10 Best Things to Do in Zagreb, Croatia

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Often overlooked in favour of Croatia’s beautiful seaside destinations, the city of Zagreb is vibrant, bustling, and has a lot to offer. Croatia’s capital and largest city is a busy metropolitan area. Here you’ll find a delightful combination of history and culture and there are lots of wonderful things to do in Zagreb.

It was established as a trading post between Eastern and Western Europe and quickly became one of Croatia’s most important cities.

Whilst it doesn’t have the quaint cobbled old towns and beautiful beaches of Split or Zadar, it is known for its unique mix of new and old architecture that includes stunning examples from each major historical period right up until today.

P.S. If you want to see more of Croatia, I highly recommend Pula, Trogir, Rijeka, and Rastoke!

10 Incredible Things To Do in Zagreb

Zagreb is a very lively city and you’re likely going to find something interesting happening no matter when you go to the Croatian capital.

So, here are the 10 best things to do in Zagreb.

1. Admire St Mark’s Church

Arguably one of the most famous churches in Croatia, St Mark’s Church is located in St Mark’s Square.

This beautiful Gothic church is one of the oldest architectural beauties in Zagreb. Most of the church was built back in the 13th century, but the signature tiled roof was added in 1880.

These days, the church is mostly known for its beautifully decorated roof with paintings of coats-of-arms.

2. Visit Zagreb Archeological Museum

Zagreb Archeological Museum is the oldest museum in Zagreb and it is also the largest one. It was opened to the public back in 1846. However, its roots go back to the prehistoric era. 

The extensive museum holds over 450,000 varied artefacts and is spread over two floors. Some of the monuments that you’ll find there include jewellery, Ancient Greek, and Roman artefacts, as well as Medieval weaponry and the infamous Zagreb Mummy.

The museum is located in the Upper Town district of Zagreb. This makes it extremely easy to visit on foot from most parts of town!

3. Climb up Lotrscak Tower

For panoramic views over the city, head to Lotrscak Tower. Located in the Upper Town near the funicular, this tower was built back in the 13th century to be one of the main fortification towers defending the city from invaders.

Nowadays it’s a great tourist attraction where you can get some amazing views over all parts of Zagreb. 

4. Visit The Museum of Broken Relationships

The Museum of Broken Relationships is not your average museum. It was the brainchild of two Zagreb artists who wanted to create a special place where people could donate objects that once had an important meaning in their lives but now are simply broken or no longer needed.

It showcases the way humans love and how we deal with loss, displaying personal objects from lovers from across the centuries. The items range from keys that used to open old doors, wedding dresses, and teddy bears to a pair of jeans kept out of sentiment.

5. Explore Dolac Market

If you’re a fan of local cuisine and arts and crafts, take a trip to Dolac Market. Located in the centre of the city, this market is very lively and especially busy on weekends.

This market hosts several domestic goods stalls where you can buy food, spices, souvenirs, clothes, or accessories. You might be able to find some really interesting items here.

6. Wander around Kaptol Square

Kaptol Square is located in the Upper Town district of Zagreb and it’s definitely worth checking out. There are some interesting historical buildings here that date back to Medieval times.

The square used to be the centre of Zagreb when Croatian was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. If you’re lucky, you might also get to see some street performances here too.

7. Ride Zagreb Funicular

The smallest funicular in Europe, a ride on the Zagreb Funicular is one of the best things to do in Zagreb. It runs every 10 minutes and links the Donji grad area of Zagreb with the Gornji grad parts.

The funicular was built back in 1890 and it’s just 66 meters long with two carriages that can hold around 20 people each. The whole ride usually takes about 90 seconds, but you’ll be able to enjoy some pretty spectacular views on your way up to the city’s Upper Town.

8. Explore Tkalciceva Street

Located in the Gornji Grad (Upper Town) district of Zagreb, Tkalciceva Street is one of the most popular places for partygoers, those who want a quiet drink, or simply those looking for a nice meal.

If you’re looking for some jazz music and a couple of cocktails to end you’re day, this street is where you should head.

Tkalciceva Street also houses a number of cafes and restaurants. So, you can take some time off from the music and just relax with a cup of coffee or something to eat.

If you are looking for food, I highly recommend Sri Lankan Curry Bowl. We ate there and it was absolutely delicious!

9. Visit the Croatian National Theatre

The Croatian National Theatre is one of the most famous and prestigious theatres in Croatia.

It’s part of a larger building that houses several different performance spaces. It’s also home to two permanent ballet companies that perform regularly for both locals and visitors alike.

If you’re into dance, this should definitely be on your list of places to visit when in Zagreb.

10. Admire the Stone Gate

The Stone Gate used to be one of the main entrances into Zagreb. First built between 1242 and 1266, it’s now a shrine, shrouded in candlelight and myth. 

According to the legend, the gate has been destroyed by a terrible fire many times. However, each time, one thing survives – a painting of the Virgin Mary with baby Jesus.

As such, people believe the painting has miraculous powers, and come to the site to pray.

If you’re interested in learning more about Croatia and its culture, this is a great place to visit.

How To Get To Zagreb

Zagreb is connected to a lot of European cities through bus, train, and air. Zagreb Airport is just a short drive from downtown Zagreb and has flights connecting all over Europe and the rest of the world. This makes it a very accessible airport and the perfect place to start your Croatian trip.

There are mainly two ways of getting into town from the airport: taxi or bus. A taxi into the city centre will cost around 100 to 150 kuna and a bus ticket costs 30 kunas (about £0.40).

There are also direct buses from Zagreb Airport to a lot of other European capitals (including Ljubljana, Vienna, and Budapest). This is a great way of going on day trips or travelling around more of Europe, once you have explored the city.

How To Get Around Zagreb

Getting around the capital is also fairly simple. The city is divided into 17 districts and all but two of them are connected by the tram system. So, if you want to get from one end of town to another you can easily do this via tram. Zagreb’s trams run frequently during weekdays and usually every five minutes during rush hour.

If you’re not a fan of tram travel, some buses go all over Zagreb. Taxis are also a great option in Zagreb, and the city does have Uber.

Alternatively, if you’d rather not take a bus, taxi, or tram, renting a bicycle is another great way of getting around. The cost of renting a bike is usually between 15 and 20 kunas per hour (about £0.20 to £0.30).

This way you can enjoy riding through the city without having to worry about traffic or parking your car. Plus, it’s also a very healthy method of getting about!

Lastly, and by far the easiest way to get around Zagreb is simply to walk. The city is fairly easy to navigate on foot – although it is a bit hilly in parts.

Where to Stay in Zagreb

As the capital of Croatia, it only makes sense that there are a range of great places to stay in Zagreb. Ranging from boutique apartments to luxury hotels, here are some of my favourite places:

• £££ – Hotel Le Premier – This gorgeous hotel is ideal for those wanting a touch of luxury in Zagreb. Located in the lower town, the hotel has an onsite spa and fitness centre, elegantly designed rooms, and a great bar and restaurant.
• ££ – Zagreb Sleep and Eat – An incredibly stylish apartment, this place is clean, modern, and has all the facilities you’ll need for a comfortable stay. Perfect for anyone wanting a home-from-home in Zagreb.
• ££ – Elenas Rooms and Apartment – Located in the heart of the city, these rooms are comfortable, modern, and very affordable. This is where we stayed when we visited Zagreb.
• £ – Stay Swanky Bed and Breakfast – An affordable B&B located in the city centre, this place has well-equipped rooms and apartments, friendly staff, and a central location.

✅ Discover more of the best places to stay in Zagreb

Final Thoughts on the Best Things to Do in Zagreb

Overall, Zagreb is a wonderful place to visit in Croatia and definitely not somewhere to miss when you’re exploring the country.

While many people make a feeling to the coastal regions of Split and Zadar, there is so much culture to see in Zagreb and you can see a whole new size of Croatia.

I absolutely loved my time here and I’m sure you will too!

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