Things to Do in Zagreb: Museums, Food & Hidden Gems

There are literally a multitude of things to do in Zagreb! It’s only natural, since it’s the capital and the economic, political and social center of the country. With a population of over 760,000 people, it’s a cosmopolitan and ever evolving city! 

So, in this extensive guide we prepared, you will find out yourself that Zagreb offers activities for all tastes. No matter if you are a first-time visitor, a fan of museums, history and culture, a foodie or a nature enthusiast, Zagreb has you covered! 

Let’s see then, what this beautiful city has to offer.

Every nation has its heroes. Ban Jelacic was a lieutenant field marshal for the Imperial Austrian Army, the Ban of Croatia for the last decade of his life and the one who abolished serfdom in his country. No wonder they built him a majestic statue and named Zagreb’s central square after him.

Ban Jelacic square is the place where everything happens. It's a meeting point, there are kiosks, restaurants, bars, cafes, a big clock and trams. Most private guided tours will take you through Ban Jelacic square. If you are looking for things to do in Zagreb at night, this is the place to go. It’s the one place you must not miss, even if you are not visiting the city for the first time. There is always something new going on.

Its lively yet safe atmosphere also makes Zagreb ideal for solo travel, offering plenty of social spots without ever feeling overwhelming. And for travelers wondering if Croatia is safe, the capital is a great introduction to the country’s overall sense of security and relaxed daily life.

Do you like going to places but hate having to climb them? Well, then the 66 meters long funicular that takes you from Donji grad to Gornji grad, will suit you just nicely. It was built in the 1890s, never had an accident and operates perfectly even today. It’s more of a fun thing to do in Zagreb but lasts for less than a minute, so why not? It has practical value, since you avoid getting caught in the hot sun by climbing up stairs in the summer. Or you simply avoid climbing stairs and that is a plus most times, especially after a long day of walking and exploring.

Church bells tell time, but cannons scream it! Any Croatia vacation that involves Zagreb, should include the cannon. Since 1877, a cannon has been announcing the arrival of midday, every day! It only stopped once after the First World War and once more after the 2020 earthquake. Go up the Lotrščak Tower a few minutes before 12.00pm. Most likely, there will already be a crowd there waiting. 

The Grič cannon as it is being called, will fire from one of the upstairs windows. Cover your ears! The locals know when to expect it and know it will be loud for those nearby. If you don’t enjoy loud noises, you can still hear it at a safer decibel range, from afar.

Unique. That’s the best word to describe St. Mark’s Church roof. Made from red and blue tiles, this roof also features Croatia’s emblem, along with its coat of arms. The church itself is small, but the colorful roof creates a beautiful contrast with the clean white of the building. If you are looking for things to do in Zagreb in one day, then admiring St. Mark’s Church should be one of them. You should definitely not miss it regardless.

Built in 1093, destroyed by the Mongols in 1242. Built again, damaged again in the 1880 earthquake that shook the whole city. Repaired, only to be damaged by yet again another earthquake in 2020, which also affected 2000 more buildings and caused injuries and one death. 

The Cathedral was actively being repaired, but it will open its doors again soon in 2026.

If you go to Zagreb after the repairs are done, then don’t miss the chance to go inside the Cathedral and admire its design and art. Even if you don’t have that chance though, the outside is still very impressive, with the scaffolding not taking away anything from its beauty.

Compact, walkable and full of culture, the Croatian capital is an excellent choice for city breaks, offering variety without long travel times. It’s also a great destination for history and culture fans as we will see below!

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Not exactly a gate, but more of a passageway, the Stone Gate is a notable landmark of Zagreb. Dating back to the 13th century, it serves as a shrine to Mother Mary, whose painting survived the Great Fire of Zagreb in 1731. Locals consider it a holy place and come often to light candles and pray. Inside it, you can find the small statue of Dora Krupic, a main character from the “Goldsmith’s Treasure”, a historical romance novel written by August Senoa, a key figure in the development of modern Croatian literature.

It’s very likely you will walk through it while exploring the upper town. Still, keep an eye out for it.

Cemeteries might not be really your thing. In fact, except maybe for goths, most people don’t feel like visiting them. Mirogoj is different though. It’s still a cemetery, so you can expect the quiet, heave and somber atmosphere that comes with them, but it’s also one of the most beautiful cemeteries in Europe. The tree-lined pathways, the Gothic arcades and the ornate tombstones, give Mirogoj a unique character. The grave of Herman Bollé, the man who designed it, is of particular note. It’s also non-denominational, meaning anyone, regardless of their religion, can be buried there.

One of the best things to do in Zagreb with kids is take them to a Nine Views “hunt”. It’s a scale model of the Solar System, with the sun and planets dotted around the city. It can be a very fun learning experience for children. But, you don’t need to be a parent to enjoy it of course. 

All planets are displayed in a way that indicates their true size and distance from each other. Tracking them all down can easily take a few hours of your day and you can combine them with sightseeing, relaxing at parks or coffee shops and exploring the city. Warning, some models are only a few centimeters wide, so keep your eyes open.

Below is the location of each planet.

Once a bomb shelter during World War II, Grič Tunnel today serves as a pedestrian passageway that also hosts exhibitions and events. It went through a teenage phase in the 90s as a popular spot for raves, but today there are even plans for museums operating inside it. When you step into the tunnel, it truly feels like a bomb shelter, what with the coloring, shape and lighting. You can take some very atmospheric photos there.

Oh, to be in love. Well, the Museum of Broken Relationships is not exactly for that. It’s a museum where people from all over the world send items from a relationship that has broken down, along with a little explanation of what happened. The museum displays the most significant one. Most of those relationships are romantic, but it also includes families and friendships. 

The objects can really be anything, big or small. Important or common and everyday. It can be a very emotional place, filled with sad stories, so be prepared and have some tissues with you. Despite its sad theme, the Museum of Broken Relationships often resonates with couples and can be an interesting stop during Honeymoon travels, offering a chance for reflection and appreciation of what you currently have.

Not to be confused with the Museum of Contemporary Art we mention below, the National Museum of Modern Art holds collections from the 19th and 20th century. The building itself is beautiful, with ornate stairs and a classical feeling to it. Some rooms are plain white, others with deep colors and there are interesting sculptures and paintings everywhere.

Not only art lovers will appreciate this museum and it’s certainly one of the top things to do in Zagreb! Cultural and historical travel packages will surely include a visit to that museum.

A small but noteworthy museum and one of the most unique things to do in Zagreb! The Museum of Naive Art contains art from artists who were not traditionally trained. Explaining the art pieces in a few words is a little bit difficult, but there is a raw sense to them. You have to see them up close to understand it and it’s certainly worth a visit.

Just as the name implies, the National Museum of Contemporary Art is a modern museum with a very interesting architecture. It’s spacious and contains a permanent collection and hosts up to four exhibitions each time. Bring your best Croatian language skills though, or a translation app with you, because there are no translations for the pieces displayed.

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Zagreb and Croatia in general have a rich cuisine to offer! You can feel the Austro-Hungarian heritage in every bite with dishes like the Grenadir Marsa, which is pasta with onions and cheese or the Kajzeršmarn, which is caramelized pancakes. And there are so many more to try! Not to mention the variety of wines, especially those from Istria. Zagreb, as the capital of the nation, is the place where you can conveniently get it all! So, booking a food & wine tour would be a great option for a foodie, and not only, traveler!

Should we include the Chocolate Museum in the museum lovers section or the foodies one? It was a kinda hard decision, but in the end, it’s an eating experience. Don’t get fooled by the name, this museum is not targeted solely at children. Its design is classy and adults too will appreciate it. 

Honestly, walking through the Chocolate Museum is one of the most fun things to do in Zagreb! Instead of a ticket you get a little box with pictures on it and compartments within it. You follow the symbols in each room of the museum and open the corresponding bit of the box. You learn about the history of chocolate and the culture behind it, but you also get to taste as much as you want of it! There is a room with three pumps for dark, milk and white chocolate. You get a wooden spoon and squirt as much as you want to taste!

Croatia is not famous for its beers, but you can still find excellent breweries and beerhalls in Zagreb. Garden Brewery makes its own craft beer, which you can enjoy in its garden, hence the name, or buy cans and take them with you. The garden is decorated with houseplants and tall trees and the atmosphere is very energetic.

Getting there is easy, even though it's not centrally located. On;y a short tram ride, a few minutes walk and you will spot the small crowd that is also heading there to drink some sour craft beer.

Garden Brewery is being sold in hipster bars all around Europe nowadays, but experiencing it right at its birthing place, is a whole different thing. Besides Garden Brewery, there is a strong craft beer scene in Zagreb, so don’t miss your chance to try out other places too, like Goblet Beer Store or Grif Bar!

If you want to try some original and artisan produce from all around Croatia, then Heritage should be on your list. It’s a small place, with only a few tables inside and outside and most dishes are bruschetta-based. There are maps that showcase where each dish originates from and the friendly staff will explain everything you need. Heritage is a good place to start exploring Croatian cuisine.

Looking for some fresh produce to do your own cooking? Well, why don’t you combine this kind of a chore activity with some real exploring and sightseeing. The Dolac Market is an open air market just outside the Ban Jelačić square we mentioned above. The stalls are covered by bright red covers and there is a true market-atmosphere. People walking up and down, chatting, shopping and mingling. It’s a great place to get quality products, discover fresh ingredients from all over Croatia and enjoy the city. Make sure to go there in the morning though, before the good stuff runs out.

Štrukli is a traditional pastry made from dough and filled with all kinds of cheese. Usually its cottage cheese, but you can find many varieties. It's delicious, warm and cozy. The best place to try this delicacy is La Štruk, on Skalinska Street, near the Dolac market. It’s a small restaurant with a cute little courtyard. A perfect spot to rest a little bit after a shopping spree at Dolac!

If you feel like escaping the city without actually leaving it, Maksimir Park is the perfect choice. Just a short tram ride from the city center, this vast green space looks more like a forest than a city park. It’s the city’s and one of Europe's oldest public parks, opened to the public in 1794, and a favorite spot for locals of all ages. 

You can walk among the tree-lined paths, around small lakes and cross wooden bridges. Maksimir Park is ideal for casual strolls, pic-nicks or just plain relaxation. There is even a Zoo inside the park, making it ideal for a family vacation. Check out the plans offered at Tailored by Locals and ask for itineraries that include a visit to Maksimir Park!

A very easy activity you can do while in Zagreb. Just take the Sljeme cable car from Ban Jelacic square and in 20 minutes, you will be at Medvendica Mountain. You can walk, enjoy the stunning views and breathe in the fresh air. You can also go up the Sljeme OIV tower and grab a cup of coffee. Medvendica is also a nice destination for hikers. There are many trails you can follow and it’s generally an easy route, suitable for beginners. Hiking shoes would work best, but you can still do it with casual, sport shoes. 

A trip to Medvednica Mountain can last only a couple of hours or you can spend half a day there, if you wish! In any case, the views and the restaurants will reward you. It’s one of the best things to do in Zagreb on Sunday.

Croatia offers lush and beautiful landscapes. If you’re planning a longer itinerary, make sure to explore some of the best places to visit in Croatia, and combine Zagreb with destinations like the Adriatic coast, Plitvice Lakes or Istria.

The Botanical Garden belongs to the University of Zagreb’s Faculty of Science, but its open to the public. It’s small, you can walk through it in 10 minutes, but the lovely ponds and shady trees offer a peaceful and serene escape from the rhythms of the city. Going there in the summer especially, feels a little bit like arriving at an oasis.

The Botanical Garden is ideal for casual strolls, picnics or just plain relaxation, making it especially suitable for senior travel itineraries.

So, we will now offer some practical tips that will make your trip to Zagreb even smoother and more enjoyable!

Now, that was a long list, wasn’t it? But there are so many things to do in Zagreb, that the guide could have been twice as long. Certainly, when you go there yourself, you will discover many more activities, sights and places that we didn’t cover, but even if you follow only our list, you will have your days filled with things to do!

We saw a plethora of historical and cultural sights, many different and original museums and the sights and locations a first-timer should definitely visit. We also talked about the food scene in Zagreb and offered some suggestions to try out the local cuisine and discussed where you could escape the city and enjoy the calm and quiet of nature.

Planning a Croatia getaway? Get a tailor-made itinerary designed by locals. See all of our Croatia Vacation & Tours!