Zagreb is the largest city and the capital of Croatia. Though for many travellers the capital is often skipped in favour of touristic destinations like Dubrovnik or Split. But we reckon it is a gem of a city to visit. There are lots of great things to do in Zagreb that make it well worth the trip.
- Travel to Croatia
- About Zagreb
- What is it like to visit?
- Upper and Lower Zagreb
- Best time to visit?
- How long do you need?
- Getting there
- Getting around
- Things to do in Zagreb
- Croatian food
- Where to eat
- More about travel in Eastern Europe
Travel to Croatia
Croatia is a European destination known for its stunning coastline, historic cities, and diverse landscapes.
The cuisine is a delicious blend of Mediterranean flavours. And the location of Croatia in the centre of the continent makes it a destination that offers Eastern European, Mediterranean, Balkan and Western European influence.
It is a popular destination though!
So we reckon we found a bit of a gem in travel to Zagreb – a lesser visited city destination within Croatia, but with plenty to see, eat and do.
About Zagreb
Zagreb is the capital city of Croatia. It is located in the north of the country along the Sava River, at the southern slopes of the Medednica mountain.
However, despite its fame as a city of history and much culture it is usually not the main draw for travel to Croatia. That would be the ever-popular seaside towns of Dubrovnik, Split and the island of Hvar.
Plus, Zagreb has only been dubbed the capital since 1991. The current capital, was preceded by Varaždin and Nin. But the city has always played a huge role in the economic, political and cultural scenes of Croatia.
There’s a modern lower town with busy, trendy shops and bars. Which is linked to the quaint and cobbled hilltop old upper town by a tiny funicular.
It is a great city to visit and explore for a day.
What is it like to visit?
The capital city of Croatia is a beautiful city to explore and easy to get around on foot.
It is a bustling and busy city centre but steeped with history (ha! And steep streets), markets, sites of culture and tasty foods to try.
Upper Zagreb and Lower Zagreb
The city is divided into two sectors, both with different points of interest.
Gornji Grad (Upper Town) is considered the Old Town of Zagreb and home to the list of religious and historical buildings the city is known for.
Donji Grad (Lower Town) is the newer, more modern area that has most of the theatres, businesses and museums.
Both parts of Zagreb are great to explore, and it is a doable city to explore on foot.
- Tip: Get yourself to the Upper Town for about 11:50am and join the crowd waiting around outside Lotrščak Tower. You’ll be just in time to hear Zagreb’s famous Grič cannon being fired from one of the upstairs windows!
What is the best time of year to visit?
Like much of Eastern Europe, Zagreb gets seriously cold in the winter months. So, the best time to visit is during spring (April-May) or autumn (September-October) for pleasant weather and fewer crowds.
We visited in May while the weather was beautiful.
How long do you need?
To experience Zagreb’s main attractions, we reckon you need 1 – 2 days.
Of course, it is a big city – a capital city – and there are loads more sights we haven’t even touched on.
But one day is enough time to explore the city’s historic centre, visit key sights like Zolac Market, Saint Marks Church and the Stone Gate – and you must allow time to taste some new Croatian foods.
We spent one day exploring the city before heading out to park in a small rural village for the night.
With one full day of exploring, you can see all the things to do in Zagreb listed below.
Getting to Zagreb
The Croatian capital city is well connected by road with all of surrounding Europe.
There are daily international tourist buses to many European cities to and from Zagreb, including Vienna, Munich, Istanbul, Amsterdam, and more.
By train there are direct rail links to Munich, Vienna, Budapest, Ljubljana and more.
Or you can drive and find parking in the city. This is what we did to explore all the things to do in Zagreb.
Getting around in Zagreb
The centre of Zagreb including the Upper and Lower Town are great walkable parts of the city. All of the things to do in Zagreb listed below are within walking distance.
Things to do in Zagreb, Croatia
In no particular order (more so in the order we visited), here are 10 things to do in Zagreb, Croatia.
1. Zagreb Cathedral
You certainly can’t miss the Zagreb Cathedral. It is the second tallest building in the whole of Croatia.
Along with that it is also touted as the most monumental sacral building of Gothic architecture southeast of the Alps. Which is a pretty epic claim to fame when you consider the Gothic contributions of architecture in Western Europe!
- Tip: When we visited the cathedral was closed for restorations. Though it is beautiful from the outside and accessible on foot from ban Jelačić square.
2. Zolac Market – Things to do in Zagreb
Zolac Market is Zagreb’s main open-air farmers’ market. There is a huge courtyard in the Upper Town surrounded by smaller off-shoot markets that specialise in dairy products and flowers.
This is the place that locals come to buy their food – and have been doing just that for almost a century since the market first opened.
It is a beautiful space with flowers and cafes with outdoor tables dotted around.
3. Zolac Flower Market
In two directions leading off from the main courtyard of Zolac Market there are two smaller flower markets.
I guess it is technically part of the main Zolac Market. But the flower area is beautifully displayed and worth a mention and a visit.
4. Burek Dolac Since 1967 – Things to do in Zagreb
I get that fiding the best Burek is not on the normal list of things to do in Zagreb. But it should be!
We were hanging out to get to Eastern Europe and the Balkans after travelling all the way from Morocco through Western Europe. One of the things that we had heard about as far as food to try, was a type of flaky pastry pie called ‘Burek’.
Then while we were in Zolac Market (one of the actual listed essential things to do in Zagreb) we stumbled upon this historic Burek shop.
The sign on the window only says ‘Burek’ but it is proudly signed on all the tables that this place has been making Burek since 1967.
It turns out it is a very well-known Burek shop in Zagreb. Albeit it was hard to get a table, and we did have to wait our turn. Which should have been a sign, right?
Definitely add Burek Zolac to the new-essential list of things to do in Zagreb!
- Tip: Burek Dolac is quite literally underneath the main courtyard of the market as you head downstairs.
5. Tkalčićeva Street
Tkalciceva Street is a long street through the Zagreb’s Upper Town. It’s very touristy, with lots of shops and restaurants, and throngs of people.
It is a pedestrian street without vehicles and a great atmosphere to soak in the vibes of Zagreb.
6. Stone Gate and Chapel – Kamenita Vrata
This is one of the small but quirky things to do in Zagreb. There is a peculiar tiny chapel inside a corner stone gate on the way up to Saint Marks Church.
Back in the day, this was a medieval town gate that guarded the Upper Town area.
Though today you could pass through without noticing too much. That is, aside from the groups of passing locals that stop to light a candle and say a prayer in the Stone Gate Chapel.
7. Saint Marks Church
The beautiful Saint Marks Church is one of the oldest architectural monuments in Zagreb.
It is a stunning church to see when you visit.
St Marks Church is known for its tiled roof with coats of arms displayed and significant Gothic portal. So, it is easily recognisable with its coloured roof.
8. Lotrscak Tower – Things to do in Zagreb
The Lotrščak Tower is a fortified tower in the old part of town called Gradec or Gornji Grad (Upper Town). It was built in the middle of the 13th century to protect the south city gate.
After visiting Saint Marks Church if you turn downhill (towards the Zagreb Funicular) you can’t help but see the tower.
9. Zagreb Funicular
The Zagreb Funicular is a short ride but one of the iconic things to do in Zagreb. The historic hill tram connects the Lower and Upper Towns, spanning just 66 metres – and taking about a minute!
The funicular was built and put into operation in 1890. But at only one minute per journey, it is one of the shortest public transport funiculars in the world.
10. Gric Tunnel – Things to do in Zagreb
The Gric Tunnel (Croatian: Tunel Grič) is a pedestrian tunnel that is 350 metres long under the Gric neighbourhood in Zagreb.
Entrance to the tunnel is free. And it is one of the famous things to do in Zagreb. Albeit a little eerie until you get to the first light partway through!
Other things to do in Zagreb
If you have more time in town, there are more things to do in Zagreb.
- Solar System Statues
- Oktagon
- Sunday Antique Market (Flea Market)
- The Garden Brewery
- National Museum of Modern Art
- Art Part Zagreb
- Sunken Mural Park
- Museum of Broken Relationships (truly!)
- Croatian Museum of Naïve Art
- Mirogoj Cemetery
- University of Zagreb Botanical Garden
The Solar System statues are another of the quirky-but-cool things to do in Zagreb. The statues of each planet are dotted intermittently around the city in a scale model of the solar system!
Croatian food to try in Zagreb
I’d pretty confidently speaking on behalf of all four of us when I say this was one of our favourite things to do in Zagreb…
The Burek was a major highlight for each of us. Even if it did turn into a bit of a Burek-pilgrimage that continued through the other Balkan countries of Bosnia, Montenegro, Kosovo and North Macedonia and onwards to Bulgaria!
But of course, there are other Croatian foods to try while you are in Croatia:
- Burek – flaky, pastry pie
- Orehnjaca – walnut log cake
- Strukli – cheese-filled pastry
- Pokladnice – filled donuts
- Punjena Paprika – stuffed peppers
- Cevapi – meat sausages
- Fritule – fried dough balls
Fritule also called Ustipci, are deep-fried little doughnuts sprinkled with fine powdered sugar. These were a hit with the kids.
Plus, one more that I could never pronounce but did look out for in every subsequent bakery post-Zagreb – Medimurska Gibanica – a type of puff pastry layer cake. It’s good!
Restaurants and cafes – Where to eat in Zargeb
- Burek Dolac: Right underneath the central courtyard of the market you will find this traditional Burek shop that we rave about.
- Bread Club 2: One of the most famous bakeries in Zagreb. This is a branch of the bakery chain near Zolac Market.
- Cogito Coffee: A good central stop for a Croatian coffee (or espresso).
- Melt: This is one of the most renowned places in Zagreb to get breakfast. Though it does have ice cream too!
Or there are lots of cafes and restaurants on the main street below Zolac Market.
The verdict on visiting and things to do in Zagreb?
We had a great day out in Zagreb! Obviously, there are other more touristic destinations in Croatia that draw the crowds. But we enjoyed the city vibes and atmosphere of the Croatian capital.
It felt like all the main things to do in Zagreb are in the centre of the city. So, it made for a neat walkabout tour that we could do independently.
We recommend Zagreb. Don’t skip it in Croatia!
Read more about travel in Eastern Europe
- 14 Things To Do In Sofia, Bulgaria.
- 18 Things To Do In Bucharest, Romania.
- Border Crossing: Romania to Moldova.
- Border Crossing: Kosovo to North Macedonia.
- Things To Do In Podgorica, Montenegro.
- Things To Do In Belgrade, Serbia.
- Border Crossing: Serbia to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- Border Crossing: Bosnia to Montenegro.
More useful links for your travels in Europe and beyond
These are the companies we use and can recommend for planning and booking travel.
- Booking.com – The best all-around accommodation booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. It is easy to filter and sort into price and availability with all the extras you are looking for personally.
- 12GoAsia – Book trains anywhere online.
- Skyscanner– This is by far our favourite flight search engine. They are able to search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites often miss. We book all our flights through Skyscanner.
- GetYourGuide– Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions offered all around the world. Everything from walking tours, to street-food tours, cooking classes, desert safari’s and more!
- SafetyWing – A global travel insurance that covers people from all over the world while outside their home country. You can buy it short or longterm; and even if you are out of the country.
- World Nomads – Make sure you have insurance before embarking on travel to Croatia and all the things to do in Zagreb!
