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While it is more of an off-the-beaten-path city in Croatia, there is a lot to do in Zagreb. It is Croatia’s capital city after all! These 10 ideas for what to do in Zagreb will help you plan your trip and get the most out of your time in Zagreb.
If you are debating whether you should visit Zagreb at all, check out our post on Is Zagreb Worth Visiting?
1. Zagreb 360
If you are a sucker for great views, going Zagreb 360 is one thing you have to do when visiting Zagreb.
Zagreb 360 is an event space and observation deck that sits high above the city and gives you the best view in Zagreb. There’s a bar and plenty of places to relax at the top to take in the city from above. The bar is a little pricier, so enjoy a drink if your budget allows.
While it does cost 60 kn (about $9) to go up to the top, it’s well worth it because that ticket gets you access for the entire day. This is not the norm for most observation decks as they typically charge more for one-time access.
Our recommendation is to take advantage of this and get your ticket in the morning and then go back to Zagreb 360 at night. This way you can get two different views of Zagreb for the price of one!
Given the cheap price, incredible view, and your ability to go up more than just once, Zagreb 360 headlines the list for what to do in Zagreb.
2. Ban Josip-Jelačić Square
The main gathering place in the center of Zagreb is Ban Josip Jelačić Square, or as it’s more commonly known, Jelačić Square. It’s the city center and because traffic is prohibited, there are tons of people and always something going on.
Jelačić Square connects many of the other main areas of the city. Visiting all of the other neighborhoods will be something you want to do in Zagreb. Keep reading to learn more about them!
3. Kaptol and Gradec
Kaptol and Gradec are two distinct areas of Zagreb which are both worth exploring. Originally, they were separate, but are now better connected. Kaptol was for the religious leader, whereas Gradec was where the working class lived.
The Zagreb Cathedral is the main sight in Kaptol. Gradec is home to St. Mark’s Church, shops, and government buildings.
Both are worth checking out, and you won’t notice too distinct of a difference between them today.
4. Zagreb Funicular
In order to get up to Gradec, you will need to walk up a steep hill or take the Zagreb Funicular. While this form of public transportation might be unfamiliar to some, most are probably wondering why it makes the list of what to do in Zagreb.
Well, the Zagreb Funicular has the unique distinction of being one of the shortest and steepest funiculars in the world!
It’s 217 feet (66 meters) long and travels up 100 feet (30.5 meters), which means it brings passengers up at a 52% incline.
The ride up or down the funicular will cost you 4 Kuna (€0.5). It also runs every 10 minutes from 6:30 to midnight.
5. St. Mark’s Church
Speaking of St. Mark’s Church, it’s something you should see in Zagreb. Sure, it isn’t the most lavish church is Europe, and you might not even be into visiting churches. However, you can easily see the church while checking out Gradec.
The focal point of St. Marks Church in Zagreb is the ornately detailed roof with all the tiles. There are two coat of arms tiled on the roof: the Zagreb coat of arms and the Triune Kingdom of Croatia, Slavonia, and Dalmatia.
It’s one of the oldest monuments in Zagreb and is architecturally unique because of the tiled roof, so again, it’s worth checking out and makes this list of what to do in Zagreb.
6. Museum of Broken Relationships
The Museum of Broken Relationships is something you have to do when visiting Zagreb. It’s located near St. Mark’s Church in Gradec and will be an experience you won’t forget.
The museum is one of only two in the world, with the other being in Los Angeles. They do traveling exhibits from time to time, but Zagreb was their first permanent location.
When people ask what to do in Zagreb, the Museum of Broken Relationship really stands out because it’s so different from any other museum in the world that it makes it a must-do in Zagreb. It actually won an award for Europe’s most innovative museum in 2011, so that should mean something, right?
The museum’s collection is made up of objects from broken relationships that go along with a personal statement written by the person who submitted the object and why it was important to their past relationship.
Some will make you laugh. Some will make you cry. Some will break your heart, and others will sicken you.
Zagreb’s Museum of Broken Relationships is simply so unique and innovative that it is one of the top recommendations for what to do in Zagreb.
7. La Štruk
Now that you’ve had cried, laughed, and expressed all your emotions, it’s time to eat! Something we all love!
La Štruk is the best place to eat in Zagreb, and it’s famous for Zagorski Štrukli, a popular Croatian dish.
This dish is more commonly referred to as Štrukli and is made of dough which is filled with a bunch of different types of food and baked. Štrukli is very popular in northern Croatia and is something you won’t find if you spend all your time traveling the more popular Croatian coast cities, like Dubrovnik or Split.
Štrukli can be stuffed with pumpkin, cheese, blueberries, apples, honey, nuts, and numerous other things. The lovely part about Štrukli is that it can sweet or savory. Either way, it’s delicious.
If you are looking to try authentic food in Zagreb, eat Štrukli. And when eating Štrukli, there’s no better place to eat it than at La Štruk.
8. Tkalčićeva Street
Not to far away from La Struk is one of the main streets in Zagreb: Tkalčićeva Street. It’s worth taking a stroll down Tkalčićeva Street if you are looking for what to do in Zagreb. There are tons of shops, restaurants, bars, street performers, and artists.
While you can get spend an afternoon shopping and eating, you can also just take a walk down it and see one of the most popular streets in the center of Zagreb. It connects right to Ban Jelačić Square, so it’s easy to get to and not out of the way.
9. Dolac Market
Just north of Ban Jelačić Square and right by Tkalčićeva Street sits Dolac Market. It’s the main market in Zagreb and has been around since the 1930’s.
Dolac Market is a great place to get some fresh produce for a snack or some food to cook back at wherever you’re staying in Zagreb. It’s local and fresh, meaning it’s great for budget travelers who aren’t looking to eat out every night. And if you’re not on a tight budget, the food is still delicious, so you can’t go wrong!
10 .Drink Rakija
Rakija is the effectively the national drink of Croatia. It’s a fruit brandy that is popular all over Croatia and most of the Balkans.
Rakija is normally around 40% alcohol and can be found in multiple flavors. It’s best had with Croatians, and chances are that if you order one, more will magically find their way to you. Try them all, and let us know which one you like best!
Bonus Idea for What to Do in Zagreb: Day Trip to Plitvice Lakes
Taking a day trip to Plitvice Lakes is included as a bonus idea for what to do in Zagreb because it’s technically not in Zagreb. However, it is not too far away and a day trip from Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes is very easy and doable.
Plitvice Lakes National Park is one of the most beautiful national parks in the world and is a must-visit when traveling to Croatia.
When you are planning your trip, include an extra day in Zagreb for your day trip to Plitvice Lakes. It will definitely be worth the trip. We guarantee it! Plus, you’ll have a night in Zagreb once you get back from Plitvice.
Read some Tips for a Day Trip to Plitvice Lakes for before you go.
While it is an underrated and off-the-beaten-path city in Croatia, you will not be at a loss for what to do in Zagreb when visiting the Croatian capital.
Read the full Zagreb Travel Guide for everything you need to know for your trip to Zagreb.
