15 Best Things to Do in Zagreb (From a Local’s Point of View)
Zagreb often gets skipped for the coast, and that’s a mistake. I travel a lot, and for a long time, I kept comparing every city I visited to my own. But I realized that’s not fair, Zagreb doesn’t try to compete. It’s not flashy or loud or showy. It’s slow-burn charming.
It’s the kind of city that sneaks up on you, one morning market, one coffee, one street musician at a time. A place where locals still talk politics over espresso, where your barista remembers your order after two visits, and where the pace feels… human.
If you’re visiting for a weekend or planning a short Zagreb city break, here’s a list of the best things to do in Zagreb, not the checklist kind, but the things that make you get it what Zagreb is really about.
This article contains affiliate links, which means that if you book accommodation, a tour, or a service through them, I may earn a small commission – at no extra cost to you. It helps me keep creating free content. Thank you for your support! 😊
No visit to Zagreb starts without a stop at Dolac Market. The city’s open-air market buzzing with locals, red umbrellas, and the smell of fresh produce and cheese. You’ll hear farmers yelling prices, old ladies haggling over tomatoes, and clinking coffee cups from nearby cafés. Grab a greasy burek downstairs (the bakery level beneath the market) or coffee with a view of the Cathedral.
2. Visit Zagreb Cathedral & Explore the Upper Town
Still wrapped in scaffolding after the 2020 earthquake, Zagreb Cathedral remains one of the city’s defining landmarks. Inside, it’s peaceful and cool, the perfect contrast to the chaos of Dolac. From there, walk up to Upper Town (Gornji Grad), the oldest part of Zagreb. You’ll pass the Stone Gate, where locals light candles for luck, and end up at St. Mark’s Church, with its colorful tiled roof that basically screams “Zagreb postcard.” Don’t miss the view from Lotrščak Tower, and remember, the cannon fires every day at noon. Even I forget and still get jumped when it goes off.
💵 Cathedral and Upper Town free; Lotrščak Tower €3
3. Ride the Funicular
It’s one of the shortest funiculars in the world. just 66 meters long but worth the ride. It connects the Lower and Upper Towns, saving you a steep walk. The ride lasts under a minute, but it’s a Zagreb tradition.
Built during World War II as a bomb shelter, today Grič Tunnel serves as a pedestrian passage and occasional exhibition space. It’s cool (literally), slightly eerie, and connects the old Upper Town with the newer part below. During Christmas, it’s decorated with lights, a surprisingly nice shortcut.
A Zagreb original and easily one of the most unique museums in Europe. The Museum of Broken Relationships is filled with everyday objects donated by people around the world after a breakup, each with a short story. Some are funny, some tragic, some painfully relatable. Even if you’re not into museums, this one will stay with you.
If you’re looking for something lighter, especially if you’re traveling with kids (or hungover), the Museum of Illusions is full of optical tricks, puzzles, and Instagram moments. It’s quick to walk through but fun, and conveniently near the city center.
The easiest way to understand Zagreb’s layered history is to walk it with a local. Walking tours usually start from the main square and cover both Upper and Lower Town. Guides mix history with gossip, earthquakes, rivalries, and love stories that shaped the city. If you prefer food or craft-beer versions, those exist too. The one I recommend you can find below.📍Starts:Ban Jelačić Square 💵 *€17–€25
Zagreb’s Lower Town is wrapped in a chain of leafy parks called the Green Horseshoe, Zrinjevac, King Tomislav, and King Petar Krešimir IV squares. Locals nap, play chess, or eat ice cream under the trees. I’ve travelled a lot and firmly believe that Zrinjevac is one of nicest parks in Europe, and for that matter in the world. You’ll pass landmarks like the Croatian National Theatre and Art Pavilion, and if you’re here in winter, this area turns into the heart of the Zagreb Christmas Market.
You are short on time in Zagreb? Here you can find my 2-day itinerary, complete with food recommendations.
9. Escape to Maksimir Park
Maksimir is where locals go to breathe. The city’s oldest public park feels more like a forest, full of trails, small lakes, and wooden gazebos. You’ll see families, joggers, and a few couples with takeaway coffee. I love going there to blow off steam or just enjoy the nature and lakes, it’s really calming. The Zagreb Zoo is tucked inside if you’re with kids.
Towering above the city, Medvednica Mountain (Sljeme) is an easy escape from Zagreb’s center. The new cable car takes you from the edge of town straight into the forest, 20 minutes to reach fresh air and panoramic views. At the top, there’s a viewing tower with a 360-degree lookout and a restaurant/bar, perfect for coffee with a skyline view. It’s only 1,033 meters high and there are ski slopes where locals ski in winter. In fact, it’s also the home of the World Cup ski race.
Zagreb is full of weird museums, but this one takes the prize. The Hangover Museum collects stories and “evidence” from the world’s worst hangovers, photos, props, and real submissions from travelers. It’s small, silly, and surprisingly therapeutic.
12. Go Vintage-Hunting at Britanski Trg’s Sunday Market
Every Sunday morning, Britanski Trg transforms into a charming flea market. Locals browse for antique furniture, vinyl records, medals, or some random trinket they’ll never use. It’s small, laid-back, and perfect for people-watching.
If you eat one thing in Zagreb, make it štrukli,, a baked cheese pastry that’s buttery, warm, and slightly sweet. At La Štruk, that’s literally the only thing on the menu, but in a dozen variations. Pair it with a glass of white wine and you’ve mastered Zagreb comfort food.
Zagreb (and honestly, all of Croatia) runs on coffee culture, we’ve turned sitting, drinking coffee, gossiping, and complaining into an art form.. On Tkalčićeva Street, locals spend hours sipping espresso, gossiping, and watching others do the same. It’s lined with cafés and small restaurant, pick one, sit back, and don’t rush. It’s the closest thing to a national sport.
15. Take a Day Trip to Plitvice Lakes National Park
If you have a spare day, Plitvice Lakes are an easy two-hour trip from Zagreb and one of the most breathtaking spots in Croatia. Sixteen turquoise lakes connected by waterfalls, wooden trails, and unreal scenery. You can visit with a guided tour or drive yourself, both are worth it.
If you want to go on a guided tour from Zagreb, below you can check out couple of options.
Bonus: Try Traditional Croatian Food
For a taste of proper Croatian comfort food, head to Konoba Didov San in the Upper Town. Think octopus baked under the bell (pod pekom), Dalmatian pašticada, and homemade bread that’ll ruin you for store-bought forever. Cozy, rustic, and slightly kitschy, in the best way possible.
If you’d like to take it a step further, here you can check outa Zagreb Food Tour with tastings of both traitional and modern Croatian food.
If you are a brunch lover like I am, here I prepared a full list of best brunch spots in Zagreb ☺️
Final Thoughts
Zagreb won’t blow your mind in the first hour, it’s not that kind of city. But give it a weekend, a few coffees, and a slow walk through its parks and markets, and you’ll start to get it. The best things to do in Zagreb aren’t flashy, they’re the small rituals: morning burek at Dolac, gossip over espresso, or catching the last tram after a glass of local wine. If you’re planning a Zagreb city break, skip the checklist and let the city set the pace. That’s when you really see what makes visiting Zagreb special.
These are the travel tools and services I genuinely use and recommend. They’ve helped me plan smoother, safer, and more affordable trips. Hopefully they’ll do the same for you.
Da bismo pružili najbolje iskustvo, koristimo tehnologije poput kolačića za čuvanje i/ili pristup informacijama o uređaju. Suglasnost s ovim tehnologijama će nam omogućiti da obrađujemo podatke kao što su ponašanje pri pregledavanju ili jedinstveni ID-ovi na ovoj web stranici. Nepristanak ili povlačenje suglasnosti može negativno utjecati na određene karakteristike i funkcije.
Funkcionalni
Always active
Tehničko skladištenje ili pristup je striktno neophodan za legitimnu svrhu omogućavanja korištenja određene usluge koju izričito traži pretplatnik ili korisnik, ili u jedinu svrhu izvršenja prijenosa komunikacije preko elektronske komunikacijske mreže.
Postavke
Tehničko skladištenje ili pristup su neophodni za legitimnu svrhu čuvanja podešavanja koje ne traži pretplatnik ili korisnik.
Statistika
Tehničko skladište ili pristup koji se koristi isključivo u statističke svrhe.Tehničko skladište ili pristup koji se koristi isključivo u anonimne statističke svrhe. Bez sudskog naloga, dobrovoljne suglasnosti od strane vašeg dobavljača internet usluge ili dodatnih zapisa treće strane, informacije sačuvane ili preuzete samo za ovu svrhu obično se ne mogu koristiti za vašu identifikaciju.
Marketing
Tehničko skladište ili pristup su potrebni za kreiranje korisničkih profila za slanje reklama ili za praćenje korisnika na web stranici ili na nekoliko web stranica u slične marketinške svrhe.
