Sljeme

Sljeme Review

A favorite excursion on the outskirts of Zagreb is to the heights of Sljeme, the peak of Mt. Medvednica, at 3,363 feet. You can reach it taking Tram 14 (direction Mihaljevac) all the way to the terminal stop, where you should change to Tram 15 (direction Dolje), also to its terminal stop. From there a cable car operates hourly for the 20-minute journey to the top of the mountain for breathtaking views over the surrounding countryside. It's an ideal place for picnicking, but you may wish to save your appetite for dinner at one of the excellent restaurants on the road home.

On the southwest flank of the summit is a reconstructed fortress called Medvegrad. The original was built in the 13th century by Bishop Filip of Zagreb, and after a succession of distinguished owners over the next two centuries it was destroyed in an earthquake in 1590. You can wander around the outside (for free), and take in great views of Zagreb. It's a one-hour trek to the fortress from the cable car, or you can reach it more directly by taking Bus 102 from Britansk trg in central Zagreb (just off Ilica, a 20-minute walk west of Trg Bana Josipa Jelacica) to the "Blue Church" in Sestine, and hiking some 40 minutes uphill from there. Take trail No. 12, which is off the paved road past the church cemetery.