My first trip to Zagreb back in 2016 was a very brief one. I was thrilled to return in 2025, on my third trip to Croatia! This is a fantastic destination for a city break, and it’s much more affordable than the hotspots on the Dalmatian Coast like Dubrovnik. Here’s my guide for the best things to see and do in Zagreb!

What to See and Do in Zagreb

Admire Zagreb Cathedral

The cathedral seems to be always under construction. It was covered in scaffolding on my first trip, and completely closed on my most recent visit – it was damaged in an earthquake in 2020. The grand building is now open daily. It’s the second-tallest building in Croatia, built mainly in the Baroque style, and houses the tombs of important figures in Croatian history.

See St. Mark’s Church

St. Mark’s Church is well-known for its beautiful and striking tiled roof. Sadly, it was closed on both my visits, so I’ve never been inside. You can’t visit Zagreb and not see this church!

Visit the Museum of Broken Relationships

This is one of my favorite museums in the whole world, and I don’t say that lightly. People from around the world have donated items from their broken relationships, and displays are rotated so it’s always worth re-visiting. It’s poignant and moving – one minute you’ll be tearing up, the next laughing out loud! One of my favorite pieces was a jersey that just said, “he was a player.” If you only visit one museum in Zagreb, it should be this one.

Pass by Stone Gate Shrines

This passageway has a number of shrines with candles built into the wall of the gatehouse. It originally dates to the mid-1200s – it’s likely you’ll walk through it at some point while you wander around the Upper Town.

Snap a pic at the best viewpoint in Zagreb

There is a stunning viewpoint over the cathedral and the city’s terracotta rooftops from this spot in Upper Town, near Zakmardi Steps. It’s listed on GoogleMaps as Love Rails. For an even higher view, head up to Lotrščak Tower, which costs 3€ – the tower blasts a cannon every day at noon.

Take a ride on the Zagreb Funicular

This pretty blue funicular zips people between the Upper and Lower Towns in just over a minute. It’s said to be the shortest funicular in the world, and costs 0.70€.

Walk through Grič Tunnel

Head underground to Grič Tunnel, which connects the Upper and Lower Towns. It’s 350 meters long, and was originally built during World War II as a bomb shelter. It’s a great way to avoid walking in the heat as it’s cool inside the tunnel!

Soak up the hustle and bustle of Ban Jelačić Square

This is the main square in Zagreb, named after a Croatian general and politician who fought in the Imperial Austrian Army. You can see the statue of him on his horse and the large fountain here. Many of the city’s tram lines run past this square.

Shop at Dolac Market

Dolac Market is the central farmer’s market in Zagreb, close to the cathedral. Stalls use red umbrellas to shield them from the elements; it’s been around since the 1930s and is very popular for fruit and veg.

See the Croatian National Theater

This striking yellow building is the home of performing arts in Zagreb, hosting drama, opera, and ballet. It’s the oldest theater in the country – this current building opened in 1895.

Visit other museums in Zagreb

There are lots of other museums in Zagreb: the City Museum, Croatian Museum of Naïve Art, Museum Mimara, Art Pavilion, Mestrovic Atelier (the home of one of Croatia’s famous artists), the Ethnography Museum, the Museum of Contemporary Art (outside the city center), Museum of Hangovers, and the Chocolate Museum, to name a few. Pick a few to visit or try to get to all of them!

Stroll through the Botanical Garden

The pretty Botanical Garden in Zagreb is located close to the train station and costs 2€ to enter. On a nice day, it’s perfect for a stroll – note that the garden is closed in winter.

Relax in Zagreb’s many parks

There are a number of parks in Zagreb, which are an excellent choice for relaxing when the weather is good. Zrinjevac Park is one of my favorites, especially in spring when the flowers are in bloom. There are some cool murals and street at in Park Opatovina in the Upper Town. Head out of the city center to Maksimir Park, with landscaped gardens, woods, and a lake.

Take a day trip to Plitvice Lakes National Park

Third time’s the charm: on my third trip to Croatia, I finally made it to Plitvice Lakes! This stunningly beautiful national park is a must-visit for nature lovers when in Croatia. It’s possible to do a day trip to Plitvice Lakes from Zagreb – although it is a long day, about 11 to 12 hours. Seeing the waterfalls and lush greenery, walking on the boardwalks alongside the 16 inter-connected lakes, and catching a boat across the water… it was well worth the wait. You can book the exact tour I did below!

Where to Eat and Drink in Zagreb

There are plenty of good food and drink options in Zagreb, whether you’re after traditional Croatian cuisine or something different. Here are a few of my picks for where to eat and drink in the city!

Ivana Tkalčića Street

This is the main street for restaurants, cafes, and bars in the Upper Town. There are so many spots here, and my memory from when I visited on a bar crawl is a bit hazy as to where exactly I went. But this is where a lot of the Zagreb nightlife is. Be sure to have some rakija, a type of alcohol (like fruit brandy) that’s popular in the Balkans!

La Štruk

My guide from Plitvice Lakes recommended this restaurant to me, and I’m glad he did! They serve tasty Croatian dishes, and are best known for their strukli, a pastry dish that’s either boiled or baked and usually filled with cottage cheese. I got a sweet kind of strukli here, which was delicious!

Pod Zidom

Beautiful and creative dishes are the focus at this bistro in Zagreb. Pod Zidom is in a stylish space and recommended by the Michelin Guide – try the lamb gnocchi or beef cheeks.

Vincek

Vincek is the go-to spot for sweet treats in Zagreb. This patisserie has a range of cakes, pastries, and other goodies – there are multiple locations spread around town.

Tolkien’s House

It’s not every day that you can visit a Tolkien-themed bar in Croatia, so don’t miss out! The owner of this bar is a big Lord of the Rings fan, and the inside is decorated with loads of cool memorabilia. It’s a pretty chill place and they’ve got a good range of beers on tap.

Garden Brewery

Take a tram out to Žitnjak to visit this craft brewery, which has – no surprises here – a large garden. There are 20 beers on tap to choose from, and they have food like burgers and wraps. It’s also possible to do a brewery tour – check the Garden Brewery website for details.

Planning Your Trip to Zagreb

Zagreb is the capital of Croatia, but is all too often overlooked for the popular seaside destinations like Split and Dubrovnik. Zagreb International Airport is just outside the city and it’s fairly easy to get into the center by bus – I use Skyscanner to find the best flight deals. Considering travel insurance for your trip? World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 adventure activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more. Check out tours and activities in Zagreb below!

 

Where to Stay in Zagreb

There is a variety of accommodation available in Zagreb. If you’re visiting in summer, I highly advise booking somewhere that has air conditioning! Here are a few recommendations on where to stay.

• Budget: Main Square Hostel – I stayed at this lovely hostel on my trip, which is in a super-convenient location and has clean dorms (with curtains and individual lights/sockets) and private rooms. Free breakfast was a huge bonus, and there’s a communal kitchen, too. The sister hostel, WWW Hostel, is the party one, so this is a good option if you want a solid night’s sleep.
• Mid-range: Canopy by Hilton Zagreb City Center – a modern hotel with industrial-inspired design, friendly staff, and an excellent location by the train station.
• Boutique: Met Boutique Hotel – a beautiful boutique hotel with spacious, upscale rooms and a rooftop restaurant in a great location close to the main square.
• Luxury: Esplanade Zagreb Hotel – this five-star property close to the train station has stylish Art Nouveau décor, plush rooms with marble bathrooms, and two on-site restaurants plus a spa.

My first trip to Zagreb was really just one day, so I’m very glad I had the chance to return and explore properly. There is a lot to see and do here on a city break – from museums to churches and parks, it’s a fantastic place to visit. I hope this post helps planning your trip to Zagreb!

Have you ever been to Zagreb? Share your thoughts in the comments!

You might also like my posts:

Dubrovnik, Croatia: How to Avoid the Crowds (and Save Money)

Lokrum: A Perfect Dubrovnik Day Trip

Recipe: Bureks from the Balkans

All of my Croatia posts!