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Croatia is a very popular spot for travelers, but most don’t visit Zagreb. While it’s the capital of Croatia and its largest city, Zagreb is land-locked and doesn’t have the stunning beaches and azure waters of Dubrovnik, Hvar, Zadar, or Split. However, there are still plenty of things to do in Zagreb. This Zagreb Travel Guide will help you plan your trip to this underrated city and give you ideas for where to stay, where to eat, and what to do in Zagreb.
If you are debating whether you should visit Zagreb at all, check out our post on Is Zagreb Worth Visiting?
Where to Stay in Zagreb
Zagreb is the biggest city in Croatia by population, but for travelers, it doesn’t feel too large. You can basically stay anywhere and be close to everything you’ll want to do in Zagreb. We generally recommend to stay somewhere close to the city center though, so you won’t have to walk as far when you want to see or do something.
Depending on your travel budget and how you like to travel will determine what type of accommodation you want. Hostels are great for budget travelers and hotels are typically better for those with a bigger budget who want the amenities and comfort of a private room in a hotel. Airbnbs are generally somewhere in the middle as some are entire houses or apartments and others are a private room in a local’s house.
Your preferences will determine which one you want to book. If you’re feeling lost in planning your trip, we offer our Travel Planning Services to help you plan the trip of your dreams!
What to Do in Zagreb
There are plenty of things to do in Zagreb, and you can spend a couple days visiting the city. However, if you you can only spend one day in Zagreb, you’ll be able to see a lot of the city too!
Walking around Zagreb’s quaint Old Town and city center is really nice, and it’s similar to Bratislava. Make sure to visit Dolac Market, Park Zrinjevac, Ban Jelačić Square, Tkalčićeva Street, and Ilaic Street to do some shopping.
Aside from those places, here are some other ideas for things to do in Zagreb.
Zagreb 360º
Zagreb 360 is a tall building right on Ban Jelačić Square that has a bar and observation deck at the top. It offers the best view in Zagreb.
It also only costs 60 kn (about $9 or €8) to go up to the observation deck. It’s worth paying the fee to go up Zagreb 360°, especially because the ticket is good for 24 hours, so you can go back at night to get a different view.
Museum of Broken Relationships
Zagreb is home to one of the two permanent Museum of Broken Relationships. The other is in Los Angeles. The museum is truly unique and innovative. There are personal objects that were associated with people’s past relationships. Each object has a story with it about why it was important to the relationship. The stories were everywhere from funny to depressing. The Museum of Broken Relationships is a must-visit when in Zagreb.
St. Mark’s Church
Located right by the Museum of Broken Relationships is St. Mark’s Church. The church is memorable because of its super detailed, colorful roof.
If you want more things to do in Zagreb, read our post on 10 Ideas for What to Do in Zagreb to further explore the city.
Day Trip from Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes
A great idea when you visit Zagreb is to spend two total days there. Spend one day in Zagreb and another on a day trip to Plitvice Lakes National Park. Zagreb is one of the best cities in Croatia to take a day trip from to Plitvice Lakes.
For more information on taking a day trip from Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes check out our post on a Day Trip from Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes to plan your trip!
If you’re going on a day trip to Plitvice from Zagreb or another city in Croatia, you’ll also want to read these tips on a day trip to Plitvice Lakes, so you can make the most out of your time there!
Where to Eat in Zagreb
La Štruk
La Štruk is one of the best restaurants in Zagreb. They are best known for Zagorski Štrukli, or Strukli as it’s more commonly known. It’s a traditional Croatian dish that’s typical in the northern region near Zagreb.
Strukli is made of different types of dough and is filled with various food. It can be made sweet with nuts or honey or savory with pumpkin, spinach, or cheese. This is a must-eat food when you visit Zagreb.
Tip-Top
Tip-Top is a traditional Croatian restaurant in Zagreb that serves the Croatian dish Crni rizot, a risotto dyed black with squid ink. If you’re in Croatia, definitely find a good place to order Crni rizot because it’s DELICIOUS!
If seafood isn’t your thing, they have a variety of other traditional dishes from Croatia that will allow you to try authentic Croatian food in Zagreb.
Kava Tava
Kava Tava is not a traditional Croatian restaurant, but if you are looking for empanadas, burgers, sandwiches, or a day-long breakfast, it’s a good place to stop for a bite to eat.
Where to Drink in Zagreb
Alcatraz Bar
Alcatraz Bar is a really laid-back bar with a nice area for outdoor seating. They serve Croatia’s most popular drink, Rakija. It’s a fruit flavored brandy that comes in different flavors with plum being the most traditional. There are a lot of other flavors, so keep trying them until you find the one you like!
Hopefully this Zagreb Travel Guide has helped get some ideas for where to stay, where to eat and drink, and what to do when you visit Zagreb.
If you need more help with travel in general, check out our Travel Resources, and if you would like to work with us on planning a trip to get you an authentic cultural travel experience check out our Travel Planning Services.
