30+ Best Things To Do In Zagreb From A Local (2024)
Are you visiting Zagreb and want to know what are the best things to do in Zagreb, Croatia?
Zagreb is often overlooked by tourists visiting Croatia. That’s completely unjustified since Zagreb is a city full of culture and history, just waiting to be discovered!
I lived in Zagreb for more than 6 years, first as a student and later working in the city.
I’ve had a lot of time to discover everything to do around, so I am very excited to show you all the best places to visit in Zagreb from a local perspective.
From wandering the cobblestone streets of the Upper Town to visiting one of many museums and parks, Zagreb has something for every type of traveler.
If you’re ready to add some fun activities to your Zagreb itinerary, let’s get started!
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. I hope you find the information here helpful!
What To Do In Zagreb?
From the charming city center to incredible hiking trails in the hills behind Zagreb, there are plenty of fun things to do in Zagreb!
Best Things To Do In Zagreb: City Centre
It is possible to visit all of the main sights in the city center by walking to get a feel of life in the city. It will be a busy day with a lot of walking, but it is worth it!
1. Visit Ban Jelačić Square
Ban Jelačić Square is the main square of Zagreb, with the statue of Ban Jelačić on a horse as the central point of the square.
It is also the most common meeting spot, and you will see many meet-ups.
You will see the Manduševac fountain on the east side of the square. According to the legends, Zagreb was named after this Manduševac spring.
Funnily enough, the fountain was covered and forgotten when the square was reconstructed in the 19th century, only to be accidentally rediscovered in 1986.
2. Admire the Croatian National Theatre
The Republic of Croatia Square is a beautiful square and home to many different architectural styles of buildings.
The centerpiece of the square is the magnificent Croatian National Theatre building. Surrounding the square, you can also see the modern Academy of Music building and the 18th-century Faculty of Law building.
Do not miss the Well of Life sculpture in front of the National Theater building. It depicts people around a well, representing life, youth, and the source of eternal beauty.
3. Enjoy Peaceful Botanical Gardens
As you walk along Mihanović Street from the Central train station, you will find Zagreb’s botanical garden.
This little green oasis in the Lower Town is a perfect spot to relax and enjoy nature. Especially on a hot summer day.
There is a symbolic entrance fee to explore the Botanical Garden. However, it is free to visit on Mondays and Tuesdays.
- Opening hours and tickets: For up-to-date opening hours and ticket prices, check the Botanical Garden website.
4. Take Zagreb Funicular
Zagreb funicular, one of the city’s main attractions, has been connecting Upper and Lower Town since 1890! And it serves the same purpose to this day.
The ride takes about one minute, and it saves you from climbing 165 stairs. At the same time, it offers the most unique view of the city, so it is definitely worth paying for it!
- Opening hours: 6:30 -22:00
- Tickets: 0,66 € for one way ticket
5. Wander Cobblestone Streets Of Upper town
The Upper Town of Zagreb is large, but it has the same charm as other European old towns.
I loved strolling the streets and finding hidden parks and cafes between the classes.
So let yourself get lost in the cobblestone streets, passages, and open courtyards, and find some of the most Instagramable spots in Zagreb!
6. Visit Lotrščak Tower And Grič Canon
Just as you exit the funicular, you will be in front of the Lotrščak Tower.
Every day exactly at noon since 1877 the Grič cannon fires from the tower. You can also climb the Lotrščak Tower and enjoy a panoramic view of the city.
While it is free to admire the tower from the outside, you will have to pay an entrance fee to climb the tower.
- Opening hours and tickets: For up-to-date opening hours and ticket prices, check the Lotrščak Tower website.
7. Take A Photo With Antun Gustav Matoš statue
The Strossmayer promenade offers the best views of the city. It is an exquisite spot to watch the sunset.
As you stroll along the promenade, take an obligatory photo with the silver Antun Gustav Matoš statue.
Matoš was a Croatian 19th-century poet, and he is considered the champion of Croatian modernist literature.
8. See Baška Tablet Replica
Did you hear about the Baška Tablet? It is one of the most significant Croatian historic monuments since it contains an inscription in the Glagolitic script, dating from 1100 AD.
The original tablet is kept safely in a museum. Yet, not many people know that you can see a life-sized replica inside the Faculty of Law courtyard on Ćirilometodska Street.
- Opening hours: no official opening hours, the courtyard is open during the week for Faculty students.
- Price: Free!
9. See St. Mark’s Square And Church
The center of Croatian politics is based on St. Mark’s Square. That is where you will find the Croatian Parliament and most of the Croatian politicians during Parliamentary sessions.
In the middle of the square is the remarkable St. Mark’s church. Colorful tiles on the roof showcasing the Croatian coat of arms are truly unique and mesmerizing.
10. Pass through the Stone Gate
Another little hidden gem in Zagreb is the Old Stone Gate entrance to the Upper Town.
The Old Stone Gate is a religious site and shrine to the Virgin Mary. You will see a lot of candles and people praying.
It is like a little open-air church, and it is interesting to check out even if you are not religious.
11. Admire Zagreb Cathedral From Plato Gradec
While you should definitely visit Zagreb Cathedral, the best view of the Cathedral and I would argue Zagreb in general, is without a doubt from Plato Gradec.
You can easily reach Gradec viewpoint from the Strosmayer Promenade or behind St. Catherine’s Church.
12. Walk Through The Grič Tunnel
Once you visit the Upper Town, you should also discover the underground tunnels beneath it!
Grič Tunnes is a pedestrian tunnel that goes under the Upper Town and connects Mesnička and Radićeva streets.
The tunnel is not very old, as it was built in the 1940s, during the Second World War, to serve as a bomb shelter. In the following years, it was abandoned, only to resurface as a rave party site in the 90s.
Unfortunately, not for long, as it was used as a shelter again during the Homeland war. The tunnel was recently reopened to the public in 2016, after being sealed for many years.
There is not much to see in the tunnel, as it is just a tunnel. However, it is an exciting experience to see underground Zagreb. During the Christmas market period, the tunnel gets decorated and completely transformed.
- Opening hours: The tunnel is open to the public from 9 am to 9 pm
- Price: It is free to enter the tunnel
13. Enjoy the calming Zrinjevac park
Finally, we will end with one of the most beautiful parks in the city center of Zagreb, Zrinjevac Park. This calming park is stunning year-round, in the spring when it is filled with blooming flowers, and in the autumn when it is covered in colorful leaves.
14. Visit Dolac Market
Dolac Market in the city center is the largest fresh food market in the city.
If you come there in the morning, you will find a busy market filled with fresh, local fruits, vegetables, and homemade products.
Fresh food markets like this are common in Croatia and a great way to support local farmers. In these kinds of markets, the rule is cash only! So remember to bring some euro coins with you.
15. See King Tomislav Square
If you travel by train, this great square is what you will see as soon as you exit the Central train station.
The statue of King Tomislav stands proudly in the front of the square with the Art Pavillion in the back. It is particularly stunning in the spring when magnolia trees blossom.
16. Check out the Croatian State Archive
Right across from the Botanical Garden is the Croatian State Archive. Keep walking north along Marulić Square to see the statue of Marko Marulić, a Croatian poet from the 15th century.
You might have noticed many parks in the city center of Zagreb. That is because they were built as a part of the Lenuci Horseshoe or the Green Horseshoe, a U-shaped system of city squares with parks in downtown Zagreb.
17. Walk through the shopping area of Ilica and Cvjetni square
This walking street is the fashion hotspot of the city. If you walk around on Saturday morning, you will notice everyone is dressed up, wearing their best clothes, and enjoying coffee in one of the many cafes around Cvjetni Square.
It is not my favorite part of the city to grab a coffee, but I can not deny that it is sort of an iconic part of Zagreb culture.
18. Pass Through Oktogon
This covered passage is a hidden gem, and you could easily miss it if you did not know about it. Oktogon was built between 1898 and 1900, and it is a unique architectural spot in the city.
The passage was under renovation for a while, and today you can admire the glass ceiling that looks like it came straight from Milan!
Best Places To Visit In Zagreb: Outside The City Centre
If you have more than one day to spend in Zagreb, and I hope you do, there are many great things you can add to your itinerary inside and around the city.
All of these ideas are also great if you are studying abroad in Zagreb or living in Zagreb on a digital nomad visa.
19. Visit Mirogoj Cemetery
Visiting a Cemetery might not be on the top of your list when visiting a new city, however, Mirogoj Cemetery is one of the most popular landmarks in Zagreb.
The cemetery rose in popularity mainly thanks to the main building that is covered in ivy, which is very aesthetically pleasing and great for photos.
Nonetheless, the cemetery is a very calm place. You can visit the graves of many famous Croatians who were buried there.
20. Discover Zagreb Museums
There are many museums in Zagreb, and you will undoubtedly find one you are interested in. It is a perfect activity for a rainy or extremely hot day.
You can choose from the long list of museums. There are fun museums like the Chocolate Museum and more traditional museums like the Archaeological Museum.
21. Relax In Maksimir Park
Maksimir Park is the oldest and the most beautiful public park in Zagreb. It was founded in 1787 and opened in 1794.
The park is larger than it might seem, and it is possible to spend a whole day there. There are several large meadows, numerous little forest trails, and five lakes for you to discover.
Around the park, you will also find many buildings and monuments, including the Echo pavilion, an Obelisk, a Belvedere viewpoint, and others. There is also a zoo next to the park, but you enter it separately.
- Opening hours: The park is open 24/7
- Tickets: It is free to enter the park
22. Watch A Football Game At Maksimir Stadium
Right across from Maksimir Park is Maksimir football stadium. If you are a football fan, you can watch a game.
During football season, there is a Dinamo Zagreb game every other week!
23. Visit Jarun Lake or Bundek City Park
Jarun and Bundek lakes are popular with locals, especially on the weekends. You will see families and groups of friends barbecuing, doing sports, and enjoying their weekends in nature.
If you want to spend a relaxing day in nature, bring a blanket and have a picnic at one of the Zagreb lakes.
24. Hike To Sljeme Mountain
If you like hiking, you will want to hike the Sljeme mountain behind the city. Reaching a summit by public transport to trek on one of many trails leading uphill is possible.
If you decide to hike on a weekend, you will see many locals on the trail. Once you reach the peak, you will be glad to see many mountain restaurant huts where you can grab a drink or lunch.
25. Go On A Day Trip From Zagreb
Finally, when you feel like you have discovered everything there is to see in Zagreb, you can go on a day trip!
The most popular and closest day trip from Zagreb is to Samobor. If you have more time to spend in Zagreb you can also visit the north Croatian towns of Varaždin and Krapina.
It is possible to visit the seaside from Zagreb on a day trip, take a bus to Rijeka, Opatija, and Crikvenica, and be there in less than 2 hours from Zagreb.
The most memorable day trip must be a day trip to Plitvice Lakes. These stunning waterfalls are worth a drive and will leave you enchanted.
You can even take a day trip to the Croatian coast, for example, spend a day in Zadar.
Another option would be to discover the Istria region, as it takes about 4h by bus to Pula or Rovinj.
Best Things To Do In Zagreb: In Winter
If you are visiting Zagreb in the winter, you have to be prepared that it will be cold. It often snows in Zagreb in January and February, while it gets very cold already in December.
However, if you pack well, there is no reason not to enjoy Zagreb in the winter as it is a great winter backpacking destination!
Apart from all of the activities I previously mentioned, here are some winter-specific activities in Zagreb!
26. Enjoy the most beautiful Christmas Market in Europe
Zagreb Christmas market was voted the most beautiful Christmas market in Europe for a couple of years in a row!
Therefore, it is worth planning your visit in December around it and adding Zagreb to your Christmas Market itinerary.
The whole city transforms into a Christmas fairytale, and most of the previously mentioned sights are embellished with twinkling lights.
27. Discover museums for free on the Night of the Museums
If you visit Zagreb in the winter, you should plan for the Night of the Museums. It is one night in a year when all of Zagreb’s most popular museums are free to visit!
The event usually takes place in the last week of January. Check the official website to see the exact date for this year!
Museum night tip: Do NOT wait in line for the Broken Relationships museum. This is coming from somebody who waited in line for two hours in -2℃ weather. It is a famous museum, but we found it was not worth it.
28. Try skiing on Sljeme mountain
The mountain behind Zagreb is a popular weekend destination for many of the capital’s residents. While it is a great place to hike year-round, in the winter, it becomes a skiing destination, as well!
Do not worry if you did not bring your skiing equipment. You can rent everything there!
The skiing season starts and ends at different times every year, depending on the weather conditions. Before embarking on a trip, check if the skiing season has begun on Sljeme’s official website.
Best things to do in Zagreb: In The Summer
Like many other continental cities, Zagreb tends to get empty in the summer. Students return to their hometowns, and Zagreb’s residents take their summer holidays and spend the summer on the beach.
If you read my guide on backpacking Europe in the summer, you know that Europeans love to take their vacation in the summer!
However, this is great news for tourists coming to Zagreb since you can explore the city without the usual hustle of everyday life. You can enjoy all of the best things to see in Zagreb we already mentioned above without crowds.
Here are some “summer weather” specific things to do in Zagreb you can add to your itinerary.
29. Swim in Jarun Lake
Zagreb does not have a sea, but you can still cool off on a hot summer day in Jarun Lake!
You might hear locals calling Jarun Zagreb Sea. While it is not a sea, it is still a great beach in Zagreb for a quick dip in the summer.
30. Discover Hidden Courtyards in Zagreb
The Courtyards event has been going on for a couple of years now. Every summer, you have an opportunity to look inside the hidden courtyards in the Upper Town and enjoy the music and relaxing atmosphere.
Check out the event dates on The Courtyard’s official Facebook page!
Best Things To Do In Zagreb: At Night
Zagreb is a student city, which makes it a great nightlife destination. While it tends to be somewhat empty in the summer, the city comes alive in October when students start their studies again.
The city is full of young people, and there is some kind of party almost every night. I studied and lived in Zagreb for over five years, so I speak from personal experience!
31. Grab a drink in Tkalča or around Cvjetni square
This idea works equally as well during the day and at night. During the day, Tkalčićeva Street is perfect for people-watching while enjoying a warm or refreshing drink. Another popular spot to grab a drink is around Cvjetni Square.
At night, all the cafes turn into bars and everybody gathers to grab a drink before clubbing.
If you are going out in Zagreb, you will usually start in a bar, and then continue in a club after midnight.
32. Discover Zagreb Nightlife
Zagreb is a big city that loves the nightlife. Therefore, you should be able to find a kind of music and type of club or a bar suited to your taste.
Clubs are located all over Zagreb, not just in the city center. The area around Jarun Lake is popular with students, some alternative clubs are located in the east of the city, and the city center has a mixture of everything.
If you do not know where to start, sign up for a pub crawl!
How many days do you need in Zagreb?
Most of the tourist attractions in Zagreb are in the city center. That is why it is possible to visit Zagreb on a day trip and see most of the main sights.
However, I would allocate at least 2 days in Zagreb, as there are many things to do around the town! The best part is that almost all of these things to do in Zagreb are completely free!
Furthermore, Zagreb has a wide variety of affordable backpackers’ accommodation, so why not base yourself in Zagreb and explore continental Croatia from here?
Summary: Zagreb Top Things To Do
From the cobblestone streets of the historic center to mountains and waterfalls around Zagreb, you’ll be spoiled for choice with beautiful places in Zagreb.
There are plenty of Zagreb things to do throughout the year, so you won’t be bored if you visit Zagreb in winter or in summer.
One of my favorite things about Zagreb is that there are so many free things to do, so you can enjoy exploring the city even it you’re on a budget!
Now that you know what to do in Zagreb, where are you going next?
Coastal towns like Pula or Zadar are a fantastic addition to your Croatia itinerary!
