32 Best Things in Zagreb to See and Do in 2025

Here are the best things in Zagreb to see and do, including iconic, unique, and seasonal options. Whether you’re staying for a few days or a year in Zagreb, it’s a laid-back, low-key city with plenty to offer. It doesn’t have the biggest or most famous tourist sites but has a small-city charm.

Unfortunately, the earthquake in 2020 damaged many buildings. So, many historic buildings and museums are still closed and need repairs. But there are still plenty of highlights to see. You can easily visit the most iconic places in Zagreb in one day or two.

We use affiliate links throughout our site, recommending services and products that have served us well as digital nomads and travelers. If you make a purchase, we receive a bit of money. You can also buy us a coffee or tea to support our work if you find our content helpful or inspiring.

If you’re looking for places to visit in Zagreb in one day, this is the best place to start. Explore the charming historic center, which features medieval architecture and lively spaces. We’ve divided this section into Lower and Upper Town. Be sure to check out the following landmarks.

This area is centered around Zagreb’s main square.

1. Ban Josip Jelačić Square: Zagreb’s main square is an excellent place to sit and people-watch. It’s the heart of Zagreb and a good jumping-off point. There’s a changing of the guard at the statue every Saturday and Sunday at noon, along with other major holidays.
2. Dolac Market: Just above the main square. It’s Zagreb’s largest, lively, open-air farmer’s market. It’s a hub of activity with stalls selling fresh produce, baked goods, crafts, and street food. It’s a great place to soak up the local culture and try traditional Croatian food. Produce is more expensive here, but you can find Croatian classics like cottage cheese and cream dishes here.
3. Tkalčićeva Street: An offshoot west of the main square. It’s a bustling pedestrian area with cafes and shops.
4. Zagreb Cathedral: East of the main square, this towering neo-Gothic cathedral is the tallest building in Croatia and a defining landmark of the city’s skyline. Although it’s been under renovation for some time, you can still admire its exterior and sit beneath the Monument of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

You can get to this area by trekking uphill via steps, walking on charming cobblestone streets, or taking a ride on the world’s shortest tram. There are some views above the city and some parks and squares to stroll around. Those with mobility issues can also drive up and park near St. Marks to walk around.

1. The Stone Gate: The iconic symbol of Zagreb’s historic Upper Town. It’s a 13th-century Gothic gateway that served as an entrance to the medieval walled city of Gradec. It’s a place of devotion and prayer for locals and visitors with a gilded icon of the Virgin Mary.
2. St. Marks Church is Zagreb’s distinctive 13th-century Roman Catholic church, adorned with a colorful tiled roof and the medieval coats of arms of Croatia, Dalmatia, and Slavonia. Unfortunately, it’s fenced off, and you can’t go inside, but it’s decorated with a Christmas tree during the winter holidays.
3. Greek Catholic Co-Cathedral of St. Cyril and Methodius is just down the street from St. Mark’s. You can admire its ornate wood altar inside.
4. Museum of Broken Relationships: Zagreb has several quirky and traditional museums, but this is our favorite. This unique museum showcases personal objects and stories from failed relationships, offering an offbeat and thought-provoking experience.
5. Lotrščak Tower: Just off Strossmayer Promenade. You can climb the tower for lovely city views.
6. Panoramic Lookout: Just past the Church of St. Catherine is an area with excellent views of the Lower Town and Zagreb Catedral. Also, watch this area for fun events like food and drink pop-ups during festivals or holidays.

Outside the Historical Center

There are a few spots a bit further out that are worth visiting:

1. The Croatia National Theatre: An impressive-looking theater with Baroque-style architecture. You’ll have to book to see an opera, ballet, or drama to see the interior. But it’s worth just taking it in from the outside.
2. Street Murals: Zagreb has a history of striking street art that comes and goes. There are hidden gems across the city. For a taste, check out the murals inside the University of Zagreb Student Center, the Autonomous Cultural Center Medika, and Park Optivina and Ribnjak (Art Park).

Of course, we recommend sampling traditional food and drink. But Zagreb also offers various international cuisines and places to eat.

You can visit konobas (traditional taverns) and Michelin-starred restaurants. Zagreb has top-quality restaurants offering traditional fare and international cuisine for various budgets and tastes.

Here are some traditional foods and drinks to try:

1. Burek: It’s a traditional Balkan pastry made with thin layers of dough. It can have different fillings, like minced meat, cheese, spinach, or potatoes. So, it’s a good vegetarian option as well. You can find it in all the bakeries.
2. Štrukli: Another pastry of thin dough filled with cottage cheese, sour cream, eggs, and sometimes herbs or spices. It can be baked or boiled. And it’s often served as a savory dish. But sweet versions exist as well.
3. Ćevapi: For meat lovers, this is grilled minced meat with various spices like garlic, paprika, salt, and pepper. The meat is formed into small sausage-shaped portions and grilled until cooked through. Ćevapi is often served with chopped onions, ajvar (a roasted red pepper spread), kajmak (a creamy dairy product), and flatbread or pita. It’s a beloved street food in restaurants and fast-food establishments.
4. Charcuterie: Try a selection of local cured meats such as prosciutto (prsut), dry-cured sausages (kulen or kobasice), and various types of salami. Also, there are fantastic cheeses like local cow, sheep, or goat cheese varieties. This makes for a perfect picnic food, along with olives, pickles, bread, or crackers.
5. Alcohol: There are excellent Croatian wines you can pair with charcuterie. I also enjoyed their local beers. And, of course, you must try rakija. It’s a strong fruit brandy that comes in various flavors and is typically made from grapes, plums, or other fruits. It’s Croatia’s national drink and is deeply ingrained in Croatian culture. It’s enjoyed on various occasions, from casual gatherings to celebrations and festivities.
6. Coffee: Zagreb is known for its lively café culture. You’ll find a neighborhood café on many streets where people meet over beverages and food. Ask locals for their favorite café in the neighborhood you’re staying.

Walk or take a tram or bus to these nearby parks. Zagreb also has extensive dedicated bike lanes that wind through it. And there are also affordable bike rental kiosks, called NextBike, peppered around town. Use their free app to ride some bikes for the day.

1. Zrinjevac, Josip Juraj Strossmayer Park, Trg Kralja Tomislava: These three connected parks are a short walk from the main square. They are lovely spots to stroll, picnic, or bike around. They have beautiful gardens, a gazebo, and several architecturally significant buildings and monuments. Check out the meteorological clock on the north end and the King Tomislav Fountain and Monument on the south. On the west side, you can also see the Archaeological Museum and Museum of Modern Art facades.
2. Maksimir Park: This large urban park offers a peaceful escape from the city. It has walking trails, lakes, and even a zoo, perfect for outdoor recreation and relaxation. Because it’s a large park, we recommend biking around it.
3. Jarun Lake: If you want to get outside the city center more, you can venture to Jarun Lake. It also has walking and bike paths for a large circuit around the lake. You can dip your toes in the water. And there are even cafes, bars, and restaurants where you can hang out.
4. Mount Medvednica: This forested mountain offers hiking trails with some views of Zagreb. It’s reasonably close to the city center by bus. Hiking is a great way to burn calories and escape from the city into nature. The views aren’t spectacular, but there are huts where you can get food and drink in the summer. You can also take a cable car up one side, but we don’t think it’s worth the cost unless you plan to do some skiing or snowboarding.

Zagreb hosts many festivals and events throughout the year. There are interesting ones to attend, depending on the time of year you’re in Zagreb.

1. Festival of Lights Zagreb: This event takes place in March and transforms the city into a visual spectacle. Parks, squares, and historic buildings become canvases for mesmerizing light shows. The festival features projection-mapping displays and art installations by local and international artists. It’s a vibrant and colorful atmosphere to walk around in.
2. Cest is d’Best: Zagreb’s oldest and largest street festival, held annually in May over three days. It features diverse entertainment, activities, and exhibitions that create a lively and festive atmosphere throughout the city.
3. Zagreb International Folklore Festival: This vibrant celebration of diverse cultural traditions showcases folk music, dance, and costumes from around the world. It also brings together performers and enthusiasts to promote cultural exchange and understanding.
4. Zagreb Film Festival: Held from mid-October to November, this is a prestigious event that showcases feature films, short films, and documentaries. We were pleasantly surprised with their film lineup. Many films have subtitles in English. Be sure to book ahead.
5. Advent Zagreb: Like many European cities, Zagreb has a festival with Christmas markets, many activities, and seasonal foods.

Perhaps one of the best things to do in Zagreb is go to an escape room with friends or family. Escape rooms have become very popular in Zagreb, and there are numerous options.

As we mentioned, Zagreb also has unique museums to check out. If you’re really into these niche themes, we recommend you check them out. They’re small but affordable:

1. Museum of Selfies and Memories: This is a fun way to sharpen your selfie skills and share some laughs with friends or family.
2. Chocolate Museum: This is an immersive experience for chocolate lovers, with interactive exhibits on chocolate history. It also offers hands-on activities, workshops, and various handmade Croatian chocolates for sale.
3. Zagreb’s 80s Museum: It’s a small interactive exhibition space that recreates the atmosphere and everyday life of 1980s Zagreb through a collection of period artifacts and installations.
4. Museum of Hangovers: It showcases a collection of bizarre objects and stories about people’s humorous experiences while hungover.
5. Cannabis Museum: An educational museum that explores the history, cultivation, medical uses, and universal applications of cannabis.

Zagreb is a fantastic city in which to spend a few relaxing days. It doesn’t have the hustle and bustle of much bigger European cities but offers world-class food and friendly hospitality. Much of its appeal is the plethora of laid-back eateries and small shops throughout the small city center.

It’s a great stopover to the coast, between countries, or as a base for further travels in Croatia. If you can, take your time exploring all the nooks and crannies of Zagreb. We hope this is a good jumping-off point for what to do in Zagreb in two days or less… or perhaps even longer! Check out our article for the best places to visit in Croatia!

FAQs