Top Things to Do in Zagreb: Attractions, Food & Views (2026 Guide)

Zagreb wasn’t a city we had particularly planned to love, but it really surprised us! 

We visited for two days during our two-month backpacking trip through Europe, arriving from Venice and continuing onwards to Vienna afterwards. Compared to Croatia’s coastline or places like Dubrovnik, Zagreb doesn’t usually get the same attention; most people treat it as a stopover or skip it entirely, but we actually ended up enjoying it more than expected.

It’s a city that feels easy to explore, relatively compact, and surprisingly local. There aren’t endless “must-see” attractions competing for your attention. Instead, you get leafy parks, Austro-Hungarian architecture, quirky museums and a relaxed atmosphere that makes it easy to slow down for a couple of days.

If you’re planning a trip to Zagreb, choosing the right area can make exploring the city much easier. We’ve put together a guide on where to stay in Zagreb to help you find the best neighbourhood for your trip.

This guide covers the best things to do in Zagreb, including main attractions, food experiences, day trips, viewpoints and some of the more unusual places we visited.

Zagreb Map of Things to Do

Our First Impressions of Zagreb

Arriving in Zagreb after a few days in Venice felt like a bit of a shift.

Venice is intense in a good way, crowded, atmospheric, constantly moving between canals and bridges. Zagreb, on the other hand, felt more grounded and spacious, and really reminded us of some of the smaller cities back home in the UK. 

The first thing we noticed was how normal it felt.

Trams moving through wide streets, locals sitting in cafés, people commuting to work- it felt like a city people actually live in, rather than just a tourist destination.

That’s not a bad thing at all. It actually makes Zagreb quite refreshing, especially if you’ve been in more tourist-heavy places beforehand, like we had. 

Our Top Things to Do in Zagreb

1. Explore Ban Jelačić Square

Ban Jelačić Square is the main meeting point in Zagreb and the easiest place to orient yourself. It’s busy but not overwhelming, with trams constantly passing through and cafés lining the edges.

We ended up walking through here multiple times a day just because everything seems to connect back to it.

It’s not necessarily the most visually impressive square in Europe, but it’s the heartbeat of the city, and a good starting point for exploring both Upper and Lower Town.

Staying near Zagreb’s historic centre is ideal if you want to explore many of these attractions on foot. Check out our guide to where to stay in Zagreb for the best areas and accommodation options.

2. Wander the Upper Town (Gornji Grad)

If there’s one area of Zagreb we’d recommend slowing down for, it’s the Upper Town.

This is where the city feels most historic, with cobbled streets, old buildings, small courtyards and gas lamps that still light parts of the area at night.

We didn’t follow a strict route here; we just grabbed a coffee to-go and wandered around. 

That’s honestly the best way to experience it. Every few minutes you’ll stumble across something interesting: a viewpoint, a quiet square, or a narrow street leading somewhere unexpected.

It’s also noticeably quieter than the Lower Town, which makes it a nice escape from the busier central streets.

3. Museum of Broken Relationships

This is one of Zagreb’s most famous attractions, and it completely lives up to the reputation.

The museum is built around donated personal items from past relationships, each with a short story explaining its meaning. Some are funny, some are emotional, and some are surprisingly relatable.

It’s not a big museum, but it’s the kind of place that sticks with you long after you leave.

If you’re interested in similar unusual attractions across Europe, we’ve put together a full list in our guide to unusual museums in Europe.

4. Dolac Market

Dolac Market sits just above the main square and is one of the best places to see local life in action.

Red umbrellas cover rows of fresh fruit, vegetables, cheese and meat stalls. We stopped here for a wander and picked up a few snacks while exploring the city.

It’s busy in the morning but still feels authentic rather than overly tourist-focused.

5. Zagreb Funicular

The Zagreb Funicular is one of the shortest in the world, connecting the Lower Town to the Upper Town. It only takes about a minute, so it’s more of a novelty than a transport necessity.

That said, it saves a steep walk uphill and is worth doing at least once, especially if you’re short on time or visiting in hot weather.

We loved this activity so much as once you are at the top, you have the best views over the city! The view are even better if you time it in time for sunset! 

6. St Mark’s Church

St Mark’s Church is one of Zagreb’s most recognisable landmarks thanks to its colourful tiled roof.

It sits in a quiet square in the Upper Town and feels slightly more relaxed compared to the main city centre below. It’s a quick stop rather than a long visit, but an important one if you’re exploring this area.

7. Visit Art Park

Tucked away between the city centre and the Upper Town, this colourful urban space combines street art, murals and a relaxed community atmosphere. Depending on when you visit, you might find outdoor events, live music, workshops or simply locals hanging out and enjoying the space.

We stumbled across Art Park while exploring the city, and it felt very different from Zagreb’s more historic attractions. The artwork changes over time, so no two visits are the same, and it’s a great place to stop for a few photos or a quick break while exploring the city centre.

While it won’t take long to visit, Art Park adds another side to Zagreb that many tourists miss and shows that the Croatian capital is more than just historic buildings and museums.

8. Zagreb Cathedral

Zagreb Cathedral dominates the skyline and is one of the city’s most important landmarks.

It has been damaged and rebuilt multiple times over its history, most recently following earthquakes. It was undergoing repairs and covered in scaffolding during our visit but was still very impressive! 

Even if you don’t go inside, it’s worth seeing from the outside due to its scale and detail.

9. Try Croatian Food in Zagreb

One of the things we didn’t expect to enjoy so much in Zagreb was the food. Compared to other European capitals, prices felt relatively reasonable, and there were plenty of traditional dishes to try.

Some common Croatian dishes include:

• Čevapi (grilled minced meat)
• Strukli (cheese-filled pastry dish)
• Hearty stews and grilled meats
• Fresh bread and local cheeses

We found a mix of traditional restaurants and casual cafés around the city centre, and never really struggled to find something good. They also have some of the best risotto we have ever tried! 

10. Walking Tour of Zagreb

We often recommend walking tours in new cities, and Zagreb is a good one for it.

There’s a lot of history packed into a relatively small area, and a guide helps connect the dots between different parts of the city.

You also get more context on Croatia’s recent history, which helps explain some of the museums and cultural references you’ll see around Zagreb.

11. Plitvice Lakes Day Trip

If you have extra time in Zagreb, a day trip to Plitvice Lakes is one of the best things you can do.

It’s one of Croatia’s most famous national parks, known for turquoise lakes, waterfalls and wooden walkways winding through the landscape.

It’s a long day, but absolutely worth it if you haven’t already visited elsewhere in Croatia.

12. Medvednica Nature Park

For something closer to the city, Medvednica Nature Park offers hiking trails and forested viewpoints just outside Zagreb.

It’s a good option if you want a break from urban sightseeing without travelling too far.

13. Ride the Tram & Explore the City

One thing we really liked about Zagreb was how easy it was to get around. The tram system connects most areas of the city and is cheap and efficient.

But we actually preferred walking between areas where possible, since you get a better feel for how the city changes between neighbourhoods.

14. Zagreb Architecture

Zagreb doesn’t always get credit for its architecture, but there are some really nice details if you pay attention.

The Lower Town especially has wide streets, grand 19th-century buildings and a more structured European capital feel compared to the older Upper Town.

15. Museum of Lost Tales

Museum of Lost Tales is a smaller, more niche museum that focuses on folklore and storytelling. It’s not essential, but it adds to Zagreb’s reputation for slightly unusual cultural attractions.

16. Explore the Zagreb WWII Tunnels

Hidden beneath the city centre, the Zagreb WWII Tunnels (also known as Gric Tunnel) offers a glimpse into the city’s wartime history. Originally built as bomb shelters during World War II, the tunnels now serve as a unique attraction connecting different parts of the Upper Town.

They won’t take long to explore, but they’re worth a quick visit if you’re interested in Zagreb’s history or looking for something a little different from the usual museums and churches. Plus, they provide a welcome escape from the summer heat.

Free Things to Do in Zagreb

If you’re travelling on a budget, Zagreb is a great city for free activities:

• Walking the Upper Town
• Exploring Zrinjevac Park
• Visiting Dolac Market
• Seeing St Mark’s Church
• Wandering the Lower Town streets

Things to Do in Zagreb With Kids

Zagreb is quite family-friendly overall, especially because it’s compact and easy to navigate.

Good options include:

• Parks and open spaces
• Funicular ride
• Easy walking routes
• Interactive museums

How Many Days in Zagreb?

We spent two days in Zagreb and felt that was enough to see the main highlights.

You could easily see the key sights in one day, but two days allows you to slow down, visit museums and maybe take a day trip.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Zagreb isn’t a city that overwhelms you with famous landmarks. Instead, it grows on you slowly.

It’s a place where you spend your time walking between cafés, parks and museums rather than rushing between bucket-list attractions.

For us, it worked perfectly as a short stop between Venice and Vienna, and while it might not be the most dramatic city in Europe, it’s definitely one we enjoyed more than expected.

If you’re travelling through Central Europe or the Balkans, it’s well worth adding to your route for a couple of days!

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