Zagreb in Croatia - sights and 12 things to do

Zagreb in Croatia is a cosy and interesting capital city. Here you can experience everything from grand buildings and green parks to markets and coffee shops on the relaxed Tkalcic promenade. We have visited Zagreb in Croatia twice and have fallen in love with the Croatian capital. Here are some of the sights and 12 things to do.

Zagreb in Croatia

Zagreb is located in the north-western part of Croatia, between Mount Medvednica and the River Sava. In fact, no more than 4.5 million people live in Croatia. The capital also has several large green parks, making this a pleasant and manageable capital to stroll around.

Kaptol and Gradec - two villages that didn't get along.

Zagreb originally consisted of two small villages - Kaptol and Gradec - located on separate hills. Kaptol was home to the most ecclesiastical part of the population and Gradec was home to the 'common people'.

The two neighbourhoods found it very difficult to get along. and serious conflicts were not uncommon. Today, the city walls have been opened up and the city has merged and spread out around the two hills.

The city is divided into an upper neighbourhood (Gornji grad), also known as the Old Town, and a lower neighbourhood (Donji grad). After World War II, a new neighbourhood called Novi Zagreb was also built, located south of the Sava River.

Sights and things to do in Zagreb in Croatia

Zagreb is a city full of parks, relaxed pedestrianised streets, markets and art and culture. We suggest 12 things to see and do in Zagreb, Croatia, plus some bonus tips - things we'd love to do but haven't got round to yet.

1. Stroll around Zagreb's parks

Zagreb is a green city with several central parks. One of the largest parks is called Maksimir Park, where there are many different kinds of animals and plants. There are also several smaller parks closer to the centre of the city.

Among other things, we have strolled around in Park Zrinjevac, which is an elongated green park that starts at the city centre and ends at the central station. Here families have picnics on the grass, and it is not uncommon to see musical or theatre performances.

At one end of the park, or rather where the park turns into King Tomislav Trg square, is the Zagreb Art Pavillion. What you might not realise is that this building was actually created for Hungary's Millenial Exhibition in 1896.

After the exhibition, no benefit was seen of the pavilion, but sent it to Zagreb, Croatia, where it now houses one of Zagreb's most important art collections.

2. Discover Ban Jelačić Square

The main square in Zagreb (Jelacić Square or Ban Jelačić Square) is the city's centre. Here stands the large statue of the 19th century Croatian leader Josip Jelacić, which was removed during the communist era but has now been reinstated. All the beautiful Art Noveau buildings built by wealthy Zagreb residents in the early 20th century rise here.

This is also where everything happens in the lower town. When we were here, there was a big cycling event, preparation for a concert with heavy bass speakers and folk dancing in the square. at the same time.

3. Check out the cathedral in Zagreb

Zagreb Cathedral, officially the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and St Stephen and Ladislav, is the largest Roman Catholic church in Croatia. The cathedral is also the archbishop's seat for the whole of Croatia.

Above all, the cathedral is hugely impressive., with tall towers visible from many parts of the city. The cathedral was completed in 1217; in 1880 it was badly damaged in an earthquake, and when it was renovated it took on its current neo-Gothic appearance.

Fran Krsto Frankopan and Petar Zrinski are two national heroes from the 17th century, and nobody knew where they were. Their remains were in Vienna and in 1907 the Brothers of the Croatian Dragon brought them home and they are in the cathedral.

4. Go on a city walk

Going on a guided city walk is a great way to learn more about a city in an exciting way! We went on a very interesting and rewarding city walk in Zagreb with a knowledgeable guide. Darija Gotic. You can also go to the tourist information centre in the main square to find out more about guided city walks.

5. Take the mountain railway to Gornji Grad

In the upper part of ZagrebIn Gornji Grad, you will find the historic old town, an area filled with churches, palaces, museums, galleries and public buildings.

In this part of the city there are also over 200 gas lanterns, which are still lit and extinguished today by a man whose job it is to be a lantern lighter. Fascinating!

If you do not have difficulty walking taking the stairs up to Gornji Grad is not really a problem. On the other hand, taking the short funicular up to the upper neighbourhood can be an experience.

Mountain railway in Zagreb is actually considered the shortest funicular railway in the world. When you reach the top, you'll also find yourself on the charming Strossmayer footpath, which offers many great viewpoints.

6. Admire the church of St Mark

Church of St Mark, Crkva svetog Marka, is located in the centre of St. Mark's Square in Gornji grad (Upper Town), which is also home to the Croatian Parliament Sabor. The church was built in the 13th century, in a romantic style, and was completely renovated in the 14th century to create a Gothic architecture.

What's fascinating about this church is the beautiful roof tile, which depicts the coat of arms of the city of Zagreb and the Triune Kingdom of Croatia, Slavonia and Dalmatia.

7. Botanise at the Dolac market

The big market in Dolac is extremely popular with Zagreb residents, and here you'll find everything from food to souvenirs and handicrafts. There's plenty of fish, meat and vegetables, of course, but also local products such as 'domaci cvarci', small pieces of smoked pig fat that used to be poor man's food but are now quite expensive.

On the market you will also find "licitar" - the traditional heart-shaped pastries that Croatians like to give as gifts on various holidays. It is also interesting to see the "milk machine" where Zagreb residents can bottle raw milk from the farms and take it home.

8. Drink coffee on the Tkalčić pedestrianised street

What we liked most in Zagreb was the cosy Tkalčić Street. This is a long and picturesque pedestrianised street where restaurants, cafes and outdoor cafes are densely packed. As soon as you enter this street, you get a holiday feeling and it doesn't feel like you're in a capital city at all.

9. try Croatian food

If you want to try traditional Croatian food you can get to a restaurant Vinodol, located at Teslina 10 in the centre of Zagreb. Seated under high brick arches, there is plenty of traditional Croatian cuisine to choose from.

We tested Zagreb-štrukli (a baked dish made from dough and cream cheese) as a starter and veal cooked under peka (slow cooking in a pot by a fireplace) as a main course. It was really good and we were very, very full! Read more about living and eating in Zagreb.

10. Croatian shopping

In addition to the market in Dolaca every Sunday there is a market on Britanski trg. Clothing and fashion can be found on the Ilica shopping street. If you prefer to go to a shopping centre, there are several to choose from, such as West Gate, Avenue Mall, Arena Centar and City Center One..

11. Visit the best Christmas market in Europe

Are you planning to visit Zagreb, Croatia at Christmas time? Zagreb has won the battle for Europe's best Christmas market for several years in a row, which is perhaps not surprising given that the city goes 'all in' for Christmas. Every tree is decorated with lights, trams are festooned with garlands, and bike taxi drivers are dressed as elves.

Christmas markets are organised both in the Old Town and Park Zrinjevac, where you will find countless stalls selling Christmas decorations, handicrafts, hot red and white wine and "fritule", a type of deep-fried doughnut that is immensely popular.

12. Take an excursion in Croatia

Have time to spare and want to see more of Croatia? Here are suggestions for interesting sights and destinations within a reasonable distance.

• Plitvice National Park - About two hours by car from Zagreb is the stunning Plitvice National Park. The park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and offers magical nature, impressive waterfalls and wonderful boat trips. Read more about Plitvice Lakes.
• Opatija - If you want to get out to the coast, take a trip to Opatija, which is two hours (motorway) from Zagreb. Opatija has a nice promenade and stands out from many other resorts in Croatia with its charming turn-of-the-century architecture. Read more about Opatija.
• More destinations in Croatia - If you are travelling around the country, there are many more destinations to explore such as Porec and Rovinj in Istria, Trogir, Split, Omis, Dubrovnik and the islands of Brac and Hvar. Read more: Travelling to Croatia - your guide to Croatia's best destinations.

More sights and things to do in Zagreb

In addition to everything we have seen and do in Zagreb, Croatia, we can tell you some of the things we didn't actually get to do, but would love to see and experience on our next visit:

• Zagreb 360, or Zagreb Eye, offers dizzying panoramic views from the 16th floor of the Zagreb skyscraper. See Zagreb on Ilica 1A.
• Grič tunnel is a 350 metre long tunnel that connects Mesnička and Radićeva streets and runs under Gradec (also known as Grič). It hosts various cultural events and art exhibitions.
• The stone gate is a listed city gate in Zagreb, which includes the shrine of Our Lady of the Stone Gate, the patron saint of Zagreb. On 31 May 1731, a fire broke out in Gradec and the painting depicting the Virgin Mary and the Child Jesus miraculously survived without damage. You can find it at Kamenita ul.
• Medvednica is a mountain outside Zagreb, and if you want to, you can visit the top of Sljeme. There are also great hiking trails in the area.

Things you didn't know about Zagreb?

špica in Zagreb?

On Saturdays between 10 00 - 15 00 locals head to Bogovićeva in the main square. Here they drink coffee, beer or eat lunch and show off their best outfits. It's all about being seen and being seen and it's called špica.

St George and the dragon

"St George Kills a Dragon" which was sculpted by Anton Dominik Ritter von Fernkorn 1853.
It stands next to the National Theatre on the Square of the Republic of Croatia. St George is an important part of Zagreb's history.

Snake queen during Zagreb

Tunnel Gric is mostly closed to the public, and the tunnel system under the medieval mountain fortress of Medvedgrad. Rumour has it that a cursed snake queen lives down there? Oops!

Croatian Slavoljub Penkala

The inventor of the fountain pen was active and died in Zagreb. He patented his pen in 1907, and perhaps his name Penkala is related to the English word pen?

City of museums

Zagreb is called the city of museums because it has more museums per capita than any other city in the world.

Eating well in Zagreb

16 pieces Michelin recommended restaurants in Zagreb. One of them "Zinfandel's restaurant" at Ul. Antuna Mihanovića 1 in Zagreb has 2 Michelin stars.

cable car in Zagreb

Zagreb in Croatia has the shortest cable car in the world. It is only 66 metres long and runs between Upper Town and Lower Town in the centre of Zagreb on Tomić Street. 

Zagreb's oldest hotel

Hotel Jägerhorn from 1827 is a cool choice to stay at during your visit to the city. Very central, just a stone's throw from Ban Jelačić's square on Ilica 14.

Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb

14 October 1895 this mighty building was ready for opening. The theatre is one of the six national theatres in Croatia and is located at Square 15 of the Republic of Croatia.

Square of the Republic of Croatia in Zagreb

A dear child has many names and so is the square at the National Theatre. At the end of the 19th century it was called Market Square, then University Square, Wilson Square, King Alexander I's Square, Square I, Theatre Square, Marshal Tito's Square and now Republic of Croatia Square.

Brothers of the Croatian Dragon

This Masonic order was founded by Sigismund, the Holy Roman Emperor and King of Hungary and Croatia in the 16th century. This still exists today and the patron saint of the order is St George. In 1906 a new "St George and the Dragon" was made but it was supposed to represent the time just after he killed the dragon. You can find it at the Kamenita vrata (stone gate). Made by the sculptors Winder and Kompatscher.

Marija Jurić Zagorka in Zagreb

Incredibly popular Marija Jurić Zagorka, 2 March 1873 - 29 November 1957. Author and journalist and the second most popular Croatian writer of all time. Journalist prizes are awarded every year in her name. Her most famous book is "The Witch of Gric" and her memorial centre is located in Dolac Market on Ul. Marije Jurić Zagorke 8, and the statue stands on Ul. Ivana Tkalčića 33.
She is buried in the Mirogoj cemetery to the left of the arcades.

Theatrical Company of the Blind

Zagreb has the only international blind and visually impaired theatre festival in the world organised by the Theatrical Company of the Blind and Visually Impaired "New Life".

Las Vegas In Zagreb Cathedral

Three large chandeliers in Zagreb Cathedral is from the Gold Coast Casino in Las Vegas as a gift from Croatian immigrant Stefan Stankić.

Mimara Museum in Zagreb

In the Mimara Museum can you works by Raphael, Rembrandt, Goya, Renoir and Degas.
This is the Zagreb Art Museum, located at Rooseveltov trg 5, and is open every day except Mondays.

Pod starim krovovima café

Zagreb's oldest cafe from 1830 and you can find it at Basaricekova Street 9 in the upper town of Zagreb. This was the gathering place for writers, poets, filmmakers and theatre workers. You can't find a more charming café!

Zagreb City Museum

Zagreb City Museum is a museum in Zagreb, Croatia. The museum was established in 1907 by the Brotherhood of Croatian Dragon Brothers and contains around 75,000 artefacts. You can find it at Opatička ul. 20.

Professor Balthazar from Zagreb

Professor Balthazar is an animated television series produced by the Croatian animation studio Zagreb Film and animator Zlatko Grgić. It was produced in a total of 59 episodes between 1967 and 1977. This is what I watched!

Botanical Garden in Zagreb

The Botanical Garden was already established in 1889 and forms the southern part of the Lenuzzi horseshoe. It is located in the Lower Town and is home to around 10,000 plant species. Get away from the noise and stress and head to Trg Marka Marulića 9A.

Maksimir Park and Zagreb Zoo

Maksimir is one of the oldest public parks in the world, opened in 1794.. Here you will find 100 endangered bird species, centuries-old beech forests, Bishop Haulik's new villa, Echo Pavilion (also known as the Lantern Temple), Gazebo, Swiss House, St Juraj Chapel.

Bar Mali Medo in Zagreb

Here tourists meet with locals from the city, and here the real Zagreb is shown. Try some Croatian beers like Mrki Medved, Dva Klasa, Crna Kraljica. Ask for something home-made to eat and you've made your evening. The bar is located at Tkalčićeva street 36.

Zagreb's dramatic history

In the upper old town, a single wooden house remains, a reminder of a bygone era. In the 13th century, Genghis Khan and his son Ögedei (Ogotai) Khan ruled Asia and Europe. General Tsubotai, who led all of Genghis Khan's troops, is considered the greatest military commander in history.

He led 20 campaigns, conquered 32 countries and won 65 battles.. There is no evidence that he ever lost. He always placed people in each city one to several years before he would strike to get the best information, on how to win with small losses.

In 1241 it was Hungary's turn and King Béla IV who eventually had to flee after his defeat, made his escape to Zagreb. General Tsubotai then sent an army after him, and when they arrived they levelled Zagreb and burned the whole city.

King Béla IV had fled again but left behind a burnt-out city. They managed to save a single wooden house, which is still visible today in the old town centre. After this, Croatians started building houses in stone, and only the roofs were built in wood.

Facts about Zagreb

• Language? Croatian (many also speak English)
• Residents? 790 000 in Zagreb
• Currency? Kuna (HRK)
• Price point? Cheaper than Sweden
• Time difference? None
• Emergency number? 112
• El? Like Sweden
• Water? It may be advisable to opt for bottled water
• Religion? Christianity (mostly Catholicism)
• Warmest month: August (about 30 degrees)
• Coldest month: January (about 5 degrees)
• City Day: 31 May

Travelling to Zagreb

• Flight: Croatia Airlines flies directly from Stockholm to Zagreb in Croatia, a flight of just under 2.5 hours. Other airlines fly to Zagreb from various destinations in Sweden, but usually with a stopover.
• Airport: Zagreb International Airport is called Pleso and is located 10 kilometres southwest of the city. From here you can take a bus or taxi.
• Car: It takes about 23 hours to drive from Stockholm to Zagreb, counting pure driving time.

Restaurants in Zagreb

• Restaurant Agava at 39 Tkalčić Street, offers delicious European food and a view of the crowds on the street outside.
• Restaurant Vinodol, on Teslina 10, is great if you're looking for authentic Croatian food and a cosy atmosphere.

Accommodation in Zagreb

• Hotel: There is a wide range of accommodation in Zagreb. For example, Hotel Dubrovnik is a great place to stay in the centre of town. The hotel has four stars and you can get rooms for reasonable prices per night.
• Camping: If you're coming by campervan, there's a super-modern campsite just outside of town called Camp Zagreb.