TOP 10 THINGS TO DO IN ZAGREB, CROATIA

Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, is a city in the heart of Europe that is often overlooked in favor of the breathtaking Adriatic coast. However, its excellent location connects it to other European cities, making it a great stopover on your way to places like Zadar, Split or Dubrovnik.

When you visit Zagreb, you can discover its culture, history, art and gastronomy. In addition, meet friendly and open locals.

It is also the perfect base for day trips to places such as Plitvice Lakes National Park, Ljubljana and Slovenia’s Lake Bled. Read this travel guide to find the best things to do in Zagreb on your next visit to Croatia.

1. TAKE A GOURMET TOUR WITH ZAGREB GOURMET

Led by the fantastic Zagreb Gourmet food expert Karmela Karlović, this six-hour gastronomic exploration of the streets of Zagreb is the best introduction to Zagreb’s food scene.

At Dolac Market, Zagreb’s oldest farmers’ market, you can immerse yourself in the Croatian way of life. Many locals like to buy food here because of its freshness and variety.

Some of the tastiest meats and cheeses are sold here. These include Gligora cheeses made from cow’s and goat’s milk, Ziglje made from cow’s and sheep’s milk, and Paski sir made from sheep’s milk. After trying these delicious flavors, you can try the Croatian liqueur Teranino.

The next stop is La Struk, where you can try štrukli, a traditional pastry from the Zagorje region. Then there’s Istrian prosciutto, Kulenova seka, Samobor salami, Istrian olive oil and pumpkin seed oil in the town’s wine bar.

This is just an introduction to Stari Fijaker’s main dish. It is a traditional restaurant where you will be served a delicious meal from the northern part of Croatia; roast duck with mlinci.

For dessert, you can eat Kremšnite in patisserie Vincek, one of the oldest and most popular establishments in the city. On the way you can also taste different Croatian wines. You can also taste the Graševina white wine from Slavonia as a shot.

The tour ended with a stop at an artisan cafe in Quahwa for a cup of delicious espresso and latte art.

2. VISIT SOME OF ZAGREB’S AMAZING RESTAURANTS

Gastronomy is the main attraction in Croatia, right after the coast. Each part of Croatia offers different dishes that you might not think belong on the same menu. A lot of meat, cheese and wine is mixed with Mediterranean vegetables and herbs. Here are the best restaurants to try in Zagreb, but honestly it was hard to choose.

POD ZIDOM

Just behind the main square of Zagreb, in a small street of the same name, is Pod Zidom. It is a café and wine bar that serves delicious tapas made with the best products from the local market.

DUBRAVK PUT

This phenomenal restaurant in Zagreb is located on Dubravkin Put Street in Gornji Grad. For several years now, Dubravka Put has been known as a mecca for first-class gastronomic experiences.

VINODOLO

Lovers of good traditional cuisine have come to this Zagreb restaurant in the center of the city at 10 Teslina Street. Vinodol’s menu features a handful of traditional dishes from all over Croatia, prepared in a modern way. In addition to incredible food, Vinodol is known for a wide selection of premium wines that pair well with food.

CARPACCIO

In the center of Zagreb is the delicious Italian restaurant Carpaccio. The very pleasant interior of this restaurant exudes an Italian atmosphere and is one of the best traditional Italian cuisine restaurants in Zagreb.

RED MARIN

This popular restaurant in Zagreb is located at 10 Ulica Frana Folnegovića and has been on the list of best restaurants in Zagreb for years. No wonder when you taste their legendary grilled pork ribs, risotto with sweet potato cream, gourmet burgers and Sicilian pizza for two. Rougemarin’s menu also includes several inventive, hearty and delicious dishes.

3. FIND HIGH CITY

The city of Zagreb is divided into two parts: Upper Town and Lower Town. As the name suggests, the upper city is on a hill, while the lower city is all under this hill. You can reach the Upper Town by taking Radićeva Street from Ban Josip Jelačić square and passing through Kiviporti.

Another way to get to or from Yläkaupunki is by cable car. This is the shortest cable car in the world and locals call it Uspinjača. Many famous tourist attractions are nearby, such as the Lotrščak Tower and the Strossmayer Promenade.

As you explore the beautiful streets of this 13th-century old town, you’ll see St. Mark’s Church, famous for its tiled roof with the Zagreb coat of arms. From there you can walk to Gradec, which offers the best panoramic views of Kaptol, the opposite hill and the Zagreb Cathedral.

If you decide it’s time to head back to the city, you can start on Tkalčićeva Street, where you can eat, drink and people watch. This street is one of the most popular things to do in Zagreb, especially if you want to try the local beer, wine and rakija.

4. GO TO ZAGREB MUSEUMS

Zagreb is rich in an interesting past, which is reflected in the number of museums it has. Most of them are located in the city centre. Here are the ones not to be missed:

MUSEUM OF BROKEN RELATIONSHIPS

The Museum of Broken Relationships Zagreb consists of objects left over from love affairs. The museum was born from a traveling exhibition that presents the concept of failed relationships and their ruins. There is also a museum café where you can relax to the rhythm of live music.

ATELIER IVAN METROVIĆ

The Meštrović Atelier is part of the Ivan Meštrović Museum. It includes the Meštrović Gallery and Meštrović’s Crikvine-Kaštilac in Split and the Church of the Most Holy Savior in Otavice.

The exhibits are part of the legacy of world-famous Croatian sculptor Ivan Meštrović, and the collection itself is housed in the family home where Meštrović lived.

MUSEUM OF ILLUSIONS

This museum is made to confuse you. Defy gravity in a tilted space and experience how your fellow travelers grow or shrink before your eyes.

Lose yourself in the infinity of the room of mirrors, serve someone’s head on a platter and finally climb to the ceiling and immortalize the finish line with a photo in the Inverted Room.

MIMAR MUSEUM

It is located on Franklin Delano Roosevelt Square in a late 19th century Neo-Renaissance style building. The collection consists of 3,750 works of art made with different techniques and materials and from different cultures and civilizations.

NAIVE ART MUSEUM OF CROATIA

The Croatian Museum of Naive Art is considered the world’s first museum of naive art and preserves works of Croatian naive stylistic expression of the 20th century.

The museum has more than five thousand works of art. There are numerous paintings, sculptures, drawings and graphics, mainly by Croatian artists, but also by well-known international artists.

CONTEMPORARY ART MUSEUM

The Zagreb Museum of Contemporary Art was founded in 1954. Its aim was to monitor, document and promote contemporary art events, styles and phenomena. Since its foundation it has been housed in a Baroque palace in the center of the old city.

In 2009, MSU Zagreb moved into a new building designed by architect Igor Franić. The collections of the Museum of Contemporary Art contain approximately 12,000 works of contemporary art by domestic and foreign artists created after 1950.

7. WALK FROM BAN JELACIĆ SQUARE TO KING TOMISLAV SQUARE

A walk from Ban Jelačić Square to King Tomislav Square is a must. Stroll along Lenuc horseshoe, decorated with Zrinjevac, Art Pavilion and Strossmayer Square. This walking tour will not only show you the amazing architecture but also what everyday life is like for ordinary Croatian.

From King Tomislav Square, you can continue exploring the lower city. Visit other attractions of Zagreb, such as the Croatian National Theater, the observation deck of the main square or the Grič Tunnel, which dates back to the Second World War.