ever since, this love has been growing and growing..

When it comes to football in a match between Hajduk and Dinamo, I would support Hajduk because some of my Split crew are proud members of Torcida and they would never forgive me if I stated otherwise. A big shout out to them!

2. There has always been rivalry between Split and Zagreb. How do you think the perception of the capital has changed looking from Dalmatia in the last ten years?

And the rivalry will remain, it’s kind of a perpetuum mobile! My biggest regret is that they chose the wrong battle field which subsequently leads to wrong consequences. All the hype is around football and we could have manifested that competition in some different areas which could result with better outcomes. Do not get me wrong, positive rivalry or as we could call it good hearted jealousy is more than appreciated. People of Zagreb will always yearn for the sea and the sunshine you soak upon while enjoying your third cup of coffee and doing nothing. On the other hand, team Split will always try to capture the buzz of a large city where you can make it big and have multiple options throughout the year and not only in the hectic and tourist packed summer months. In the last couple of years I have noticed an exodus of young educated people from Split that are moving to Zagreb. I think our friends from the south came to realize that there are much more opportunities for progress in the capital. Whether it is work wise, education wise or broadening your horizons wise. More and more people from Split flock to Zagreb for multiple reasons. You can notice that especially in the winter months when there is not much happening on the seaside and Zagreb is being crowned two consecutive times with the title of the best Christmas market of Europe! I believe Dalmatian people are finally embracing and fully realizing the potential and beauty that the capital bears.

3. You run a tourist agency in Zagreb. What are the main experiences that guests are looking for, and is the profile of the Zagreb tourist changing?

I am a branch office manager in a tour operator Petros DMC that is specialized in working with small groups. Our incoming department deals with a lot of foreigners mostly from America, Australia and Canada markets. The profile of the tourist is evidently changing.

For example we have a significant positive impact from tourists of South Korea. Not only from our neighboring countries but visitors from all across the globe are discovering the charm of the city. The future of tourism are tailor-made experiences where the guests can immerse themselves in the local culture. We try to provide that – small groups for a GREAT experience! Zagreb is an up and coming city and has a significant increase in tourism. I read an interesting article that 7 years ago Zagreb was proclaimed as one of the most boring cities of Europe!? Luckily, in the last years it was nominated twice as the best European destinations! This city is currently in a new stage of development and I encourage everybody to try and catch a glimpse of it.

Guests are booking a lot of walking tours of the city. Zagreb is full of interesting tidbits and hidden gems that really come to life if you have a skillful guide that can interpret them. In addition to classical walking tours of the city, we provide electric bike tours and food tours. Furthermore, Zagreb is an amazing hub for day trips with interesting destinations in the vicinity. Our infamous and stunning National park Plitvice lakes is a top seller. A lot of our guests decide to go on a day trip in Slovenia and discover the beauties of Ljubljana, Lake Bled and Postojna cave. More and more people are including Zagreb in their itinerary and are not exclusively focused on the previous pillars of our touristy offer: sea, sun and sand. Our capital is the new star on the European sky so visit it and become part of the magic.

4. What do you love about Zagreb, and what would you change?

Zagreb has a rich history, beautiful architecture, a lot of green surfaces, vibe of a metropolis and all of that in the walking distance. It is abundant with manifestations, concerts and events, great small food joints with cuisine from all parts of mother Earth. Allegedly, we have the most museums per square kilometer in the world and Jarun Lake with one of the best music festivals in Europe. It’s a safe and clean city, coffee shops on every corner, a lot of farmers markets and even a flea market or two. Everything aforementioned is jolly good but the thing I love the most about Zagreb are the people. This city is a big melting pot, or as they say nowadays a salad bowl.

There is a lot of diversity here because people of all Croatia are gravitating towards Zagreb. And they are the quintessential ingredient that brings color to the overall picture. Start a chit chat with the locals, hear their stories and discover the beauty of the city through their eyes. There is a saying I like ” Tko se puno smije, pametan mnogo nije (one that smiles a lot isn’t the sharpest tool in the shed), and Zagreb does exactly that to me. It makes me smile. When it comes to the cons of Zagreb the first thing that comes to mind are graffiti on the beautiful facades in the town center. We get it man, you love Ana, do not write it on a wall. Idiot.

5. Your favorite place in the city, and why?

Periodically I change my favorite places of the city. When I was a youngster I liked the art installation the Grounded Sun of Zagreb in Bogoviceva Street. I always had the urge to climb it. One tipsy night I was game and made it happen. Afterwards I lost my interest in it and found a new one. Next in line was park Zrinjevac, particularly a bench on the west side of the park. Every time I needed some time for contemplation I would sit on the bench, light a cigarette and observe people as they stroll by in a carefree manner. I gave up smoking and my favorite spot. My new favorite is the Upper Town! These days I thoroughly enjoy roaming the smaller side streets at night. The lack of people at that time enables you to align your thoughts. Also, I always feel humble when I think about the history that dates back to medieval times and is incorporated in every rock that you stumble upon. I fancy the stairways that take you to the Upper town as well, I find them mysterious and romantic.

6. How has Zagreb changed in the last ten years?

Dramatically! From a shy late bloomer it gradually became a stud! The city invested a lot in the infrastructure and it is growing rapidly. Tourism really kicked off so there are numerous new hotels opened and apartments for rental. Music festivals, movie festivals, you name it we have it! During the Christmas market Zagreb is packed with pedestrians. Up until the last two years, these streams of people I have never encountered in our small but big hearted city. During summer months traditionally the city would become a ghost town because all of the locals would flee to the sea side, but not anymore! Now we are swamped with inquisitive tourists. You can catch New Yorkers fascinated by our open farmers market negotiating the price of an apple. Immediately they get educated and as my dear NYC Lauren is aware, the local vendor ”kumica” always wins and outsmarts you. I believe this is one of the most important stages in the development of the city. With the current construction of the new airport terminal, soon to be opened, only the sky is the limit. I predict Zagreb as the next big thing! Finally you can feel the pulse of a big city, and Zagreb is just warming up.

7. Three cool places most foreigners miss?

Hrelic most definitely. It is the biggest flea market where you can encounter characteristic people and hear their stories. In addition, you can find everything from a needle to an airplane. And food, good greasy food! I highly encourage everybody to get lost here for a couple of hours with a possibility of purchasing something you will never use but you just needed to have it. Yes, I am talking about my friend that acquired 1 left slipper.

Museum Gliptoteka. Even though Zagreb is packed with museums, this is my favorite venue of the city. No matter what is the ongoing exhibition I always feel comfortable in this establishment. There is a certain unbearable appeal in the mixture of the architecture and the adjacent flora.

The coffee shop. Every local has its own coffee shop. It a safe place, where you tell your tails and gossip a lot, where everybody knows your name and the waiter already knows the type of coffee you drink. You order with a simple nod of the head and you are surrounded by friends. Find you temple like this and feel like a local. Dear foreigner, do this and we will accept you as you are one of our own.

Interested in getting to know Filip better, on a tour perhaps?

Petros Tour Operator & DMC

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