Croatia’s capital Zagreb is known both for its rich history and its artistic soul.

From its local markets, to its street art the city is a vibrant mélange of culture, cuisine and coffee, with an abundance of hidden delights for anyone willing to stray from the beaten path.

One of the best ways to take the pulse of a city is through its markets and Dolac is one of Zagreb's first.

It has been the main farmer's market in the Croatian capital since 1930 and is situated slap bang in the centre of town.

Alida Mezić has worked in the city as a guide for years. When we meet, she tells me why Dolac is such a popular market.

"It's between the Kaptol, uptown, and downtown, so people from all these areas come here to buy, sell and meet," she told Euronews.

A keen foodie, Alida is eager to show off some of the culinary delights that the city has to offer.

Delights like strukli - a typical breakfast pastry that combines cheese, sour cream and spices - and krafne - the world-famous Croatian doughnut.

After breakfast, we take our shopping to one of the most authentic coffee houses in the city - K&K. Once owned by a writer, the cafe's walls are filled with old photographs of Zagreb and its famous characters.

Most importantly, it's a chance to try Zagreb's most famous ritual. Coffee sipping.

According to Mezić: “Having coffee here means meeting your friends, spending some comfortable time. It’s not like in Italy where you just sip a coffee in a minute, here you have to take your time, you have to breathe in, breathe out and enjoy.”

Zagreb is a great city to cycle around, and Mezić knows it inside out.

In the Lower Town, we stop at the National Theatre. Its yellow facade is typical of Austro-Hungarian architecture.