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Romantic Zagreb

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Zagreb for Seniors

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• ADVENT Zagreb Advent & Christmas Market

Zagreb Is All About Local Experience

Voted among european's best destinations, zagreb is changing through constant development., zagreb is among europe’s best destinations, visit zagreb, your local travel guide, helps you through your zagreb experience., top attractions.

Explore Zagreb’s Top Attractions. Find out what makes Zagreb stand out and what should not be missed.

Zagreb Advent & Christmas Market

The Best Christmas Market is here.

Sights & Landmarks

Over 900 years of rich history complemented Zagreb with Sights and Landmarks.

Zagreb Attractions

Find Zagreb’s Attractions that suits your interests. From traditional to unusual and unique parks, art galleries and museums.

Plan Your Stay

Zagreb welcomes you, and is easy to visit and experience, where to stay in zagreb.

Find the best place to stay and book one of our recommended Hotels, Apartments or Hostels in Zagreb

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Zagreb car rentals.

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Transport Zagreb

Getting to and around Zagreb is easy. Check out our list of transport guides.

Travel information & Tips

Practical information and answers about frequently asked questions when visiting Zagreb.

Discovering Zagreb is easy!

Everything is within walking distance or easily accessible. you only have to choose which experience you want., free things to do in zagreb.

List of Free Things To Do in Zagreb. You can enjoy Zagreb easily and there are plenty of things to do for free. It is one of the most budget-friendly cities in the world.

Zagreb with Kids

A Family Friendly with plenty of space, playgrounds and children-friendly attractions.

You can find Romance in Zagreb on almost every corner. Filled with parks and secluded spots.

Zagreb should be explored on foot. In a relaxed way as most attractions are within walking distance.

Pet-Friendly Attractions

Zagreb is pet-friendly and you can walk your pet nearly anywhere in Zagreb.

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© Zagreb Tourist Board

Zagreb is made for strolling. Wander through the Upper Town's red-roof and cobblestone glory, peppered with church spires. Crane your neck to see the domes and ornate upper-floor frippery of the Lower Town's mash-up of secessionist, neo-baroque and art deco buildings. Search out the grittier pockets of town where ugly-bland concrete walls have been transformed into colourful murals by local street artists. This city rewards those on foot.

Leave the planning to a local expert

Experience the real Zagreb. Let a local expert handle the planning for you.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Museum of Broken Relationships

From romances that withered to broken family connections, this wonderfully quirky museum explores the mementos left over after a relationship ends…

A 10-minute ride north of the city centre (or a 30-minute walk through leafy streets) takes you to one of the most beautiful cemeteries in Europe, sited…

Croatian Museum of Naïve Art

A feast for fans of Croatia’s naive art (a form that was highly fashionable locally and worldwide during the 1960s and ’70s and has declined somewhat…

Dolac Market

Right in the heart of the city, Zagreb’s bustling fruit and vegetable market has been trader-central since the 1930s when the city authorities set up a…

Funicular Railway

This very short, and steep, funicular railway line, constructed in 1888, connects the Lower and Upper Towns of Zagreb.

Croatian Association of Artists

East of the centre, this gallery is housed in one of the few architectural works by Ivan Meštrović and has a busy and diverse rolling program of…

Lotrščak Tower

Lotrščak Tower was built in the middle of the 13th century to protect the south city gate. Normally you can enter and climb up to the top for a sweeping…

Trg Bana Jelačića

Zagreb’s main orientation point and its geographic heart is Trg Bana Jelačića – it's where most people arrange to meet up. If you enjoy people-watching,…

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A First Timer’s Travel Guide to Visiting Zagreb, Croatia

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Visiting Zagreb for the first time and wondering how to visit Zagreb? our mini travel guide to Zagreb Croatia is all you need. This Zagreb Travel Guide includes everything you need to know about the capital of Croatia to plan a perfect Zagreb vacation.

Before You Plan a Trip to Zagreb

• Know if you need a visa for Zagreb. The holders of uniform visa (C) for two or multiple entries, valid for all Schengen Area Member States don’t need to apply for a separate visa for Croatia. Read our complete guide to Schengen Visa.
• Make sure to have a guidebook before you set foot in Zagreb. That makes getting around the city easy.
• As Zagreb is designed for strolling, you need comfortable and super light walking shoes. I wear Skechers while hubby loves Adidas and mini-me has got Adidas too. Read our guides to the best shoes for women and the best shoes for kids for your European family vacation .

Visiting Zagreb Travel Guide

Zagreb, one of our favorite European capital cities in the world remains a hidden gem in Europe because travelers are enchanted by the Croatian cities and towns with breathtaking Adriatic coastlines like Dubrovnik and Split so much so that they completely overlook the inland capital city of Zagreb. But, they don’t know what they are missing. With a unique charm, rich culture and history, one-of-a-kind architecture, and lively vibes – it’s easy to fall in love with Zagreb, Croatia.

We spent a memorable day in Zagreb and enjoyed every second of our time there. How we wished we’d have earmarked some more time for Zagreb.

Read Next: Best Places to Visit in Europe with Kids

Where is Zagreb in Croatia?

Zagreb, the capital and the largest city of Croatia, is located in the northwest section of Croatia in the south of Medvednica Mountain (Zagrebačka Gora) along the River Sava.

Zagreb lies at the junction where Central Europe , the Mediterranean, and Southeastern Europe meet which makes it the heart of road, rail, and air transport in Croatia. Vienna, Austria is about 370 km; Budapest, Hungary is around 345 km; and Ljubljana, Slovenia is just 140 km away from Zagreb.

In medieval times, Zagreb existed as two settlements, Kaptol which was inhabited by priests, and Grič (now Gradec) which was inhabited by civilians like merchants and farmers. Ban Josip Jelačić united the two medieval settlements in 1851. The unification of Kaptol and Gradec is now the Zagreb Old Town. Kaptol is the flat part while Gradec is the hilly area.

Read Next: Uber-Cool Things to do in Zadar, Croatia

Why Visit Zagreb

Not that you need a reason to visit Zagreb city, but here are a few 🙂 ♥ Zagreb is gorgeous. ♥ It is full of surprises. ♥ It’s out-of-the-ordinary. ♥ It’s one of the cheapest cities in Europe. ♥ To dive into its intriguing culture and history. ♥ To experience the unique Croatian Coffee Culture ♥ To experience Croatian Beer and Wine ♥ It’s wonderfully compact and easy to explore. ♥ For Mirogoj Cemetery, one of the world’s most beautiful cemeteries ♥ Because it has Plitvice Lakes , one of the best national parks in the world ♥ Its people are welcoming and warm

Read More: The Best National Parks in Europe for Families

Best Time to Visit Zagreb

The best time to visit Zagreb is from April until October . I’d recommend skipping the summer months of June, July, and August as the temperatures and crowds are too much to handle.

If you ask me, I’d say visit Zagreb during the months of May and September as you’ll have the place almost to yourself plus the weather and accommodation prices both are cool 🙂

April and October can also be good months to travel to Zagreb. Zagreb has some of the best Christmas Markets in Europe , so plan around December to celebrate Christmas in Zagreb.

Must-Read: Best Winter Destinations in Europe for Families

Weather in Zagreb

Zagreb has a coastal climate. The summers are hot and dry and the winters are snowy and cold. The average summer temperature is around 20° Celsius (68° Fahrenheit) and in winter it’s around 1° Celsius ( 34° Fahrenheit).

Rain is experienced relatively all around the year with September, October, November, and December as the wettest months and January, and February as the driest months.

How many Days in Zagreb?

Two days (48 hours) are more than enough to explore Zagreb.

Getting to Zagreb

As the capital city of Croatia, Zagreb is well-connected to the rest of the world by air and the European countries by road.

All the major airlines link Franjo Tuđman Airport Zagreb to the world capitals year-round. Croatia Airlines is the best bet if you are traveling to and from other European capitals.

We use and recommend Skyscanner to get the best deals on flights.

By Bus and Train

There are a plethora of international bus and train lines to Zagreb from other European cities and domestic bus and train lines to Zagreb from other Croatian cities.

You can check the bus schedules at the official website of the Zagreb Bus Terminal and train schedules at the Croatia Railways website and the Die Bahn website.

We use and recommend Trainline , Eurail , RailEurope , Omio , and FlixBus to book trains and buses in Europe.

We rented a car for our European adventure and drove to Zagreb from Ljubljana which took us a little over 2 hours.

Croatia is best explored by car. Croatian roads and motorways are a delight to drive on. Obviously, driving in cities isn’t fun with loads of traffic and parking problems. Read our detailed guide to renting a car in Europe.

We love  Discover Cars  when it comes to renting a car anywhere in the world.

Rent a Car in Zagreb

Parking in Zagreb

We had faced parking issues in Ljubljana and thus, left our car at our Airbnb parking to save the hassle.

Like in other European cities, Zagreb has options for street parking and public garage parking. Short-time street parking is organized in 4 zones as per the distance from the city center. You can find a free parking spot outside the city center.

Public Garages are safe and have no time limit but are expensive. Petrinjska Street  and  Langov Trg are the closest to the center of the city. The parking cost ranges from 1 Kuna to 5 Kuna per hour. 

Car Rental in Zagreb

We completely rely on and recommend Discover Cars to rent a car wherever you go.

You Might Like: Best Road Trips in Europe

How to Get From Zagreb Airport to Zagreb City Center

Zagreb Airport (Franjo Tudman Airport) is about 12 km from the center of Zagreb.

The easiest, most comfortable, hassle-free, and of course quickest way to get from the airport to the city center is by private transfer where a knowledgeable local driver chauffeurs you to your hotel.

You can also hire a taxi from the airport to your hotel. The taxi stand is located at the Passenger Terminal where you’ll find many taxi service providers. The price per km starts from around HRK 13.

If budget is a concern, you can choose to travel by Airport Shuttle, Pleso prijevoz . It runs between Zagreb Airport and the Zagreb Central Bus Terminal as per the airport timetable. One-way tickets cost HRK 45.

Another option is ZET (Zagreb Electric Tram) which covers a distance of 19 km while making about 20 stops along the way. It runs every 35 minutes.

Getting Around Zagreb

Zagreb can be easily explored on foot, especially in the Old Town. If walking is something you despise then Zagreb has a convenient and affordable public transport system consisting of trams and buses. Taxi and Uber are also an option while you travel outside the city center.

Zagreb Card

Zagreb Card is a tourist card that along with free entrance to various museums and attractions gives free access to public transport. Plus the card offers additional discounts and benefits to the cardholders.

You can buy a 24-hour (98 HRK) or 72-hour (135 HRK) card from the Tourist Information Center at Ban Jelačić Square.

Zagreb Tram

There are several trams running on as many as 20 lines connecting the various parts of the city. The tickets can be purchased from Tisak kiosks or from the tram driver.

A standard ticket costs 10 Kuna (during the day) and 15 Kuna (at night) and is valid for 90 minutes in one direction.

There’s an option to buy a daily ticket that costs 30 Kuna and allows you to ride the trams as many as you want and as much as you like in any direction. Likewise, 3-day, 7-day, 15-day, and 30-day tickets are available.

Bus service in Zagreb consists of about 134 lines connecting the different parts of Zagreb and the suburbs with the city center. The ticket system is the same as for the Zagreb trams.

The prime taxi providers in Zagreb are Taxi Cammeo, Zebra Taxi, Eko Taxi, and Radio Taxi Zagreb. The start prices usually vary between 6 Kuna and 10 Kuna and most of them cost about 6 Kuna per kilometer.

Uber in Zagreb surprisingly offers great service at modest rates. The start charges are 6 Kuna and then about 3 Kuna per kilometer. The cost per minute is 0.60 Kuna and 13 Kuna is the minimum price.

It’s not as cheap as public transport for solo travelers but a great alternative for family or group travelers.

We used it extensively and found the Uber drivers in Croatia to be pleasant, honest, and helpful. I’m saying this based on two instances we had in Zagreb and Dubrovnik.

Hubby forgot his iPhone somewhere in Zagreb and realized it soon after boarding the Uber. He wasn’t sure where. Maybe at a restaurant where we had dinner or at one of the two shops, we stopped by for souvenirs or…he had no idea.

The driver went out of his way to help us in tracing the mobile phone with a genuine smile. These kinds of gestures every now and then retain our faith in kindness and humanity.

I can’t emphasize enough that biking is the best way to explore European capitals. There are many public bike rentals in Zagreb that have locations scattered across the city where you can rent and return the bikes.

We’d strongly recommend Bike.com.hr , and Pedaloo to rent a bike in Zagreb.

Alternatively, you can choose one of many biking tours in Zagreb.

The center of the city can be easily explored on foot. You can either take a self-guided walk or join one of the numerous free or paid walking tours in Zagreb.

What to do in Zagreb

There are so many beautiful places to visit in Zagreb. We have a dedicated post about the best things to do in Zagreb, Croatia for you. Walking the Zagreb Old Town is the best thing ever! Out of all the Zagreb attractions, we loved Mirogoj Cemetery ( it’s super-gorgeous), the Museum of Broken Relationships (it’s different), St. Mark’s Church (wowzers), and Zagreb Cathedral (Zagreb must-see). How can you not visit Dolac Market, the belly of Zagreb? Are you a coffee lover like me? Head to Špica to experience the coffee culture of Croatia. Spend some time at Maksimir Park, Zagreb’s largest and oldest public park.

Read More: Vis Island in Croatia – A Gem of a Croatian Island

Where to Stay in Zagreb

Zagreb has a vast, easy, and affordable public transportation system so no matter which neighborhood you stay in Zagreb, you wouldn’t have to struggle to get around in Zagreb.

We found the accommodation options in Zagreb a great value for money as compared to other capital cities in Europe.

We’ve rounded up some of the best Zagreb accommodation options from Hostels to apartments, boutique hotels, luxury hotels, and Airbnb to help you decide where to stay based on your budget or travel style.

Hostels in Zagreb

The Dots Hostel

Boutique Hostel Shappy

Main Square Hostel

Love Croatia Hostel

Budget Hotels in Zagreb

Hotel Academia

Hotel Croatia

Luxury Hotels in Zagreb

Hotel Esplanade

Hotel Capital

Hotel Dubrovnik

Hotel Jägerhorn

Sheraton Zagreb Hotel

Apartments in Zagreb

4gZg Apartment

Apartments Simple Teslina

Ria Studioapartman

Feels Like Home Apartments

Apartment Old Zagreb

Airbnb in Zagreb

We stayed on Bianca & Marko’s property and loved every bit of our stay. It’s fairly close to the center of the city yet away from all the hustle and bustle of it.

Where to Eat in Zagreb

Zagreb has plenty of traditional restaurants serving Croatian cuisine and chic cafes that vouch for its vibrant cafe culture.

Being a vegetarian, I was apprehensive as Croatia was marked as the sixth-worst country in Europe for vegetarians as per the study by The Eco Experts but I had a great vegetarian food experience in Zagreb. Though, I found the Croatian Islands attesting to this study.

Here are the few restaurants and cafes we tried during our time in Zagreb:

Restaurants in Zagreb

Zinfandel’s Restaurant

Restaurant TAČ

Konoba Didov San

Dubravkin put

Vegetarian Restaurants Zagreb

Green Point

Zrno Bio Bistro

Cafes in Zagreb

Experience the lively Croatian Cafe Culture with a cup of coffee accompanied by a Croatian cake.

Kim’s Coffee

Cogito Coffee Shop

Eli’s Caffe

Najgora Kava U Gradu

Hendrick’s garden (A Most Unusual Garden)

Otto&Frank

It’s not your regular cafe. This is a great place to read a book or two, write your heart out, work on your laptop, and relax for hours with a cup of coffee or tea.

Bars in Zagreb

Obviously, you would want to feel the craft beer culture in Croatia and Zagreb has plenty of breweries, pubs, and bars to taste and enjoy nice brews.

Tolkien’s House

The Old Pharmacy

The Garden Brewery

What to Eat in Zagreb

You’d love Croatian food if you are a non-vegetarian as most of their traditional dishes include meat. Hubby and mini-me enjoyed some of them. For me, I was happy with the side dishes (potatoes, cabbage, and root veggies) and of course, desserts.

Some of the must-try Croatian dishes are:

• Sir i vrhnje (cottage cheese and sour cream)
• Crni rizot (black risotto)
• Zagorsk Štrukli (dough filled with cottage cheese and sour cream)
• Sopamik (savory pie filled with Swiss chard)
• Cuspajz (vegetable stew served with polenta, parsley, carrots, celery, and sour cream)
• Paprenjac (traditional Croatian cookies)
• Rozata (custard pudding)
• Krostule (traditional pastry)
• Knedli (sweet potato dumplings)
• Fritule (Croatian fried dough pastry)

You Must Read: Blue Cave in Croatia: A Croatian Natural Wonder

Shopping in Zagreb

From local stores to huge shopping malls, Zagreb has plenty of options for a shopper in you. It’s always good to shop directly from the manufacturers in local markets rather than in shopping malls.

Museum gift shops are also a good option to shop for local Zagreb souvenirs.

Ilica Street has some unique stores where you can shop for handcrafted local products.

Some of our recommendations are:

• Bashota at Ilica for Croatian jewelry
• Croata at Oktogon for Croatian cravats
• Hippy Garden (Croatian fashion brand) at Masarykova for clothes
• Natura Croatica at Preradoviceva for gastronomic souvenirs
• Arkadija Bookstore at Trg bana Josipa Jelačića for bookish souvenirs
• Bloody Bridge Souvenirs for all kinds of souvenirs for all budgets

Souvenirs to Bring From Zagreb

• Licitars (red heart honey dough cookies)
• Licitar-shaped fridge magnets
• Šestine motif umbrella or clothes
• Lavender products like soaps, cosmetics, or dried lavenders
• Wooden toys for kids
• Croatian candies and chocolates for kids: 505 s crtom, Kiki, Bajadera, Griotte, Cedevita, Peppermint, Arancini, and Bronhi are some of the iconic Croatian candies.
• Cravats (ties)
• Traditional Croatian lace
• Croatian jewelry
• Croatian cheese

Day Trips from Zagreb

Located close to some of the region’s best attractions, Zagreb offers amazing day trips. You can rent a car, ride public transport, or join one of many guided tours to one of the day trip destinations.

Plitvice Lakes National Park , Rastoke, Samobor, Krapina, and Varazdin in Croatia, and Ljubljana and Lake Bled in Slovenia are recommended destinations for day-tripping from Zagreb.

Have you ever been to Zagreb Croatia? How did you like it? We are all ears.

If you want to visit Zagreb sometime soon, make use of our Zagreb guide. We sincerely hope our travel guide to Zagreb helps you plan a perfect trip to Zagreb. If you have any queries, let us know in the comments section below. We’ll be happy to help.

Also, we’d be obliged if you could take five minutes of your time to share this post with the world if it helped you in any way.

Recommended Reading:

• Renting a Car in Europe
• Schengen Visa for Europe
• How to Plan a Trip to Europe
• The Epic 14 Days in Croatia Itinerary
• 7 Best Places to Visit in Croatia
• The Blue Cave in Croatia
• The Island of Vis in Croatia
• Coolest Things to do in Dubrovnik, Croatia
• One Day in Dubrovnik Itinerary
• Best Things to do in Split, Croatia
• A First Timer’s Guide to Visiting Split, Croatia
• Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia
• Things to do in Zagreb, Croatia
• Where to Stay in Zagreb, Croatia
• One Day in Zagreb Itinerary
• Things to do in Zadar, Croatia

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Anjali Chawla

2 thoughts on “A First Timer’s Travel Guide to Visiting Zagreb, Croatia”

Hi, I read your information on Zagreb with interest as we are visiting there in December. It appears to be compact enough to do it on foot. Unless I missed it somewhere you don’t mention how to get from the airport to the city centre by public transport which is probably the first thing people want to know. Arriving in a new city is always daunting but if someone with the knowledge can describe exactly what to do to achieve a hassle free transfer makes such a difference to your visit. Regards.

Thank you so much for stopping by. You are right. Navigating a new city isn’t easy. It’s always good to know how to get to the center from the airport and how to get around the city beforehand. I usually try to mention all the required details in my posts. I don’t know how I missed adding such an important piece of information. I’ve just added the airport transfer section. Thanks for your comment 🙂 Happy Travels!

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Zagreb Travel Guide

Last Updated: August 31, 2023

Moreover, Zagreb has a remarkable museum scene, including quirky offerings like the Museum of Broken Relationships, the Hangover Museum, and the Mimara Museum, to name a few. Plus, there’s a budding restaurant scene and handfuls of fun pubs to quaff beer and rakija , the stomach-melting fruit brandy that is ubiquitous in the Balkans.

While most tourists in Croatia are sunning themselves on the (crowded) Dalmatian Coast, you’ll likely be enjoying Zagreb with a handful of other visitors as it sees a fraction of the tourists compared to Split and Dubrovnik .

And everyone here is super chill. The national pastime is sitting at one of the gazillion outdoor cafes that are spread out among the large squares and along the cobblestone streets of the city center and nursing a coffee for as long as humanly possible.

This travel guide to Zagreb will allow you to get the most out of your trip here.

Table of Contents

• Things to See and Do
• Typical Costs
• Suggested Budget
• Money-Saving Tips
• Where to Stay
• How to Get Around
• How to Stay Safe
• Best Places to Book Your Trip
• Related Blogs on Zagreb

Top 5 Things to See and Do in Zagreb

1. Visit the Museum of Broken Relationships

Originally created as a traveling exhibit by two Croatian artists after their romantic relationship ended, this museum hosts a collection of random (and weird) but meaningful objects that the broken-hearted have donated. These objects symbolize now-broken relationships and you can read descriptions of them to learn about the relationships they represent. Objects include items such as an “ex-axe,” used by a woman to destroy her ex’s furniture when their relationship suddenly ended. In addition to the physical exhibits, there is a virtual space where visitors can add their own stories, photos, or documents to the museum’s archives. Admission is 52 HRK.

2. Explore the Upper Town

Enter Zagreb’s “Upper Town” or Gradec , in the local parlance, by trudging through the medieval city gate. According to local lore, there was a great fire in 1731 that burned down most of the gate, save a 17th-century painting of the Virgin and Child. That painting is still there and locals regularly stop to pray in front of it or light a candle in honor of this supposed miracle. Located on a hillside, Upper Town is the oldest part of the city, with winding streets, historic sites, museums, and rustic taverns for when your feet need a break and you get thirsty. Main sights here include the Zagreb Cathedral, Saint Mark’s Church (one of Zagreb’s most iconic buildings), and the 13th-century Lotrscak Tower which offers great views over the city.

3. Go on a bar crawl on Tkalciceva Street

Named after a 19th-century Zagreb historian, this car-free street lies on top of the former river that was the hub for much of Zagreb’s historic industrial activities. It was paved over in the 19th century due to pollution and has been attracting visitors ever since. In the early 20th century it was home to the city’s red-light district, but today the brothels have been replaced by bars. The entire street, which begins at the city’s main square, Ban Jelacic, is now lined with bustling bars, outdoor cafes, and small boutiques.

4. Marvel at Zagreb Cathedral

The second tallest building in Croatia, the twin neo-gothic spires of this cathedral dominate the city’s skyline. Technically called the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the church’s foundations go back to the 13th century. A fire in the late 19th century destroyed a good portion of the structure and it was rebuilt in the neo-gothic style. Inside, look for the tomb of Cardinal Alojzije Stepinac, which was done by famed Croatian sculptor Ivan Meštrovic. The cathedral’s organ, with its 6,000 pipes, is one of the largest and most famous organs in the world. It even has its own festival over the summer when world-renowned organ players come and perform. Admission to the cathedral is free. Unfortunately, due to the earthquake in March 2020 that struck Zagreb, the cathedral is undergoing repairs and entrance is not currently possible. It’s set to reopen by summer 2023.

5. Check out the art at Mimara Museum

The Museum Mimara was born when Croatian art collector Ante Topic Mimara bequeathed a good portion of his 3,700-piece collection of art to the city. Housed in a new-Renaissance building in the Lower Town, the museum boasts works by Bronzino, Bosch, Van Dyck, Rubens, Goya, and Velázquez, among many others. As far as great art museums are concerned, this one is really underrated, though not without its share of controversy, as some experts suggest that not all of the works are authentic. Even so, it’s an impressive collection and a great way to spend an afternoon. Admission is 40 HRK. (Currently closed due to damage from an earthquake).

Other Things to See and Do in Zagreb

1. take a free walking tour.

One of the first things I do in a new destination is take a free walking tour. It’s the best way to get the lay of the land, see the main sights, and connect with an expert local guide. Free Spirit Tours offers a detailed two-hour walking tour that covers all the main highlights. Just be sure to tip your guide at the end!

2. Visit the Zagreb City Museum

If you want to get a deeper sense of the Croatian capital, the city museum is a nice place to start. Housed in a 17th-century convent, this museum takes visitors through prehistory to the Roman period, through the Middle Ages, and all the way into the 20th century. There are more than 75,000 objects in the collection that collectively provide insight into how the city has transformed through the centuries. There are all kinds of maps, paintings, furniture, maps, furniture, flags, and military uniforms. Admission is 30 HRK.

3. Admire the Zagreb Botanical Garden

To escape the hustle and bustle of the city, head to the botanical garden for a stroll. Founded in 1889 by a professor from the University of Zagreb, the garden is located in the center of the city and spans 12 acres. It’s a great way to spend a few hours, taking in the sights and smells of over 10,000 species of plants and flowers from around the world. Entry costs 10 HRK. If you’re looking to save a bit of cash, the entrance is free on Mondays and Tuesdays.

4. Nurse your hangover at the Museum of Hangovers

Did you spend last night drinking your way down Tkalciceva Street, pounding beers and doing shots of rakija along the way? Then point yourself to this unique museum. The Museum of Hangovers is a fun (and sometimes painful) journey through the world of hangovers. There are rooms dedicated to things people found in the morning after a night of hard boozing and a room where you can even tell your own worst hangover story, among other interesting exhibitions. Admission is 40 HRK.

5. Snack your way through the Dolac Market

Set in the hungry heart of Zagreb’s city center, the Dolac Market (pronounced “Doe-latz”) is a feast for the senses. Pop into this market (first opened in 1930) before 1pm to get the best experience. Expect to see locals buying up fresh fruits and veggies, just-pulled-from-the-river fish, and various parts of the pig. For food to eat on the go (or for a picnic) pick up some sir i vrhnje (a creamy cheese) and kružnjak (cornbread), two very typical Zagreb staples, and eat them together.

6. Take a spooky history tour

Learn about Zagreb’s shady side with this fun, small-group guided tour that focuses on the gloomy and ghoulish, the eerie and the evil history of this southeast European metropolis. You’ll venture through graveyards, possibly meet ghosts, and learn about the witch hunts of the past that took place here. There’s also talk of a secret dragon society in the city too! Secret Zagreb Ghosts and Dragons tours cost 75 HRK and last just under two hours.

7. Take a time-out in Maksimir Park

Opened in 1794, this large swath of green just east of the city center is a great way to get away from it all. Walk through the grand gate and you’ll enter a verdant landscape that seems far from the bustle of downtown Zagreb. Filled with meadows, streams, and old-growth oak groves, the park is a fine place for a picnic. Admission is free. It’s also home to the Zagreb Zoo, which costs 30 HRK.

8. Stroll through Gric Tunnel

The 1,150-foot Gric Tunnel (pronounced “Greech”) was first built during World War II as a potential bomb shelter. After that, the tunnel, which goes right under the Upper Town, fell into disrepair and was practically forgotten about. In early ‘90s, it was used as the spot for one of the earliest raves in Zagreb and was a party spot for the city’s youth. In 2016, though, the city government renovated the pedestrian tunnel and opened it up to the public. It’s good for a shortcut from one part of the city to another, but really it’s a fun atmospheric stroll in a World War II-era tunnel. And it’s free.

9. Learn about Communism and the Croatian Homeland

This in-depth-guided tour teaches you the history of (what is now modern-day) Croatia during World War II. You’ll learn about the former Yugoslavia and its formation and ironclad rule by Josip Broz Tito, the eventual civil war during the 1990s, the end of communism and Tito’s regime, and the rebuilding of the country as newly formed Croatia. Tours with Free Spirit Tours cost around 225 HRK and last around two hours.

10. Walk the Green Horseshoe

If you arrive in Zagreb by train, the “horseshoe” may be the first thing you encounter when leaving the railway station and trudging to the center of town with your backpack. And what a lovely welcome it is. Conceived in 1882 by Milan Lenuci, the Green Horseshoe (also sometimes called the Lenuci Horseshoe) is a U-shaped series of connected squares and parks in the city’s Donji Grad, or Lower City. Along the way, you’ll encounter many of the city’s museums as well as century-old mansions that once belonged to the city’s old-moneyed aristocrats.

11. Ride the funicular

The ride won’t take very long, but it beats trekking up the steep steps from the Lower Town to the Upper Town. One of the shortest funiculars in the world, this slanted train was built in 1888. A ride on the funicular will set you back a whopping 5 HRK. If you’re hankering for a snack on the lower end of the funicular, on the same block is the traditional and rustic Croatian restaurant Vallis Aurea.

12. Take a day trip to Jarun Lake

Just 8 kilometers (5 miles) from the city center, this man-made lake is built for warm weather days when you need a respite from the heat and you don’t feel like going all the way to the Dalmatian Coast for a dip in the water. There are actually two lakes here: Malo Jarun (“Small Jarun”) and Veliko Jarun (“Big Jarun”). Swim or kayak in the lake or take a bike around them. Trams 5 or 17 will get you there.

13. Take a day trip to Plitvice Lake

Tucked between Zagreb and the Dalmatian Coast, Plitvice Lakes National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s composed of 16 interconnected lakes and over 90 waterfalls. It’s beautiful but super popular so arrive early (expect crowds). Admission is 80-300 HRK depending on the month (prices rise in the summer). You can book a day trip with Get Your Guide for around 745 HRK.

  For more information on other cities in Croatia, check out these guides:

• Dubrovnik Travel Guide
• Split Travel Guide

Zagreb Travel Costs

Budget hotel prices – The average two-star hotel costs 400-525 HRK per night for a double room, depending on the season. Free Wi-Fi is included, and many also offer free breakfast.

For Airbnb, in the off-season, expect to pay 350-500 HRK for a one-bedroom apartment in or near the center of town. In summer, the prices are at least 450 HRK per night. Private rooms are closer to 350 HRK per night.

Food – Croatian cuisine has influences from Central Europe, the Mediterranean, and the Balkans. Seafood is a prominent staple along the coast, with scampi and octopus salad being two local favorites. Tuna, cuttlefish risotto, squid, and breaded catfish are other common fares. Sausage and schnitzel can be found at most traditional restaurants as well, as can a variety of pasta dishes (usually with a creamy mushroom sauce or minced meat). Stews are also common, especially goulash.

Meals at an inexpensive restaurant start at 70 HRK. Meals for two people at a mid-range restaurant start at around 330 HRK.

Traditionally, the main meal of the day is lunch. If you have a sweet tooth, Croatia is a haven for pastries. Be sure to try savijaca (apple strudel).

For travelers looking for super-affordable fare in Zagreb, there are two great options: the cheap, multi-course daily brunch called gablec or buying some provisions at the Dolac Market and eating in a park or a square. Asian restaurants (like Chinese or Indian) also offer cheap meals, with dishes costing 65-80 HRK.

Otherwise, Zagreb has everything from rustic, salt-of-the-earth taverns and Michelin-starred restaurants. For the former, expect to pay about 150-170 HRK for a starter and a main dish (without drinks) at a typical tavern (or konoba ) in or near the city center and for the latter, a fine dining experience will run about 1,000 HRK per person.

Fast food (think McDonald’s) is around 45 HRK. Beer costs 18-20 HRK while a latte/cappuccino is around 13 HRK. Bottled water is around 9.50 HRK.

If you are planning to cook your own food, a week’s worth of groceries costs around 250-300 HRK for staples like milk, cheese, pasta, seasonal vegetables, and some chicken.

Backpacking Zagreb Suggested Budgets

If you are backpacking Croatia, my suggested budget is 350 HRK per day. This assumes you’re staying in a hostel dorm, cooking all of your meals, limiting your drinking, doing free activities like hiking and free walking tours, and using public transportation to get around. You’ll need to budget more if you’re visiting in the summer or if you plan on drinking.

On a mid-range budget of 800 HRK per day, you can stay in a private Airbnb or private hostel room, eat out for all your meals, have a few drinks, take some guided tours, take the occasional taxi to get around, and visit more museums and attractions (like the funicular).

On a “luxury” budget of 1,600 HRK per day, you can stay in a hotel, rent a car to get around, do private guided tours, eat and drink as much as you’d like, and visit as many museums and attractions as you want. This is just the ground floor for luxury though. The sky is the limit!

You can use the chart below to get an idea of how much you need to budget daily. Keep in mind these are daily averages – some days you spend more, some days you spend less (you might spend less every day). We just want to give you a general idea of how to make your budget. Prices are in HRK.

Zagreb Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

Zagreb is pretty affordable. It’s not anywhere near as expensive as destinations on the coast and there’s a lot of budget friendly restaurants, free tours, and accommodation. Here are some general ways to save money when you travel around Zagreb:

• Bring a water bottle – The tap water here is safe to drink so bring a reusable water bottle to save money and reduce your plastic use. LifeStraw is my go-to brand as their bottles have built-in filters to ensure your water is always clean and safe.
• Pay with the local currency – When paying with a credit card, if you’re asked whether you want to pay in the local currency rather than US dollars (or whatever currency your card is tied to), always choose the local currency. You always get a better rate with the local currency.
• Travel during shoulder season – Zagreb doesn’t have the surge of tourists that towns on the Dalmatian Coast get during the summers. But prices do drop in the shoulder season (April-May; September-October) and they definitely drop during the winter months, so if you’re looking for a more affordable trip, plan according to the season.
• Embrace brunch – In Croatia, there’s a thing called a marenda , if you’re on the Dalmatian Coast, or gablec (pronounced “gob-letz”) in Zagreb. This is basically a daily brunch that occurs starting around 11am. It’s a cheap, sometimes multi-course, and usually hearty early lunch, originally for low-wage laborers who started work early and would get hungry by the late morning. Stroll the Zagreb streets looking for sandwich boards in front of restaurants that will be advertising the menu of their daily gablec that day. Sometimes it might just say “danas” (Croatian for “daily”) atop the sandwich board and then list the menu underneath. Expect to pay around 40-60 HRK.
• Buy a Zagreb card – A Zagreb card offers free transportation on trams and buses, admission to the city’s best museums, and even entrance to the zoo. The cost is 98 HRK for 24 hours and 135 HRK for 72 hours. You can buy a Zagreb card online or at any of these locations in the city.

Where to Stay in Zagreb

Zagreb has plenty of budget-friendly hostels. Here are my recommended places to stay when you visit:

• Hostel Mali Mrak Zagreb
• The Dots Hostel
• Swanky Mint
• Kaptol Hostel
• Main Square

How to Get Around Zagreb

Make sure you validate the ticket via the small yellow onboard box upon getting on the tram. Buses are similar and traverse the city where trams don’t go.

Getting to and from Zagreb’s relatively new airport is easy. Hop on the Croatian Airlines bus outside the arrivals hall. It leaves every 30 minutes and costs 35 HRK each way, depositing travelers at the city’s main bus station, about a 15-minute walk to the city center.

Taxi – Taxis here are affordable, starting at 15 HRK and going up 6 HRK per kilometer. That said, taxis add up quickly so I’d skip them if you’re on a budget.

Bike rental – Zagreb is an easy city to bike around and you can find full-day rentals for around 100 HRK from Blue Bike.

When to Go to Zagreb

Unlike other super-popular destinations where you have to strategize when to go to avoid the crush of other tourists, Zagreb is a place that can be visited any time of the year. Naturally, summer is going to be more crowded and prices might go up a bit, but you’re not going to be overwhelmed here. Expect summer highs around 28°C (82°F).

The shoulder season of April-May and September-October are some of the best times to visit as the crowds will have thinned out and the weather is still pleasant.

If you’re absolutely allergic to other tourists, come to Zagreb in winter; you’ll have to deal with colder temperatures around 7°C (low to mid 40s °F) and often-dreary skies but it will just be you and the locals.

How to Stay Safe in Zagreb

Zagreb is a safe place to backpack and travel — even if you’re traveling solo or are a solo female traveler. Take your normal precautions while in Zagreb but generally, the Croatian capital is very safe. Violent crimes are rare. Pickpocketing and petty theft might be the most common danger, but even that isn’t as frequent as in other European metropolises.

That said, always keep your valuables secure and out of sight when out and about. It’s just a good habit.

Solo female travelers should feel safe here, though the standard precautions apply (never leave your drink unattended at the bar, avoid walking home alone if you’ve been drinking, etc.). For more tips, check out one of the many solo female travel blogs about the city. They can provide specific tips.

While scams here are rare, you can read about common travel scams to avoid right here .

If you do experience an emergency, dial 112 for assistance.

Always trust your gut instinct. Make copies of your personal documents, including your passport and ID. Forward your itinerary along to loved ones so they’ll know where you are.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance protects you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you:

Zagreb Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• HostelPass – This new card gives you up to 20% off hostels throughout Europe. It’s a great way to save money. They’re constantly adding new hostels too. I’ve always wanted something like this and glad it finallt exists.
• Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
• The Man in Seat 61 – This website is the ultimate guide to train travel anywhere in the world. They have the most comprehensive information on routes, times, prices, and train conditions. If you are planning a long train journey or some epic train trip, consult this site.
• Rome2Rio – This website allows you to see how to get from point A to point B the best and cheapest way possible. It will give you all the bus, train, plane, or boat routes that can get you there as well as how much they cost.
• FlixBus – Flixbus has routes between 20 European countries with prices starting as low 5 EUR! Their buses include WiFi, electrical outlets, a free checked bag.
• SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
• LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
• Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
• Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!

Zagreb Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more info? Check out all the articles I’ve written on Croatia travel and continue planning your trip:

The 6 Best Hotels in Dubrovnik

Where to Stay in Dubrovnik: The Best Neighborhoods for Your Visit

The 5 Best Hostels in Split, Croatia

The 8 Best Hostels in Dubrovnik

Croatia is Underappreciated

Croatia Itineraries: From One Week to a Month!

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• Booking Resources
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Zagreb Travel Guide: The Best Things to Do in Croatia’s Capital!

Continuing our travels in Croatia , our next stop after a week on the Istrian Peninsula was Zagreb for a change of scenery. As far as capital cities go, Zagreb was quite small and walkable, which made it perfect for a short city break.

The attractions were all clustered together in the Upper Town or Lower Town, and there was also a wonderful selection of restaurants – one where we feasted on all things truffle! – so even though I was sad to be leaving the coast, we still had a good time.

Here’s a little recap of our time in the capital with a few travel tips and suggestions for your own trip :

Go on a walk around the Lower Town

Since we were staying in the Lower Town, this is an area that we got to know pretty well. Ban Jelačić Square is the central square in the Lower Town and the area was full of markets, so this was a very lively place almost every minute of the day.

We passed through here a lot and especially enjoyed the artisanal market where you could buy things like pastries, deli meats, honey, jams, and all sorts of artisanal products.

However, this wasn’t the only outdoor market in the city . Just around the corner from the main square, we had the Flower Market filled with the most colourful blooms, and steps from there we had the Central Market, which had stands overflowing with fresh fruits and vegetables – a fun place to buy your groceries if you’re in town for a few days!

Ride up Zagreb 360 for city views

Another spot we visited in the Lower Town was Zagreb 360.

The building itself may be a bit of an eyesore, but if you ride the elevator up to the 16th floor, you are greeted with views of the whole city.

The terrace is barred to keep visitors safe, so don’t think you’ll be getting any amazing selfies up there, but you can fit your camera in between the bars to get some nice scenic shots .

We went up Zagreb 360 for about 10-15 minutes to snap some photos and get a lay of the land, but they do have a bar and cafe if you feel like lingering there a bit longer.

Tip:  If you want to photograph the Upper Town, you’ll get your best shots in the afternoon.

Step inside Zagreb Cathedral

Zagreb Cathedral is one the city’s main landmarks. This is said to be the largest sacral building in the Gothic style southeast of the Alps , and it’s pretty easy to spot the spires wherever you are in the city.

Inside the cathedral, you can also find the tomb of Cardinal Alojzije Stepinac, which draws many pilgrims.

When we were exiting the cathedral we noticed a round medieval tower to our right so we decided to have a quick look.

It turns out they had an exhibition called “Golden Threads”   showcasing religious tapestries and garments.

The exhibition was small but they had some interesting items, so it’s worth popping in if you’re already in the area.

Plus admission was free of charge, though donations were welcome.

Then walk to the Upper Town

After visiting the Lower Town, we slowly made our way to the Upper Town.

We found it a relatively easy walk, with lots of little courtyards and side streets to peruse, so it’s not strenuous by any means despite what the name may lead you to believe.

The first landmark we reached as we reached at the start of the Upper Town was the Stone Gate, which used to be t he eastern gate into the medieval settlement.

The gate may not look  like much from the outside, but once you enter, you’ll see that it houses a small chapel. 

The story goes that the fire of 1731 destroyed the gate, but when the fire and smoke subsided, it appeared that the one thing had survived: a painting of Virgin Mary with Jesus. This was seen as a miracle, so a chapel was built within the gate complete with pews.

As you enter the Upper Town, you’ll likely come across people who are here to pray, light candles, and offer thanks for answered prayers – the walls of the chapel are covered in messages of gratitude.

There are plenty of attractions once you reach the Upper Town, which I will cover shortly, but firstly I’ll mention that there are some really nice views of the Lower Town when you reach the treelined promenade, which also happens to make for a lovely walk.

Tip:  If you want to save your legs, there’s a funicular that connects the Lower Town to the Upper Town. If you take the funicular up, consider walking down so that you don’t miss the Stone Gate.

Visit the Museum of Broken Relationships

And now let’s talk about one of the most unusual and memorable museums I have ever visited.

Located in the Upper Town, the Museum of Broken Relationships chronicles broken relationships from around the world with objects that held a special meaning for the two parties involved.

The objects range from a champagne bottle cap and red heels to playing cards and an axe.

Alone, these objects may not say much, but each of them is accompanied by a note that chronicles the object’s relevance and how the relationship ended.

Some pieces are merely a couple of lines, while others are essays – some are humorous, some are hopeful, and others are downright tragic.

If you only have time for one museum in Zagreb, or even if you never visit museums, this one is worth the visit .

The Museum of Broken Relationships also accepts to submissions, so if you have a story to share and a unique object that goes with it, you can do so on their website.

Address:  Ćirilometodska  ulica  2

Marvel at the colourful roof of St. Mark’s

Once you’re in the Upper Town, it won’t take you too long to find St. Mark’s Church. It’s super easy to identify as it has the most colourful roof in the city !

Though the church dates back to the 13th-century, it’s tiled roof was constructed in 1880 and it bears two emblems: on the left side, you have the medieval coat of arms of Croatia, Dalmatia and Slavonia, and on the right side, you have the emblem of Zagreb.

We managed to reach the church when it was closed (I later found out that the church is only open for Mass), but the main doors were open meaning you could have a peek at the interior from the anteroom.

Tip:  If you happen to visit St. Mark’s Church between late April and October, you can catch the guard-changing ceremony right outside the church every Saturday and Sunday at noon.

Eat all the truffle dishes at Fotić

Moving on to food, Sam and I had one unforgettable meal in Zagreb and that was at Fotić.

This restaurant specializes in Croatian dishes with a small but changing menu, and on this particular day, there were 4 main dishes on offer featuring prosciutto and black truffles. That was all the convincing I needed!

We sat down at the table, where I ordered the polenta with black truffles and it was one of my favourite meals in Croatia !

The polenta looked like it had been baked and then sliced into semi-circles, and then in between each slice of polenta, I had 3 pieces of chopped purple cabbage that had been grilled and drizzled with truffle oil.

Once I had my meal in front of me, the waiter then took a black truffle in hand a grated it over the meal.

Sam ordered the risotto with prosciutto, pine nuts, and black truffles.

Once his dish was ready, the waiter came to the table with the pot of risotto in hand and plated the dish right in front of Sam. He then asked Sam if he’d like some cheese and grated some on his plate as we watched it slowly melt over the risotto.

But that was not all; then he took a truffle just like he’d done with mine, and freshly sliced it over the dish. It was amazing! The risotto was rich and creamy, and the flavours were only enhanced by the prosciutto and the truffles.

Truffles are a bit of a luxury item, so I couldn’t believe how generous they were with it. It was a fantastic meal, made all the better by two glasses of red wine to go along with it!

Address: Gajeva ulica 25

Go restaurant hopping on Tkalciceva Street

And speaking of food, another place you can hit up for all your food and beverage needs is Tkalciceva Street.

This pedestrian street has the highest concentration of bars and cafes in all of Croatia , with plenty of outdoor seating.

We visited in late October, and even though the weather was decidedly cool, people were still flocking to the outdoor cafes for some people watching with a drink in hand.

Walk the Green Horseshoe

Lastly, we also walked the Green Horseshoe, sometimes referred to as the Lenuci’s Horseshoe.

This park was named after Milan Lenuci who came up with the idea of creating connected green spaces right in Zagreb’s downtown.

The horseshoe is home to several museums, galleries, archives, fountains and even the Botanical Gardens so it also makes for a fun way to explore the city on foot.

Zagreb is a fun city to explore as part of a bigger Croatia trip; here are a few different Croatia travel itineraries to consider depending on what you’re after!

Where we stayed in Zagreb

We rented an apartment in the Lower Town just a few blocks from the main square, but there are also plenty of hotels and hostels to choose from depending on your budget.

Luxury:  Esplanade Zagreb Hotel , Sheraton Zagreb Hotel , The Westin Zagreb

Mid-range: Hotel Jagerhorn , Garden Hotel , ZigZag Zagreb

Budget: Chillout Hostel , Hostel Shappy , Main Square Hostel

Zagreb Travel Guide

Now for a video of our time in Zagreb to really bring this city to life!

Have you been to Zagreb? What are your favourite places in the city?

I really liked Zagreb (even though it rained the whole time I was there!) I agree about the museum of broken relationships, it’s a must do for everyone who visits the city. I loved the Cathedral and the stone gate too. Did you visit the art park? I it’s a great place to wander (although it’s quite small) and I liked the fact it was all made by people from the local area!

Looks beautifu! My best friend are I are doing a European adventure early next year and I’m think Zagrab might find its way onto our list of cities to visit. It looks lovely!

Don’t leave out the Hotel Dubrovnik. Eight of us stayed there two nights and LOVED it. Diane

Thanks for the Zagreb tips. We’re planning another European road trip this summer with the focus very much on Croatia. The Museum of Broken Relationships looks fascinating and very unique. I’m going to move on to your other Croatia posts to help with our overall itinerary. No doubt you’ll see other comments and questions!

Thanks again

That’s awesome! Wishing you a great trip to Croatia. 🙂

Thanks! An interesting review. I was in Dubrovnik, but Zagreb never visited. Gotta fix it!

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Zagreb, Croatia

Are you planning a visit to Zagreb? Look no further! This comprehensive Zagreb travel guide and blog has got you covered. Find all the information you need to plan your trip to Croatia’s vibrant capital city here. Our articles cover various topics, including general information about Zagreb, detailed transportation guides, recommendations for the best places to stay, and food and drink suggestions. Skip the intro and go directly to the articles!

We also provide insights into the top activities and attractions that Zagreb has to offer. Whether you’re into relaxed sightseeing tours or thrilling outdoor adventures, we’ve got something for everyone. To simplify your trip planning, we’ve included complete itineraries and practical travel advice to ensure a seamless and delightful journey.

Our goal is to help you plan your Zagreb trip with ease. However, if you still have any unanswered questions, please feel free to email us. We’re always here to assist you. So what are you waiting for? Dive into each topic of your interest by clicking on the links below, and get ready to embark on an unforgettable adventure in Zagreb!

10 Must-Visit Zagreb Museums

Zagreb, Croatia, is a vibrant and cultural city with a rich history and heritage. Zagreb Museums are among the best places to explore this city, offering a glimpse into its past, present, and future.

Advent in Zagreb: The 8 Best Christmas Markets in Zagreb

One of the highlights of visiting Zagreb during the winter season is experiencing its famous Christmas markets, known also as Advent in Zagreb.

Where to stay in Zagreb

Zagreb is the capital city of Croatia and a great place to start your Croatian trip. If you too are visiting the Croatian capital city but don’t know where to stay in Zagreb, we share here the best areas to stay in Zagreb and the best Zagreb accommodations in each of these Zagreb neighborhoods.

20 Cafes to Have Brunch in Zagreb

Are you looking for a good spot to have brunch in Zagreb? Well, you are at the right place! In our ultimate Zagreb brunch list, we share a collection of the 20 best cafes in Zagreb to eat brunch and breakfast.

Car Rental Zagreb Croatia

Starting your visit to Croatia in Zagreb and planning on renting a car in Zagreb to visit the rest of the country?

If you are flying into Croatia, the chances you will fly into Zagreb Airport are pretty high. So, more often than not, Zagreb is the entry point for the majority of visitors to Croatia who arrives in the country by plane. People rent a car in Zagreb and head south to Dalmatia, or southwest to Istria.

Popular restaurants in Zagreb to have lunch

If you are visiting Zagreb and looking for a place to have lunch, look no further! We bring you below a list of locals’ favorite lunch spots in Zagreb.

Zagreb Travel Guide

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The Croatian capital, Zagreb, is very much Central Europe’s surprise package, a preconception-challenging city that combines the gritty urban culture of northern Europe with the laidback manners of the Mediterranean south. It has always been a somewhat more arty, quirky and creative place than its tourist-deluged cousins on Croatia’s coast – it’s just that Adriatic-bound travellers never paid it enough attention until now. Always home to a thriving scene of alternative music, edgy fashions and addictively eccentric bars, Zagreb is currently enjoying something of a moment, with a sudden increase in the number of things that make a city really purr, including more good places to eat and a festival-driven sense that things are happening in the arts. The relative absence of international franchises in the centre (and the ubiquity of small cafés serving good strong coffee) make Zagreb something of a collector’s item among connoisseurs of Central European authenticity, a city pursuing its own, idiosyncratic path.

Brief history of Zagreb

Accommodation in zagreb, where to eat in zagreb, drinking in zagreb, nightlife and entertainment in zagreb, shopping in zagreb, trg bana jelacica and around.

• Zagreb's Lower Town
• Zagreb's Suburbs

Mount Medvednica

Although capital of an independent Croatia only since 1991, Zagreb has served as the cultural and political focus of the nation since the Middle Ages. The city grew out of two medieval communities, Kaptol to the east and Gradec to the west, each sited on a hill and divided by a (long since dried up) river. Zagreb grew rapidly in the nineteenth century, and many of the city’s buildings are well-preserved, peach-coloured monuments to the self-esteem of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Nowadays, with a population reaching almost one million, the city is the boisterous capital of a turbulent, changing nation. A number of good museums and a varied nightlife ensure that a few days here will be well spent.

Just one word of advice: don’t expect too much excitement in August, when locals head for the coast and the whole city seems to indulge in a month-long siesta.

Tailor-made travel itineraries for Croatia, created by local experts

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Gorgeous gems of Hungary, Slovenia and Croatia

From the spas of Budapest to Lake Bled with its castle and further on to Croatia - this itinerary takes you across 3 countries, with a special focus on Slovenia's lake area and the Dalmatian coast in Croatia.

10 days  / from 2800 USD

Sailing Croatia

If you want to experience the Dalmatian coast from a whole different perspective, then this trip is for you! Hop aboard a beautiful cruiser and sail along some of Croatia's most stunning islands.

10 days  / from 2327 USD

Southern Pearls

This ten-day trip will take you around three adjacent countries, Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, and Montenegro. Your tour starts in Split, Croatia, moving south (hence the name "Southern Pearls") over the island of Hvar and Mostar in Bosnia & Herzegovina to end up in Montenegro.

Despite evidence of Iron Age settlements on top of Gradec hill, the history of Zagreb doesn’t really start until 1094, when Ladislas I of Hungary established a bishopric here in order to bring the northern Croatian lands under tighter Hungarian control. A large ecclesiastical community grew up around the cathedral and its girdle of episcopal buildings on Kaptol (which roughly translates as “cathedral chapter”), while the Hungarian Crown retained a garrison opposite on Gradec. Following the Mongol incursions of 1240–42, King Bela IV declared Gradec a royal free town in order to attract settlers and regenerate urban life.

The communities of Kaptol and Gradec rarely got on – control of the watermills on the river dividing them was a constant source of enmity. The biggest outbreak of intercommunal fighting occurred in 1527, culminating in the sacking of Kaptol by the Habsburgs – who were now in control of Croatian lands. Henceforth the separate identities of Kaptol and Gradec began to disappear, and the name Zagreb (meaning, literally, “behind the hill” – a reference to the town’s position at the foot of Mount Medvednica) entered popular usage as a collective name for both.

Under the Habsburgs

By the end of the sixteenth century the Ottoman Empire was in control of much of Croatia, reducing the country to a northern enclave with Zagreb at its centre. Despite hosting sessions of the (largely ceremonial) Croatian parliament, Zagreb increasingly became a provincial outpost of the Habsburg Empire, and the Croatian language was displaced by German, Hungarian and Latin. It wasn’t until the mid-nineteenth century that the growth of a Croatian national consciousness confirmed Zagreb’s status as guardian of national culture. The establishment of an academy of arts and sciences (1866), a university (1874) and a national theatre (1890) gave the city a growing sense of cultural identity, although ironically it was a German, the architect Hermann Bollé (1845–1926), creator of the School of Arts and Crafts, Mirogoj Cemetery and Zagreb Cathedral, who contributed most to the city’s visual profile.

Yugoslavia into the present

With the creation of Yugoslavia in 1918, political power shifted from Vienna to Belgrade – a city that most Croats considered an underdeveloped Balkan backwater. Things improved significantly after World War II, when Croatia was given the status of a socialist republic and Zagreb became the seat of its government. A major period of architectural change came in the 1950s and 1960s, when ambitious mayor Većeslav Holjevac presided over the city’s southward expansion, and the vast concrete residential complexes of Novi Zagreb were born. The city survived the collapse of Yugoslavia relatively unscathed, despite being hit by sporadic Serbian rocket attacks.

Zagreb has fared much better than many Croatian cities in the slump-boom-slump cycle that has characterized the post-independence economy. As well as being the commercial capital of the country it is also the undisputed centre of cultural life, boasting the kind of concert seasons, venues and arts festivals that most other Croatian municipalities would die for.

While Zagreb is well served with medium- and top-range hotels, budget choices are relatively thin on the ground and should be reserved well in advance. There is a growing number of backpacker hostels, many of which offer private double rooms as well as bunk beds in dorms. Zagreb tourist office has a list of locals offering private rooms or apartments in the city centre.

Once rather conservative in culinary terms, Zagreb is now brimming with bistros and restaurants that mix the best in Croatian grilled meats and fish with a growing enthusiasm for experimentation and fusion. Cafés are absolutely everywhere, and although most of them only serve drinks, an increasing number offer light meals, cakes and ice cream. For snacks, there are a good number of bakeries and sandwich bars in the central area, while picnic supplies can be purchased from the stalls of Dolac market, just above the main Trg bana Jelačića.

There’s a wealth of café-bars with outdoor seating in central Zagreb, especially in the pedestrianized section around Bogovićeva and Preradovićev trg. The other main strolling district is Tkalčićeva, just north of Trg bana Jelačića, which, with a watering hole every few metres, takes on the appearance of a vast outdoor bar on summer evenings. Saturday morning is the traditional time for meeting friends and lingering over a coffee, although downtown areas remain busy day and night, seven days a week, if the weather is good enough for alfresco drinking. Larger cafés may offer a range of pastries, ice creams and cakes, but the smaller establishments focus squarely on drinking – so don’t expect to find much in the way of food.

Zagreb offers the rich and varied diet of entertainment that you would expect from a metropolis of one million people. There’s a regular diet of classical music, theatre and club culture throughout the year, and top international performers are increasingly drawn to the city’s ever-expanding range of high-profile festivals. Note that arts events tend to thin out in July and August, when there’s more in the way of cultural activity on the coast. Extensive entertainment listings appear in the free monthly English-language pamphlet Events and Performances, available from the Zagreb tourist office.

Clubs and live music

Zagreb is one of Central Europe’s liveliest cities when it comes to DJ-driven club music and live alternative rock. Most activity takes place during the student year (roughly late Sept to late June), and most clubs take a summer break in July and August. Clubs are not necessarily open every night of the week, so check websites or ask around before heading out to the less central ones. Gig listings are available on last.fm and muzika.hr . Admission charges for clubs and gigs range between 30Kn and 80Kn – more for big events.

Zagreb festivals

Zagreb’s impressive menu of cultural events includes a range of festivals that attract prestigious international participants. Most of these have their own websites; otherwise, advance information can be obtained from the Zagreb tourist office .

• Zagrebdox - Late February/early March. Impressive survey of international documentary films a week of screenings in venues across the city.
• Subversive Film Festival - April or May. Not just a film festival but also a series of discussions and debates focusing on left/radical issues; it tends to attract big international names.
• Festival of the European Short Story (Festival Evropske kratke priče) - Late May/early June. Readings, panel discussions and drink-fuelled party evenings involving top authors from Croatia and abroad. Some readings are in English; others come with big-screen English translation.
• Contemporary Dance Week (Tjedan suvremenog plesa) - May/June. Varied, often challenging programme of modern choreography from around the globe, held in various venues across the city.
• Cest is de best - Late May/early June. Week-long festival of street performers augmented by a big range of live music, taking place on outdoor stages positioned throughout the city centre.
• Animafest - June. Zagreb was a major centre of animated film in the 1950s and Animafest helps to put the city back on the map, with a review of the year’s best animation from Croatia and abroad.
• Strossmartre (Ljeto na Strosu) - Late May to early Sept. Season of open-air concerts and events in Zagreb’s Upper Town, with nightly happenings all summer long.
• InMusic - Late June. Three-day rock-and-pop fest on the shores of Lake Jarun with three stages, early-morning DJ tents and plenty of food and drink. Guests in recent years have included Kraftwerk, Franz Ferdinand, Arcade Fire and many more. Camping available.
• Fantastic Zagreb - Late June/early July. Fantasy, sci-fi, noir and cult trash cinema, celebrated with screenings in outdoor locations.
• Dan D (“D Day”) - July. Weekend-long design festival with stalls, shows and DJ events, usually held in one of Zagreb’s numerous semi-deserted postindustrial spaces.
• Courtyards (Dvorišta) - July. The semi-hidden courtyard spaces of the Upper Town are opened up to the public in a ten-day festival of live music, wine and food.
• International Festival of Puppet Theatre (Međunarodni festival kazališta lutaka) - Sept. A great chance to catch some of the best puppet productions from all over Central and Eastern Europe, with shows for both kids and adults.
• World Theatre Festival (Festival svjetskog kazališta) - mid-Sept. Big names in international contemporary drama.
• Zagreb Film Festival - October. Initiated in 2003 and attracting outstanding documentaries and art movies from around the world.

You can find international brands aplenty in the brash suburban shopping malls girdling the city, but the real pleasure of retail culture in Zagreb lies in trawling the markets, with fresh food at Dolac, bric-a-brac at Britanski trg and flea-junk at Hrelić. In addition, the alleys and courtyards around Ilica, Radićeva and Tkalčićeva harbour all manner of craft stores, jewellery shops and kooky designer boutiques.

A broad, flagstoned expanse flanked by cafés and hectic with the whizz of trams and hurrying pedestrians, Trg bana Jelačića (Governor Jelačić Square) is as good a place as any to start exploring the city, and is within easy walking distance of more or less everything you’ll want to see. It’s also the biggest tram stop in Zagreb, standing at the intersection of seven cross-town routes, and the place where half the city seems to meet in the evening – either beneath the ugly clock mounted on metal stilts on the western side of the square, or right on the corner of the square and Gajeva (a corner colloquially known as “Krleža” after the bookshop that once stood here).

At the square’s centre is the attention-hogging equestrian statue of the nineteenth-century Ban of Croatia, Josip Jelačić, completed in 1866 by the Viennese sculptor Fernkorn just as the Habsburg authorities were beginning to erode the semi-autonomy which Jelačić had won for the nation. The square was renamed Trg republike in 1945 and the statue – considered a potential rallying point for Croatian nationalism – was dismantled on the night of July 25, 1947. Its constituent parts were stored away in a basement until 1990, when it was restored to its rightful place – although the statue now faces in a different direction to that intended. Originally positioned with Jelačić’s drawn sabre pointing north (a gesture of defiance to the Austro-Hungarian imperial order), it now points southwards, as if to emphasize the historic rupture between Croatia and her Balkan neighbours.

Cvjetni trg

Throbbing heart of Zagreb’s pavement-café culture, pedestrianized Preradovićev trg, is referred to by most locals as Cvjetni trg (Flower Square), after the flower market that used to be held here until the area was cleaned up in the 1980s – a few sanitized florists’ pavilions still survive. Watching over the scene is Ivan Rendić’s 1895 statue of Petar Preradović (1818–72), a general in the Austro-Hungarian army who wrote some of the Croatian language’s most evocative romantic poetry. Behind the statue rises the grey form of the Serbian Orthodox Church (Pravoslavna crkva), an unassuming nineteenth-century building whose candlelit, icon-filled interior, heavy with the smell of incense, is worth a quick peek. Cvijetni trg’s coffee-drinking culture extends eastwards along Bogovićeva, the animated pedestrianized street boasting an unbroken strip of café terraces.

Arguably the prettiest single street in the city, pedestrianized Tkalčićeva preserves a neat ensemble of the one- and two-storey, steep-roofed nineteenth-century houses that have largely disappeared elsewhere. Most of the street’s low-ceilinged mansions are now occupied by the youthful café-bars that have transformed Tkalčićeva into one of the city’s prime drinking areas. In the first half of the twentieth century the whole area had a somewhat darker reputation, when Kožarska, the alleyway which runs parallel to Tkalčićeva to the west, served as the city’s red-light district, “reeking of debauchery, adultery, crime, drunkenness, and promiscuity”, in the words of diarist and novelist Miroslav Krleža. It was so popular with Hitler’s soldiers in World War II that the city authorities had to put up signs in German banning military personnel from entering. Also leading off to the west of Tkalčićeva is Krvavi most (“Bloody Bridge” – a reminder of the often violent disputes between Gradec and Kaptol), a street that links up with Radićeva, offering a short cut up to Gradec.

The Grounded Sun and Nine Views

Presiding mutely over the pavement cafés of Bogovićeva is the Grounded Sun (Prizemljeno sunce), a bronze sphere created by sculptor Ivan Kožarić in 1971 and placed here in 1994. Despite being tarnished by the elements and covered with graffiti, it remains one of Zagreb’s best-loved pieces of public art. In the mid-2000s conceptual artist Davor Preis decided to supply Kožarić’s sun with an accompanying installation entitled Nine Views, with metal spheres symbolizing the nine planets placed throughout Zagreb at distances that are in exact proportion to those of the real solar system. Thus Mercury appears as a tiny metal ball attached to the wall of a building at Margaretska 3, while Venus (Trg bana Jelačića 3), Earth (Varšavska 9) and Mars (Tkalčićeva 25) appear equally insignificant. The remaining planets are much further out in areas of Zagreb that you wouldn’t normally ever want to visit – culminating with Pluto, in a pedestrian underpass beneath the highway to Samobor. That said, tracing the solar system has become a highly popular form of urban safari – consult Zagreb tourist office or Preis’s own website ( daworp.com ) for further details.

Occupying a large terrace overlooking Trg bana Jelačića is Dolac, the city’s principal market. This feast of fruit, vegetables and meat is held every morning, but is at its liveliest on Thursdays and Fridays, when fresh Adriatic fish bring extra colour to the seafood pavilion. Indoor market halls lie underneath the main outdoor section, with stalls selling all manner of bread, sausages, cured hams and cheeses.

Northeast of Trg bana Jelačića, the filigree spires of Zagreb’s cathedral mark the edge of the district known as Kaptol, home to the city’s Catholic institutions and still patrolled by pious citizens and nuns of various orders. The area consists of little more than one long street – initially called Kaptol, later becoming Nova ves in its northern reaches – and the cathedral itself ( katedrala ), at its southern end, the district’s only arresting feature. Ringed by ivy-cloaked turrets, the cathedral is almost wholly neo-Gothic, having been rebuilt by Viennese architects Friedrich von Schmidt and Hermann Bollé after a catastrophic earthquake in 1880. Most of the money and creative endeavour were invested in the two spires, the big architectural statement it was felt a growing city like Zagreb needed.

Gradec (or more colloquially “Grič”) is the oldest and most atmospheric part of Zagreb, a leafy, tranquil area of tiny streets, small squares and Baroque palaces, whose mottled brown roofs peek out from the hill. The most leisurely approach is to take the funicular (uspinjača), which ascends from Tomićeva, an alleyway about 200m west of Trg bana Jelačića; alternatively, wander up the gentle gradient of Radićeva towards the Kamenita vrata, or “stone gate”, which originally formed the main eastern entrance to the town. Inside Kamenita vrata – actually more of a long curving tunnel than a gate – lies one of Zagreb’s most popular shrines, a simple sixteenth-century statue of the Virgin in a grille-covered niche. Miraculous powers have been attributed to the statue, largely on account of its surviving a fire in 1731 – a couple of benches inside the gate accommodate passing city folk eager to offer a quick prayer.

Museum of Broken Relationships

For a voyage into the more tumescent recesses of the human psyche then there are few better starting points than Zagreb’s Museum of Broken Relationships (Muzej prekinutih veza), the celebrated art installation that became a permanently grounded museum in 2010. It started out as an exhibit at the Zagreb Salon of 2006, at which co-creators Olinka Vištica and Dražen Grubišić (themselves a former item) displayed a collection of objects connected with all aspects of break-up, many of which were donated by friends with a story to tell. The exhibit struck an instant chord with the public, and became an international travelling exhibition, adding to its collection as more and more people donated meaningful mementoes.

Now located on the ground floor of Gradec’s Kulmer Palace, it’s a compelling and unique museum of wistful memory and raw emotion. Each exhibit is accompanied by a text explaining why it was significant to the donor – some are touching, others quite kinky, and a few belong to the obsessive world of a David Lynch movie. The broken relationships in question aren’t always what one expects; one member of the public donated the hands of his favourite mannequin, another an oil painting of a politician who failed to deliver. Among the most poignant exhibits is a comic book purchased after a particular break-up – because the ex-boyfriend in question had departed leaving nothing to be remembered by.

It is also one of the few Zagreb museums that has a genuinely cute café and a well-patronized shop: Bad Memory Eraser pencil rubbers are among the big sellers.

Zagreb's Lower Town

South of the Upper Town, the modern Lower Town (Donji grad) is a bit of a sprawl, with grey office blocks and apartment buildings surrounding the occasional example of imposing Habsburg-era architecture. Breaking the urban uniformity is a series of interconnected garden squares, laid out from the 1870s onwards, which gives the downtown area a U-shaped succession of promenading areas and parks. Known as Lenuci’s Horseshoe (Lenucijeva podkova) after Milan Lenuci, the city planner responsible for its layout, this was a deliberate attempt to give Zagreb a distinctive urban identity, providing it with public spaces bordered by the set-piece institutions – galleries, museums and theatres – that it was thought every modern city should have. The horseshoe was never finished, though, and it’s unlikely you’ll follow the full U-shaped itinerary intended by Lenuci. The first of the horseshoe’s two main series of squares starts with Trg Nikole Šubića Zrinskog – usually referred to as Zrinjevac – which begins a block south of Trg bana Jelačića; to the west of Zrinjevac is the second line of squares, culminating with Trg maršala Tita. To the south are the Botanical Gardens , which were intended to provide the final green link between the two arms of the horseshoe, but didn’t quite manage it: several characterless downtown blocks prevent it from joining Tomislavov trg to the east.

Nikola Tesla (1856–1943)

Born the son of a Serbian Orthodox priest in the village of Smiljan, just outside Gospić, Nikola Tesla went on to become the Leonardo da Vinci of the electronic age. He studied in Graz and Prague before working for telephone companies in Budapest and Paris, and in 1884 emigrated to the US where he found work with Thomas Edison – the pair allegedly fell out when Edison promised to reward Tesla with a US$50,000 bonus for improving his electricity generators, then failed to pay up.

After working for a time as a manual labourer, Tesla set up his own company and dedicated himself to the development of alternating current – a system that is now standard throughout the world. With financial support from American company Westinghouse, Tesla demonstrated his innovations at the Chicago World Fair in 1893, becoming an international celebrity in the process.

In 1899 Tesla moved to Colorado Springs, where he built an enormous high-frequency generator (the “Tesla Coil”), with which he hoped to transmit electric energy in huge waves around the earth. Photographs of Tesla’s tall, wiry figure using the coil to produce vast electronic discharges helped turn the inventor into one of the iconic figures of modern science.

Tesla also pioneered the development of long-range radio-wave transmissions, but failed to demonstrate his innovations publicly and was scooped by Giuglielmo Marconi, who successfully sent wireless messages across the Atlantic in 1902. The US patent office credited Marconi as the inventor of radio – a decision overturned in Tesla’s favour in 1943.

Official recognition eluded Tesla throughout his career. In 1915 the Nobel committee considered awarding their science prize jointly to Tesla and Thomas Edison, but changed their minds on discovering that the pair were too vain to share it. Tesla’s failure to capitalize on his inventions owed a lot to his secretive nature. His habit of announcing discoveries without providing any supporting evidence led many to see him as a crank. He claimed to have received signals from outer space, and to be working on an “egeodynamic oscillator”, whose vibrations would be enough to destroy large buildings. On Tesla’s death in 1943, the FBI confiscated the scientist’s papers, prompting all kinds of speculation about the secret weapons that Tesla may or may not have been working on.

Tesla remains the subject of fascination for Croats and Serbs alike (he is one of the few historical figures whose legacy they share), and Tesla-related museum displays in Zagreb, Belgrade and his home village of Smiljan are becoming ever more popular.

Zagreb's Suburbs

Zagreb’s sightseeing potential is largely exhausted once you’ve covered the compact centre, although there are a few worthwhile trips into the suburbs – all of which are easily accessible by tram or bus. Maksimir, Jarun and Mirogoj cemetery are the park-like expanses to aim for if you want a break from the downtown streets, while the Sava river embankment presents the ideal excuse for a long afternoon stroll. South of the river, the residential high-rise sprawl of Novi Zagreb is home to the city’s coolest cultural attraction – the Museum of Contemporary Art.

Maksimir Park

Three kilometres east of the centre, Maksimir Park is Zagreb’s largest and lushest open space. Named after Archbishop Maximilian Vrhovac, who in 1774 established a small public garden in the southwestern corner of today’s park, Maksimir owes much to his successors Aleksandar Alagović and Juraj Haulik, who imported the idea of the landscaped country park from England. It’s perfect for aimless strolling, with the straight-as-an-arrow, tree-lined avenues at its southwestern end giving way to more densely forested areas in its northern reaches. As well as five lakes, the park is dotted with follies, including a mock Swiss chalet (Švicarska kuća) and a spruced-up belvedere (vidikovac), housing a café which gets mobbed on fine Sunday afternoons. One of Zagreb’s best-equipped children’s play parks can be found here, about five minutes’ walk from the main entrance, just off the main avenue to the left.

The Lauba House

Cloaked in a sheath of matt black on the outside, and boasting a wealth of wrought iron and exposed brickwork within, the expensively restored former cavalry stable and textile factory that is the Lauba House (Kuća Lauba), 4km west of the centre, is Zagreb’s leading private art collection. It’s the brainchild of Tomislav Kličko (the name “lauba” is local dialect in Kličko’s home village for a circle of tree branches), who systematically bought up the works of Croatia’s leading artists at a time when few other individuals were making acquisitions. Unsurprisingly, Kličko ended up with the cream. Occupying centre stage in a regularly rotated collection are the figurative paintings of Lovro Artuković, light installations by Ivana Franke and the glitzy but disturbing sculptures and photographs of Kristian Kožul.

On sunny days, city folk head out to Jarun, a 2km-long artificial lake encircled by footpaths and cycling tracks 6km southwest of the centre. Created to coincide with Zagreb’s hosting of the 1987 World Student Games, it’s an important venue for rowing competitions, with a large spectator stand at the western end, although most people come here simply to stroll or sunbathe. The best spot for the latter is Malo jarunsko jezero at Jarun’s eastern end, a bay sheltered from the rest of the lake by a long thin island. Here you’ll find a shingle beach backed by outdoor cafés, several of which remain open until the early hours. This is a good place from which to clamber up onto the dyke that runs along the banks of the River Sava, providing a good vantage point from which to survey the cityscape of Novi Zagreb beyond.

Novi Zagreb

Spread over the plain on the southern side of the River Sava, Novi Zagreb (New Zagreb) is a vast gridiron of housing projects and multilane highways, conceived by ambitious urban planners in the 1960s. The central part of the district is not that bad a place to live: swaths of park help to break up the architectural monotony, and each residential block has a clutch of bars and pizzerias in which to hang out. Outlying areas have far fewer facilities, however, and possess the aura of half-forgotten dormitory settlements on which the rest of Zagreb has turned its back.

The Museum of Contemporary Art

Opened to the public in 2009, the Museum of Contemporary Art (Muzej suvremene umjetnosti) has established itself as the leading art institution in the region. Taking the form of an angular wave on concrete stilts, the Igor Franić-designed building is a deliberate reference to the meandering motif developed by Croatian abstract artist Julije Knifer (1924–2004) and repeated – with minor variations – in almost all of his paintings. The interior is a bit of a meander too, with open-plan exhibition halls and a frequently rotated permanent collection that highlights home-grown movements without presenting them in chronological order. The whole thing demonstrates just how far at the front of the contemporary pack Croatian art always was, although it’s a difficult story for first-time visitors to unravel.

Things you should look out for include the jazzy abstract paintings produced by Exat 51 (a group comprising Vlado Kristl, Ivan Picelj and Aleksandar Srnec) in the 1950s, which show how postwar Croatian artists escaped early from communist cultural dictates and established themselves firmly at the forefront of the avant-garde. Look out too for photos of it’s-all-in-the-name-of-art streakers such as Tomislav Gotovac (1937–2010) and Vlasta Delimar (1956–), who either ran or rode naked through the centre of Zagreb on various occasions, putting Croatia on the international performance-art map in the process. Works by understated iconoclasts Goran Trbuljak, Sanja Iveković and Mladen Stilinović reinforce Croatia’s reputation for the art of the witty, ironic statement. The museum’s international collection takes in Mirosław Bałka’s Eyes of Purification (a mysterious concrete shed outside the front entrance), as well as Carsten Höller’s interactive toboggan tubes. A cinema, concert space and café provide additional reasons to visit.

Novi Zagreb has its own venue for outdoor recreation in the shape of the Bundek, a kidney-shaped lake surrounded by woodland and riverside meadow. Attractively landscaped and bestowed with foot- and cycle-paths, it’s an increasingly popular strolling and picnicking venue. Indeed Bundek is one of the best bets for keeping children entertained, with large, well-equipped children's play parks at either side of the lake. The area is also enormously popular with picnickers at weekends, thanks to the generous supply of light-your-own-fire barbecue stations spread out beneath the trees.

The wooded slopes of Mount Medvednica, or “Bear Mountain”, offer the easiest escape from the city, with the range’s highest peak, Sljeme (1033m), easily accessible on foot or by road. The summit is densely forested and the views from the top are not as impressive as you might expect, but the walking is good and there’s a limited amount of skiing in winter, when you can rent gear from shacks near the top.

Commanding a spur of the mountain southwest of the Sljeme summit is the fortress of Medvedgrad. It was built in the mid-thirteenth century at the instigation of Pope Innocent IV in the wake of Tatar attacks, although its defensive capabilities were never really tested and it was abandoned in 1571. Partially reconstructed, the fortress has since the 1990s been home to the Altar of the Homeland (Oltar domovine), an eternal flame surrounded by stone blocks. You can roam the castle’s ramparts, which enjoy panoramic views of Zagreb and the plain beyond.

However you arrive on Sljeme, its main point of reference is the TV transmission tower, built on the summit in 1980. The tower’s top floor originally housed a restaurant and viewing terrace, but the lifts broke down after three months and it’s been closed to the public ever since. A north-facing terrace near the foot of the tower provides good views of the low hills of the Zagorje, a rippling green landscape broken by red-roofed villages. Just west of here is the Tomislavov Dom hotel, home to a couple of cafés and a restaurant, below which you can pick up a trail to the medieval fortress of Medvedgrad (2hr). Alternatively you can follow signs southwest from Tomislavov Dom to the Grafičar mountain hut, some twenty minutes away, where there’s a café serving basic snacks.

Paths continue east along the ridge, emerging after about twenty minutes at the Puntijarka mountain refuge, one of many popular refreshment stops serving the traditional hiker’s fare, grah (bean soup).

Top image: St. Mark's Church in Zagreb © 9MOT/Shutterstock

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Things to Do in Zagreb: Hidden Gems & Travel Tips

Discover the best things to do in Zagreb with insider tips from a local! The vibrant capital of Croatia is one of the best stops on a journey through the Balkans: rich in history, culture and with a peaceful and pleasantly relaxed atmosphere, this city is a real gem. Nestled in the heart of the country, Zagreb is a compact city, boasting a picturesque medieval old town , wide boulevards and manicured gardens, and a wide choice of places to indulge in delicious local cuisine.

If you are planning to visit Zagreb, then in this guide you will find everything you need. We’ll take a closer look at some of the best things to do in Zagreb, from must-see landmarks to off-the-beaten-path gems that will give you an authentic glimpse into the city’s rich heritage. Whether you’re a history buff, a foodie, or an art lover, you’re sure to find something to suit your tastes in Zagreb. So pack your bags and get ready to discover all that this city has to offer!

What you will find in this guide to the best things to do in Zagreb:

Zagreb: Discover the Lively Capital of Croatia

Best things to do in zagreb: explore the upper town and the lower town, best things to do and see in zagreb, explore zagreb at its best with a guided tour, best day trips from zagreb, best places to eat in zagreb and local foods to try, how to get to zagreb.

Zagreb , the bustling capital of Croatia , is a pleasant and surprising little town. Despite being the country’s largest city, it has a compact historic center that’s easy to explore on foot in a day or two. Depending on your interests, in art, history or local gastronomy, you may want to spend more time visiting Zagreb, as the city also offers a selection of interesting museums , good restaurants and makes a great starting point for exploring the surrounding region, including some of Croatia’s biggest attractions, such as Plitvice Lakes .

Zagreb boasts an enormous cultural and historical heritage , and is home to a diverse array of architectural styles, from medieval to modern. The majestic avenues and beautiful gardens and parks of the Lower Town reflect the best of the Austro-Hungarian imperial architecture of the 1800s and early 1900s, while the Upper Town , perched on a hill north of the old town, is a medieval jewel.

The main thing to do in Zagreb is to visit its charming Old Town , known as Gornji Grad , which is home to many of the city’s most famous landmarks and attractions. The Old Town is a maze of narrow streets and alleys, filled with historic buildings, churches, and monuments, many of which date back to the medieval period. You can explore the Old Town on foot , or by taking advantage of the trams and buses that connect it with the suburbs around the Lower Town.

Don’t miss the city’s vibrant culture and arts scene, with its many museums and galleries, showcasing the work of local and international artists. Also, you could mix with the locals and experience the local coffee culture . Zagreb is also famous for its interesting food scene , with various tasty specialties that draw inspiration from Balkan, Mediterranean and Eastern European cuisine. And last but not least, you could experience the city’s nightlife , from trendy bars and clubs to traditional taverns and pubs.

Zagreb Upper Town

The two main districts that make up Zagreb’s city center differ mainly in the age of construction, so the architecture and atmosphere of one is quite different from that of the other. The oldest and most picturesque part is the Upper Town of Zagreb, also known as Gornji Grad , considered the heart of the historic district, nestled atop a hill.

This charming area is home to some of the city’s most iconic landmarks and some of the most interesting neighborhoods for visitors, starting with Kaptol and Gradec . Kaptol is the neighborhood that lies north of the large market square, called Dolac Market . Walking along Tkalčićeva Street (also called Ul. Ivana Tkalčića ) you will reach this quiet neighborhood that develops on a couple of parallel streets, around the Cathedral of Assumption .

The cathedral’s twin spiers tower over the surrounding buildings and can be seen from all over the city. The area is also a popular spot for tourists, as it is teeming with good restaurants and cafes. Continuing southwest, in the direction of the funicular , you reach one of the oldest areas of Zagreb: Gradec . Also known as the “Medieval Town” , this is the political and administrative center of the city, as well as the political heart of Croatia. In fact, here is the Parliament and the main government buildings.

This historic area is known for its well-preserved medieval architecture and winding cobblestone streets. Visitors can explore the famous St. Mark’s Church , which is adorned with colorful tiled roofs and a beautiful bell tower. The church also houses the city’s coat of arms, which depicts a griffin, the symbol of Zagreb.

Don’t miss a stroll along Tkalčićeva Street . This lively pedestrian street connects the Upper Town with the Lower Town and is known for its vibrant nightlife, with a wide range of bars and restaurants that come alive at night. Here you could also enjoy the street’s many outdoor terraces and sip a coffee or a drink, enjoying the relaxed atmosphere of Zagreb.

A real hidden gem that few know about is that Zagreb Upper Town is one of the few places in the world (perhaps the only one) where the cobblestone streets are still lit by the original 19th century gas lamps . Every evening, towards sunset, two lamplighters roam the narrow streets manually lighting the over 150 lamps. And every morning they repeat the rounds to turn them off. Try wandering through the older areas of Zagreb Upper Town, especially around Gradec and Kaptol . With a bit of luck you might come across them and witness this unique and wonderful tradition that has been going on unchanged for over 150 years!

Zagreb Lower Town

South of the Upper Town, going from Dolac Market towards the main square , or descending from Gradec towards the lower station of the Zagreb Funicular , you will find the Lower Town (Donji Grad) , another charming and historic district located in the heart of Croatia’s capital city. With its winding streets, colorful buildings, and rich cultural heritage, the Lower Town is another unmissable stop on your trip.

Meanwhile, it must be said that you will probably see the Lower Town first, and then the Upper Town. This is due to the fact that the first is located in continuity with the more modern districts of Zagreb, and it is here that the railway station , the bus station and the main roads – such as Slavonska Avenija , which connects the city with the highways A2 and A3 – are located. Also, this is where most of the hotels and hostels are located.

One of the main attractions of the Lower Town is its majestic late 19th and early 20th century architecture. The district is home to a diverse mix of architectural styles, with some notable examples of Art Nouveau , especially along the main street of the Lower Town, called Ilica .

The Lower Town is also home to some of Zagreb’s most popular parks and squares. The historic Ban Jelacic Square is a lively gathering spot for locals and tourists alike, and is surrounded by a number of charming cafes and restaurants. The nearby Zrinjevac Park is a serene oasis, perfect for a leisurely stroll or a picnic on a sunny day.

Heading towards the Botanical Garden you will come across some of the most beautiful buildings in the Austro-Hungarian imperial style, such as the Croatian National Theater in Zagreb , a wonderful example of mid-19th century architecture. At the entrance of the theater you will see an intricate fountain, a masterpiece of the Croatian artist and sculptor Ivan Meštrović . Just a few minutes walk and you will see another fabulous building, the Esplanade Zagreb Hotel , one of the most luxurious and elegant hotels in Croatia , a true Art Nouveau masterpiece originally built to accommodate wealthy travelers along the route of the legendary Orient Express .

For those looking to indulge in some shopping, the Lower Town offers a wide variety of shops and markets. The Dolac Market is a bustling open-air market where you can find a wide variety of fresh produce, handmade crafts, and traditional souvenirs. The nearby and bustling streets are also a popular spot for shopping, with an array of boutiques and specialty shops.

The Lower Town is also one of the most popular spots of Zagreb’s vibrant nightlife . The district is home to a number of bars, clubs, and music venues, many of which offer live music and entertainment. There are also some of the best cheap accommodation here, such as Chillout Hostel Zagreb and Swanky Mint Hostel , which have a reputation for being among the best hotels in Croatia.

Dolac Market

The Dolac Market is in fact the center of Zagreb’s Old Town , and for this reason it is always crowded with locals and tourists. This is in fact one of the main farmers’ markets in Zagreb and every day it is teeming with people who come to buy fruit, vegetables and handmade farm products.

Nestled on the border between the Upper and Lower Town and set in a large square, this historic market has been a staple of the city since its establishment in the 1930s. Looking out towards the Dolac Market you will be greeted with a vibrant array of colorful stalls overflowing with fresh produce, including fruits and vegetables, sourced from local farmers and vendors from all over Croatia.

In addition to the main market, there is also a flower market nearby, as well as a large covered market (in the typical Eastern European style) located just beneath the square. This underground market is a true treasure trove, featuring dozens of butchers, fishmongers, and vendors selling traditional local specialties such as sir i vrhnje (cheese and cream). You’ll also find a wide variety of other products, including olive oil, honey, and locally made crafts.

Whether you’re staying in an apartment or hostel and cooking your own meals, or simply looking for a unique shopping and sightseeing experience, the Dolac Market is definitely an unmissable stop on a trip to Zagreb. The market is the perfect place to pick up fresh, locally-sourced ingredients to cook with, and the colorful, bustling atmosphere provides plenty of opportunities for great photos. Even if you’re not in the market for anything specific, the sights, sounds, and smells of the market make it an enjoyable and memorable experience.

St. Mark’s Square and the Croatian Sabor

St. Mark’s Square (Trg sv. Marka) is one of the most important and famous squares in Zagreb, as it houses the administrative and political heart of the country. One of the most prominent buildings in the square is the Croatian Sabor , a grand neoclassical structure that serves as the Croatian Parliament Building .

To the left of the iconic St. Mark’s Church , located in the center of the square, visitors can also find the Banski Dvori , a historic building dating back to the mid-19th century. This is the seat of the Croatian government, and has played an important role in the country’s history. In the past, it was the residence of the Croatian Bans (the viceroy) and during the Yugoslav era, it was the official residence of the Presidency of the Socialist Republic of Croatia .

Adjacent to St. Mark’s Square is the Old City Hall and the Palace of the Constitutional Court . These buildings also have a rich history, and together they form a fascinating cultural and architectural landscape and, even if its style clashes a little with that of the other buildings in the square, the Sabor (Parliament) remains one of the most historically and culturally of Croatia: this is the place where, in 1918, the secession of Croatia from the Austro-Hungarian Empire was proclaimed. This event marked a significant moment in the country’s history and the building remains a symbol of the country’s independence and sovereignty.

If you visit Zagreb between April and October, don’t miss the guard-changing ceremony , which takes place in front of the church every Saturday and Sunday at noon.

St. Mark’s Church

The Church of St. Mark is one of the most famous buildings in Zagreb, mainly due to its colorful decorated roof. This architectural masterpiece is a mixture of Gothic and Romanesque elements, a unique ensemble of its kind in Croatia and the Balkans.

The church dates back to the 13th century and is considered one of the oldest and most iconic buildings in the city. The church’s exterior is adorned with intricate details and ornamentation, making it stand out among the other buildings in the area. The Gothic portal , in particular, is a masterpiece of art and craftsmanship. The portal is finely decorated with 15 effigies placed in 11 shallow niches and is considered to be the work of sculptors of the Parler family from Prague, dating back to the end of the 14th century.

One of the most distinctive features of the church is its colorful tiled roof , which features two large medieval coats of arms. The coat of arms on the left represents the Triune Kingdom of Croatia, Slavonia, and Dalmatia, while the coat of arms on the right represents the city of Zagreb. This roof adds a unique and lively touch to the church’s overall aesthetic.

Inside the church, you can admire the simplicity of its interior, adorned with medieval frescoes , as well as some sculptures by the Croatian master Ivan Meštrović . The church’s interior is a perfect example of how simplicity can be elegant and beautiful. You can visit the church interior during mass hours, but be discreet and don’t disturb worshippers.

One of the most underrated and evocative landmarks of Zagreb is the Stone Gate . Not only is it a beautiful architectural structure dating back to the 13th century , but it also holds a significant cultural and spiritual importance to the locals. As the eastern gate to the medieval Gradec Town , it was one of the most important gateways to the city and is the only one that has been preserved to this day.

What sets the Stone Gate apart, is its role as Zagreb’s most important shrine. According to ancient popular legends, a great fire in 1731 destroyed the gate but – miraculously – the painting of the Virgin and Child , dating back to the 17th century, remained unscathed. This painting is now protected by an artistically forged iron fence, and locals believe that it possesses miraculous powers. As a result, they regularly come to the Stone Gate to pray, leave flowers, light candles, and leave thanks and prayers on the stone slabs within the gate passage.

You can take a look at the Stone Gate and learn more about its spiritual significance for locals by taking a walk to the Upper Town and passing through the gate. The door is quite a busy crossing point, but despite this locals can be seen praying in the flickering candlelight. The most evocative time to visit the Stone Gate is on Tuesday evenings after 8 pm, when locals gather to pray the rosary, sing, and share their prayers.

Trg Bana Jelačića

Another important place to see in Zagreb is Trg Bana Jelačića (Ban Jelačić Square) , its large main square , lined with late 19th-early 1900s buildings that house offices and a variety of cafes and restaurants, making it the perfect spot to grab a bite to eat or enjoy a cup of coffee while taking in the sights and sounds of the city.

As the main square of Zagreb, Trg Bana Jelačića serves as a central meeting point for locals and tourists alike. Its prime location, roughly halfway between the train station and the Upper Town , makes it easily accessible from all parts of the city.

At the center of the square stands the famous equestrian statue of Ban Jelačić , a 19th-century Ban (a sort of governor or viceroy) and hero of Croatian nationalism. The statue has a long history, having been erected in 1866 and remaining in place until 1947, when it was ordered to be removed by Tito as it was deemed too tied to a nationalist ideology. Despite this, the statue was not forgotten by the locals, who removed it and stored it in a cellar, preserving it for future generations. After the collapse of Yugoslavia in 1990, the statue was finally returned to its rightful place in Trg Bana Jelačića .

Today, the statue serves as a symbol of the city’s rich history and cultural heritage. Visitors can take a stroll around the square, admire the statue, and enjoy the lively atmosphere of the cafes and restaurants . Also, this will be one of the main orientation points when you visit Zagreb, as most of the main avenues and hotels are located in its vicinity.

Croatian Museum of Naïve Art

Naïve Art , also known as primitive art , was one of the main currents of contemporary art of the 20th century, and one of its most important epicenters was Yugoslavia or, better, Croatia.

If you are an art lover, visiting the Croatian Museum of Naïve Art is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Zagreb. In fact, an excellent collection of artworks by the best Croatian naive artists is kept here, such as Ragan Gaži, Ivan Generalić, Ivan Rabuzin, Mijo Kovačić, Franjo Mraz, Ivan Večenaj and Mirko Virius.

This small museum is located a stone’s throw from the Stone Gate, can be visited in half an hour, and is one of the few (and best) museums in the world dedicated to Naïve Art . Although it is focused on Croatian artists, among the works there are also some notable paintings by foreign authors.

Museum of Broken Relationships

The Museum of Broken Relationships is probably one of the most popular museums in Zagreb, and is a unique and fascinating destination for anyone who is interested in the complexities of human relationships. Located in the heart of the city’s Upper Town , just a stone’s throw from the Funicular, the museum is dedicated to preserving the memories and artifacts of failed love relationships.

Upon entering the museum, visitors will be greeted with a diverse collection of objects left behind by individuals from all over the world . Each item has its own story, some of which are heart-wrenching while others are downright weird and funny. The museum also displays documents, videos and other materials that provide a deeper insight into the stories behind the objects.

The Museum of Broken Relationships was originally created as a traveling exhibition, but after gaining international recognition and popularity, it was returned to Zagreb as a permanent exhibition. One of the most interesting features of the museum is the Confessional , a special section of the museum where visitors can leave their items or messages, or record their confessions in a restricted and intimate space. This allows visitors to share their own personal stories and experiences, making the museum an incredibly personal and emotional experience for many.

If you have some extra time while wandering around Zagreb, you should think about taking a look at this museum, as it is a unique and thought-provoking experience , on a theme that sooner or later involves everyone: the complexities of human relationships and the memories they leave behind.

Archaeological Museum

The Archaeological Museum in Zagreb is one of the most important archaeological museums in Europe, and boasts a collection of over 450,000 objects and artifacts ranging from prehistoric to medieval times.

Spread over three floors , this museum exhibits artifacts from all over Croatia, including statues, amphorae, lamps and decorative objects from the Roman era, Greek vases, Egyptian funerary masks and one of the most important numismatic collections in Europe. One of the museum’s highlights is the Liber Linteus , a 3rd century BCE mummy and bandages with the longest Etruscan inscription in existence.

Update: The Museum is currently not open to visitors due to the damage suffered in the recent Zagreb’s earthquake in 2020.

Art Pavilion

Walking through the Lower Town , you cannot fail to notice the Art Pavilion , a wonderful yellow building in Art Nouveau style, with a beautiful central dome in glass and iron.

Established in 1898 , it is the oldest gallery in the Southeast Europe, and hosts important temporary exhibitions dedicated to the best of international art. In the past there have been exhibitions by Rodin, Andy Warhol, Mimmo Rotella, Joan Miró, Alberto Giacometti and many others here. It is worth seeing it from the outside, strolling along the beautiful front garden, in King Tomislav Square .

Botanical Garden

The beautiful Zagreb Botanical Garden , located in the Lower Town, is the ideal place for a calm stroll away from the hustle and bustle of the city. You can visit it for free , and it is pleasant to stroll through its paths lined with over 10,000 species of plants and adorned with ponds and pavilions where rare exotic plants are kept.

The Zagreb Botanical Garden , established at the end of the 19th century, is part of the University of Zagreb and is mainly a scientific institution that aims to cultivate and protect Croatian indigenous plants. Among the species are some interesting cacti and carnivorous plants, while the 14 greenhouses are home to tropical and subtropical plants.

The centerpiece of the Zagreb Botanical Garden is a small yellow-flowered plant called Degenia Velebitica . It is the rarest Croatian plant, and is considered to be at risk of extinction. It is the symbol of the region and is also featured on the old 50 lipa coin.

Zagreb Cathedral

Zagreb Cathedral , also known as Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary , is one of the most iconic things to see in Zagreb, with its twin spiers appearing to be permanently under repair. Indeed, the beautiful Zagreb Cathedral – which dates back to the early 1200s – has been damaged and rebuilt several times. The current version dates back to the end of the 19th century, after the previous cathedral was badly damaged by the 1880 Zagreb earthquake.

Built in neo-Gothic style , it features two beautiful twin spiers, 104 meters high. One of the two spiers was damaged in the recent earthquake of 2020, which is requiring extra efforts to repair. Until the early 19th century, the cathedral was surrounded by mighty fortifications to defend it from Ottoman attacks. Today they are no longer present, but the cathedral still has a treasury that boasts a collection of precious liturgical objects, ancient books and baroque reliquaries from the medieval era.

Zagreb City Museum

The Zagreb City Museum is a good place to learn more about the city’s past and gain a deeper understanding of its cultural heritage. Dedicated to the history of Zagreb, since its origins, this small but mighty museum is housed in an ancient building, which was once the Convent of the Poor Clares , dating back to the 17th century.

History buffs and visitors eager for deeper cultural insight will find a wealth of information and artifacts that paint a picture of the city’s development and evolution over time. The museum’s collection of archaeological finds is the highlight of the exhibition, with ancient artifacts from the Cathedral, such as pottery, jewelry, and tools, giving them a glimpse into the daily lives of Zagreb’s inhabitants in days gone by.

Alongside the archaeological finds, the museum also houses a collection of old maps of the city , which provide insight into the city’s development over time. The museum also has a vast collection of costumes and other artifacts from the socialist era. One of the highlights of the museum is the beautiful tower of the Zagreb Astronomical Observatory , established in the early 1900s. The observatory offers visitors a glimpse into the scientific advances of the time and the important role that astronomy played in the city’s history.

Mestrović Pavillion and the Croatian Association of Artists

As you explore the area northeast of the train station you will come across an iconic circular building, the Mestrović Pavillion , the masterpiece of Croatian architect and sculptor Ivan Meštrović , also called the Home of Croatian Artists .

Built in 1938 to be a place for artists, with a museum and an art gallery, it was transformed by the Croatian fascist government into a mosque. In the Yugoslav era it became a Museum of the Revolution and only in 1990 was it returned to the Croatian Association of Artists .

After a long restoration work it was reopened in 2006. Today it is the headquarters of the Croatian Association of Artists, which organizes interesting events and temporary exhibitions dedicated to all types of visual expression. Despite this, locals still call it The Mosque .

Croatian State Archives

The magnificent art deco style building located opposite the Botanical Garden houses the Croatian State Archives . Built in 1913 to house the land registry and the royal library, today it is one of the most elegant buildings in the city.

Here are delivered the most important documents, treaties and laws concerning the Croatian state from the Middle Ages to today. There are guided tours twice a day, which allow you to take a look at the majestic rooms, including the Great Reading Room , finely decorated with huge chandeliers, stained-glass ceiling and a large painting by Vlaho Bukovac .

Ethnographic Museum

A good thing to do in Zagreb on a rainy day might be to take a look at the interesting Ethnographic Museum , which offers a broad overview of the Croatia’s ethnographic heritage . Located in an elegant historic building dating back to the early 1900s, this museum features a rich collection of over 70,000 objects . More than 2,800 are on display in the museum’s rooms and allow you to learn many interesting things about Croatia’s three cultural zones : the Pannonian , Dinaric and Adriatic .

The museum also features an interesting permanent exhibitions relating to life in Kosovo during the Ottoman era , and allows visitors to see rooms furnished just as they would have been during Ottoman times. The collection also consists of costumes, weapons, musical instruments, jewelery and exotic items from America, China, Japan and Africa, a gift from Croatian explorers Mirko and Stevo Seljan . It is worth going there even just to discover their adventurous history.

ZAGREB Funicular Railway

A ride on the Zagreb Funicular is definitely one of the unmissable things to do in Zagreb! Indeed, this old funicular is one of the shortest and steepest in the world , with a track length of only 66 meters and an inclination of 52%!

Inaugurated in 1890 , the Zagreb Funicular is the oldest form of public transport in the city, and has undergone several updates throughout its history. Initially, the funicular was powered by a steam engine, however, in the mid-1930s, it was replaced by an electric motor, which allowed for a more reliable and efficient operation.

The Zagreb Funicular connects the Upper Town (Gornji Grad) to the Lower Town (Donji Grad) of Zagreb, and precisely goes from a side street of Ilica to the Strossmayer Promenade . The journey takes exactly 64 seconds, and rides are scheduled every 10 minutes every day from 6:30 am to 22:00 pm. The cost of a one-way ticket is €0.70 (5 HRK), making it an affordable and convenient option for visitors to the city.

If you prefer to explore on foot, next to the funicular there is a steep staircase , which can also be used to connect the upper and lower towns. Taking the stairs is free, of course. This offers an alternative for those who prefer to take in the sights and sounds of the city at their own pace.

Grič Tunnel

The Grič Tunnel is one of the most mysterious places in Zagreb. Built in 1943 for the purpose of being an air-raid shelter during WWII, this 350-meter-long tunnel goes from side to side under the historic neighborhood of Grič .

There is essentially nothing to see in the tunnel, but it is worth exploring by entering from Mesnička Street and exiting one of the side passageways which leads into a courtyard in the Lower Town. Or you can go all the way up to Stjepan Radić Street , in the heart of the Art Park .

The tunnel has remained unused since WWII, and was a den for junkies and the homeless. In part it was used by the locals as an air raid shelter during the Croatian War of Independence and in 1993 it was the site of a legendary rave party, but only recently the area has been renovated, and since 2016 it is open to the public.

Galerija Klovićevi Dvori

A few steps from the upper station of the Funicular, housed in the beautiful building of a former 18th century Jesuit monastery, the Galerija Klovićevi Dvori is one of the most visited and prestigious art spaces in Zagreb.

This is the place where the most important art exhibitions in the city are held, and in the summer in the gallery’s atrium they host concerts and lectures. If you are an art lover, drop by and take a look at what’s on display.

Jesuit Church of St. Catherine

The beautiful Baroque church next to the Galerija Klovićevi Dvori and a stone’s throw from the Museum of Broken Relationships is the Jesuit Church of St. Catherine , built in the early 1600s. Although it has been damaged several times by fires and earthquakes, it is still one of the most beautiful churches in the city, and retains a beautiful eighteenth-century altar and frescoed vaults. It is possible to visit it only during masses.

Now go through the gate on the right of the church to reach one of the best viewpoints in the city. From this square, called Katarinin Trg , the view over Zagreb’s red-tile roofs and the Cathedral is simply breathtaking. From the square you can also see the famous 3D street art The Whale , by French artist Etien .

Lotrščak Tower and the Zagreb Cannon

The beautiful and impressive tower that you can see right in front of the upper station of the Funicular and the Museum of Broken Relationship is the Lotrščak Tower . The tower dates back to the 13th century, and was built to guard the southern gate of the Gradec town wall. This ancient watchtower was also the place where the signal to close the city gates was given.

Going up the tower (tickets 20 HRK) you can have a nice view over the city. But the real attraction is the Grički Top , the famous Greek Cannon that fires a blank shot every day at midday. The cannon shot is used by churches to synchronize their clocks, so that they can all ring the bells at the same time.

You can see (and hear) the cannon being fired from the forecourt, or from the lower station of the funicular. The hit is heard quite clearly throughout the city. For the last 100 years the cannon was fired every day , until March 2020, when Zagreb was hit by a strong earthquake and the cannon stopped firing. After 10 days the cannon started firing again, but with the second earthquake (that of December 2020) it was decided to suspend firing until further notice.

Mirogoj Cemetery

Yes, I’m not kidding: one of the best things to see in Zagreb is a Cemetery. Mirogoj Cemetery in Zagreb is considered to be one of the most beautiful cemeteries in Europe, and was built in 1876 just outside the Upper Town.

Designed by the Austrian architect Hermann Bollé , author of several buildings in Zagreb and who is buried here, it features picturesque arches topped by domes and an imposing church, dedicated to Christ the King . Mirogoj Cemetery is surrounded by a lush park and is criss-crossed by paths and gardens with sculptures and elegant, finely decorated tombs.

One of the curiosities of this cemetery is that you can see graves of any religion : Catholic, Orthodox, Muslim, Jewish, Protestant and so on. Visiting the cemetery you will be able to meet the graves of some of the most illustrious Croatian personalities, artists and poets. Mirogoj Cemetery can be reached by a 30-minute walk from Zagreb Cathedral, or by Bus no. 106 which stops near the Cathedral.

Museum Mimara

The Mimara Museum in Zagreb is one of the most impressive, large, prestigious and controversial museums in the city, and if you are an art lover, it is a place you cannot miss. Housed in a majestic Neo-Renaissance building in the heart of the Lower Town, it houses a truly impressive collection ranging from the prehistoric period up to the 20th century.

The Mimara Museum boasts treasures ranging from classical art to that of ancient Chinese and Japanese dynasties, to conclude with hundreds of precious paintings , including works by Caravaggio, Veronese, Rembrandt, Canaletto, Velázquez, Goya, Renoir, Manet and Degas.

Quite interesting is also the story linked to the donor of this majestic collection, Ante Topić Mimara , a controversial collector and philanthropist from Zagreb, who was a consultant to the Yugoslav military mission in Berlin and Munich , where he worked on returning plundered works of art to Yugoslavia. Art historians have been wondering for many years about the provenance of the works of art in Mimara’s collection, which still remains largely unknown.

Museum of Art & Crafts

Established at the end of the 19th century in one of the most majestic buildings of the Lower Town, the Museum of Art & Crafts is one of the largest museums dedicated to local crafts in Central and Southern Europe, and houses more than 160,000 objects spanning from 4th to 20th century.

It boasts a large collection of objects ranging from the Gothic to Art Deco style, featuring the best of traditional craftsmanship , particularly in the fields of sculpture, textiles, furnishings, metals, and ceramics and glass. On the second floor it is worth seeing the interesting photo exhibition showcasing Croatia up until the 1950s.

Museums of Illusions Zagreb

The Museum of Illusions is one of the most quirky and famous museums in Zagreb, and is definitely one of the top things to do in Zagreb with kids. This museum boasts over 70 intriguing exhibits , with optical illusions, holograms, clone tables, infinity rooms, rotated rooms and much more. Bring your camera, because here you will get some spectacular selfies!

The Museum of Illusions also features a number of games, dilemmas and smart rooms where visitors of all ages can play and learn that not everything you see is as it seems.

Technical Museum Nikola Tesla

Spending a few hours at the interesting Nikola Tesla Technical Museum is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Zagreb when traveling with kids. The museum features a large and fun collection of tools, inventions and machines that introduce visitors to the wonderful world of science and technology.

You will be able to see an authentic and perfectly preserved steam engine from the mid 19th century, several fire trucks from the 1800s to the 1930s. You will have fun with the famous tesla machines , which reproduce interesting experiments on magnetism and electricity, you will be able to see how a mine works and spend time admiring the stars, planets and constellations in the planetarium .

Coming from the station you will pass through the beautiful gardens of Trg Nikole Šubića Zrinskog , which locals simply call Zrinjevac , and which is one of the seven squares with gardens in the Lower Town of Zagreb, also called Lenuci Horseshoe .

This beautiful, long square is lined with cafes and is a favorite of locals to stroll and hang out on sunny summer days. In the center you can see the beautiful music pavilion from the end of the 19th century, where concerts are often held on summer evenings.

If you are a horror fan, then you might want to check out the Zagreb Torture Museum . Similar to other European torture museums, here you will be able to see a hundred replicas of medieval torture instruments.

From the guillotine to the iron maiden, this museum allows you to learn a lot about torture, from ancient times to the most recent. The museum also features multisensory rooms , where you can have fun with wacky inventions, touch and try (safely) these infernal tools.

Zagreb 80’s Museum

Much more cheerful than the previous one, this is the place for the nostalgic of the roaring 80s! The Zagreb 80’s Museum is a small but super fun museum located a stone’s throw from the Stone Gate, where you can take a trip back in time, wear super colorful jerseys and jackets and ride one of the iconic mopeds of the 80s.

In the Zagreb 80’s Museum , adults can experience a bit of nostalgia seeing the reconstructions of the interiors of a typical apartment of the time, playing the iconic games with an old Atari, or with the glorious Commodore 64 . The cool thing about this museum is that you can interact with the objects , so both adults and kids can have great fun here, taking vintage selfies, browsing the closets and drawers of a typical Yugoslav house and dressing up in 80’s fashion.

Zagreb 360° Observation Deck

Admiring the panorama of the old town from the Zagreb 360° Observation Deck is one of the most popular things to do in Zagreb, although honestly you shouldn’t expect much. The view over the old town is decent, but not comparable to what one imagines from an observation deck, like in other cities around the world. You can skip it, but if you have time and desire, why not enjoy a good drink with one of the best views of Zagreb?

The deck is situated on the 16th floor of a 1950s-era skyscraper, located right on Trg Bana Jelačića , one of the most popular squares in the city. Visitors can take a lift to the top and be greeted with a cafe bar and an observation deck that offers a stunning view of the city.

From the deck, you can see the historic old town, the modern city center, and the surrounding hills. On a clear day, you can even see as far as the Medvednica Mountain . The deck is a great place to visit during the day or in the evening, as the view changes with the lighting. It’s a perfect spot to enjoy a coffee or a drink while taking in the sights of the city.

Zagreb is a relatively compact city and easy to explore on foot , but to best capture its charm and get the most out of your visit you should get in touch with the local culture , discover the many hidden gems, interesting, curious and captivating stories and legends that hover over many places in the city.

A great way to fully explore Zagreb and learn more about its fascinating past and huge cultural and gastronomic heritage is to join one of the many guided tours offered by local guides.

One of the most popular tours (imho, unmissable!) is the Free Walking Tour of Zagreb . This 2.5-hour tour will take you through the city’s most iconic sights, such as the stunning St. Mark’s Church, the charming Old Town, and the beautiful Zrinjevac Park. Your knowledgeable guide will provide you with all the information you need to understand the history and culture of Zagreb, and will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

If you’re interested in learning more about the Croatian Homeland War , we recommend the 2.5-Hour Croatian Homeland War Tour . This tour will take you to some of the most significant sites from the war, so you’ll learn about the events that shaped modern Croatia and gain a deeper understanding of the country’s history and culture.

For a more personalized experience, consider booking a City Highlights and Hidden Gems Private Tour . This tour is tailored to your interests and will take you to the best-kept secrets of Zagreb , such as local art galleries, hidden courtyards, and charming cafes. You’ll also have the opportunity to visit most of the city’s most famous landmarks.

If you prefer to explore the city at your own pace, the Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour is the perfect option for you. You’ll have the freedom to hop on and off the bus as you please, and you’ll be able to discover the city’s best sights and landmarks, such as the Upper Town , the Lower Town , and the Mirogoj Cemetery .

Finally, if you’re a food lover, you won’t want to miss the Zagreb Food Tour . This tour will take you to some of the city’s best restaurants, where you’ll sample traditional Croatian dishes and struk them. You’ll also have the opportunity to visit local markets and learn about the ingredients used in Croatian cuisine.

And for those who love to explore the city on two wheels, a Bike Tour is the perfect option. You’ll see the city from a different perspective, and you’ll have the opportunity to explore some of the city’s most beautiful parks and gardens, such as the Botanical Garden , Maksimir Park , and the Lake Jarun .

No matter which tour you choose, you’re sure to have a great time exploring Zagreb and learning more about this fascinating city. So pack your walking shoes, and let’s get started!

Zagreb is also an excellent starting point for exploring the surrounding region . Croatia is in fact famous for its beaches and coastal towns, while the hinterland is generally underrated and little known, but hides many remarkable gems and retains a more authentic atmosphere, away from mass tourism.

The best way to explore the surroundings is by car. You might want to rent a car in Zagreb as the prices are generally very affordable. You can check out the best car rentals and deals on sites like Rentalcars.com or Discovercars.com . Otherwise, from Zagreb there are also great guided tours that allow you to visit some of the most popular attractions in a day, such as Plitvice Lakes or Lake Bled , without the hassle, as they include transport, tickets, reservations, English speaking guides and etc.

Plitvice Lakes National Park and Rastoke

Located just a couple of hours from Zagreb, Plitvice Lakes National Park is a must-see for any nature lover. The park is home to a series of interconnected waterfalls and lakes, creating a breathtaking landscape, especially popular with photography enthusiasts. Plitvice Lakes are indescribably beautiful and are the perfect opportunity for a long walk in nature, immersed in a pristine and awe-inspiring landscape. The park is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and offers numerous hiking trails for visitors to explore.

On your way to Plitvice Lakes National Park you will also visit the small picturesque village of Rastoke . This charming village is built around a series of small waterfalls, and the historic houses and mills that line the water’s edge create a unique and peaceful atmosphere. Rastoke is a perfect place for a leisurely stroll and a great place to relax after a day of hiking.

Ljubljana and Lake Bled

Ljubljana – the charming capital of Slovenia – is only a couple of hours drive from Zagreb. So, if you haven’t been there yet, why not take the chance to visit it? This small city is full of history, culture, and great food. Visitors can explore the historic old town , which is full of colorful buildings, charming squares, and a beautiful castle . Ljubljana is also a great place for shopping, with many unique boutiques and artisanal shops.

From Ljubljana you could continue to the true gem of Slovenia, Lake Bled . This is probably one of the most beautiful and iconic destinations in Slovenia. This picturesque lake is surrounded by the Julian Alps and is home to an iconic small island with a medieval church . Visitors can take a traditional wooden boat, known as a pletna , out to the island to explore the church and enjoy the stunning views of the lake and the surrounding mountains.

Trakošcan Castle

Located just a short drive from Zagreb, Trakošćan Castle is a must-see for history and enthusiast architectures. This 13th-century castle sits on a hilltop and offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside. Inside, visitors can explore the castle’s many rooms and admire the collection of historical artifacts and artwork. The castle also has beautiful gardens, which are perfect for a leisurely stroll.

Located just a short drive from Zagreb, the charming town of Samobor is a great place for a day trip. The town is known for its historic centre, which is full of colorful buildings and charming squares. You could spend a few hours in this quiet and relaxed town, and enjoy the many shops, cafes, and restaurants that line the streets. The surrounding countryside and bucolic landscape are also worth exploring.

Located just a short drive from Zagreb, Varazdin is a beautiful Baroque town that is known for its well-preserved architecture. Strolling through the streets of the centre, you will be able to explore the town’s many historic buildings, including the impressive Varazdin Castle . The town also has a number of charming squares, parks and also a large monumental cemetery . This town is also quite compact, easy to explore on foot in a couple of hours and perfect for a leisurely stroll.

Medvednica Nature Park

Lovers of nature walks, hiking and skiing could opt for a few days out at the Medvednica Nature Park , the mountains located just north of Zagreb, easily reachable in an hour’s drive. Medvednica Nature Park offers a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city. The park is home to many hiking and biking trails that lead through the beautiful forest and offer stunning views of the surrounding countryside. Visitors can also explore the park’s many caves, including the Veternica Cave , and many traditional mountain lodges serving good local cuisine. The park is also home to a number of protected species, making it a great place for wildlife viewing.

Trying local food is indisputably one of the best things to do in Zagreb! Croatian cuisine reflects its r ich and varied cultural heritage , drawing inspiration from Mediterranean cuisine , but also from Central European (Austro-Hungarian) and, of course, Balkan cuisine , with hints and traditions that have spread throughout the peninsula since the Ottoman era.

Zagreb boasts a wide variety of local and international cuisine, making it a great destination for foodies. Among the local specialties you should try , in addition to the very popular (and ubiquitous in the Balkans) cevapi , the traditional grilled sausage made from beef or lamb, there are other tasty specialties such as sarma , which is a dish made of stuffed cabbage leaves or štrukli , a type of dumpling filled with cottage cheese and served with sour cream. You also shouldn’t miss the chance to taste some great Croatian wine , as well as some decent local beers.

When it comes to the best places to eat in Zagreb , there are many options to choose from. When it comes to traditional restaurants , one of my favorites is Konoba Didov San , which serves generous and tasty specialties of Dalmatian cuisine , including some rarities such as frogs and snails. It also serves good local wines and spirits. To taste the best štrukli in Zagreb, drop by La Štruk , which serves only homemade štrukli , in different ways, freshly made.

Other good addresses are Stari Fijaker and Lanterna na Dolcu which serves traditional Croatian food in a rustic and cozy atmosphere, as well as Pri Zvoncu , which although located outside the city centre, serves excellent local specialties and is popular with locals. In the city center Gostionica Purger is also worth trying and a couple of slightly more sophisticated restaurants, such as Bistro Agava and Vinodol Restaurant , are a local institution.

Fine regional cuisine at Pod Zidom Bistro and Trilogija Vino & Kuhinja , which also boast a good wine list with interesting local options. The Dubravkin Put , which is known for its modern take on traditional Croatian dishes, is also quite popular.

For those looking for a more high-end dining experience , Zagreb has several top-rated restaurants that offer gourmet cuisine. One of the best is the Zinfandel’s , the fine cuisine restaurant of the Esplanade Zagreb Hotel . In addition to an elegant and refined atmosphere and impeccable service, this restaurant – also recommended by the Michelin Guide – is known for its quality cuisine, a mix of regional specialties revisited in a contemporary way.

Another great option is Noel , awarded with 1 Michelin Star . This refined restaurant serves excellent and sophisticated contemporary specialties made with the best local ingredients. A quality wine list and excellent service complete the experience. The tasting menu showcases various specialties of Eastern European inspiration, starting from €175 per person.

Whether you’re visiting for business or pleasure, getting to Zagreb is relatively easy and is full of options from both major Croatian cities and neighboring countries.

Getting to Zagreb by Plane

The main airport serving Zagreb is Franjo Tuđman Airport , also known as Zagreb Airport . The airport is located approximately 17 km (10.5 miles) southeast of the city centre.

How to Get from Zagreb Airport to City Center

There are several ways to get from the airport to the city centre, including:

• ZET (Zagreb Electric Tram) is the most convenient way. ZET 290 is a public bus that goes from Zagreb Airport to the City Center in 1 hour and 15 minutes. Departures are every 35 minutes. The ticket costs just €0.80.
• The Airport Shuttle Bus (Pleso Prijevoz) is another convenient and affordable way to get from the Zagreb Airport to the city centre. The bus runs every 30 minutes and takes about 30 minutes to reach the Main Bus Station (Autobusni Kolodvor) in the city centre. The fare is €6 one-way.
• Taxis are readily available at the airport and can take you to the city center in about 20-30 minutes. The fare is around €30-40 one-way. A valid alternative is to book a private transfer in advance , which includes a professional English-speaking driver , pick-up at arrivals , luggage transport and maximum comfort , especially if you arrive at inconvenient times or if you are traveling with your family. The prices of the best private transfers start from €45.
• If you prefer to have your own transportation, you can rent a car at the airport . Renting a car in Zagreb can be cheap and convenient if you book in advance. There are several car rental companies located at the airport, including Avis , Budget , Europcar , and Hertz . You can find the best prices and deals on Rentalcars.com or Discovercars.com .

Getting to Zagreb by Train

The main train station in Zagreb, also called Zagreb Glavni Kolodvor , is located in the heart of the city and is well connected to other cities in Croatia and neighboring countries. Some popular connections include Split (approx. 6 hours), Ljubljana (approx. 2 hours), Vienna (approx. 7-9 hours). Connections to Ljubljana are frequent and convenient, others can be slow and not so reliable.

Getting to Zagreb by Bus

The main bus station in Zagreb is called Autobusni Kolodvor , or Zagreb Bus Station . The station is located near the train station and is well-connected to other cities in Croatia and neighboring countries. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option, FlixBus offers several connections from Zagreb to other cities in Croatia and Europe. Some popular connections include: Rijeka (several buses per day, 3 hours), Ljubljana (several buses per day, 2 hours), Dubrovnik (several buses per day, approx. 8 hours, very popular in summer so it is advisable to book tickets well advance), Belgrade (several buses per day, approx. 4 hours).

Getting There by Car

If you’re planning to drive to Zagreb, there are several major highways that will take you there. Some popular routes include Rijeka (A6 highway, approx. 2.5 hours), Split (A1 highway, approx. 5 hours), Ljubljana (A2 highway, approx. 2 hours), Trieste (A3 highway, approx. 2.5 hours ).

When driving in Croatia, it’s important to note that tolls are required on certain highways and roads. Croatia has entered the Schengen Area since 2023, therefore entering from Slovenia has become very easy, the same is not true for those coming from other Balkan countries. Border controls can take time, and you need to have your documents in order.

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Discover the Balkans like a Local

Hello! I'm Mirko, a journalist and independent researcher who has lived and traveled extensively throughout the Balkans, from the bustling main cities to the most remote and authentically charming corners. I created this blog for travelers eager to discover the wonders of this region and delve deeply into its diverse countries and cultures. Here, you will find genuine advice from locals, inspiration, and comprehensive travel guides crafted in collaboration with residents. The goal is to help you travel like a local, uncovering the best of the Balkans in a conscious and ethical manner.

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Ultimate Zagreb Itinerary – Things to Do in Zagreb in 2 Days

Planning a trip to Zagreb? Well, you need to look no further! Here, we have the perfect 2 days Zagreb  itinerary for you which covers the best things to do in Zagreb  and the most useful travel tips. Two days in Zagreb is the perfect time to see the city’s main sights without hurrying. However, if you’re travelling on a tight schedule, one day in Zagreb is enough given that most of Zagreb must see sights are out of bounds for close-up visits whilst renovations take place following the 2020 earthquake.  

Zagreb  is the capital and biggest city of Croatia with a population of about 800,000, located in the country’s northwestern region near River Sava and Medvednica mountain.

The city is often overlooked in favour of the country’s coastal towns and islands. 

After many trips to Croatia, we finally got to visit Zagreb this summer. I have to say Zagreb was a pleasant surprise. We liked Zagreb for its charming architecture, manageable size which made it easy to explore on foot, friendly locals, small weirdly amusing museums and chilled vibe.

Visiting Zagreb was a lovely break from other places in Croatia that can get very busy during the summer. 

We can attest, Zagreb is a fantastic tourist destination which makes for a perfect city break. It’s worth visiting for its varied and fascinating history and cultural heritage visible in the city’s architecture, museums, food and drink culture. 

The city grew from a Roman settlement and over the centuries had many cultures presiding over it. Gothic, Neo-Renaissance, Grand Austro-Hungarian-inspired buildings, large open squares and parks dominate the centre while its outer parts, south of the Sava River, feature architecture representative of the Socialist era.

Zagreb’s strong coffee, beer and food culture echoes Eastern, Western and Mediterranean tones. Luckily, Zagreb is not an expensive city to eat out and has some really cool places to explore its culinary scene.  

On top of that, Zagreb is famous for hosting some of the best festivals in Croatia. There is no doubt that the city’s month-long Zagreb Advent festival takes the lead, however, you’re sure to run into an exciting festival no matter what time of the year you visit Zagreb. 

There is no better way than to plan your trip to Zagreb around one of the countless festivals hosted in the city throughout the year. They’re the perfect places to absorb the city’s vibrant culture.

Without any further delay, here is our suggested Zagreb 2 day itinerary .

Tip: Don’t take this Zagreb two-day itinerary as an absolute. This guide is there to give you a general idea of what to do in Zagreb in two days. By all means, amend the itinerary as you wish, focus on moving at your own pace and keeping things fun.

What to Do in Zagreb in 2 Days 

Day 1 – upper town.

NB – Most of Zagreb tourist attractions are located within two of the city’s 17 districts namely the Upper Town (Gornji Grad) and Lower Town (Donji Grad). The most practical way to explore Zagreb is to break up the two sections and divide your time to each area accordingly.

1. Take a Zagreb Walking Tour 

Kick things off by taking a  Zagreb Walking Tour . It’s the best introduction to Zagreb as it will give you a quick overview of the city’s unique history and culture from a local perspective. Zagreb local guides are witty, informative and excited to share the best spots to try be it local hangouts, food or drink.  

Tours in Zagreb usually start from  Ban Jelačić Square , Zagreb’s central square. They bring you along the Upper Town where the city’s famous landmarks such as Zagreb Cathedral , the red-tiled St Mark’s Church , the city’s vibrant Tkalčićeva Street and what is left of the old medieval fortifications are located. 

Walking tours of varying themes, some free, are available in Zagreb covering areas such as the history of the city, the Croatian Homeland War, local street art, food and drink scene.

Zagreb Tours Worth Checking Out.

• Free Spirit –  Free Walking Tour of Old Town  
• Communism and Croatian Homeland War Tour – (Ideal if you wish to delve into Croatia’s time in Yugoslavia, the 90s Homeland War and World War 2 including the famous Grič Tunnel, a one-time civilian shelter. 

• Small Group Zagreb Walking Tour with Funicular Ride
• Zagreb Street Art Private Walking Tour
• Food Tour Zagreb (ideal if you’re keen to explore Zagreb’s diverse food scene.
• Meet the Monuments and Sculptures of Zagreb Tour ( Explore Zagreb through the endless statues of great Croats found in its streets.

2. Explore Josip Jelačić Square

Josip Jelačić Square  is the main square in Zagreb city centre, located just below the Upper Town. It’s a popular meeting place for locals, tourists and the city’s public transport system. The square is an ideal spot to use to orient yourself as many roads and trams pass across Jelačić Square. 

Ban Jelačić Square dates back to the 17th century when it was first used as a marketplace. It got its name during the 19th century in honour of Ban Josip Jelačić , a military marshal who’s credited for making positive changes in the region. An equestrian statue dedicated to Jelačić is undoubtedly the square’s star attraction.

Over the years, the square has largely evolved into a public gathering place where social and cultural events take place. Among other things, the square is a top venue for the city’s famous Zagreb Advent, sporting celebrations and music concerts. 

We were lucky to be in Zagreb during the Croatia and the Netherlands UEFA 2023 Nations League Finals as we got to watch the match on a big screen hosted at the square and enjoyed the party atmosphere though unfortunately, Croatia didn’t win.  

Plan to spend some time at Jelačić Square as there is always some sort of entertaining event happening or else just take a wonder admiring the colourful elegant buildings, fountains and warm crowds that give the square its vibrant atmosphere.

3. Stop by Zagreb Cathedral

The twin Gothic towers of  Zagreb Cathedral , also known as the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, have dominated the Croatian capital skyline for the last century. At 108 metres, the Cathedral is the second tallest structure in the country.

This Roman Cathedral church has seen its fair share of history. It was initially built during the early 13th century, however, has had numerous renovations due to mediaeval wars, fire and earthquake damage.

The Cathedral obtained its current Neo-Gothic style from restorative works led by German-born architect Herman Bolle following the Great Zagreb earthquake of 1880.

Unfortunately, Zagreb is vulnerable to earthquakes. The city was hit by another earthquake in 2020 causing damage to many of the historical buildings in the city including the Cathedral.

Currently, the Cathedral’s interior and immediate surroundings are off-limits to the public. We still suggest that you visit as we thought the Cathedral and its scaffolding, interestingly, continue to impress.

Additionally, Zagreb Cathedral is located at  Kapitol  which together with the adjacent Gradec , forms the city’s well-preserved old town known as the  Upper Town  (Gornji Grad).

This is a place not to miss whilst sightseeing in Zagreb as many architecturally charming buildings and cobblestone streets with mediaeval roots and baroque features can be found around the area.

4. Shop at Dolac Market

Dolac Market  has existed since 1930 giving locals and visitors to the city a chance to shop for local fresh produce, meats, fish, flowers and various other products from the region. 

The market is ideally located on an open square, just above the steps from Jelačić Square and a short walk from the Cathedral. It’s hard to miss as the stalls in the outer sections of Dolac Market are covered by unique vivid red umbrellas.

It really is one of the best places to visit in Zagreb to sample authentic Croatian products from the region and soak up the local atmosphere. We were delighted with the fresh and juicy cherries, peaches and strawberries we got at the market. 

They were the perfect treats to quench thirst in Zagreb’s sweltering heat. 

Don’t miss the meat, fish and cheese section, located indoors on a lower level, if they are your kind of thing. 

Opens  every day from 6.30 am to 2 pm .

5. Walk through the Stone Gate

The  Stone Gate , known locally as  Kamenita Vrata , is one of the few remaining traces of Zagreb’s fortification system from the 13th century still in use though it has had many restorative works. 

Historically, Gradec existed as a separate settlement from Kaptol and was fortified with gates, walls and towers. However, as it grew and the threats of attacks declined, the defensive structures were pulled down leaving out the Stone Gate and the nearby Lostrak Tower.

The Stone Gate is considered a sacred place in Zagreb as well as being an important historical structure. It’s believed that a fire in 1731 pretty much destroyed the gate and buildings that were nearby except for an image of the Blessed Virgin Mary with Christ the Child. 

This image is highly revered as a baroque gated altar devoted to the Virgin Mary and a small prayer space has been built in the gate’s passage. It’s an unusual place as quite a lot of people stop by to pray, light candles and make offerings. 

6. Stop by St Mark’s Church

St. Mark’s Church  is really gorgeous and lives up to the hype. Its colourful tiled roof is easily the most recognisable symbol of Zagreb. 

The church is one of the oldest historical buildings in Zagreb with roots dating back to the early 13th century. Similar to other buildings from that era, St. Marks has had numerous reconstructions though it has retained some of its original Romanesque and Gothic features. 

The church’s current form is credited to Herman Bolle’s last renovation works in 1880. Hermann Bollé adopted the Historicist style to create a tiled roof pattern depicting the coat of arms of Zagreb, Triune Kingdom of Croatia, Dalmatia and Slavonia.

St Mark’s Church’s Gothic south portal features detailed intricate carvings of biblical themes. It’s said to be one of the most valuable portals in Central Europe. Unfortunately, St. Mark’s is still undergoing renovations following the 2020 earthquake, so up-close visits are on hold. 

However, the highlight of this church has always been its facade, so do stop by and check it out.  

Tip:  St Mark’s Church is located on St Mark’s Square in the Upper Town. It’s in the midst of some charming buildings in the city worth a quick look like Croatia’s Parliament and Government buildings and the Old City Hall.

7. Explore the Museum of Broken Relationships   

Price: adults €7 , students €5.50.

The  Museum of Broken Relationships  is one of the absolute Zagreb sights to see. It’s up there for us on our list of the best experiences we had in Zagreb.

This unusual museum came about after two Zagreb artists who after their own relationship ended decided to create a space to exhibit personal items left behind when relationships fail. 

It is a one-of-a-kind museum as its collection consists of objects contributed by people from around the world. Every object comes with a heart-touching story about the failed relationship. 

The collection at the Museum of Broken Relationships evokes many emotions as it includes many different types of relationships. You’re guaranteed to laugh, feel sad and reminisce on your own past experiences. 

It’s a small museum, but really packs a punch! 

8. Take in the City Views from Lotrščak Tower 

Price: adults €3 , children €2.

Take the challenge to go up Lotrščak Tower’s spiral staircase to enjoy a beautiful 360-degree view of Zagreb City. 

Lotrščak Tower initially existed as a defensive tower built during the 13th century as part of the overall Gradec fortifications.

Like many other fortifications of that time, the tower has been repurposed and now functions as a museum with its deck providing an open viewing platform of the city’s skyline. 

Some historic remnants have been preserved, in particular, the 19th-century Grič Cannon which to this day fires daily at 12 noon to mark midday.

9. Ride the Zagreb Funicular 

Price: one way €0,66.

The  Zagreb Funicular  is one of the best things to see in Zagreb. Among other things, the quaint Funicular is the oldest mode of transport in Zagreb and the shortest cable ride in the world spanning just 66 metres.

A single ride takes just 64 seconds from Tomićeva Street station in Lower Town to Strossmayer Promenade.  

It’s also an accessible means to move between the Upper and Lower towns as the two places are located at different elevations.

10. Stroll Strossmayer Promenade

Strossmayer Promenade  for most Zagreb locals the most picturesque walkway in the city center. The promenade gets its name from a 19th-century Croatian Bishop and cultural proponent Josip Juraj Strossmayer.

It’s a short uphill promenade that stretches from Tomićeva Street in the Lower Town to the area around the Lotrščak Tower in the Upper Town offering an alternative travel route between the two districts. 

The promenade’s upper part offers beautiful views of Zagreb city’s red roofs and Zagreb Cathedral twin towers. Wild chestnut trees, various forms of street art and sculptures, food stalls, cafes and restaurants add a special touch to the promenade’s ambience.

Strossmayer Promenade regularly hosts events and festivals all seasons, so check it out, especially if you’re lucky enough to be in town for Zagreb Advent.

11. Check the Museum of Selfie and Memories

Prices: adults €8 , students €6 , family card €20.

The  Museum of Selfie and Memories  should take a top place on your list if you love posing and taking awesome pictures, especially for your Instagram.

It really is one of the coolest things to do in Zagreb for young adults, so if there are some among you don’t miss it. 

I visited the museum with my son and his friend and we all had a blast posing and taking pictures behind varied props and backdrops of Croatian history and great Croatian inventors’ themes as well as modern culture.

It’s a small museum which offers a fun break from sightseeing.

Location : Pavla Radića St, just around the corner from Ban Jelačić Square.

Good to know

Zagreb’s Upper town is also home to two highly reviewed museums worth checking out namely Zagreb City Museum (suited if keen to learn how Zagreb has evolved over the centuries) and the Croatian Museum of Naive Art (suited if curious about Croatian naive art from the 20th century).

12. Stroll Tkalčićeva Street 

Tkalčićeva Street  is Zabreb’s most famous and vibrant pedestrian street in the Upper Town, a short walk from Jelačić Square and around the corner from Dolac Market.  

In years past, Tkalčićeva St didn’t always exist as it is. During medieval times, the street was covered by a stream that divided Kapitol and Gradec. The stream sustained the city’s watermilling industry but came with bloody feuds. 

Tkalčićeva St. emerged in the 19th century when the stream was covered and houses and businesses were built along it. 

In its early years, the homes on Tkalčićeva St were mostly brothels that were publicly advertised though discreetly, by placing red lanterns outside. It’s believed that Tkalčićeva St. is the first Red Light District in Europe .

Nowadays, Tkalčićeva St. is an attractive street, full to the brim with colourful buildings (some of which give off some Alpine vibes) housing outdoor cafes perfect for people-watching, bars and pubs that are a hub for Zagreb nightlife as well as restaurants offering a wide variety of cuisines. 

It’s quite a popular spot in Zagreb with both locals and tourists who come to enjoy its diverse offerings and lively atmosphere.

Zagreb is one of the few cities that have retained the tradition of lighting its gas lanterns in the Upper Town manually. Keep out for the lamplighters as you explore Tkalčićeva St. in the evenings, you might be lucky enough to witness one of the city’s treasured ancient radiations.

What to do in Zagreb Day 2 – Lower Town

1. stroll through zrinjevac park.

Zrinjevac Park  (Nikola Šubić Zrinski Square) is one of Zagbreb’s series of connected parks and squares locally known as the “Green Horseshoe” due to their layout which takes the shape of the letter “u”.

Many of the city’s cultural institutions are located around the parks and squares, making combining sightseeing with spending time in relaxed beautifully decorated green spaces that bit easier.

Zrinjevac Park, located a short walking distance from Jelačić Square in the Lower Town, is in my view the most attractive of them all. The park is the first of the Green Horseshoe created during the 19th century by Croatian urban planner Milan Lenuci.

It’s best known for its gorgeous flower beds, green and lush lawns and tree-lined avenues. There is a charming 19th-century music pavilion that regularly hosts music performances, decorative sculptures and historic time and weather instruments.

Zrinjevac Park is a regular venue for festivals and various events of all seasons. If you’re lucky enough to be in Zagreb at Christmas, be sure to stop by as it becomes magical with all the festive decorations. 

There are endless festivals in Zagreb. We were fortunate to be in Zagreb during the city’s first-ever Asian Street Food Festival held in Strossmayer Park, located directly across from Zrinjevac Park.

We got to indulge in some really good food whilst surrounded by beautiful parks, people and architecture.

Be sure to check out the parks in Zagreb as they are some of the best places to socialise in the city.

2. Check the Archeological Museum Zagreb

If you’re a lover of history, the  Archaeological Museum Zagreb , located next to Zrinjevac Park, is worth a stop. Its highly regarded permanent collection covers prehistoric, Egyptian, Greek and Roman as well as mediaeval times.

Bear in mind the museum suffered damage in the last earthquake as a result many of its collection is currently not exhibited due to some ongoing restorations. 

This museum is housed in a 19th-century palace which is really pretty and worth seeing, so do give it a quick look while in the area.

3. Visit the Mimara Museum

For art lovers or anyone who loves to explore, the Mimara Museum is not to be missed. It’s housed in a colossal neo-Renaissance-styled building located on Roosevelt Square in the Lower Town. The museum exhibits over 3,700 artworks from pre-historic times up to the 20th century donated by the Croatian art collector Ante Topić Mimara.

If you wish to visit, check the museum’s website beforehand as it’s closed for renovations due to the earthquake but is promised to be opened soon.

4. Visit the Croatian National Theatre

A trip to Zagreb without a visit to the iconic  Croatian National Theatre , known locally as HNK Zagreb, is no visit at all. The theatre is probably the best landmark in the city representative of the city’s rich Austo-Hungarian-inspired heritage. 

It’s located in the Lower Town on  Republic of Croatia Square , one of the city’s largest and beautiful squares which form part of the city’s Green Horseshoe.

The colossal yellow-tinted neoclassical-style theatre was built by famous Viennese-based theatre architects Fellner and Helmer. It was officially opened in 1895 by Emperor Franz Josef of Austria during his first visit to the country.

The theatre has remained an important cultural institution in the country where you can enjoy top-quality opera, ballet, drama, musicals and more. 

Take the theatre’s guided tour , among other things to see the 765-seat auditorium which is decorated with a splendid ceiling with hanging chandelier and golden walls. 

If you appreciate sculpture art, don’t miss the  “Well of Life”  sculpture (1905) by the celebrated Croatian sculptor Ivan Meštrović, situated right in front of the theatre. 

Looking for things to do in Zagreb at night?   See a show ! The theatre offers more than 220 performances every year.

5. Explore the Botanical Garden of Zagreb    

Price: adults €2 , students €1.

Make a quick stop at the  Botanical Garden of Zagreb  if you have a fondness for nature and gardens. It’s one of the parks that make up the city’s Green Horseshoe, conveniently located near to Zagreb train station. 

The Zagreb Botanical Garden was established in 1889 as an educational space for the Faculty of Science at the University of Zagreb and later opened to the public in 1891.

You have 5 hectares inhabited by over 10, 000 plant species from across the globe including some indigenous varieties to explore.

The plants are organised in themed gardens, with walkaways, bridges and lakes which makes for a relaxed stroll whilst taking in some inspiration for your own gardening activities back home.

6. Visit the Nikola Tesla Technical Museum 

Price:  adults €4 , students €3.

Add a trip to the  Nikola Tesla Technical Museum  if you’re looking for things to do in Zagreb for young adults or just love to discover.

The museum is located in the Lower Town, close to many of Zagreb’s attractions such as the Croatian National Theatre and Botanical Gardens. It’s housed in a 1949 timber exhibition hall which was originally built to host the Zagreb Fair.

Nikola Tesla is one of Croatia’s great inventors who made advances in the development of modern alternating electrical power systems.

The museum is dedicated to highlighting Tesla’s innovations and ideas as well as many other science and technological advances related to energy, transport and communication. 

Exhibits to see at this museum include a Nikola Tesla Demonstration Cabinet where various scientific demonstrations are presented, a lifesize 20th-century mineral and oil model mine, historic vehicles including a 1924 tram, fire fighting and military transport.

Join the museum’s guided tour if you fancy an in-depth look at exciting science and technological innovations over the years.

7. Visit the Chocolate Museum Zagreb

Price:  adults €9 , children €6.50.

The  Chocolate Museum Zagreb  is the perfect stop for a sweet adventure in Zagreb. 

A 5-minute stroll from Ban Jelacic Square brings you to this little museum where you can delve into the history of chocolate over the different time periods from the ancient Mesoamericans all the way up to the present day. 

Six chic periodic-themed rooms come with chocolate-related artefacts, informative displays, tasting spots with variations of chocolate to try, smell and touch and finish off with a chocolate praline-making demonstration.

A highlight of the museum is its ticket which comes with chocolate samples to devour as you stroll through the exhibition rooms.

8. Check out the Museum of Illusions    

Price: adults €9 , discounts for students & families.

The  Museum of Illusions Zagreb  is a brainchild of two Zagreb locals that has spread to several cities both in Croatia and worldwide. It’s a small museum, located in the Lower Town along Zagbreb’s Illica’s street, the city’s long main street. 

A visit to the Museum of Illusions Zagreb is one experience in Zagreb that is guaranteed to send excitement levels to the maximum. It’s one of the most fun and unique things to do in Zagreb which makes for an unforgettable experience, especially for families, groups or couples.

The museum’s collection of 70 interactive exhibits is designed to take your senses on a spin by creating fascinating optical illusions.

“The Anti-Gravity Room” exhibit at the museum creates an illusion that your body is defying gravity and moving at odd angles while the “Head on a Tray” creates an illusion that your body has separated from your head and is served on a tray.

Another highlight here is the “Mirror Room”  which creates an illusion of an infinite number of yourself. 

All the exhibits at the Museum of Illusions make for a perfect photo opportunity, so don’t miss it if this is your kind of fun.

Things to Do in Zagreb with More Time

There are plenty of other things to do in Zagreb if you’re in the city with more time. The following are very popular Zagreb attractions but a little bit further out of the city. 

1. Explore Mirogoj Cemetery

Price: free.

Mirogoj Cemetery  is often seen on many lists of Europe’s most beautiful cemeteries. It’s the city’s central cemetery located in the Upper Town, about 3km from the city centre.  

The cemetery was designed by  Herman Bole , the German architect behind the restoration of Zagreb Cathedral and St. Mark’s Church after the 1880 earthquake. It officially opened in 1879 as a city cemetery welcoming multi-denominational burials.

The cemetery is known for its neoclassical-styled long arcades, an impressive arched entrance surrounded by thick walls topped by green domes.

A stroll through the cemetery’s tree-lined avenues and arcades reveals endless tombs and mausoleums, some of which are quite remarkable and are final resting places for great Croatian citizens including the architect Herman Bole. 

There are many monuments in honour of war victims throughout the country’s history, sculptures (some designed by Ivan Mestrovic) and various sepulchral pieces of art. 

Choose to visit Mirogoj Cemetery with a guide to explore its fascinating history and its artistic treasures. If visiting alone, check out  this guide  by Zagreb’s Tourist Board for easy navigation.

Getting to Mirogoj Cemetery

Zagreb  Bus line 106  leaves from Zagreb Cathedral to Mirogoj and the journey takes about 15 mins.

Opens : Daily 6 am to 8 pm (April to Oct), 7.30 to 6 pm (Nov – March) 

2. Explore Maksimir Park

Marksimir Park  is the oldest and largest park in Zagreb covering 316 hectares. The park was one of the first public parks when it opened in 1794 in all of south-eastern Europe. It’s located on the outskirts of Zagreb, but easy enough to reach by public transport. 

This park is one of the top free things to do in Zagreb if you’re longing for some outdoor fun or just want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. 

It boasts large spaces of landscaped gardens ideal for relaxing with a picnic or a book, natural forested areas home to some wildlife, walking, running or cycling trails, five artificial lakes, a children’s playground and historic monuments and charming buildings.

It’s also home to the city’s zoo,  Zagreb Zoo , which is located in the southern part of the park. 

If you’re an animal lover or travelling with kids consider combining a stroll through Maksimir Park with a visit to Zagreb Zoo and explore its inhabitants which consist of over 7 000 animals of varying species from all over the world.

Plan your visit to Maksimir Park here .

 3. Spend a day at Lake Jarun  

We discovered  Lake Jarun  through our friendly tax driver who spoke so highly of it and couldn’t recommend it enough for us to add to our top list of things to do in Zagreb.

The lake, located 6 km from the city centre in the southwestern area of Zagreb, is a big hit with locals and tourists in the know. It’s a man-made lake connected to the Sava River which was initially developed to host the World Student Games in 1987. 

Over the years, Jarun Lake has become a centre for outdoor activities and entertainment in Zagreb especially during the summer months.

The lake’s high-quality water is perfect for many water sports such as swimming, kayaking and rowing. Sporting fields, skate parks and walking trails are just as popular for sports enthusiasts.

And if you’re peckish, the lakesides are awash with food stalls, cafes, restaurants and bars. You can also, choose to pack for a barbeque or picnic if you’d rather focus on relaxing by the lake.     

Jarun Lake is a venue for many festivals and its bars and nightclubs are some of the most popular in town, so if you’re in search of Zagreb nightlife, do check them out.

Getting to Jarun Lake  

It’s easier to get to Jarun Lake by car (paid parking is available), Uber or taxi. Alternatively, get tram lines 5 and 7 from the city centre.  

4. Visit Plitvice Lakes National Park

If you’ve got one day to spare in Zagreb, be sure to take a day trip to  Plitvice Lakes National Park .

This spectacular natural wonder is located about 2 hours drive from Zagreb by car. It’s a bit of a trek but, it so definitely the day trip from Zagreb.

Plitvice Lakes National Park, a  UNESCO Heritage Site  since 1979, is truly amazing and has to be seen to be believed.

The park is spread across 30,000 hectares and features 16 interconnected cascading lakes and waterfalls of remarkably blue and green water surrounded by a stunning karst landscape and a dense lush forest.

A network of wooden trails of varying lengths and electric boats in the park offers an opportunity to navigate the park and admire its magical landscape. 

Getting to Plitvice Lakes National Park

Hire a car in Zagreb and drive to Plitvice Lakes National Park if you can as it gives you the freedom to decide the length of your visit and options to make stops at other places of interest as you wish.

Check Discover Cars to compare your car hire options in Zagreb.

You can also opt to join a small group   Plitvice Lakes Tour  from Zagreb. 

5. Take a Day trip to Lake Bled      

Taking a day trip to  Lake Bled  in Slovenia from Zagreb was one of the highlights of our trip to Zagreb. We just can’t recommend it enough. It’s one of the most popular tourist destinations in Slovenia and rightfully so.

This glacial lake is located in the Julian Alps northwest of Slovenia next to Bled Town, about 50km from the country’s capital Ljubljana. It sits in a pretty location surrounded by mountains, stunning lush forest and on the foothills of the medieval Bled Castle. 

The tear-shaped Bled Island with its charming Gothic Church of the Mother of God on the Lake and Tower in the middle of the magnificent turquoise lake make for a jaw-dropping vista.

There is so much fun to be had in Lake Bled from taking rides on a traditional pletna (rowing wooden boat) across the lake to Bled Island to taking scenic walks around the lake (the 6km long lap takes about 1.5 hrs) and hiking up to Bled Castle for even better views of the lake and the Alps in the distance. 

If you prefer more time in the water the calm waters of Lake Bled are perfect for wild swimming, kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding. Just remember to bring along a swimsuit so you don’t miss out on fun. 

If you do feel peckish, the  Park Cafe at Hotel Bled  on the banks of Lake Bled, is the perfect spot for a casual bite to eat and to try Lake Bled’s famous original  Bled cream cake  (kremšnita) whilst taking in spectacular views.  

Tip: Start your day tour of Lake Bled early and squeeze in a visit to  Vintgar Gorge . It’s a stunning 1.6 km gorge surrounded by picturesque rocky cliffs in Gorge, a municipality located about 4.5km from Bled Town. 

We made the trip to Lake Bled with a rental car from Zagreb and the journey took about 2 hours each way.

Consider visiting Lake Bled with the many available small group tours from Zagreb if you’re travelling by public transport. Ljubljana and Lake Bled Tour from Zagreb

Zagreb Food and Drink Spots to Try (Upper Town)

• Otto and Frank  (Tkalčićeva Street) – visit for a really good breakfast and brunch.

• Pod Zidom Bistro & Wine Bar  (Pod Zidom St) – Visit this chic restaurant to enjoy delicious Croatian dishes made with fresh and high-quality produce paired with some really good local wines.
• La Štruk  (Skalinska St) – Single dish restaurant serving Štrukli (a Croatian dish popular in Zagreb consisting of a dough filled with cream cheese with either savoury or sweet additions and baked or boiled. They do it well and they have a really pretty patio, so don’t bother going elsewhere.

• Oaza Joyful Kitchen  (Pavla Radića St) – Visit to enjoy cheap vegan street food.     
• Valhalla Metal Bar  (Radića Street) – Visit to explore Zabreb’s craft beer scene. They have an impressive craft beer selection as well as regular beers.

Food and Drink Spots to Try (Lower Town)

• Heritage  – Croatian Street Food & Shop (Petrinjska St) – A small restaurant to visit to enjoy a variety of affordable quality Croatian dishes. They stock Croatian specialities perfect to buy to bring home.

• Vinodol  (10 Nikole Tesle St)- A family-friendly restaurant ideal for enjoying traditional Croatian dishes given a modern twist.
• In the Yard  – Cogito Coffee – Delicious coffee, for us, is one of the best hidden gems in Zagreb.
• Quahwa (Nikole Tesle St) – The coffee here is really good, and they do pastries as well.

• Korica Zagreb  (Preradovićeva St) – A small cute bakery with delicious pastries and coffee, perfect for breakfast.

Zagreb Travel Tips

Getting to zagreb .

• Flying  – Zagreb Airport (Franjo Tuđman Airport), located 15 km from the city centre is the best airport to fly into Zagreb. The airport has the most connections with other European cities with some direct international flights.

You’ve got a choice of a Shuttle bus ( €8 35 -40 mins ) to Zagreb Train Station or a local Public bus , line 290 ( 90c – 35mins ). We took an Uber and paid €20 for the 30-minute ride.

• Train  – Zagreb is serviced by a train station which links it to many cities in Europe.  See Zagreb train tips here .     

Car Hire in Zagreb

If you’re looking to hire a car for your day trips, consider collecting the car in the city centre as you probably won’t need it to get around Zagreb.

DiscoverCars  is handy for quickly comparing car hire prices. 

Getting Around Zagreb

Whilst Zagreb is Croatia’s capital, its main centre where the historic parts of the city are located is relatively tiny. Most of Zagreb’s attractions are close to each other and easily reached on foot, so you shouldn’t need to drive.

• Zagreb Funicular   – provides a quick ride to move between the Upper and Lower areas of the city centre (1-minute ride – 0.66€). 
• Public Transport  – Offered through an extensive tram and bus (ZET – Zagreb Electric Tram) system, connecting the city centre and residential neighbourhoods. It’s the most affordable means to get around in Zagreb.
• Taxis – are widely available, metred and relatively cheap. 

Where to stay in Zagreb

Booking.com   and  Airbnb  are my favourite resources for booking hotels in Croatia. Here are some options worth checking out:

• Esplanade Hotel   – a 5-star historic hotel initially built for Orient Express passengers. It’s famous for hosting high-profile clients. It’s situated directly across from the central train station.
• Best Western Premier Hotel Astoria   – A mid-range Hotel located close to the Zagreb Train Station and about a 10-minute walk to Ban Jelačić Square. The hotel is housed in a 1932 building but its interior is modern and tastefully decorated.
• Swanky Mint Hostel – Budget-friendly hostel with a bar and pool. It’s located just an 8-minute walk from the main square.

Enjoy Zagreb! Do get in touch if you need help. I will be glad to help!

Tip:  Read on for the Best Places to Visit in Croatia on a Road Trip including the most useful travel tips.

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The Partying Traveler

Survival of the littest.

The Backpacker’s Travel Guide to Zagreb, Croatia

Croatia’s lively capital and largest city is one of my favorites in the Balkans. It lacks the sunshine and sparkling waters that attract most travelers to Croatia, but dang, does this city have a ton of character. It is beautiful in its own right, and boasts some of the most beautiful architecture I’ve seen in the Balkans. It’s a hot spot for nightlife and home to some amazing restaurants, bars, museums, and more. In other words, it deserves to be on any backpacker’s travel radar.

We spent three nights in Zagreb recovering from our weeklong birthday boat bash along the Croatian coastline, and I couldn’t have asked for a better spot to lay low. Zagreb was the change of pace I needed after the more crowded cities along the coast. Despite having far fewer tourists, Zagreb maintained an electric energy to it. If you’re considering a visit to Zagreb, do it. It may go overlooked by many backpackers, but I truly loved the city.

This post contains affiliate links. That means that I may earn a commission if you make a purchase through one of these links.

Table of Contents

Where to stay in zagreb, how to get around zagreb, the best things to do in zagreb.

• Things To Know Before Going to Zagreb

Since I was recovering from an utterly chaotic week of partying, my sister and I opted to split a nicer hotel in downtown Zagreb. However, I’ve heard from many a fellow backpacker that Whole Wide World Hostel is the place to be. Most backpackers will use Zagreb as the starting point of their Croatian adventures. A lively and social hostel like Whole Wide World Hostel is essential for picking up travel buddies. WWW Hostel is super close to the city’s downtown area, guaranteeing that you’ll be close to all the action.

View All Hostels in Zagreb

Zagreb is great because the public transportation is excellent. As a traveler, you might not really need to use the public transportation because most things are within walking distance anyway. But, it’s good to know that you have that option. Ubers are also quite cheap within the city. You shouldn’t be spending more than $5 to get anywhere within the main part of the city.

Zagreb is a well-connected city. Whether traveling elsewhere to Croatia or bouncing to another country entirely, you can likely get there through Zagreb’s train or bus stations. I’m typing this out right now from the comfortable and scenic train ride up to Ljubljana in neighboring Slovenia. After living the bus life in Latin America for nearly three years, the train life in Europe feels like a big-time upgrade. Getting to and from Zagreb shouldn’t be an issue from any major Balkan destination.

Zagreb has a lot of charm to it, and I recommend just roaming around to your heart’s desire. You’ll inevitable find something that catches your eye. This city is full of hidden gems. It has beauty everywhere you look, which I honestly didn’t expect. After being underwhelmed by other Balkan capitals like Tirana and Podgorica, I was truly shocked at just how beautiful Zagreb was.

The Museum of Broken Relationships

Although small, this museum is one of the coolest and most unique that I’ve ever been to. I often lose interest in museums the longer I stay in them, but the Museum of Broken Relationships kept my attention all throughout. It is a beautiful tribute to humanity and emotion. It will make you laugh, make you cry, and make you reminisce on your own past loves. The entrance fee is only about $6, and it’s worth spending an hour or two in there.

The Museum of Hangovers

Zagreb has no shortage of unique museums. Aside from the Museum of Broken Relationships, my other favorite was the Museum of Hangovers . I liked it as soon as I walked in, when they offered me free entrance if I could hit a bulls-eye on a dartboard while wearing drunk goggles. I was so damn close, but I missed by a few centimeters. They gave me a beer before I walked in and I got to reading stories of drunken shenanigans from people all over Croatia and the world. This museum is also quite small, but the variety of exhibits keeps things interesting.

Other Museums in Zagreb

Don’t worry, Zagreb has normal museums, too. You can’t miss the National Archaeological Museum, Ethnographic Museum, and any of the number of art galleries within Zagreb. Other strange museums include the Mushroom Museum, Museum of Illusions, and Chocolate Museum.

Roam Through the Park

As soon as you walk out of the Glavni Kolodvor Train Station, you’ll find yourself in the heart of Zagreb. The huge green space extends for blocks and blocks. I automatically love a city more if it has an easily accessible green space, and Zagreb nails that on this front. Lined with beautiful architecture on both sides, this huge park is a great place to roam around and spend the day. There’s always something going on in this park, including concerts, art shows, and more.

Aside from the main park, there are a lot of other green areas and public spaces to explore in Zagreb. There’s the Art Park close to the bustling downtown area. There’s a huge botanical garden just minutes away from the main train station. Zagreb is a city that gets it right. It may not have any of the stunning natural attractions that Croatia has in abundance, but it’s possible to get out in nature while you’re here.

Check Out the Churches and Cathedrals

Zagreb has some absolutely stunning architecture. Some of the best shows of architecture are its churches and cathedrals. Zagreb Cathedral is a can’t-miss, like literally, it’s tall and pointy. You’ll see it. St. Mark’s Church pictured above is another can’t-miss, with it’s uniquely-decorated roof.

Feast on Some Balkan Food

I could have stayed in Zagreb forever, mostly because of the food. Zagreb has a massively international food scene, and I found myself feasting on bao, Sri Lankan curry, tacos, and of course, traditional Balkan food. Eat to your heart’s desire while you’re in Zagreb. The food scene here is incredible and wildly international. Seriously, don’t miss Curry House while you’re here. Who knew I’d find some bomb ass Sri Lankan food in Croatia? There were also some amazing East Asian, Indian, and Lebanese restaurants, to go with the usual Balkan, Italian, and American-style restaurants. You could fall in love with Zagreb just based on the food alone.

Other Things to Know About Zagreb

Here are some crash course things you need to know in case Zagreb is your first stop in Croatia. Despite Croatia being in the European Union, they still use their own currency. The Croatian Kuna converts to about 6.5 kuna to $1 USD, or about 8 kuna to 1 euro. The cost of living in Zagreb is much lower than the other touristy spots in Croatia. Treat yourself while you’re here, because you’ll barely afford a cheap meal in Dubrovnik or Split for the price of a fancy restaurant in Zagreb.

I’ve found that a lot of people in Zagreb speak English, especially at places frequented by tourists. Zagreb is a modern city but maintains a very historic feel to it. It is a great home base for digital nomads and remote workers, much more so than anywhere else in Croatia that I visited. You’ll find great Wi-Fi everywhere. Zagreb is definitely a top candidate for where I would post up if I ever need to take a few weeks to catch up on life, while keeping costs low.

Many people will make the mistake of skipping Zagreb entirely. I get it, Croatia’s coastline is absolute stunning. There’s no denying that. I was in awe my entire time in Dubrovnik . Each stop along my Croatian coastline hopping cruise was breathtaking, from Korcula to Hvar to Makarska to Split and more. If you’ve got time, do not miss out on Zagreb. Even if it’s just for a day or two, you don’t want to miss Zagreb.

Make sure to have good travel insurance handy whenever you’re out adventuring. I use SafetyWing to keep me covered throughout my travels.

And hey, if this post helped you out, show some love and support for the blog and help keep my adventures going by  buying me a beer ! My adventures are entirely self-funded, so any show of support is greatly appreciated, and allows me to keep writing helpful travel guides and creating travel content to help you all travel the world on a budget.

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Zagreb Travel Guide: A Cultural Mosaic Where East Meets West

• November 14, 2023

Zagreb: Discovering Architectural Marvels, Vibrant Art Festivals, and Historical Temples of the Tito Era

When you walk through the streets of this city, you can vividly see the architecture of different eras – from medieval cathedrals to Yugoslav modernism. In Zagreb, there are dozens of art museums and galleries. In the summer, festivals and art events are held every weekend. Additionally, there are many parks, murals, and unique museums – like the Museum of Naïve Art or the Museum of Broken Relationships.

Strolling through medieval quarters and modernist districts, attending services in deconstructivist churches, and feasting on pljeskavica. Zagreb significantly lags in the tourist competition with the country’s Mediterranean coast. It is also not easy to compete with European capitals. Therefore, the city is not spoiled by tourist attention. At first glance, Zagreb simultaneously resembles Vienna and Belgrade. In the struggle between the two essences of the city – the showcased Central European and the sidelined Balkan – the uniqueness of Zagreb is not immediately apparent. But if you get to know the city a little more, you begin to understand its unique character.

Table of Contents

Architecture

Warring middle ages: gradec vs kaptol.

Zagreb is a matryoshka-like city. Each district is built in its own style, characteristic of a particular era. Therefore, a walk through Zagreb is a unique excursion into the history of European architecture and urbanism. The oldest part of Zagreb, which originated in the Middle Ages, is called the Upper Town (Gornji Grad). It used to consist of two parts that were at odds with each other. Gradec was a free royal city. And Kaptol, with its cathedral, belonged to the bishop. Since then, one of the streets is named Bloody Bridge – the site of medieval clashes between the residents of Gradec and Kaptol. After the Mongol invasion of the 13th century, a fortress was built around both settlements. In Kaptol, near the cathedral, fragments of the wall have been preserved. In Gradec, there is a tower and the Stone Gate (Kamenita vrata). Passing through them, you find yourself in a medieval town with low-rise, predominantly Renaissance and Baroque architecture. It feels as if you’ve stepped into the past.

Kaptol, with its long streets that climb up the slope, has become a tourist center. The streets of Tkalčićeva and Radićeva have the highest concentration of restaurants and souvenir shops. The main attraction of Kaptol for tourists is the cathedral. It was damaged by the earthquake in 2020 and is currently closed for restoration. Interestingly, the original medieval cathedral was also damaged by an earthquake in 1880 and was reconstructed by Zagreb’s most famous architect, Herman Bollé.

To delve deeper into history, one can visit the City Museum (Opatička ul., 20). And it’s allowed to climb the Lotrščak Tower (Tomićeva ul., 9) – from the top, the entire center of Zagreb is visible. Near the tower, there are also two more modern attractions: the Museum of Broken Relationships (Ćirilometodska ul., 2) with a sad collection of items and stories about breakups. And the World War II tunnel-bomb shelter (Mesnička ul. 19), opened to visitors five years ago.

Lower Town: A New Chapter in the History of Zagreb

In 1850, Gradec and Kaptol united with each other and with surrounding settlements into a single city. This marked the beginning of a new era in the life of Zagreb. The part of the city that was built after the union is called the Lower Town (Donji grad). Following the trends of that time, streets intersect at right angles, and the houses are built in the spirit of historical styles and eclecticism, and later Art Nouveau (Secession). The main urban project in the Lower Town, the Green Horseshoe, was realized at the end of the 19th century. This is a series of park-squares with public buildings: museums, galleries, a theater, a library, and educational institutions. One of the most unusual parks is Zrinjevac (Zrinjevac). When twilight descends on the city and the lanterns light up, it seems as if you’ve stepped into the past, with carriages rolling down the streets instead of cars and men in tailcoats strolling about. If the Green Horseshoe is the focal point of the spirit of the beautiful era of the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, then Zagreb’s central square (Trg Bana Jelačića) is a concise encyclopedia of architectural development from the mid-19th to the mid-20th century: from Historicism through Art Nouveau to Modernism. Especially noticeable is the skyscraper in the style of American architecture of the 1950s. From its observation deck (Ilica, 1), the differences in construction and characteristics of different parts of the city are clearly visible.

Interwar Period: Villas Influenced by Le Corbusier and the ‘Near the Mosque’ District, Where There is No Mosque

The area to the east of the Green Horseshoe was developed during the interwar period, when Zagreb architects balanced between Neoclassicism and Modernism. In this area, the eyes rest from the abundance of details and stucco of the Lower Town. The main place is the Square of the Victims of Fascism (Trg zrtava fašizma). Locals call this area “near the mosque” (kod džamije), which is perplexing because there is no mosque. The fact is, the pavilion designed by architect Ivan Meštrović, located in the center of the square, was converted into a mosque during World War II. Three separate minarets were built, and the pavilion was decorated with Croatian geometric patterns to emphasize the similarity between Islamic and folk art, thereby Croaticizing local Muslims. During the years of socialist Yugoslavia, this building housed the Museum of the Revolution. This phantom mosque, despite the brevity of its existence, is indelibly imprinted in the memory of the locals and the city’s toponymy.

Zagreb, squeezed between a mountain range and a railway line, thus grew in width. But in the interwar period, they began to develop the northern slopes of the city with villas and entire complexes in the concept of a garden city . Working there, architects had greater freedom than in the center, where investors demanded adherence to classical canons in architecture. While architects wanted to build modernist buildings, paying more attention to the function and structure of the buildings than to facade decoration. The opportunity to realize their ideas came from private development. Thus emerged a complex on Novakova Street (Novakova ulica) with functionalist villas, inspired by the works of Le Corbusier, Gropius, and Loos. Novakova Street leads directly to Šalata, a complex of the medical faculty mainly from the interwar period. From there, one can continue the walk along Voćarska Road (Voćarska cesta). Another route for lovers of interwar modernism is the vicinity of Zelengaj Park (Zelengaj) and Pantovčak (Pantovčak) and Vladimira Nazora Streets (Vladimira Nazora ulica).

Modernism under Socialism: The “Mammoth” and “Super-Andrija”

Skyscrapers A real heyday for modernist architects came with socialism. Zagreb was actively developed to the south of the railway tracks, and Grada Vukovara Street (ul. Grada Vukovara) and its surroundings became an open-air museum of modernist architecture. Here, key administrative and educational buildings of the socialist era were built. Particularly notable are the Zagrepčanka skyscraper (Zagrepčanka, Savska, 41), the brutalist “Rakete” complex (Zeleni trg), the TV tower (HRT, Prisavlje ul. 3), and the building constructed for the Union of Communists of Croatia, popularly known as “Kockica” (Kockica, Prisavlje bb).

In the 1960s, the city crossed the Sava River, and on the other side, the residential area of Novi Zagreb was built, where the ideas of Le Corbusier became a reality. Many think that Le Corbusier, followed by architects of socialist countries, dreamt of cluttering cities with ugly high-rise districts. But no, the idea of the modernists was to build fewer buildings, but tall ones, and to free up maximum space for parks and roads. In Novi Zagreb, this idea was partially realized. When you cross the Sava, it seems that the city disappears: a view opens up to green expanses, among which individual buildings are visible. The most famous high-rise complexes are colloquially known as “Mamutica” (Mamutica, Ul. Božidara Magovca) and “Super Andrija” (Super Andrija, Siget ul., 18).

After World War II in Yugoslavia, huge and uniquely shaped monuments to the national liberation struggle, also known as spomeniks , were actively erected. Most of them are located far from major cities and are gradually deteriorating. However, in Zagreb, within the city limits, there are several interesting monuments from this period: the December Victims’ monument (Park prosinačkih žrtava) and the monument in the Righteous Among the Nations Park (Park Pravednika među Narodima), Memorial Park Dotrščina. Near the airport, in a quiet and low-rise area, the “Broken Ring” monument is erected. One can indulge in nostalgia for socialist Yugoslavia not only by walking through the expanses of Novi Zagreb and the suburbs but also in the very center of the city, thanks to the Zagreb 1980s museum (Radićeva, 34). The museum is made from a retro apartment with a collection of items from that time. Everything is allowed to be touched, and you can turn on the technology, play video and board games. For those who grew up in the USSR, it will be interesting to compare items from the same era in Yugoslavia with Soviet ones.

Religion: Deconstructivist Churches and Sunday Masses

The experience of Zagreb would be incomplete without visiting churches or even attending a Sunday Mass — Croats are incredibly religious. The ancient churches in the center are, of course, interesting, but such can be found in many European cities. The uniqueness of Zagreb lies in its modernist sacred architecture. The search for new forms for temples continued even under socialism. In the 1950s, the Catholic Church faced persecution, but after the Croatian Spring , the anti-religious campaign softened. In the 1970s, the first church in Novi Zagreb was built in the spirit of functionalism with a wavy roof (Crkva Svetog Križa, trg svetog Križa, 1). In the 1980s, a mosque in modern forms appeared (Gavellina ul., 40). The heyday for architects came in the 1990s, when churches began to be built even more diversely. We recommend visiting the deconstructivist church of Blessed Augustin Kažotić (crkva Blaženog Augustina Kažotića, Ivanićgradska ul., 71) or taking a walk in the eastern part of Novi Zagreb, where there is the highest concentration of unusual modernist churches.

Other Activities: The Museum of Naïve Art, Walking Tours of Murals, Exploring the City Through Street Art, and Visiting Ancient Cemeteries

Zagreb’s art museums and galleries can be a journey through a brief history of world and Croatian art. Unfortunately, some museums are currently closed for restoration due to the earthquake. Among them are the two main collections of classical art: the Gallery of Old Masters and the Mimara Museum. Although their collections are not the most unique, and similar art can be seen in any European city. Among the unusual museums is the Museum of Naïve Art (Ćirilometodska ul., 3). It was originally created as a peasant art gallery. Now it is a serious institution that exhibits naïve art from foreign and Croatian artists. More academic creations of local 20th-century artists can be explored at the Modern Gallery (Ul. Andrije Hebranga, 1) or at exhibitions in the House of Croatian Artists (Trg žrtava fašizma, 16). This is the same pavilion that was once a mosque and the Museum of the Revolution. The author of the pavilion is the famous Croatian sculptor Ivan Meštrović. His work can be seen in his former studio (Mletačka ul., 8). In the Modernist building of the Museum of Contemporary Art (Avenija Dubrovnik, 17) in Novi Zagreb, there is a huge collection of art, multimedia exhibitions, and regular events. In the summer, they are organized on the museum’s roof. Even more current and contemporary exhibitions are held in numerous private galleries.

In Zagreb, art is not confined to museums or galleries; it’s abundant in the streets and parks as well. You can arm yourself with a map of interesting murals, join a street art tour , or simply wander the streets at random – in Zagreb, street art can be found at every turn. For example, thanks to the Pimp My Pump project, water columns have become art objects. The greatest concentration of street art in the city is on Branimirova Street, where the wall separating the railway has become a gallery for graffiti artists.

Street art in Zagreb is not limited to graffiti. In the summer, the city center hosts the Okolo Festival. Its aim is to invade urban spaces with art (installations, sculptures, and graffiti). An interesting example of this approach is the action by artist Davor Preis, who complemented an existing sculpture of the sun with nine plaques representing planets and placed them around the city according to the distance of each planet from the Sun. Searching for these plaques is an excellent way to explore the city in a playful manner. Another example is the transformation of Ribnjak Park (Ribnjak) into an art space . It’s not only decorated with graffiti but also regularly hosts art events – film screenings, concerts, and performances.

See this post in Instagram Posts from Art Park Zagreb (@art.park.zagreb)

On hot days, Zagreb residents often head out to swim, sunbathe, and paddleboard at Lake Jarun (Jarun). Besides the beaches, there are barbecue areas, playgrounds, and sports fields. There are also several nightclubs near the lake. Thus, a day at the beach can seamlessly transition into a night at the disco. For a day trip from Zagreb, you can visit the baroque palaces in Varaždin or head to Karlovac for its Renaissance fortress. In Krapina, there’s an interesting Neanderthal Museum. The most popular option for a day trip is the Plitvice Lakes National Park, which is a 2.5-hour bus ride away. But the lakes and waterfalls are so beautiful that it’s advisable to stay longer than a day. By car, you can also manage a day trip to the coast, for example, to Rijeka, or take a mini-tour of the spomeniks – significant monuments are located in Sisak, Podgarić, and Jasenovac.

Food: The Rivalry of Burgers and Pljeskavica, Signature Steak with Pickled Cucumber, Štrukli, and Žganci

From a gastronomic perspective, Zagreb is a melting pot of culinary traditions, where Central European mixes with Balkan, regional with local, all infused with international trends. Zagreb is currently experiencing a culinary boom with cuisines from different countries. Restaurants to suit every taste – from Lebanese to Sri Lankan – can be found on the main restaurant streets of Teslina (Teslina ulica) and Tkalčićeva (Tkalčićeva ulica). Vegetarians won’t suffer in Zagreb. New cafes that don’t use meat or fish are opening regularly, and the list of vegan-friendly establishments is constantly growing.

There are a couple of classic Zagreb dishes that locals recommend trying. The Zagreb steak (zagrebački odrezak) is a breaded cutlet stuffed with ham and cheese. And kosichka (zagrebačka pletenica) is the same as the steak, but with the addition of pickled cucumber. Zagreb is also popular for dishes from Zagorje — the nearest neighboring region. For example, štrukli is fried or baked layered pastry with either a savory or sweet filling. Zagorje potato soup and žganci — a dish made of cornmeal with bacon and sour cream — are also beloved. Zagreb cuisine includes dishes from other Croatian regions, so you can try Dalmatian, Istrian, and Slavonian dishes. Therefore, by ordering a three-course meal, you can embark on a culinary journey across the country.

For štrukli, visit La Štruk (Skalinska ul., 5), and for other local dishes, head to national restaurants: Stari Fijaker (Mesnička ul., 6), Kaptolska Klet (ul. Kaptol, 5), Vinodol (ul. Nikole Tesle, 10). In the arena of Zagreb street food, a battle unfolds between Balkan traditions and international influences. Grilled meat – pljeskavica and ćevapi – dominate the outskirts, while in the center, you’ll find burgers ( Burgeraj – Preradovićeva ul., 13 or the Submarine chain) and Asian food ( Soi Fusion Bar – Ilica, 50, Poke Poke – Bogovićeva ul., 4, Kai street food – Jurišićeva ul., 2a). Croatia, in general, is a coffee country, and in Zagreb, you can find good coffee in almost any establishment. For coffee connoisseurs, there are a dozen excellent third-wave coffee shops in the city, especially recommended are U dvorištu (Jurja Zerjavica, 7/2), Quahva (Teslina, 9), and Monocycle (Trg žrtava fašizma, 14). Also, consider visiting the cafe-bookshop Booksa (Martićeva ul., 14d), the eco-cafe Botaničar (Trg Marka Marulića, 6), and the retro cafe Orient Express (Teslina, 10). All these cafes are convenient for working with a laptop, except for Orient Express, which has a more relaxed atmosphere.

In the Tkalčićeva Street area, there are many beer bars, including craft ones: Pivnica Medvedgrad (Tkalčićeva, 36), Craft Room (Opatovina ul., 35), Valhalla beer bar (Radićeva, 25). Bacchus (Trg Kralja Tomislava, 16) plays jazz. The best clubs are located outside the center. House and techno are played at Depo (Radnička cesta, 27), Boogaloo (ul. Grada Vukovara, 68), or Aquarius (aleja Matije Ljubeka, 19). Rock and alternative music can be found at Močvara (Trnjanski nasip bb) and KSET (Unska, 3).

Approximate prices in Zagreb establishments:

Dinner in a good restaurant: soup – 20–30 kunas (2.65 – 3.98 euros), main courses – 50–100 kunas (6.64 – 13.27 euros)

Street food: burger or poke – 40–50 kunas (5.31 – 6.64 euros)

Filter coffee in a good cafe – 15–20 kunas (1.99 – 2.65 euros)

Craft beer – 20–25 kunas (2.65 – 3.32 euros).

What to bring home: gingerbread hearts, chessboards, and souvenirs from the local flea market

The most famous Zagreb souvenir is the licitar gingerbread in the shape of a heart, which is even included in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list. The gingerbreads are sold in all souvenir shops and stalls on the central square.

You can embrace stereotypes and nostalgia by visiting the Croatian shoe brand Borovo store (the most central one is at Preradovićeva ul., 16). This brand existed during Yugoslavia and was popular in socialist countries. Another wardrobe item associated with Croatia is the cravat. In many languages, its name comes from the French “cravate.” These neck scarves were part of the uniform of Croatians in the Austrian cavalry, which included Croats. Souvenir versions in the Croatian red-and-white checkerboard are sold at Kravata store (Radićeva, 13). Croatia has used the checkerboard in its heraldry since the Middle Ages. According to one legend, it symbolizes the unification of the red and white Croatian tribes. Be careful – the white-and-red version (top left square is white) is the Ustaše variant of the checkerboard. The Ustaše were Croatian nationalists. Another famous craft store is the umbrella shop Cerovečki (Ilica, 49). They sell Šestine umbrellas – once part of the national costume, now one of the symbols of Zagreb. For food souvenirs – sausage products, herbal mixtures, homemade rakija – it’s best to shop at the central market Dolac (Dolac, 9). An alternative to the market is the Croatian products store Kredenca (Radićeva ul., 13). There, in addition to food, they also sell home goods. A good store with local natural cosmetics is Aromatica (Vlaška ul., 15). A great souvenir option is perfume and home fragrances inspired by the atmosphere of Zagreb from the store Notes of Zagreb (Skalinska ul., 2). Souvenirs from Zagreb designers are sold at the Take me home store (Tomićeva ul., 4). For retro souvenirs from the Yugoslav era, and if you’re lucky, from the Austro-Hungarian era, you can visit the antique bazaar at Britanski trg (British Square). It operates on Sundays in the first half of the day. An alternative is the flea market Hrelic (Sajmišna cesta). It’s open on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 7 am to 8 pm, but the most sellers are there in the morning on Sunday. If you don’t want to travel far or wait for Sunday, you can visit Ulični ormar (Jurišićeva 16) for vintage clothes and accessories.

Where to Stay

Considering the unique architecture and atmosphere of each district, you can choose the style and era that personally appeals to you, but each option has its nuances. A downside of living in Gradec is poor transport accessibility. You’ll have to walk down to stops and other attractions. Definitely avoid settling in the restaurant-rich Tkalčićeva Street and neighboring streets – it’s very noisy there.

The areas north of the center are quiet and green, but again, you’ll have to constantly climb the slope on foot as buses are infrequent. And in these areas, there are not many supermarkets and restaurants. Lower Town is the ideal choice for those who are in Zagreb for the first time and have not yet fallen in love with a particular area. It is full of attractions, shops, and restaurants. It’s easy to reach both the Upper Town and the new districts in the south. Tram routes pass through this area, plus it’s close to the bus and train stations. But there is a downside here too – seismic risk, as in the Upper Town.

Two major earthquakes in 2020 in Zagreb showed that it is safer to live where houses are newer and not so close to each other, that is, to the south of the railway – in Novi Zagreb and in the area of Grada Vukovara Street. Here you’ll find the cheapest accommodation, surrounded by many parks with lakes. However, to reach the main attractions in the center, you’ll need to use public transport or a taxi. The coolest hostel in the city is Swanky Mint . It’s located in a former factory building. There is a swimming pool, tour office, souvenir shop, and bar on the premises. Besides dorms, it offers a wide selection of private rooms. Two other cool options are Main Square Hostel and The Dots Hostel .

The Hotel Capital has the best rating on Booking, but the real classic among Zagreb hotels is the Esplanade . Built in 1925 for passengers of the Orient Express, its interiors feature the luxury and chic of Art Deco, including a cocktail bar reminiscent of Fitzgerald’s novels. The hotel’s list of awards spans several pages. In general, historic interiors, especially Art Deco, set the trend in Zagreb’s hotel business. For example, Hotel Puntijar is furnished with antique furniture, and the new Le Premier strives to closely resemble the Esplanade. Among chain hotels, Hilton dominates – in Zagreb, there is the five-star DoubleTree and the four-star Canopy and Garden Inn .

Entry into Croatia

Traveling to Croatia by plane is a convenient option for European citizens, as several airlines offer direct flights to various Croatian cities. Major airlines like Lufthansa, Air France, and British Airways frequently operate flights to Croatia’s primary airports, including Zagreb, Split, and Dubrovnik. Budget airlines such as Ryanair and EasyJet also offer more affordable options, with routes connecting major European cities to Croatian destinations. For those coming from within the Schengen Area, Croatia does not require a visa for short stays. Also, Croatia joined the Schengen Zone on 1 January 2023.

Transport in the City

From the airport to the Zagreb bus station, special Pleso Prijevoz buses operate (tickets can be purchased online, costing 35 kunas (4.65 euros)), running every half an hour to an hour). And the city bus №290 to the Kvaternikov trg stop (tickets can be bought from the driver in cash, costing 10 kunas (1.33 euros)). A taxi ride to the center through an aggregator will cost 70–90 kunas (9.29 – 11.95 euros), with an airport taxi driver – from 100 kunas (13.27 euros).

It’s more convenient and cheaper to call a taxi through the Uber or Bolt apps, and local taxi companies Cammeo and Ekotaxi also have their apps. The bus and railway stations are located near the city center and can be reached on foot. Public transport in Zagreb consists of buses and trams. Tickets can be purchased from the driver (more expensive, but more convenient) or in advance at a kiosk. There are tickets for 30, 60, or 90 minutes (costing 4–15 kunas (0.53 – 1.99 euros)). A night bus ticket costs 15 kunas (1.99 euros), and a day pass costs 30 kunas (3.98 euros). There are also passes for 3, 7, 15, or 30 days.

To quickly reach the Upper Town, you can use the funicular, which costs 5 kunas (0.66 euros) per ride (funicular travel is included in the price of day passes). The city’s main tram hub is the central square Trg Bana Jelačića. From there, trams 14 or 17 go to Novi Zagreb. It’s better not to risk traveling without a ticket – controllers often appear, especially on tram routes in the center. The fine ranges from 500 to 800 kunas (66.36 – 106.18 euros), but if paid immediately, you are allowed to pay half of the minimum fine of 250 kunas (33.18 euros).

When to Visit

From May to September, the city hosts hundreds of different festivals and events, such as the InMusic music festival, the historical Zagrebački vremeplov , the Fantastic Zagreb film festival, and the Animafest animation film festival. However, summer can be hot and rainy, and accommodation prices are higher. The largest influx of tourists occurs during the Catholic Advent due to the Christmas markets. Zagreb received awards for the best Christmas market in Europe from 2016 to 2018. In October, the golden foliage of the parks gives the city a special charm. Moreover, there are fewer tourists at this time and the weather is pleasant for walking.

Street Names. Streets named after people are usually marked on signs as “ulica-name-surname”, for example, “ulica Ivana Tkalčića”. However, it is much more common to see the address written or hear it referred to as “such-and-such street”, that is, Tkalčićeva.

Water. It’s safe to drink tap water and water from street drinking fountains.

Cash. Cash is essential in Zagreb. It’s needed for transportation fares, purchases in kiosks and small shops, and also in many cafes, bars, and museums.

Language. When traveling to Croatia, European foreigners will find that English is widely spoken, especially in major cities and tourist areas. This makes communication relatively easy for visitors. Additionally, German and Italian are also commonly understood, particularly in coastal regions due to historical ties and tourism. Croatian, the official language, is a South Slavic language and shares similarities with Serbian, Bosnian, and Montenegrin. While knowledge of the local language is not necessary for tourists, learning a few basic Croatian phrases can enhance the travel experience and is appreciated by locals. Road signs and important public information are often displayed in both Croatian and English, facilitating navigation and general understanding for foreign visitors.

Smoking. Smoking is mostly prohibited indoors in restaurants, but many bars and cafes allow it. Also, many people smoke in clubs, sometimes even in those where it’s prohibited.

Religion and Politics. Many Croatians are devout Catholics and equally fervent patriots, so it’s important to be careful when discussing these topics.

Immersing Yourself Before the Trip

Films The Zagreb School of Animation was the most famous in Yugoslavia. Therefore, we recommend watching their animated films, such as “The Elm-Chanted Forest” or “The Magician’s Hat” . On the other hand, Croatian directors are particularly good at dark, socially acute dramas. I recommend two films set in the outskirts of Zagreb – “Metastases” and “Fine Dead Girls” . Also, to delve into historical twists and turns, you can watch two films set during World War II – “Long Dark Night” and “Diana Budisavljević’s Diary” .

Books Classics of Croatian literature will help immerse you in Zagreb’s past. August Šenoa’s novel “The Goldsmith’s Treasure” tells about the medieval city and conflicts within it. The atmosphere of early 20th-century Zagreb is reflected in the novels of August Cesarec, such as “The Golden Boy and His Victims”. To better understand Zagreb, it is worth delving into the complex history of the country. This can be aided by Freidzon’s fundamental work “History of Croatia”. A lighter (but unfortunately untranslated) read that focuses specifically on the city itself is Celia Hawkesworth’s “Zagreb: A Cultural History”.

• Prljavo Kazalište – “Zagreb”
• Haustor – “Zagreb Gori”
• Anica Zubovic – “Ilica u noci”
• Azra – “Balkan”
• Corto – “Zagrebačkim ulicama”
• ITD band – “Rođen u Zagrebu”
• Zdenka Vučković – “Tebi, grade moj”
• Đorđe Balašević – “Ja sam u Zagrebu”
• Toni Kljaković – “Na Griču”
• Jimmy, Barbara – “Pozdrav Zagrebu”
• Gabi Novak – “Meštrovićev Zdenac”

Guidebook Author: Elvira Ibragimova

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• The Vertical Grain Elevator (Silo) in Samara — A Benchmark of Brutalist Architecture
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22 Terrific Things To Do in Zagreb, Croatia

Welcome to JetSetting Fools, here you will find our best travel tips for destinations worldwide. Some of the links on this site are Affiliate Links and if you use them to make a purchase, we may earn a commission. For more information, read our Disclosure Policy .

Zagreb, Croatia is a fascinating place to visit. The capital of Croatia manages to be simultaneously historic and modern. Zagreb boasts fantastic architecture and brutalist structures, a traditional market and a slew of craft beer bars, fine art galleries and quirky museums. Although it is often overlooked and a somewhat underrated Croatian travel destination, there is a long list of great things to do in Zagreb!

Zagreb, Croatia – A Top Destination

We often rave about Croatia; if asked about the country, we are likely to go on and on about the translucent sea, splendid nature, historic towns and buzzing cities. There’s a good chance we will gush over the cuisine and talk extensively about how passionate the Croatians are.

And, when asked which cities we recommend people visit, we always suggest Zagreb as a Top Croatia Destination . Really? It’s inland. Is Zagreb worth visiting? Yes, it is! And our list of the Best Things To Do in Zagreb proves it!

How To Plan a Trip to Zagreb, Croatia

In this article, we are featuring the top Zagreb sights to see – but there is so much more to planning a trip to Zagreb than deciding what to do. You also need to sort out the details of your travel plans. 

While we do share tips for how to get there and where to stay, our Guide to Planning a Croatia Vacation covers even more need-to-know details about visiting the country. 

Of course, you will also need to keep all of your travel info organized – and our printable Travel Planner can help you do it! The 26-page planner is ready to print, so you can get started right away!

Best Things To Do in Zagreb, Croatia

Our Zagreb Travel Guide includes our list of the top recommendations of what to do in Zagreb, suggestions on where to stay in Zagreb as well as other Zagreb facts and information.

Although our list of things to do in Zagreb is numbered, they are not ranked – as we think a Zagreb visit wouldn’t be complete without doing them all! So let’s get started with what to visit in Zagreb, shall we?

Save, Pin or Bookmark our Zagreb Travel Guide to plan your trip to Croatia!

#1 Size Up the Zagreb Cathedral

The two soaring Gothic spires of the Zagreb Cathedral are a point of reference from nearly anywhere in the city, and one of the top Zagreb tourist attractions.

The church – formally called the Cathedral of the Assumption of Mary – was built in the year 1093 when the Diocese of Zagreb was established. However, the Zagreb Cathedral was rebuilt in the 13th century, surrounded by fortifications in the 15th century (some of which still remain) and heavily damaged by earthquakes in 1880 and again in 2020. Reconstruction of the Cathedral in Zagreb has been almost constant for over a century.

Visitors can take a peek inside the must see Zagreb Cathedral interior. Look at the tomb of Cardinal Aloysius Stepinac behind the altar. Admire the artwork. Ponder the grandiose chandeliers, which reportedly came from a Las Vegas casino.

#2 Wander the Streets of Old Town Zagreb: Gradec and Kaptol

If you are wondering what to see in Zagreb, the Old Town is the best place to start. Today’s Zagreb Old Town is the melding of two smaller towns: Kaptol (where the Zagreb Cathedral stands) and Gradec, the Upper Town. Dating to the 11th and 13th centuries, respectively, the two towns were once separated by a stream (that has since been diverted and covered). Today, the Old Town is where to go in Zagreb to see the most historic parts of the city. 

Old Town Zagreb Things To See

Gradec was a hill-topping town surrounded by high walls and protective watchtowers. Today, the Gradec cobblestone streets are ideal for a stroll when sightseeing Zagreb. At the center of the Upper Town is St. Mark’s Church Zagreb.

St. Mark’s has a colorfully tiled roof that stands out among the orange-tiled rooftops of the rest of the Zagreb Old Town. The tiles were laid on the church roof in 1880 and are in the design of the coats of arms for Zagreb and the Triune Kingdom of Croatia.

The church sits in the middle of (aptly named) St. Mark’s Square, which is ringed by ornate buildings which house the Croatian government offices.

St Mark’s Church and Square are just two Zagreb must see sights in the Old Town. For a complete guide to the best sightseeing in Zagreb Old Town, use our detailed Free Zagreb Self-Guided Walking Tour .

#3 Shop at the Dolac Market

One of the unique things to do in Zagreb is to shop at the historic outdoor market. Unlike other city markets that have become touristic, travelers will join locals at the Zagreb Dolac Market where Zagrebians have been shopping since 1926.

In the raised Zagreb outdoor market, you will find tables piled high with in-season fruits and vegetables. Shade will be provided by the iconic, red umbrellas – a symbol of the City of Zagreb.

Take the stairs underground to peruse the choice of meat and delicious Croatian cheese. At the Dolac Market, you can assemble a picnic lunch – a must-do in Zagreb!

Join a small group Zagreb Food Tour to get a taste of local Croatian specialties with a local guide! 

#4 Sip Croatian Craft Beer

Zagreb’s craft beer scene has truly evolved since our first visit to the city in 2014 – and sipping a Croatian craft beer has become one of the top Zagreb things to do! New breweries and taprooms are continually coming on the scene, offering a taste of Croatia’s inventive and tasty local brews and adding a fun new element to Zagreb nightlife.

The beers from Nova Runda (try the APA or C4!) remain at the top of our list, but we also like what LD Brewery , Varionica and Tap B  (from Split ) are brewing.

Craft Beer Bars: What To Do Zagreb

It used to be that there were only a few craft beer bars in Zagreb and we had to seek them out like detectives on a cold case…but that is no longer the situation! Dedicated Zagreb craft beer bars have sprung up all over the city. The new and hip spaces make drinking local craft beer one of the cool things to do in Zagreb, Croatia. 

We highly recommend you check out the bars on Opatovina Street – nicknamed Zagreb’s Craft Beer Lane – where you will find Craft Room , Tolkien’s House and Kvazar (among others).

For local brews from the Medvedgrad Brewery (one of the long-time craft breweries in Zagreb), go to Mali Medo on Tkalciceva Street or pop into the Ilica location.

Other Zagreb bars featuring Croatian craft beer include Valhalla Beer Bar , Storija and Legend Riders .

#5 Visit the Zagreb Main Square (Ban Jelacic Square)

At the heart of city center Zagreb is Ban Josip Jelacic Square, named for a Croatian hero. The statue of Jelacic on a horse stands in the center of the square (although during the Yugoslav era, it was dismantled and kept in a cellar) and it definitely ranks as one of the top things to see in Zagreb.

Both the statue and nearby clock on Ban Jelacic Square are popular meeting spots for locals and starting points for Zagreb city tours. The busy and expansive main square dates to the 17th century and today a steady stream of trams pass by moving citizens through the vibrant city.

Learn more about the Upper and Lower Towns on a private Zagreb Walking Tour !

#6 Join the Zagreb Evening Stroll on Tkalciceva

Tkalciceva Street – once a flowing river that marked the border between Kaptol and Gradec – is a café-lined pedestrian-only lane stretching from Jelacic Square to Mala Ulica (Little Street). Strolling the length of the street should definitely be on any visitor’s Zagreb To Do list!

Couples holding hands, families pushing strollers and dog-walkers all parade up and down Tkalciceva each evening.

The street is one of our top Zagreb places to visit for people watching and, on sunny days, it is a fine place to idle the afternoon away in one of the many cafes.

#7 Light a Candle in the Stone Gate Chapel

Stone Gate is the only remaining gate of Gradec. It leads from the Upper Town to the picturesque Radiceva Street. But, it’s not the historic gate itself that makes it a Zagreb must-see: it’s the open-air chapel that resides inside the gate…and the tale that goes with it. 

According to legend, there was a fire in 1731 that destroyed the (then) wooden gate. However, the fire peculiarly left a painting that was hanging inside the gate, “The Virgin and Child,” completely intact.

The painting in now enshrined inside Stone Gate and surrounded by an open air chapel. People come to pray and give thanks to the Virgin Mary by lighting candles, leaving flowers and mounting engraved plaques on the walls. As one of the top things to do Zagreb, visitors can also light a candle, admire the plaques and pause to pray in one of the pews. 

#8 Step Back in Time in Zagreb’s Gric Tunnel

The Gric Tunnel is one of the cool places to go in Zagreb. The tunnel is open every day (and free) for pedestrians to travel from one side of Gradec to the other without having to hike over the hill. The uniqueness alone makes it a must do in Zagreb, Croatia! 

History of Zagreb Gric Tunnel

Built during World War II as a bomb shelter, the Gric (Gradec) Tunnel runs through the hill beneath the Upper Town.

With a length of 1,150 feet, the tunnel has six exits. Shortly after the tunnel was completed, it fell into disuse. The tunnel was completely shuttered until 1993 when it hosted Croatia’s first rave, but further plans for the tunnel were stalled.

In 2015, renovation of the Gric Tunnel finally commenced and it reopened to the public in 2016 as a Zagreb tourist attraction. The tunnel is used for special events, like the Advent Christmas Market . During one of our visits, the tunnel hosted a museum exhibiting the history of Zagreb.

#9 Get a Bird’s Eye View from Zagreb 360

The Zagreb 360 observation deck occupies the 16th floor of a ‘skyscraper’ on Jelacic Square – making it one of the best places to visit in Zagreb for a view.

Standing 600 feet above sea level, the open-air outdoor walkway allows guests the opportunity to take Zagreb photos or sit at one of the alfresco tables to sip cocktails in the clouds.

Even better, Zagreb 360 tickets are valid for multiple re-entry in a single day – meaning you can visit the viewing platform during daylight hours (and possibly see all the way to Slovenia) and then return after dark to see the city lights.  (Temporarily Closed).

#10 Linger Over a Cup of Croatian Coffee

Coffee isn’t just a drink in Croatia – it’s part of life. But, it’s not really the drink itself; it’s in the Croatian café culture that provides a cool experience in Zagreb. Forget coffee-on-the-go; even in the buzzing capital city, people slow down to savor coffee, conversation and people watching.

A group of friends can linger at a café for hours – often drinking all different types of beverages – regardless of the time of day.

City visitors should definitely include a Croatian coffee culture experience on their Zagreb What To Do list. In fact, one of our favorite Zagreb activities is to find a café – at the Dolac Market or Cvjetni Square – and simply drink in the culture. 

Read more from a local about the Croatia Café Culture .

#11 Creep Around the Zagreb Mirogoj Cemetery

Established in 1876, the Mirogoj Cemetery is a landmark and one of the top Zagreb attractions. The burial grounds more resemble a park (just a park that happens to have a lot of gravestones) and feature ornate arcades and monuments. Visiting Mirogoj Cemetery is one of the most interesting things to do around Zagreb. 

The Zagreb Cemetery was designed by Herman Bolle, one of Zagreb’s famous architects. The cemetery is not designated to one religion, so in addition to the Christian Cross that graces headstones, you will also see the Star of David and Crescent Moon and Star.

Many of Croatia’s most famous citizens have been laid to rest at Mirogoj Cemetery, including the first president of Croatia, Franjo Tudman and NBA star Dražen Petrović.

The Zagreb BIG Tour takes visitors to sights outside of the city center – including Mirogoj Cemetery – and ends with a Old Town walking tour. 

#12 Discover Hidden Gems on the Trails of Medvednica

Just north of the city center is Medvednica – a mountainous, forest-covered nature park that tops our list of Zagreb things to do and see in the outdoors.

Easily accessible by tram from the Zagreb center, there are several intertwining trails for hikers to tromp around the woods. The tallest peak at Medvednica, Sljeme, stands at 3,396 feet, and there’s a Zagerb cable car to whisk you to the top!

Within the 88-square-mile park, there are waterfalls, a cave, a mine, and the Medvedgrad Fort (some call it a castle) that provides stunning views of Zagreb. We think the park is a must see in Zagreb for outdoor enthusiasts. 

Visit More of The Best Parks in Zagreb !

#13 Breathe in Nature at Zagreb’s Maksimir Park

Less strenuous and much closer to the Zagreb city center (but still abundant in nature) is Maksimir Park. The tranquil park opened in 1794 and ranks as the oldest park in Zagreb, Croatia.

The park features a grand entrance, multiple turtle-filled ponds and dozens of trails that weave through the forest. Also at the park is a zoo – another one of the Zagreb top attractions. Visiting the park is one of the fun things to do in Zagreb with kids. 

#14 Journey through the City on a Zagreb Tram

The first trams in Zagreb were horse-pulled carriages, but 20 years later – in 1910 – the electric tram was introduced. Today, more than 200 million people ride the Zagreb trams annually.

The fleet of tram cars range from old-and-rattling to new-and-sleek. While the trams are an essential part of the transit system, they are also one of the Zagreb sights that can’t be missed (quite literally if you spend any time in Jelacic Square!).

Riding Trams: Zagreb Sights from Jelacic Square

• To Maksimir Park: Use Tram 11 (toward Dubec) or 12 (toward Dubrava) and exit at Bukovacka.
• To Medvednica Park: Use Tram 14 (toward Mihaljevac) and exit at Mihaljevac (last stop); from there you can begin your hike up or take Bus 140 to Tomislav Dom. 
• To the Bus Station: Use Tram 6 (toward Sopot) and exit at Autobusni Kolodvor.
• Even if you aren’t interested in leaving Old Town Zagreb, at least hop on a tram for a few stops to Tomislav Square (use Tram 6 toward Sopot and ride two stops to Galvani Kolodvor) and walk back to the Zagreb city center through the Green Horseshoe (which is next on our list!) admiring some of the best architecture in Zagreb.

Tickets can be purchased from the driver (or in advance from a Tisak); you need one for each ride and it is required to validate the ticket at the front entrance of the tram by inserting the ticket in the yellow box. A short-ride ticket (less expensive than a regular ticket) can be used for our recommended rides. 

#15 Marvel at the Architecture on Zagreb’s Green Horseshoe

One of the top things to do in Zagreb, Croatia is to spend time wandering through the Green Horseshoe. Comprised of a series of interconnected city squares (designed in a U-shape), the Green Horseshoe Park is a lush green space in the heart of Zagreb.

The eight squares – Zrinjevac, Josip Juraj Strossmayer Park, King Tomislav, Ante Starcevic, Lenuci Fitness Park, Marko Marulic, Zagreb Botanic Gardens and Republic of Croatia Square – are connected on the southern end by the Zagreb Botanical Garden.

What To See: Zagreb Green Horseshoe

Designed and built in the 1880s, the Green Horseshoe is home not only to beautiful nature, but to outstanding architecture. We are featuring a few of the most impressive buildings to seek out on the Green Horseshoe. 

Esplanade Zagreb Hotel

The famed Esplanade Hotel in Zagreb is located on the southern end of the horseshoe next to the Botanical Garden. It was built in the Belle Epoque and Art Nouveau styles in 1925 for passengers riding the Orient Express – and has hosted a slew of famous personalities since then. In fact, it still ranks as the best hotel in the city today – check rates and availability!

Croatian Academy of Arts and Sciences

The Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts is situated in Strossmayer Square. The Academy Palace building was the work of architects Friedrich von Schmidt and Herman Bolle and completed in the year 1880. 

Croatian National Theater

The stunning yellow Croatian National Theatre – or Hrvatsko Narodno Kazaliste or HNK Zagreb – hosts theater, opera and ballet. Grandly sitting on Republic of Croatia Square, the Croatia National Theater was built in 1895. 

Museums in Zagreb Green Horseshoe

Many of the top Zagreb Museums, like the Archeological Museum, Modern Gallery, Art Pavilion , Croatian State Archives, the Ethnographic Museum and the Arts and Crafts Museum are located on the Green Horseshoe.

Architecture Ringing Zagreb Horseshoe

Lining the streets that surround the squares are historic mansions of Croatia’s wealthy citizens (although most now house individual apartments). Wandering through the Green Horseshoe is one of the things to do in Zagreb, Croatia where you are certain to be among locals.

#16 Ride the World’s Shortest Funicular

Perhaps more a novelty than a necessity, a ride on the World’s Shortest Funicular is simply a fun thing to do in Zagreb.

The funicular was built in 1890 (initially using steam engines to power the car up the 217 feet of track) to access the Upper Town without having to make the climb. It takes less than a minute for the car to ascend from Llica Street to Stossmayer Promenade – at a steep 52% incline.

#17 Seek Out Zagreb Street Art 

Street art culture is gaining momentum worldwide and there are some fantastic examples in Zagreb. With the addition of the Whale Mural on the wall of the Art Gallery building in Gradec, visitors and locals alike have become curious about the Zagreb street art scene. Seeking out street art is one of the fun and free things to do in Zagreb. 

Outside of Old Town Zagreb, street art is quite prevalent at the Student Center and Medika.

We were fortunate to have a local artist (also our Airbnb host !) guide us through a Zagreb city tour of the street art. You can contact him for a tour…and a place to stay!

Use this link to Google Maps of Street Art locations (Whale Mural, Art Park, Student Center and Medika).

#18 Climb to the Top of Kula Lotrscak

The 13th century Kula Lotrscak lookout tower stands stoically at the top of the Zagreb funicular beside the entrance to Strossmayer Promenade in Gradec. For just a few dollars, guests can climb the defense tower’s spiral staircase for fantastic city views, especially of Gradec and St. Mark’s Church Zagreb.

Every day at noon, a Zagreb cannon is shot from the fourth floor to signal mid-day. The sound can be heard throughout the Zagreb Old Town and beyond, so be prepared for that!

#19 Attend Mass at St. Mark’s Church Zagreb

Although many people pass by (and take the required Zagreb photos of) St. Mark’s Church Zagreb, few actually go inside. That’s because the church is not open to the public for touring, but it is open for mass when you can get a look inside.

During our last visit, mass times were Monday-Friday at 6pm; Saturday at 7:30pm; Sunday at 10:30am and 6pm – but check the schedule during your trip to confirm. 

#20 Indulge in Amazing Croatian Food

Croatian cuisine is some of our favorite around the world – and, as such, we think eating local fare is one of the best things to do in Zagreb, Croatia. While much of the gastronomy is heavy on meat and carbs, we balance our visit to Zagreb with eating a satisfying meal and then taking a walk in one of the many city parks. 

We are highlighting a few of our favorite restaurants in Zagreb; travelers going on to Split will want to read our top picks for Split Restaurants , too!

Burek is an indulgent meat pastry featuring spiced ground meat rolled into flaky phyllo dough. The best place to get burek in Zagreb is at a small shop at the Dolac Market that is simply called Burek ( Map ).

Eaten as a hardy breakfast or a satisfying lunch, burek is often consumed with yogurt (but we prefer it without). It’s cheap and fast, but they often sell out…so get there early. 

Cevapi u Somunu

Cevapi – little grilled sausages – are another one of the top Balkan staples. The best way to eat cevapi is in a sandwich topped with raw onion, ajvar sauce (roasted red pepper) and kajmak (clotted cream). 

One of the best restaurants in Zagreb for the calorie-laden, fast food dish is Cevapi u Somunu.

A dish unique to Zagreb is Strukli, a doughy, cheesy meal served in a baking dish. Sometimes called Zagorski Strukli, the dish has been added to the Croatian Intangible Heritage List. 

In Zagreb, the best place to eat strukli is at  La Struk . The cozy interior is as simple as the menu: salty or sweet, cooked or baked with four variations: walnuts, apples, blueberries or truffles.

Heritage Croatian Street Food

A fun little deli-style restaurant, Heritage prepares finger-food snacks using traditional Croatian ingredients. Travelers short on time and looking for things to do in Zagreb in a day can taste a variety of local flavors at Heritage.

Submarine Burgers

A burger-craze has raged through Zagreb and all of Croatia. While certainly not to exclusive the region, they are cooking up some tasty gourmet burgers throughout the capital. Our top recommendation for a Zagreb burger is Submarine (actually, oddly named…as only burgers are on the menu!). 

A link to Google Maps of our favorite places to eat in Zagreb.

#21 Visit  Zagreb Museums

There are numerous Zagreb museums that visitors could spend hours getting lost in. Museums in Zagreb cover history, art, relationships and hangovers – among other topics. In fact, quirky museums is one of the things Zagreb is famous for. 

While we generally prefer to be outdoors, there are a few Zagreb museums that intrigued us enough to spend a few hours indoors…and we highly recommend that fellow travelers do the same!

Zagreb Museum of Broken Relationships

Not an ordinary museum, the displays at the Broken Relationships Museum are everyday objects accompanied by stories of failed relationships. The museum is one of the top attractions in Zagreb.

The exhibits – everything from letters to voodoo dolls to a treadmill – are items that the donor associated with their heartbreak. Some stories had me laughing so hard I had tears in my eyes, while other stories simply made me want to cry. 

Zagreb 80s Museum

Croatians have a deep affection for the 1980s (as evidenced by their love of 80s hair bands and classic rock). When guests step inside the 80s Museum in Zagreb, it is literally like stepping back in time.

Visitors tour a ‘house’ that is decorated in all things 80s – from Walkman cassette players to a Yugoslavia Zastava car. 

Museum of Hangovers

One of the amusing museums in Zagreb, the Museum of Hangovers features funny stories and exhibits about drunkenness. The small museum offers visitors a shot of local rakija liquor…and a chance to win free entry by tossing darts with drunk glasses on. 

Museum of Illusions

The fun, interactive Museum of Illusions is an entertaining place to spend an afternoon in the city. Visitors are challenged with mind games, puzzles and optical illusions – and encouraged to snap photos. We have not yet visited the Illusions Museum in Zagreb, but we did go to the one in Split .

Chocolate Museum Zagreb

A learning and tasting journey through the history of chocolate, the Chocolate Museum is a sweet place to visit in Zagreb! 

More Museums in Zagreb

The Art Pavilion in Zagreb, Mimara Museum and the National Museum of Modern Art are a few of the city’s best art museums. 

Travelers looking for more quirky things to do in Zagreb can also check out the Mushroom Museum or the Cannabis Museum.

Other museums that are dedicated to specific topics are the Nikola Tesla Technical Museum (an interactive science museum) and the Dražen Petrović Memorial Center (featuring the life of the basketball player). Note: Unfortunately, the poignant Museum of War Photography has closed. 

#22 Attend Amazing Zagreb Events

As the capital city of Croatia, there is always something going on – and attending an event is one of the top things to do in Zagreb. A list of Zagreb upcoming events can be found at the Zagreb Tourist Information Office (located on Jelacic Square | Website ).

We have attended numerous events while visiting Zagreb – including the awarding-winning Zagreb Advent Festival . It’s one of the best things to do in Zagreb in December!

We have also been to the  Zagreb Burger Fest, the Bas Nas Music and Food Fest and Cest is d’Best. Other Zagreb events include concerts by top global artists, Zagreb BeerFest and the Zagreb Food Truck Festival. 

Top Travel Tips for Zagreb, Croatia Things To Do

Now that you know what to do in Zagreb, we have a few more tips for visiting the city! 

Fun Zagreb Facts

• Zagreb is the capital of Croatia and is the largest city in the country with a population of about 800,000 residents. 
• Most Croatians speak excellent English. 
• As of January 1st 2023 the currency of Croatia is the Euro (no longer the Kuna). Check the current conversion rate . 
• The main Zagreb Tourist Information Office is located on Jelacic Square. They provide an array of free and helpful brochures, as well as a handy Zagreb tourist map. ( Official Tourist Board Website )

How Many Days in Zagreb? 

Deciding how many days to spend in Zagreb, Croatia can be challenging – especially if visiting the city as part of a longer Croatia Itinerary . 

Many people think one day in Zagreb is enough to see the sights – and travelers certainly can cover some ground with a good plan. We recommend using our list to create an outline of Zagreb things to do in a day. 

That said, we think more time in Croatia’s capital city is a better plan. We recommend at least two full days – but if you are planning day trips from Zagreb (which we highlight next), three to five days would be ideal. There are just so many places to see in Zagreb – and once you get there, you won’t want to miss out! 

Day Trips from Zagreb

After a full dose of Zagreb sightseeing, go further afield to explore the region on one of the many day trips from Zagreb.

The most popular day trip is from Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes National Park. We have visited the famous waterfall park twice – once in winter and a trip in the autumn – and think it is well-worth the effort to see the magnificent tumbling waterfalls. Book your tour!

A few of our other favorite cities to visit on Zagreb day trips are: Samobor, Krapina, Varazdin. All of these cities can be reached by public transportation, but for the sake of time and ease of travel, consider taking an organized Zagreb tour.

Ljubljana, Slovenia and Lake Bled are two other top destinations that are within reach from Zagreb, Croatia. As both Croatia and Slovenia are now within the European Schengen Zone, it is easy to cross borders on a day trip. To make the most of the day, join a Small Group Tour Zagreb to Ljubljana – like this one !

For more day trip ideas and the best Zagreb tours, read our complete guide to Day Trips from Zagreb . 

Where To Stay in Zagreb, Croatia

The best place to stay in Zagreb is in or close to the historic Old Town. Travelers have a choice of vacation rentals and hotels to fit all budgets. 

When we visit Zagreb, we usually stay for a week or longer, so we prefer an Airbnb Apartment . We have found that staying in apartments is often less expensive than hotel rooms – with the added benefit of a kitchen and, usually, more space. However, for short trips to Zagreb, Croatia, we think staying in a hotel is a better option. 

Best Zagreb Hotels

There are many hotels in Zagreb, Croatia to choose from in – or close to – the city center. We are highlighting a few of the top picks for the best hotels in Zagreb. Before you start your search (we recommend using Booking.com ), use all our tips for Finding the Top Hotels at the Best Prices .

Hotel Academia

We love this modern hotel situated in the Zagreb Old Town at the top of Tkalciceva Street. Offering spacious rooms with balconies, the sleek hotel gets rave reviews for the welcoming staff and excellent breakfast. Check rates and availability for your stay!

Hotel Jagerhorn

Standing at the oldest hotel in Zagreb, Hotel Jagerhorn is housed in a classic building – but has recently been renovated with modern conveniences. The hotel is located in the Old Town and features an included breakfast and elegant courtyard. Check rates for your stay!

The stylish Esplanade 5-star hotel is a iconic hotel designed in the art nouveau style. The ambiance is felt throughout the property. Top amenities are the on site restaurants, fitness center and sun terrace. Check availability!

Zagreb Hostels

Budget travelers can search for hostels in Zagreb – like The Dots Hostel and Swanky Mint Hostel  – where they offer stylish rooms at great rates.

Getting to Zagreb, Croatia

There are many options to choose from when traveling to Zagreb. That said, Zagreb is best reached by plane, train, bus or car.

Zagreb Airport

The airport in Zagreb (ZAG) is served by major European carriers, although some frequencies are seasonal. Unfortunately, there are no non-stop flights to Zagreb from the United States (yet).

Our preferred method of getting anywhere is by flying (we are JetSetting Fools, after all!) and we have flown to/from Zagreb and Zurich , London , Skopje , Amsterdam and Warsaw (to name just a few!).

When we do need to purchase plane tickets, we start our search for the best deals on Skyscanner. Before you start your search, be sure to read our tips on Getting the Best Flight Deals . 

How To Get from the Zagreb Airport to the City Center

The Franjo Tudman Zagreb Airport is located 15km (9 miles) from the Zagreb city center. Visitors can take the Airport Bus, terminating at the main Zagreb bus station. From the Zagreb Bus Station use Tram 6 (toward Crnomerec) and exit at Jelacic Square (or whatever stop is closest to your accommodations).

Alternatively, use a taxi, Uber or book a private transfer into Zagreb from the airport.

How to Get Around Zagreb

The best way to get around Zagreb city center is on your own two feet. The city is very walkable and a car is not necessary for sightseeing in Zagreb center. For sights that are further afield, visitors can use the trams, local buses, Uber or taxis. 

To travel beyond Zagreb, visitors may want to consider renting a car . It can often save time and money (especially when traveling with more than two people) – and a car rental allows for greater discovery.  

What To Pack for Your Zagreb, Croatia Trip

We are sharing a few tips on items you will want to pack for your trip to Zagreb. You can find all of our advice on our Travel Packing blog page. If you need a packing list, download our Free Printable Packing List here !

Comfortable Shoes

Zagreb is a very walkable city (it’s why we created a Self-Guided Free Zagreb Walking Tour !) – but only if you have t he right travel shoes ! I like to wear lightweight and versatile shoes for urban exploration – and Kris wears his Men’s Merrell Trail Shoes . 

Real Camera for Travel

We’re certain you’ll be snapping tons of photos during your trip to Croatia. Rather than relying on your mobile phone to capture the sights, upgrade to an actual camera for higher quality photos. We always travel with a Canon Rebel (which takes amazing photos and is a great budget camera ).

Day Bag Essentials

Pack your favorite day bag for travel to carry everything you will need during your days of Zagreb sightseeing. Also, it’s a good idea to carry a  city map and/or guidebook .

Croatia Travel Insurance

Travel insurance may cover you in the case of trip cancellations, lost luggage or if you get sick while traveling abroad . Consider traveling protected with policies offered at World Nomads .

Start planning your trip to Croatia ! Search for the lowest airfares , the best accommodations and fun things to do …then start packing !   Want more advice? Head over to our Travel Planning Page for tips on traveling – and for country-specific information, take a look at our Travel Guides Page !

More Tips For Your Trip To Croatia

It’s time to plan your Vacation Croatia Itinerary ! Get started with our detailed guides to all the Top Croatian Destinations . 

• How To Spend 3 Days in Split
• Best Things To Do in Rovinj
• What To Do in Dubrovnik
• Exploring Zadar Old Town
• Top Things to Do in Hvar
• How to Visit Vis Island

We want to know: What are your favorite things to do in Zagreb, Croatia? What would you add to our Zagreb, Croatia Travel Guide? Tell us in the comments! 

Pin it! See all of our travel pins on our JetSetting Fools Pinterest Board .

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Home > Things To Do In Zagreb, Croatia For Families, Singles & Couples

Things To Do In Zagreb, Croatia For Families, Singles & Couples

Written by our local expert SJ

Sarah-Jane has lived in Croatia for 10+ years. SJ, as she is known, has been traveling the Balkans & beyond since 2000. She now shares her passion for traveling with her husband & kids.

Here is our guide to Zagreb. A massive list of things to do in Zagreb – a city not to be missed stop on your way to or from the Dalmatian Coast.

Despite being Croatia’s capital city, Zagreb is often overlooked as a destination in its own right. Yet this city has remained at the forefront of history and culture in Croatia since medieval times.

There is always something happening in Zagreb. Visitors will undoubtedly find enough places to visit in Zagreb to keep them busy, ranging from elegant restaurants to fascinating museums.

We head to Zagreb several times a year, including for the Advent in Zagreb festivities that take place each Christmas. Ever since moving to Croatia , we’ve noticed how the city gets more fun each year. Over the years, we’ve discovered so many cool places in Zagreb!

This list of what to do in Zagreb is by no means an exhaustive overview, as there is just too much to type up. Zagreb is unlike other European capital cities in that it’s not over-crowded or polluted.

In Zagreb, you just can’t get lost. There are signs on every corner, leading the way to all of the biggest Zagreb attractions. Zagreb is like all famous European cities, in that it has museums, galleries and churches, and other landmarks to visit.

Croatia’s capital is flat and compact, which makes walking about ( even while pushing a stroller ) super easy. Be sure to pack good travel shoes .

Skip Ahead To My Advice Here!

Our Suggestions For What To Do In Zagreb

What to see in Zagreb depends entirely on your own taste, interests, and preferences. That said, though, there are plenty of things to see in Zagreb, regardless of what you’re after. To give you an idea, we have compiled a list of the greatest Zagreb tourist attractions , which has something for everyone.

Additionally, if you have time, consider going on a fun day trip from Zagreb – there are plenty .

First things first, though, head to the Tourist Information Centre (Trg Bana J. Jelačića 11) and buy a 24 or 72 hour Zagreb Card. This bad-boy gives you significant savings to many things on this list – including public transport. This is always one of the first Zagreb travel tips we share with first-time visitors!

So now, let’s check out what to see and do in Zagreb, Croatia’s vibrant, beautiful and historic capital.

1. Zagreb Funicular

Start here; it’s within an easy walk of all the tram and bus stops. As with most funiculars, it’s nothing special to look at, but it has been in operation since 1893 and makes for a quick and easy trip to the top .

It costs just  0.5 euro and takes you to the Upper Town, the location of the historic district and one of the main places of interest in Zagreb for tourists.

Even if you skip the funicular ride and walk up, which will take you past some shops and coffee bars, you’re in for a treat if you decide to stop by one of those. With a top-notch view overlooking the lower city, this vantage point is one of the best views in Zagreb. Once there, you can see many museums, galleries and the like.

No matter how you get to the top, just be sure not to miss out on three of the best highlights of Zagreb, which are located in upper town: the Museum of Broken Relationships, Saint Mark’s Church, and the daily (noon) canon shot from Lotrščak Tower (more on them below)

2. Catch A Ballet At The Croatian National Theatre

What to do in Zagreb for culture, you ask? We recommend anyone looking for a cultural experience to visit the Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb. Admire the absurd architecture, design, and interior of this striking building. The ballet and opera performances are two high-quality productions worth seeing.

Next to the entrance to the theater is the famous Mestrovic work of art, Well of Life.

3. 360° Zagreb Eye Observation Deck

Located on Ban Jelačić Square in Zagreb on the 16th floor of a Zagreb High-Rise on Ilica 1a, the 360° – Zagreb Eye Observation Deck offers a spectacular view of Ban Jelačić Square, Manduševac fountain, Kaptol, Gradec, Upper and Lower Town, and the most important cultural and historic structures in Zagreb, including its squares, streets, and parks.

Oh yeah, and on a clear day, you can see as far east as Moslavačko Gorje and west to Žumberak, and some say Slovenia .

While there, you can grab a drink at the bar, kick back on the sofa and soak up the views for as long as you wish. This is a must-do in Zagreb with kids; they’ll love this !

4. Take A Free Walking Tour Of The Upper Town

Love walking and looking for free things to do in Zagreb? As well as a street art tour (see below for details), you can also take a free walking tour that covers the city’s history and some cultural tidbits. Downtown is excellent and where most tourists hang out, but Upper Town may have even more to offer visitors and is, at least, equally beautiful.

You will learn a lot about Zagreb, so it would be a good thing to do the tour on one of the first mornings/afternoons in the city so that you are well-acquainted for the rest of your trip.

Although these tours are free, the guides make a living based on the tips you give them after the tour is done (based on what you think the journey was worth). It would be great to kindly leave them some money to keep the tours under operation.

5. Tkalčićeva Street

Don’t ask me to pronounce it. Out of all of the things to do in Zagreb, this one I just can’t wrap my tongue around. Just head there and enjoy a meal or coffee from the numerous places to eat and drink.

Be sure to wander along Tkalčićeva Street after dark. All the shops are lit up at night, and the street has a very romantic feel about it .

6. Museum Of Broken Relationships

The contents of the museum are just as intriguing as the name suggests. Set in Zagreb’s historic Upper Town, the Museum of Broken Relationships is a place you must visit when in Zagreb.

Rather than being some bitter and twisted take on relationships, each piece has a little story of a real person who donated the item and what it meant to them. As you walk from article to item, you feel connected to the person and their feelings of loss and loneliness or relief. The descriptions were written by the person to whom the piece belonged, as opposed to a museum curator.

Yes, a museum that is dedicated to those trinkets people kept that reminds them of broken relationships. Allow about an hour to see this award-winning, small yet fascinating museum.

Once you have seen the exhibition, you can enjoy a coffee in the cafe and browse the gift shop. Overall an exceptional place to see and one of the many sights to see in Zagreb that are family-friendly.

7. Other Zagreb Museums

Did you say you like museums? Good, Zagreb has plenty of them! I won’t list them all in this Zagreb travel blog , simply because there are just so many, but here are a few recommendations to get you started:

Tehnički Muzej

Do be sure to take kids to the Tehnički muzej. The Technical Museum was established in 1954, exhibiting numerous historic aircraft, cars, machinery, and equipment.

The Museum Of Illusions

The Museum of Illusions is another excellent place for kids and adults alike . Watch water flow uphill, climb onto the ceiling, see your friends shrink right in front of you…It’s a museum entirely dedicated to optical illusions, puzzles, brain busters, and more.

Torture Museum

For a more adult-appropriate museum trip, the new Torture Museum offers guests an up-close experience with instruments of torture that have been used throughout human civilization, including the chance to touch a guillotine and be locked in a replica of a dungeon.

Zagreb City Museum

Zagreb City Museum, modernized in the last few years, has loads of fascinating historical, cultural, archaeological, and artistic exhibitions that give visitors an excellent overview of Zagreb’s rich history.

Mimara Museum

Art lovers might want to check out the Mimara Museum at Roosevelt Square. Housed in a vast 18th-century building, it exhibits a wide variety of European art and artifacts spanning several centuries.

Museum Of Arts And Crafts Zagreb

A similar museum to the one above, the Museum of Arts and Crafts Zagreb showcases European arts and crafts from the 1300s until the present, from paintings to silverware. The building itself, a gorgeous Renaissance structure, is a beautiful sight in itself.

Museums With Free Admittance

Ask your hotel or host about the museums that don’t cost anything in Zagreb. For example, check out museums with free admittance like the Mushroom Center, the Bank Museum, or the Psychiatry Museum. There are free museums all over the city, all you have to do is find them.

Exhibition Halls

There are also several exhibition halls for famous people – writers, architects, Nobel Prize winners, and great chemists. Rarely is there a tourist who knows about these special places. That is what can make Zagreb feel so special. There seem to be secrets inside every door.

Sometimes the exhibitions are open only a few hours a week, which makes them even more exclusive – so definitely ask your hotel for what they know is open. Visiting them can turn into a real treasure hunt.

8. St. Mark’s Church

We’ve had the pleasure of visiting countless churches across Europe, so I’ll be honest and say that this church lacks the big “wow” factors on the inside that more famous churches do. However, it does have one distinguishing feature. What a roof!

Croatians are known to be patriotic, and the roof of St. Mark’s is a testament to that fact. With the White Castle (Zagreb’s Coat of Arms) and the national red, white and blue tiles emblazoned on the roof for all to see, it’s the reason I’ve included this as one of the absolute best sights in Zagreb.

9. Ban Jelačić Square

Zagreb’s central square, Ban Jelačić Square, is the beating heart of the city and the center of the city’s pedestrian zone. One of the busiest and best places to visit in Zagreb , both for locals and visitors, it lies conveniently near the old districts of Gradec and Kaptol and the Dolac Markets.

Dating from the 1600s, this historic square is lined with gorgeous architecture and is the setting of many annual events, most notably the atmospheric Christmas markets in December.

10. Grič Tunnel

An unexpected attraction in the heart of Zagreb, the Grič Tunnel, is a pedestrian tunnel underneath the historic Grič (also known as Gornji Grad) neighborhood.

Constructed in 1943 as a bomb shelter and underground promenade, it consists of two passageways, leading respectively to Stjepan Radić Street in the east and Mesnička Street in the west, and a central hall as well as six exits. You can walk through this underrated and perhaps unknown feature of the city.

You also do not have to walk the entire length; you can take several exits to get to various parts of the city.

11. Dolac Markets: Fruit, Vegetables, And Other Tasty Treats

I wanted to make this the number one item, but that would have just been so predictable of me. Right? Nevertheless, Zagreb has a fabulous 80-year-old market called the “Dolac Markets.” You’ll find the markets located beside Trg Bana Jelačić Square.

The markets are easy to spot. Keep your eyes peeled for “Kumica” atop the stairs at the entrance into Dolac. Once you see this peasant lady with her basket on her head, the open space will be filled with rows and rows of red umbrellas . Then you’ll know you’ve arrived.

The Dolac Market consists of an enormous traditional-style outdoor area of vendors selling fruit, vegetables, beans, and some cheeses. Furthermore, underneath, you’ll be amazed at the covered space where you can buy meat, bread, cheeses, and so much more.

A big highlight for us in Zagreb is always the rows and rows of little piggy’s hanging up in the butchers’ windows. Our kids love it.

Almost every town in Croatia has its form of an outdoor farmers-style market; we visit our own in Zadar often. Oh, how I wish we had one like this. It’s spectacular.

My advice is if you love food, book accommodation in Zagreb where you can prepare meals.

The market scene in Zagreb is terrific, with so much variety. The Dolac market in Zagreb is the perfect way to eat like a local during your vacay!

Simply put, if you’re looking for things to buy in Zagreb, whether it’s delicious food or a fun souvenir , you can find them here. As far as Zagreb’s top attractions go, this is easily one of my favorites.

12. Lotrščak Tower

If your dream job is to fire a cannon every day at noon, Zagreb is where you need to be. The only problem is… that job is already taken. And the person who does it seems to really enjoy it. There is a cannon blast at Lotrščak Tower every day, precisely at noon, so be startled when you hear a loud bang.

Just saying!

You can also climb the tower for incredible panoramic views over the city.

13. Take A Free Street Art Tour

The street art scene in Zagreb is thriving and deserving of all the recent attention it is getting. It has one of the most beautiful cityscapes.

There are creatively decorated water pumps all over the city that you may run into during your visit. However, our favorite part is the plethora of murals covering the walls all over city buildings in both the city’s upper and downtown areas.

Zagreb opens up a whole world of art and alternative lifestyles, and it is no wonder young people all around the Balkans have flocked to this city to see what is going on. 

The best way to see all of these numerous installations of street art and make sure you don’t miss such a huge part of Zagreb culture is to join one of the free street art tours offered around the city . The tours leave from all different parts of the city, and, to be honest, we couldn’t tell you which area of the city is the most beautiful, but we really enjoyed the downtown tour. 

So, if you are trying to figure out what to see in Zagreb that’s unique and interesting, without costing anything at all, this is it! There isn’t a better thing you can do if you are looking to be inspired in Zagreb. The stories that go along with the street art pieces are more profound than you can imagine.

14. Pimp My Pump

Of of the most famous street art initiatives around is Pimp My Pump. If you do not want to take the tour we mentioned above, you can be on the lookout for the old water pumps that can be found throughout the city. However, they used to be invisible; however, they now do not go unnoticed once made over by the Pimp, My Pump crew.

15. Medvednica

You may also wonder what to do around Zagreb for physical activity and/or nature. If you want to enjoy some natural scenery, take a day trip and spend the day hiking up a mountain. Head up trail #12 for the best views. Or, you have 69 other trails to choose from, as well as eight cycling routes. 

Medvednica Mountain is a superb destination for an active vacation in Zagreb, just 30 kilometers away. This is a fantastic place for hiking in spring, while in winter, it’s a popular destination for skiing and snowboarding .

16. Take A Romantic Stroll In Zrinjevac

Zrinjevac is an exceptional idea for a walking date night in Zagreb. It is a very romantic atmosphere, ideal for quiet walks, picnics, and even dancing under the moonlight with various concerts and live music that takes place around the park in summer or during advent when the whole park is a-buzz!

No matter when you visit, Zrinjevac always has something to see. It’s undoubtedly one of the best places to go in Zagreb at night, easily.

17. Dental Tourism In Zagreb

Croatia is one of the best dental tourism locations, and Zagreb is home to one of the very best dental clinics in Europe. If you’ve ever considered dental implants, Croatia is a great place to get it done!

Now, this may not be the first thought you have for your holiday, but check out my incredible dental implant experience and get ideas on how to spend your downtime here.

18. Cathedral Of Zagreb

One of the top sights in Zagreb, this impressive Roman Catholic cathedral is the tallest building in Croatia, and you can see the Cathedral spires from many locations in the city. The Zagreb Cathedral has a sculpture inside, created by Croatia’s famous Ivan Meštrović. I spotted it straight away; his style is so unique and is not like any other thing I have ever seen in a Catholic church.

There is a large-scale restoration project underway, but you can still enjoy a visit. There are examples of the pre-and post-restoration works to the left of the building, and the difference is beyond amazing.

19. Take A Refreshing Dip In Lake Jarun

Zagreb has so much green park space. As a matter of fact, it is one of the greenest capitals in Europe.

Though, if you can’t find your complete nature fix in town, you must only travel to the outskirts of the city center where you will find a beautiful artificial lake called Lake Jarun. Surrounded by a beautiful park, many locals come to enjoy themselves, mainly on the weekends.

It is a popular spot for small summer festivals featuring local artists and tailored to a more authentic Croatian atmosphere rather than commercial events.

Lake Jarun is an ideal place for walking, running, cycling, or simply relaxing on the beach , and it is only a few minutes away by tram from the center of Zagreb – a perfect excursion for a quiet day in the park.

20. Mirogoj Cemetery

Don’t be alarmed at the name. The Mirogoj Cemetery is nowhere near as creepy as it sounds and is really a very relaxing and sacred place. It’s more like a park, and on a beautiful day, you’ll find students sitting about reading and studying.

21. Shopping In Zagreb

Zagreb shopping is not what you would expect for a capital city of Europe, although the shopping options and experience get better and better each year I visit Zagreb.  A store you can’t leave Zagreb without seeing is the famous tie shop Kravata Zagreb .

22. See A Movie

When I say movies, I’m not speaking about that occasion when Jackie Chan destroyed the entire Dolac market in his famous Armour of God car chase scene. I’m not even speaking of all those awarded movies that have been filmed in Zagreb, including Sophie’s Choice, Fiddler on the Roof, and Orson Welles’s The Trial.

I’m actually suggesting you should go to the movies when in Zagreb. Allow yourself a little break during your travels and visit an old-school cinema, like Europa, because they don’t make them like this anymore. Cinema Europa offers an excellent selection of non-commercial films that have also been nominated as winners of the Cannes and Sarajevo festivals.

If you’re fortunate, there’ll be a film screening in the summer cinema Tuskanac during your stay in Zagreb. That is a really unique experience, a cinema well hidden in the very city center. And best of all, in Croatia, we still use subtitles, no dubbing – so you’ll understand what is happening.

23. Take A Tram Ride

Super cheap and so much fun for the kids . A simple tram ride can be both fun and a way to get from place to place for a few euro quickly.

24. Go On A Spooky Adventure

Go and meet Iva, who is a Zagreb local and the host of Secret Zagreb Walks. She does by far the best storytelling (scary) walking tours in Zagreb, which are inspired by the mysterious side of Zagreb. Find out more about her tours on her website.

25. Take The Kids To Prisavlje Park

Prisavlje Park is a unique park where most of the young adults from Zagreb spent their youth. On the Sava River banks, this is a great place to take the children, also an ideal spot to get a workout in on your holiday. Many people exercise around the park in the morning and in the afternoon.

Along the extensive walking paths, you will sometimes find small art galleries or displays from local artists and the ever-present hipster club, Sidro.

26. Amazinga Adventure Park

This indoor adventure park in Zagreb is a must for families who need to get some energy out. The park offers trampolines, go-karting, laser tag, a rope course, a climbing wall, arcade games, bumper cars, a virtual reality park and even a soft play area for smaller kids. Grab snacks or lunch at the restaurant on site and make a day of it. There’s something to enjoy for all ages at Amazinga!

27. Find All Of Ivan Mestrovic’s Art Around Zagreb

Ivan Mestrovic is arguably Croatia’s most famous artist – and most people won’t debate that. We have already mentioned that you can find some of his work in front of the National Theater.

If you are a fan of his work (or even if you have never heard of him), and you want to follow his work around Zagreb, you can spend a day hunting down his displays all over the city.

In Atelier Mestrovic, you can get a map of the location of his works in and around Zagreb. This will help you in your search.

28. Hunt Down Unique And Fun Places To Drink In Zagreb

In recent years,  Zagreb has changed . From an array of organic, gourmet burger bars to the graffiti-covered ‘art park’ to swanky and posh cafes, the city that was once voted Europe’s most boring capital has become a destination of its own.

Here are a few of Zagreb’s most exceptional bars and places for coffee.

Strossmayer Promenade

The Strossmayer Promenade is a beautiful place in the upper part of the city, overlooking the entirety of Zagreb.

It is located on the top of the hill, where Zagreb’s cable car reaches its peak destination.

In the summer months, the Summer Stross Festival takes place at Strossmayer. It is a very lively hang-out, especially on weekends during the summer, and filled with young people from all places in the world.

It is a great place to catch free music concerts organized by local bands every evening. In the past, there have been great jazz and Balkan music performances for all to enjoy.

In addition to the free music performances, there are art venues, theatrical performances, food stands, and enjoyable people to mingle over drinks in the long summer evenings.

Program Bar

It’s a café and a well-thought-out bar. Very close to the main square and next to another popular local coffee joint, Booksa.

You can sit outside or inside under the abundance of natural light. The interior and atmosphere are almost as inspiring as the city itself. It is also a good place for digital nomads , with fast working WiFi and ambient background music that is easy to focus on.

Unique Booksa

As mentioned earlier, Booksa is a low-key place that is known to locals as one of the better places to spend an afternoon. Any off-the-beaten-path article to Zagreb should include Booksa, which is a place encompassing everything you could need for a chilled afternoon, including a café, bookstore, and bar located just a few steps from the main square.

Not only that, but the joint will occasionally become a venue for unplugged musical performances as young people work and collaborate on projects. It is the perfect place to take in a slice of local life.

This small park in Zagreb’s center tucked away only a few steps from the cable car  is an unusual project initiated by a group of local street artists.

In the past, the area received a bad reputation for being one with drug addicts. Still, today it is one of the most incredible places in the city to have a drink in the summer when it is full of people who go out, drink, and socialize until around midnight when the park closes, and the party moves to the nearby bars where things pick up and the night moves on.

The park is full of street art wherever you look, and every so often, you will notice a new installation that seemingly appeared overnight. You should not miss this unique place when you visit Zagreb.

Cvjetni Trg (Flower Square)

This less popular square is named after a handful of florists who can be found all year round at their stands selling fresh blooming flowers. Come on Saturday morning, and you will see that it is a fabulous place for coffee and people watching on the terrace.

Flower Square is also home to a lineup of street performers, and it is not all that uncommon to witness tourists joining in on the singing and dancing. It is a great place to spend the morning full of joy and entertainment.

Sunshine Inn

Though the Sunshine Inn’s sign says, “Welcome back to the Sixties,” the interior feels more like it’s straddling the threshold of the 1970s and 1980s. Graced with a wall of small booths and an ever-present cloud of cigarette smoke, stepping into Sunshine Inn always reminds me of the kind of bar that’d been in a Springsteen song: Booze, billiards, regular Joes and Janes, and rock ‘n’ roll!

And while the aesthetic is more retro rock than classic rock, the sounds are just what the sign promises, the best hits of the 1960s (and the early 1970’s). 

Route 66 feels as if it could be on Route 66. Housed in a squat building that looks more like it fell to earth than someone built it, Route 66 is the kind of place you might find on the edge of town in Eastern Oklahoma, Southern Arkansas, or better yet, a Louisiana bayou. There is nothing “cafe” about this place; it’s all bar.

Outside is a courtyard ringed by a wooden fence, filled with wooden picnic tables and large sawed-off logs to sit on. And even though you’re near the heart of Zagreb, a stone’s throw from the National University Library, and a quick walk to the central train station, it feels more as if you are in the countryside.

Route 66, at Paromlinska Cesta 47, lies on the edge of a large park near the intersection of Vukovarska and Hrvatske Bratske Zajednice (the street with the fountains on it). It’s open on weekdays from 10 am to 1 am and on the weekend from 4 pm to 1 am.

Brands We Use And Trust

Best restaurants in zagreb, frank & otto.

Head here to eat breakfast before starting your day – or for lunch (I recommend the tuna salad).  This is a small but pleasant bar & bistro located right in the city center of Zagreb.

Oxbo Bar & Grill

At OXBO Bar and Grill, you can enjoy a vast selection of wines, both domestic and international. Enjoy food or drinks here all day, as it’s both a bar and a restaurant. You are guaranteed the best steak in Zagreb at OXBO, plus you’ll get to try traditional Croatian dishes with a twist. We’ve raved on about how astonishing this restaurant is many times.

You won’t find anything like OXBO in Zagreb. It’s the first restaurant of its type, and although there are many tasty places to eat in Zagreb, you have to give the best steak place in town a try. Even if you don’t like steak, their menu has something for everyone.

I was surprised to learn that OXBO Bar and Grill imports the beef from a USA producer, who allows the cows to graze in huge pastures and are fed organic yellow corn. This makes for real quality beef, which in turn becomes  magnificent steak . OXBO is on the list of Zagreb restaurants to revisit time and time again.

Located in the Esplanade Hotel, this is unquestionably Zagreb’s finest and most expensive place to eat. Dishes have a modern twist on traditional cuisine.  Check the website

This small restaurant on Skalinska street specializes in one thing and one thing only: Štrukli. This traditional Croatian dish is one you have to try when you visit Zagreb , and this spot serves up a hot plate of it for a low price. Check the website

Dubravkin Put

Both a restaurant and a wine bar, Dubravkin Put, is a casual, warm, and inviting restaurant focusing on Mediterranean cuisine.

Set in Tuškanac forest, which is only minutes from the city center, its terrace offers pleasing views of the surrounding natural scenery. Its contemporary interior makes it a great place for everything from family lunches to business dinners.

The wine bar, located at the entrance, is a beautiful spot for a relaxed bite to eat and a glass of delicious wine. Check the website

Rubelj Grill

Rubelj Grill is the place locals go for a quick, inexpensive bite. Many branches are located around town, and grilled meats are the house specialty. Local dish to try here ? The ćevapi. These grilled meat and onion sausages are delicious!

Stari Fijaker

Stari Fijaker offers high-quality local cuisine.

Their claim to fame is authentic traditional culinary delicacies from the Zagreb-Zagorje region. One such local dish we recommend is štrukli. This fragile pastry is covered with a mixture of tangy cottage cheese, eggs, and sour cream and is tantalizing for your taste buds.

Plus, if that is not enough, you can choose from a selection of loaves of bread at Stari Fijaker, all of which are homemade. Check the website

Restaurant Cuvee

Restaurant Cuvee is a small restaurant just ten minutes from the town center, with modern decor. You’ll find it on one of Zagreb’s nicest looking streets, which one of Zagreb’s main attractions all on its own: Tkalčičeva Street . This pedestrian zone has many great bars and restaurants like Cuvee.

For us, the key to Restaurant Cuvee’s success are their staff. The waiters are extremely friendly and attentive. Their specialty is a beef tartare, made in front of your eyes!

Konoba Didov San

The Gornji Grad location of this restaurant is an excellent place to enjoy a mixture of Bosnian-Herzegovinian and Mediterranean cuisine at prices that aren’t too expensive . Some traditional dishes include uštipak (fried dough), house-made prosciutto, and brudet stew (this one has a frog in it!). Check the website

Pod Gričkim Topom

With a rustic charm, this restaurant located in Gornji Grad gives guests sweeping views of the city rooftops. It’s been described as “unpretentious cuisine” so get ready for some delicious Dalmatian home-cooking.

A healthy dose of seafood, a top selection of wine , and prices that won’t break the bank draw locals and visitors alike to this restaurant. 

La Bodega Cheese And Wine Bar

The tapas, wine, and service are all astounding, as well as the decor and atmosphere. They even have chargers for all types of mobiles in case you’re low on battery. Check the website

Previously voted as the best pizzeria in Zagreb, Vagabund is a place pizza lovers will certainly like. Its elaborate menu, warm atmosphere, and rock music attract various people, from locals to tourists, from musicians to professors, from doctors to bohemians . Check the website

Situated in the heart of Zagreb, Vinodol is a popular restaurant serving traditional continental and Mediterranean food . This classy establishment is a great spot for dining after a fun day exploring Zagreb . Its menu features conventional Croatian dishes prepared with a modern touch and fabulous daily menus with seasonal foods. Check the website

Bistro Apetit

Voted the best restaurant in Zagreb in 2018, Bistro Apetit is a superb restaurant by chef Marin Rendic, recommended by none other than Michelin. Its bright and cozy interior provides an incredible setting to indulge in unique culinary-artistic dishes. Food is prepared with ingredients from Zagreb’s Dolac. Dishes are mainly innovative and modern but with roots in Croatian tradition .

Vis A Vis – Gluten Free

Owned by the food company of the Vincek family, Vis à Vis is a fantastic cake and pastry shop with a patio in central Zagreb. It’s arguably the best place in the city for healthy desserts since they follow the latest nutrition trends. For example, all of their cakes and pastries are gluten-free, while only agave syrup, stevia, and brown sugar are used as sweeteners.

Moreover, there are also a dozen flavors of organic (soft-serve) ice cream, raw-food and vegan cakes, and dairy-free desserts. 

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Top Zagreb Festivals

Fantastic Zagreb Film Festival

This is fiction, science-fiction, horror, thriller, suspense, fantasy, animation festival, and the first open-air film festival in Zagreb. 

Špancirfest Festival

One of the best annual street festivals to check out while vacationing in Croatia is the Špancirfest festival. It takes place every year in the region of Varaždin , less than an hour from Zagreb. There are concerts, entertainment zones, shopping kiosks, and eateries. It also showcases street performers, musicians, and all kinds of artists that line the streets to perform. 

Zagreb Film Festival

The latest and most exciting debutant films of more than one hundred films from all over the world. The festival takes place in several locations, including Europa, Tuškanac, and MSU Cinemas.

For a week , Croatia’s central puppet theater turns into an attractive movie theater, offering the best documentary films from all around the world. The main program provides feature-length and short fiction films and documentaries. 

• Festivals In Croatia

Accommodation In Zagreb

Travelers making their way to Zagreb will need a place to rest, so here is a list of some of the best places to stay in Zagreb . There are lots of Zagreb hotels for all budgets, including many last-minute accommodation choices.

Just make sure not to wait too long if you want the best rates. Note that the hotels in Zagreb are not in the main square but are an easy walk to it.

We like to stay in hotels when visiting big cities on short breaks, and our two top picks are the DoubleTree Hilton or the Hotel Esplanade. Both are 5-star hotels and are within walking or short tram rides from all of these things to do in Zagreb. No matter what you plan to do in Zagreb, these hotels are all well-located options.

If you are traveling to Zagreb with kids in tow or just like more space, how about renting an apartment? Find vacation rentals through places like Booking.com, or you can take a more personal route and use a guesthouse. Hosts are helpful and will give you local info, like where to eat, what to do in Zagreb, places to visit, and so on. 

Zagreb To Dubrovnik

After you have explored Zagreb, we guess you’ll be heading to the Dalmatian Coast . Aren’t we right? Most people ask about getting from Zagreb to Dubrovnik, and this is how you can do it .

Rent A Car Zagreb Search

So, tell us, what are the top things to see in Zagreb you’ll check out first?

• Ultimate Guide To Accommodation In Croatia
• Croatian Food You’ve Gotta Try
• Car Rental & Driving Tips In Croatia
• How To Get From Zagreb Airport To City Center
• Is Zagreb Worth Visiting?
• Zagreb Christmas Markets
• Absolute Best Things To Do In Croatia
• Best Day Trips From Zagreb

Comments (97)

Having never been to Europe, reading your description of the capital city of Croatia makes me want to visit…at lease Croatia. The Museum of Broken Dreams – wow – didn’t see that one coming – all in all the town and time of year sound very interesting.

Ohh no, if you are coming to Croatia, you can’t stop at just Zagreb, But if you can, def stop by that museum, it’s fascinating.

Great list of the must see attractions in Zagreb! We were there last September and although we only had one day we managed to make it through most of your list. We were really impressed with Zagreb and did not expect so many gorgeous buildings and large parks. One of our favorite things was just wandering down pretty looking streets, it’s pretty hard to get lost in the compact centre. Also the Museum of Broken Relationships is really quirky but also a lot of fun (and sad at times too). Safe travels!

Yeah, I can see how you can do it all in one day. Such a little compact city, I should have mentioned the architecture – so many things I wanted to say, but the post was getting long. Yes, it was sad it a way you are right – how odd was some of those items – RANDOM!

Love all your articles about Croatia, so much more to see than I realised!

Ohh that makes me so happy, it’s one of the reasons I blog. You just made my day!

All highlights listed. Done them all. Love Zagreb green market. Did you try corn bread that the old ladies sell in the bottom part of the market. Like a cake! Funicular ride, although it is not maybe spectacular, it’s still romantic to take that ride. I love it!

No i did not BUT I saw the huge lines for it!! I want to go back in the Spring and eat it all!

Hahahahah what a weird museum. I would love to go. Also, the funicular photo is beautiful! I really had never considered going to Croatia before reading your blog (okay, I barely knew where it was), but now it’s definitely on my list.

Nawww Syd, that makes me smile. Really big smile. Add it to your list for sure. Lots to see and do (and eat)

Ooh I love markets! That’s a lot of pigs hanging there.. also what is that vegetable? that’s on the right side, middle picture. Never seen that before!

Ohh good pick up! When we asked the guy said he was a mix of the Broccoli and Cauliflower… I am still not sure if he was pulling my leg or not?!?

There really does look like there is a lot to do in Zagreb. This is one of those cities in Eastern Europe that I would like to visit and experience the uniqueness for myself. The market in particular looks amazing.

Great post and an excellent advertisement for Zagreb!

Thanks very much. It’s a small town, but it does have a great vibe.

I love the museum of broken relationships…what an interesting and original idea. I also love markets too! I’ve only been to Dubrovnik and so i can’t wait to explore more and more of Croatia. Great post as usual :)

Cheers Ashley! It’s very different to Dubrovnik, worth a few days.

Looks like an awesome place to explore! Love your pictures of Zagreb Dolac Market!! Interesting how they display the pigs! Overall, another excellent post!

Thanks very much! Glad you liked it.

lol I love the museum of broken relationships. I’m going to be chuckling about that for a long time to come!!! :)

It’s kind of sad in a way… all of those people junk from relationships gone by.

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Zagreb Travel Tips

Zagreb, a doorway to Western Europe and the capital of Croatia, is situated on the slopes of Mount Medvednica by the side of the Sava river in Northern Croatia. Besides being a business destination, Zagreb is also a day-tripper centre with a popular intercontinental symposium venue.

Zagreb is also prosperous in terms of contemporary stores, spectator sports, museums last but not least historical monuments along with leisure amenities and superior communication and infrastructure. Since 1950s, the city has developed substantially.

Nearly everywhere, tipping and levy charges are incorporated in the invoices. Like ways, tipping is not mandatory. However, if you travelling in a group or get an exceptional service then tipping would sound right. Normally it would vary from 10 to 15%.

In Croatia, if you visit someone’s residence for a meal, you should endeavour to finish all foodstuffs on your platter. Rakia is their most beloved imbibe served at the commencement of the feast, and it is gracious to accept that.

Smoking at public places is banned in Zagreb, Croatia. You are permitted to smoke in smoking zones. If caught smoking in public places you are levied with a heavy fine. On the airport, smoking is strictly prohibited. After passing the anti-smoking law, cafés must keep separate smoking areas where food and drinks are not served.

Zagreb is a safe city for tourists and the crime rate is relatively low. Buses, trams and cabs are safe and sound and also proficient. It is advised to follow some basic precautions to make your vacation more comfortable and safe. Avoid visiting some parks like Ribnjak Park, Zagreb tram night lines and some unsafe bars at night.

When to Travel

April to October is considered to be the best time to visit Zagreb. May and June are warm (pleasant) with days longer in duration. It is best to avoid visiting Zagreb from June to August as the place is overcrowded. If you plan your visit in December, then you will enjoy visiting Christmas Markets in Zagreb.

City Transport

Public transportation is organized in several layers: the inner parts are covered by trams, and the outer areas and suburbs are linked with buses and rapid transit commuter rail. The public transportation company ZET operates trams, all inner bus lines, and suburban bus lines. The funicular in the historic part is a tourist attraction.

Beside public transportation, there are many companies offer car hire services with a driver. Another cheapest option to explore the city is a bicycle, which is available on rent.

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Choose your own adventure: Where to go and how to save on summer vacations

Revenge travel is so last year.

“It's not necessarily about just getting out of the house anymore,” said Sydney Stanback, Global Insights and Trends lead at Pinterest, which has seen more than 1 billion travel searches and more than 10 billion travel saves over the past year. 

Sure, many of the usual suspects are once again among the most popular destinations across multiple search engines this year, but she said this summer, “It's more so about traveling with intention.” 

According to NerdWallet’s Summer 2024 Travel Report , 45% of Americans plan to take a trip requiring a hotel stay or flight this summer with expenses averaging just under $3,600. A fifth of those travelers expect to go into debt to pay for vacations.

Here’s what to consider when booking a summer trip, including where to go, when to travel and how to save:

Learn more: Best travel insurance

What is the best place to travel in summer? 

The answer is subjective, especially this summer.

“Everyone's kind of choosing their own adventure based off of what their needs are for travel,” Stanback said. 

Pinterest’s Summer 2024 Travel Report found summer travelers are most interested in adventure, exploring mysterious or uncharted destinations, and rest. Searches for “quiet life” jumped 530%, but that doesn’t mean the same thing to everyone.

“My mother actually just took a yoga retreat to Panama,” Stanback said. “That's what she needed to do in order to get the rest that she needed and the well-being that she needed. But for me, when I think of rest and restoration, I simply think about going to a beach spa and just sitting and being by myself.”

Solo travel remains popular. Solo travel searches reached an all-time high in Google in January, but again, not for everyone.

“For Gen Z specifically, that need is to gather and reconnect with their community because they were in isolation for so long and during very meaningful moments in their lives,” Stanback said. She noted group travel and road trips are of keen interest to Gen Z.

“It's not necessarily about traveling and going out and going to restaurants and going to bars and clubs,” she added. “We actually see that a lot with younger generations. They’re kind of stepping away from that and really considering their well-being when they're taking time off.”

Where do most tourists go in summer?

Expedia’s Summer Outlook and Google Flights identified the same cities among their most searched summer 2024 destinations based on flights, though rankings varied by platform.

Top 5 domestic destinations 

◾ Orlando, Florida

◾ Los Angeles

◾ Las Vegas

Top 5 international destinations

◾ Cancun, Mexico

◾ Paris, host of the Summer Olympics

Allianz Partners found slightly different results in their analysis of “more than six million flight itineraries for trips between five and eight days in length for travel booked between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day.”

Instead of LA and Vegas, Allianz named Boston and Honolulu among this summer’s top five domestic destinations. Internationally, San Jose del Cabo, Mexico; Oranjestad, Aruba; and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, made Allianz’s top five, instead of Rome, Paris and Tokyo.

“I am expecting crowds to rival last summer's in popular overseas cities,” Expedia’s travel expert Melanie Fish said, noting how places like Barcelona and Venice are trying to curb overtourism. “They're trying fees and if that's not enough, they're going to have to go even further.”

How can I save on a trip?

Summer trips are already costly for many travelers. “Americans with household income under $100,000 accounted for nearly half (46%) of intended leisure travel spend in summer 2023,” according to Deloitte’s Facing travel’s future report from April.

Expedia’s Fish shared five tips for booking summer 2024 vacations:

◾ Bundle your trip. Booking airfare and a hotel at the same time can earn you deep discounts.

◾ Travel midweek or later in the summer if it's an option. You'll save money and save yourself from fighting crowds. 

• ◾ Fly early in the day … The early bird who takes the first flight of the day will typically get a better price and a lower chance of delays and cancellations. ◾ Book once, earn twice. You can stack rewards from your travel credit card (and) your airline.◾ Just go. Don't pressure yourself to create the trip of a lifetime … Do it in a bite-sized chunk if possible. 

'Expensive in every way': What travelers should expect this summer

How far ahead should I book travel?

“The sweet spot is now,” Fish said. “We're within that 21- to 60-day pre-travel window to save around 15% on airfare, so now is the time to plan. That means ready, set, but maybe wait until August to actually go.”

She said travelers can save an average of $250 on international flights if they wait until the peak summer travel season passes. 

“It's 15% cheaper on average to fly domestically in August versus June, 30% cheaper to fly to Europe in late summer, and 55% cheaper to fly to Mexico and the Caribbean in August,” she said. “Of course, August is peak hurricane season , so that has something to do with that price dip.”

6 Last-Minute Travel Tips for the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse

I n less than a month, people will look to the sky as the moon passes between the sun and the Earth in a celestial event known as a total solar eclipse . The phenomenon is set for April 8, 2024, and the next one that can be seen from contiguous United States will be August 2044 , so it's unsurprising that eclipse fever has gripped the nation. Between 1 and 4 million people are predicted to travel to the path of totality, joining the 31 million people already living within it.

Among the tours, cruises, hotels, and even scenic flights offering their own spin on the total solar eclipse experience, here are six tips that last-minute planners should keep in mind for the special day.

1. Figure out where you want to go

There are 13 U.S. states on the path of this year's eclipse: Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine (small parts of Tennessee and Michigan are also in the path). Among all of these states, totality will occur in two national parks-Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas and Cuyahoga National Park in Ohio-and they're expected to get crowded. Instead, consider one of the more than 100 state parks along the path, some of which are more off the radar. If you're more of a city dweller, you can also experience totality in big cities, including San Antonio, Austin, Cleveland, and Rochester.

Consider the weather, too. According to NOAA 's past weather records, April weather seems to bring more chances of rain-meaning more potential for cloud coverage-in the Northeast than in the South.

2. Consider the length of totality

Aiming for a destination in the path of totality is a no-brainer, although the amount of totality you'll get depends on where you go. The closer to the center of the path of totality an area is, the longer the total eclipse lasts. Take Austin and Dallas: While both are on the path of totality, Austin will get 1 minute and 46 seconds of totality, while Dallas will get 3 minutes and 52 seconds of totality. The longest duration you can get for totality is about 4 minutes and 30 seconds. Particularly traveler-friendly spots to maximize your time in the dark are Texas Hill Country towns like Kerrville (which will receive around 4 minutes and 24 seconds of totality and is partnering with NASA) and Fredericksburg (which is set to get 4 minutes 23 seconds of totality). Texas Hill Country is also one of AFAR's best places to go in 2024 .

3. Consider camping

If you want a solar eclipse experience surrounded by nature rather than people, camping may suit you better. But booking developed campgrounds at state parks and well-known nature spots will likely be difficult at this point. As an alternative, check for privately owned land through platforms like Hipcamp or look for dispersed camping sites in a national forest, like Ozark National Forest or Green Mountain National Forest . While backcountry spots may not have amenities, they can be perfect for those seeking solitude.

In addition, be sure to check the capacity of a park when it comes to handling the influx of visitors for April 8. As an example, Erie's tourism board is discouraging visits to Presque Isle State Park to prevent bottleneck traffic from its one entry and exit point.

4. Look into a town, festival, or last-minute tour

Plenty of places within the path of totality are putting their own spin on the solar eclipse with dedicated festivities. Get an educational experience at Rochester Museum & Science Center's ROC the Eclipse Festival , a three-day event that includes talks titled "Frontiers of Plasma Physics" and "The Search for Earth-Like Planets" from science experts. Or lean into grandeur at the four-day Texas Eclipse Festival in Burnet, Texas; its lineup includes music performances, yoga sessions, and immersive art experiences. (If you're heading to Texas for the eclipse event in general, check out this interactive map of special activities happening across the state.)

If the mere thought of navigating trip logistics brings a headache, check for the availability of some solar eclipse tours. Some tours still have availability, like Holland America Line's whopping 22-day Solar Eclipse cruise tour through North America. Others, like Travel Quest's Mexico's Copper Canyon Total Solar Eclipse tour , only have wait-list spots. But don't give up hope: As last-minute cancellations roll in, a quick call could secure you a place.

5. Try to get a last-minute spot at hotels in the path of totality

Hotels are leaning into the solar eclipse experience too, and properties are throwing celebrations and dedicated solar eclipse events just for the event. Miraval Austin Resort and Spa is hosting a viewing session with its astrologer, while Hôtel Swexan in Dallas is offering solar eclipse wellness activities on the evening of April 8 that includes meditation, a sound bath, and a Reiki healing session.

Keep in mind that a last-minute booking may cost a premium. Properties all across the band of totality are recording sky-high prices -even budget hotels . Similar to booking tours, do your due diligence and call to check for a cancellation.

6. Come prepared

Of course, you should wear solar eclipse glasses to prevent permanent damage to your eyes. If you're going to an event, check to see if they will be provided or if you'll need to bring your own. If you don't want to buy them, you can use household materials like cardboard to make your own pinhole projector , a contraption that allows you to see the sun change shape as the moon crosses in front of it.

In addition to bringing materials for the day of the event, anticipate what happens next. The length of totality is less than five minutes, but the traffic afterwards may disrupt your plans for hours. If you're coming from a crowded park or city, be on the safe side and come prepared with extra snacks and water.

Cruise ship drags dead whale into New York, prompting investigation

The collision with the 44-foot-long, endangered sei whale could have been avoided, experts said.

A cruise ship arrived in New York Harbor with a dead sei whale pinned to its bow, a revelation that has spawned a federal investigation and has led biologists to examine the whale’s carcass to determine the cause of death.

The MSC Meraviglia was returning Saturday from a Bermuda cruise when it sailed into the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal with the 44-foot-long sei whale affixed to its front. MSC, a Geneva-based cruise line, confirmed the incident “with deep regret” in a statement and said it had immediately notified authorities. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Office of Law Enforcement is investigating.

On Wednesday, the whale was towed to Sandy Hook, N.J., for a necropsy. According to NOAA, officials discovered broken bones in the right flipper, tissue trauma in the right shoulder blade region and a belly full of food. Biologists took samples for biotoxin and histopathologic analyses. NOAA spokeswoman Andrea Gomez said the tissue and bone samples can help biologists determine whether the whale died before the collision with the ship or because of it.

The Atlantic Marine Conservation Society is leading the whale examination. Results from the exam could take days to weeks, said Kathleen Collins, senior marine campaign manager with the International Fund for Animal Welfare .

Based on the findings released so far, Andy Rogan, science manager at Ocean Alliance , a whale research and conservation nonprofit, said the cruise ship probably caused the whale’s demise. If so, it would have been a sudden death.

“Whales are huge animals, but compared to a ship that size, it’s still a massive impact. So much weight and power is hitting that whale,” he said. “It’s almost certain that a ship strike killed that whale.”

According to NOAA, vessel strikes and entanglement in fishing gear are the biggest threats to sei whales, an endangered species that inhabits deeper waters off the coastline. Population figures are elusive, but NOAA documented roughly 6,300 sei whales between Florida and Nova Scotia from 2010 to 2013.

Sei whales are feeding during this time of year, and Collins said the whales eat on the surface, placing them in the potential bull’s eye for collisions with a ship’s bow. She said crew members and passengers might not have felt the bump because of the ship’s size. The MSC Meraviglia weighs 171,598 tons; sei whales weigh up to 50 tons.

“It really is a tragic case where this strike likely happened and everyone was oblivious until they came into port,” Collins said. “They likely don’t even know exactly where they struck the whale, either.”

NOAA urges boaters operating along the East Coast to cruise slowly, stay alert and report any sightings of right whales or dead, injured or entangled whales. In its statement, MSC said it follows comprehensive measures to avoid accidents with marine life, such as training deck officers with the Ocean Research & Conservation Association and adjusting itineraries in regions populated by whales.

Collins said voluntarily reducing vessel speeds can help avoid run-ins. However, she said, cruise ships and large tankers prefer to move briskly because they are on tight schedules.

Macinzie McFarland, a spokesperson for Cruise Lines International Association, said in an email that cruise ships take several measures to protect marine mammals, including whale observation training for crews and reducing vessel speed.

“The chance of mortality with a vessel strike goes down pretty substantially as you reduce the vessel speed,” Collins said.

Cruise lines also rely on technology such as underwater radiated noise management systems and specially designed hulls, propellers and noise suppression devices that minimize underwater vibrations. .

Marine outlets, agencies such as the Coast Guard and the Whale Alert app share information about whale sightings and locations.

Rogan said there is no “silver bullet” for ships to avoid whales, but advances in technology can help lower the threat. He said hydrophones can pick up whale acoustics, information that NOAA could then disseminate to vessels. At a recent workshop, Rogan said, he learned about infrared cameras that can detect whales within a 360-degree range, particularly in front of a vessel.

Rogan urged the public Thursday to share its outrage about the incident with government agencies and with the cruise line. Collins said she hoped the incident would inspire the cruise industry to act as a better steward in the waters it shares with vulnerable marine life.

The MSC Meraviglia, she noted, is headed next to Canada, a critical ground for North Atlantic right whales, including mothers and their newborn calves.

A previous version of this article misstated the maximum weight of sei whales. It is 50 tons, not 10 tons. The article has been corrected.

More cruise news

Living at sea: Travelers on a 9-month world cruise are going viral on social media. For some travelers, not even nine months was enough time on a ship; they sold cars, moved out of their homes and prepared to set sail for three years . That plan fell apart, but a 3.5-year version is waiting in the wings.

Passengers beware: It’s not all buffets and dance contests. Crime data reported by cruise lines show that the number of sex crimes has increased compared to previous years. And though man-overboard cases are rare, they are usually deadly .

The more you know: If you’re cruise-curious, here are six tips from a newcomer. Remember that in most cases, extra fees and add-ons will increase the seemingly cheap price of a sailing. And if you happen to get sick , know what to expect on board.

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Hay Festival of Literature and Arts 2024 travel guide – things to do, hotels and more

Bound for the literary festival here’s how to spend your time in hay-on-wye, article bookmarked.

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The town of Hay-on-Wye is bracing for a crowd of book lovers to descend on the Powys community for the Hay Festival of Literature and Arts later this May .

Celebrating creativity, literature, writing and words, the second hand-book capital of the world is set to host the annual Hay Festival for the 36th year.

For 2024, guest speakers include novelists Colm Tóibín and Jeanette Winterson, actor Lenny Henry , and comedians Julian Clary and Sara Pascoe. Gary Lineker, Dame Judi Dench, Miriam Margolyes and Stephen Fry are also all set to pop up in Britain’s leading town of literature during the 11-day gathering.

This year’s programme is bursting with over 600 events – there are eight stages in the free-to-enter Dairy Meadows festival site, performances all week at St Mary’s Church and even the festival’s first-ever Sports Day.

Aside from flipping pages, catching a stand-up set and getting crafty with the kids, there’s plenty of outdoor adventures, plates of local produce and, of course, bookshops to browse in historic Hay-on-Wye.

Here’s everything you need to know about where to stay, how to get there and what to do when the chapter ends for bibliophiles headed to the Hay Festival.

Read more on UK travel :

• I visit the Peak District at least once a month – here’s how to do it without a car
• The most unusual surf stays in the UK
• Cardiff city guide: Where to stay, eat, drink and shop in the Welsh capital

When is Hay Festival 2024?

This year’s edition of the Hay Festival of Literature and Arts spans 11 days, from 23 May to 2 June, and tickets are available to book at hayfestival.com .

The best of bookshops

Richard booth’s.

The creator of Hay as we know it – a beloved town of books – is immortalised in his own  Richard Booth’s Bookshop . Booth opened his first bookshop in Hay-on-Wye in 1961, and his love of second-hand literature led to the establishment of the Hay Festival of Literature and Arts by Peter Florence in 1988.

The Poetry Bookshop

Open since 1979, The Poetry Bookshop houses the “most comprehensive” selection of new, second-hand and antiquarian poetry in the UK and is a top hit with lovers of stanzas by John Keats, William Wordsworth and Carol Ann Duffy.

North Books

Newcomer North Books on Castle Street hosts author events, book clubs and craft groups, and is bursting with nooks for reading. They also hold ‘bookshop breakfasts’ for out-of-hours access to the seriously stocked shelves.

In 2023, bookshop and community centre Gay on Wye opened on Lion Street as a sanctuary for LGBT+ literature and queer storytelling.

What to do in Hay-on-Wye

Hay market day.

Held in the centre of Hay every Thursday for over 700 years, Hay Market welcomes over 40 independent traders in craft, cheese and record stalls, often complete with live music and street food.

Canoe on the River Wye

If the Welsh weather isn’t matching up with your wild swimming plans, a cagoule-wearing paddle of the River Wye with  Wye Valley Canoes  starts from £35 per person.

Hike the Brecon Beacons

Step outside the festival for two-foot tours of the Brecon Beacons National Park (Bannau Brycheiniog) to escape the crowds, or walk the 136-mile Wye Valley route and pass through Hay as you border hop between Wales and England.

Paraglide off the top of Hay Bluff

For a different kind of cliffhanger,  Crickhowell Paragliding  has tandem floats off the top of Hay Bluff and over the peaks and troughs of the Brecon Beacons from £185.

Where to eat and drink

Inside the festival, street eats meet jugs of Pimms and sweet treats with everything from coffee shops to woodfired pizzas and sheep’s milk ice cream.

As for the town’s top spots...

Old Black Lion

For elevated pub grub and old-world charm, the  Old Black Lion  B&B is a historic haunt on the Welsh borders. Think jazz nights and traditional Sunday roasts wrapped up with spoonfuls of indulgent treacle sponge.

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Rates provided by Booking.com

Hotel Amenities

Health & wellbeing, hay distillery.

This mico-distillery sells locally sourced Wild Knapp and Dr Beaky’s gin, biodynamic wine and creative cocktails from a shop and tasting room in the centre of Hay.

Make it Michelin guide quality with a weekend visit to Chapters restaurant on Lion Street for seasonal local menus of pickles, purees and sustainably sourced fish.

Artistraw Cider

Just outside of Hay, natural cider makers Tom and Lydia at  Artistraw Cider  offer tastings and tours from £40. The cidery and orchard is full of apple and perry pear trees with views of the Black Mountains – dreamy for sips of cider on a summer day.

Where to stay

Follow the festival vibe to By the Wye for riverside glamping in eco-friendly safari tents and treehouses built for a cwtch . There’s woodland wellness massages, scavenger hunts and bespoke hampers of local produce for traditional Welsh flavours at the rustic Herefordshire spot.

Two-night stays for five adults from £370.

Duke’s Farm

For cosy holiday cottages in the Black Mountains, three barn conversions at Duke’s Farm sleep couples or families looking for mountain views, oak timbers and fireside armchairs (perfecy for curling up with a good book).

Four-night stays for two adults from £284.

Kaya at Blackhill’s Farm

Hunker down at Kaya at Blackhill’s Farm for glamping in a Dark Sky Zone away from all the action. Tucked between the Wye Valley and Brecon Beacons, there are yurts kitted out with all the home comforts, firepits for keeping warm and stars for gazing.

Two-night stays for two adults from £315.

The Old Cider House

In the heart of Hay-on-Wye, The Old Cider House has been renovated with a Japanese flair that spills into the furnishings, hospitality from hosts Simon and Kazuko, and sushi-centric dinner menus. It’s also the ideal base to explore Hay Market and the riot of bookshops on Castle Street.

How to get there

From central London , it’s a four-hour drive to Hay-on-Wye, but with 185,086 tickets sold for last year’s event, expect attendance to be high and the roads to be busy.

The nearest railway station is at Hereford (21 miles from Hay) and Great Western Railway services depart from London Paddington via Newport for a five-hour journey to Hay.

A festival bus service will run between Worcester, Hereford and Hay for the duration of the festival, with an adult day returns costing £14. A regular shuttle bus will also operate between the festival site and the town centre from 8am to 11.15pm; £5 per day.

Read more on Hay Festival 2024: Our guide to this year’s highlights

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A practical guide to travel in Egypt, from tipping culture to independent touring

From packing tips to advice on haggling, here’s everything you need to know while planning your trip.

Whether you want to sail down the Nile on a felucca, explore ancient temples, browse the museums of Cairo or go trekking in Sinai, there are a few things to bear in mind when planning your trip to Egypt. Here’s what to be aware of when it comes to visas, tipping, guides and more.

Do I need a visa?

Almost all travellers, including visitors from the UK and the EU, need a visa to travel to Egypt. While it’s possible to get a visa on arrival, it saves time at the airport if you apply online in advance. A single-entry tourist visa costs US$25 (£20). If you plan to stay in the resort towns in Sinai for fewer than 15 days, you do not need a visa. Instead, you receive a ‘permission stamp’ in your passport when you land at Sharm el-Sheikh International Airport. While this option is a money saver, the list of places you’re permitted to visit is quite limited — even Ras Mohamed National Park at the southern tip of Sinai is off limits without the full visa.

What should I pack?

Egypt is a majority Muslim country, so it’s respectful for travellers to dress modestly. For all genders, this means covering everything between your shoulders and knees. You will likely be asked to cover up more if you visit a mosque or church.

The tap water is not safe to drink here so bring a water bottle with a filter, such as those from Lifestraw .

Wi-fi ranges from infuriatingly slow to nonexistent across the country, even at five-star hotels. Get mobile data through your service provider at home or buy an Egyptian SIM card when you land at the airport.

Can I pay by card in Egypt?

Cash reigns supreme but you can use a card at some higher-end hotels and restaurants. Take some Egyptian pounds out of a cash machine when you arrive, but be mindful of the fluctuating exchange rate and don’t take more out than you need. For bigger expenses, consider bringing US dollars, the most — and sometimes only — accepted foreign currency.

Tipping, called baksheesh, infiltrates almost every interaction you’ll have. It’s customary to tip nearly everyone you come in contact with, even for services you don’t want or require. Keep small change on hand for toilet attendants, porters, mosque caretakers and guards at temples and tombs.

Should I join a tour or travel independently?

Egypt has been a package-tour destination since the days of Thomas Cook, who first led a group to Egypt in 1869. The country is well set up for tour groups, and many first-time visitors find this option easiest, with guides and transport logistics arranged for you. Egypt’s historic sites have little signage, making a tour guide a necessity for deeper understanding.

Nile cruises generally run between Luxor and Aswan in both directions, but a few make the long journey from Cairo. Trains, planes and buses connect cities along the Nile, and buses or internal flights can take you to the Red Sea coast.

For Hungry Minds

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• ANCIENT HISTORY
• ANCIENT EGYPT
• CITY GUIDES

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