At the beginning of June, my friend from Scotland (originally Bulgarian) came to visit me in Croatia. She stayed with me for two weeks and we got to sight-see Zagreb, and the coast (Šibenik and its surroundings). While I was showing her around Zagreb, my eyes opened to just how much this city has to offer. When you are born and raised in a certain place, you don’t really see it as something special because it is ordinary to you. However, I fell in love with my hometown by seeing it through the eyes of a tourist. I was curious how a tourist, my friend in this case, experienced Zagreb. Thus, I “made” her answer a few questions for me and here is her impression of Croatia…

Dinka: What did you think of Croatia before visiting?

Mila: I had a generally positive opinion of it. I knew that it was a small country and that it was similar to my own (Bulgaria), both culturally and economically. I also assumed that it had a similar cuisine to the Bulgarian one because it is Eastern European.

Ban Josip Jelačić statue, Mila in front Jarun-mum, mila and me having cofee Marta, Mila and I in Zagreb

D: What did you hear about it?

M: I heard that it is beautiful and not that expensive which is great for a student like myself. I also heard that it is becoming more and more popular of a destination for tourists.

Stone Gate, Zagreb Museum of Broken Relationships, Zagreb Jarun Jarun Fortress in Samobor Cave in Samobor

D: What was your first impression of Croatia upon your arrival?

M: It was hot which is the opposite of Scotland right now, and it felt like home. I also got a wonderful vibe of the place even at the airport in Zadar.

D: What was your favourite part of our sightseeing in Zagreb?

M: We saw so much of it and I loved it all. It is such an amazing city. Honestly, I didn’t expect to fall in love with it the way I did because you mostly hear about the Croatian coast as a destination for the summer. Zagreb is also very clean and it looks like a European capital for sure. I loved the monument of the First Croatian King (King Tomislav), the Cathedral and the church with the funny roof (St. Mark’s Church).

Mila and I in front of the King Tomislav statue King Tomislav’s Square View of Zagreb from the Zagreb Eye Observartion Deck View of Zagreb from the Zagreb Eye Observartion Deck- Main Square View of Zagreb from the Zagreb Eye Observartion Deck- Main Square and the Cathedral View of Zagreb from the Zagreb Eye Observartion Deck- West view View of Zagreb from the Zagreb Eye Observartion Deck- Main Square

D: What was your favourite place that we saw at the coast?

M: I have to say it was definitely Šibenik, even though National Park Krka is a strong competitor. Šibenik felt to me as though the time had stopped there. It has that ancient vibe that I love in places. Apparently, it is also great for shopping because I bought most of my gifts/souvenirs there and a lot of things for myself as well.

Šibenik View of Šibenik from the Cathedral View of Šibenik from a boat during the night National Park Krka Krka Waterfall Krka Waterfall Mila and I in the National Park Krka

D: What is your opinion of the locals?

M: I find them very friendly with very few exceptions (like that souvenir shop in Zagreb where the guy thought that we were going to steal from him, thank God you know Croatian :P). In my opinion, it is very similar to Bulgarians in terms of the mindset and attitude. I’m telling you it really felt like I was back in Bulgaria.

D: Would you come here alone (if I wasn’t living here)?

M: Yes, I wanted to visit Croatia for a really long time. The fact that I met you only made it easier for me to come.

Sunset from a boat in the Šibenik Chanel St. Nichola’s Fortress St. Nicholas’ fortress Tunnel Passage on Krapanj Island Sculpture in Vodice

D: Would you visit again?

M: Definitely, there is still so much of the country that I need to explore.

D: If you would, what would you want to see next? (So that I can prepare for next summer 😉 )

M: I would love to see Dubrovnik, I am quite a fan of Game of Thrones and I hear that it is beautiful. I would also love to see more of the Croatian islands.

Until next time,

Dinka 🙂

P.S. A huge thanks to Mila for answering my questions, and of course for visiting me and making me more aware of the beauty of my own country.