Zagreb, Croatia’s northwestern capital, is distinguished by its 18th- and 19th-century Austro-Hungarian architecture. At its center, Upper Town is the site of the Gothic, twin-spired Zagreb Cathedral and 13th-century St. Mark’s Church, with a colorfully tiled roof. Nearby is pedestrian-friendly Tkalčićeva Street, lined with outdoor cafes. Lower Town has the main square, Ban Jelačić, plus shops, museums and parks.
Best overall time: mild weather, blooming parks, outdoor cafés
Fewer tourists than the coast
Pleasant temperatures, colorful foliage in parks like Maksimir
Great for walking tours and photography
Famous Advent in Zagreb (Christmas Market) — voted among Europe’s best
Festive lights, food stalls, ice rinks, and live music
Warm, but not as hot as coastal cities
Quieter, as locals vacation at the sea; great time for museums and day trips
Zagreb Franjo Tuđman Airport (ZAG) – ~30 minutes from city center
Connected to major European cities (London, Paris, Frankfurt, etc.)
Shuttle bus, taxi, or Uber to city
Zagreb is connected by train to:
Ljubljana (Slovenia), Budapest, Vienna
Domestic trains from Split, Rijeka, Osijek
Main station: Zagreb Glavni kolodvor
Excellent bus network (Flixbus, Arriva, etc.)
Direct routes from all major Croatian cities and neighboring countries
Zagreb is well connected via highways
4 hours from Split
2 hours from Ljubljana
6 hours from Vienna or Budapest
Old cobbled streets, lantern-lit alleys, and historic buildings
St. Mark’s Church – famous tiled roof with Croatian coat of arms
Stone Gate – religious shrine where locals light candles
Lotrščak Tower – climb it for city views; a cannon fires daily at noon
Neo-Gothic landmark with two tall spires
Damaged in the 2020 earthquake, but still partly open to visitors
Zagreb’s café and nightlife hotspot
Full of charming bars, restaurants, and shops
Huge urban park with forests, lakes, and walking trails
Zagreb Zoo is inside the park, great for families
Vibrant daily open-air market behind the main square
Fresh produce, local cheese, honey, and flowers
Central square, a meeting point for locals
Surrounded by shops, historic buildings, and trams
Quirky, emotional museum of real-life breakups and mementos
A must-see for something truly unique
Striking modern building, rotating exhibitions
One of the world’s shortest public transport rides (66 meters)
Connects Upper and Lower Towns
Series of elegant 19th-century parks and gardens in Lower Town
Perfect for relaxing and people-watching
Explore Upper Town (Gornji Grad) on foot — St. Mark’s Church, Stone Gate, and Lotrščak Tower
Stroll Tkalčićeva Street for people-watching, street performers, and a coffee stop
Maksimir Park – walk, jog, or relax in this huge green space
Jarun Lake – rent a bike, paddleboard, swim, or hang at beach bars
Bundek Park – family-friendly and ideal for sunset strolls
Museum of Broken Relationships – quirky and world-famous
Museum of Illusions – fun, interactive experience
Zagreb City Museum – history of the capital
Technical Museum Nikola Tesla – for science and innovation fans
Dolac Market – vibrant daily farmer’s market
Britanski trg – weekend antique and flea market
Ilica Street – main shopping drag with international and local brands
Join a Croatian wine tasting tour or culinary walking tour
Visit Zagreb’s craft beer bars like The Garden Brewery and Pivana
Catch a performance at the Croatian National Theatre
Enjoy live jazz, classical concerts, or street music in summer
St. Mark’s Church, Dolac Market, Zrinjevac Park, and the Cathedral from Kaptol Hill
Esplanade Zagreb Hotel – elegant 5-star from 1925, next to the train station
Hotel Dubrovnik – 4-star on Ban Jelačić Square, historic yet modern
Hotel Jägerhorn – oldest hotel in Zagreb, cozy and central
Canopy by Hilton Zagreb – stylish and modern with artistic vibes
Swanky Mint Hostel – trendy, social, great location with a rooftop bar
Hostel Chillout – budget-friendly with private rooms and dorms
Look for Airbnb or booking.com apartments in the Upper Town or near Zrinjevac for a local experience
Štrukli – cheese-filled pastry, baked or boiled
Purica s mlincima – roast turkey with thin noodles
Čobanac – spicy meat stew from Slavonia
Zagrebački odrezak – stuffed veal schnitzel, similar to cordon bleu
Agava – Mediterranean/Dalmatian cuisine with a terrace on Tkalčićeva
Vinodol – traditional Croatian food, elegant but not too pricey
Stari Fijaker – authentic local tavern feel, hearty dishes
Noel – Zagreb’s first Michelin-starred restaurant, fine dining
Zrno Bio Bistro – fully organic and plant-based
Green Point – vegan fast food and smoothies
Cafe de Matoš – romantic pop-up café in Upper Town (seasonal)
Amélie – known for cakes and atmosphere
Quahwa – specialty coffee spot.
Zagreb combines Austro-Hungarian elegance with a laid-back Balkan rhythm
"Špica" (Saturday coffee stroll) is a weekly tradition—dress up, meet friends, and sip coffee for hours
Coffee is social, not rushed. Locals spend hours at cafés
Popular spots: Johann Franck, Mali Bar, Velvet
Advent in Zagreb (Nov–Jan): award-winning Christmas market
Animafest – animation film festival
INmusic Festival – international rock and indie festival in summer
Cest is d’Best – outdoor street art and performance festival
Street art is everywhere—check out the Art Park Zagreb or graffiti alleys
Jazz and classical music are popular, with frequent small concerts
Mostly Catholic, but Zagreb is quite secular and liberal compared to rural areas
Locals are polite, a bit reserved at first but warm and friendly.