Visit Zagreb like a real backpacker
When you say Croatia, you think of turquoise-coloured sea, sunny islands and green national parks, not urban escapes. But backpackers who head straight for the popular destinations in the south of the country when they visit Croatia are making a big mistake, as they are missing out on the capital’s charm. Sure, Zagreb may not have a beach, but what it lacks in sand and sea, it makes up for in personality and culture. Plus, there are so many great things to do here that you won’t have time to sunbathe anyway! Here are 12 things to see in this underrated city to show you all the reasons to visit Zagreb!
📷 @zurux
Visit the Museum of Broken Relationships
This unusual museum may sound like a joke, but it’s actually one of Zagreb’s most interesting attractions. It’s full of strange artefacts donated by people whose relationships have broken down, from wedding dresses to a 30-year-old crust – no, really. Each item is linked to a story told by the person who donated it, ranging from the heartbreaking to the hilarious to the downright bizarre. This museum offers a fascinating insight into the everyday lives of ordinary people and is a refreshing alternative to traditional history museums, which, let’s face it, you’ve probably seen enough of after seeing them all over Europe!
🇭🇷 Zagreb what to see: Museum of Broken Relationships, Ćirilometodska ul. 2, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
🕓Opening hours: 9:00-21:00
💰 Prices: 40 kuna (approx. 5€)
Ride the world’s shortest funicular railway to the Upper Town
The Upper Town is the oldest part of Zagreb. It consists of cobbled, winding streets full of historic buildings and, above all, crazy views of the city’s sunny red rooftops. The Upper Town seems made for exploring on foot while enjoying the relaxed atmosphere and sipping a coffee or ice cream in a café with a breathtaking view. Of course, you can also reach the Upper Town on foot, but why not hop on a historic vehicle and take the blue funicular for the very long ride of no less than 66 metres? The funicular railway has been in operation for more than 120 years and the locals still love it!
🇭🇷 Zagreb sights: Upper Town
🕓Opening times: The funicular railway runs every 10 minutes from 6.30 am to midnight
💰 Price: 4 kuna (€5) – worth it for the originality
Discovering a truly enchanting church…
The colourful tiled roof of St Mark’s Church is one of the reasons to visit Zagreb. This picturesque little church looks like something out of a storybook, with its red, white and blue roof decorated with mosaics of medieval Croatian, Dalmatian and Slavic coats of arms. It is a perfect photo opportunity, especially when the sky is blue (which is almost every day in this sunny city). The interior of the church is not open to the public, unless you follow our tip for hardy travellers. Attending a mass (daily from 7.30am to 6pm) is free, an interesting local experience and the only way to enter the church and see the incredible sculptures and paintings that most travellers miss out on. Everyone wins!
🇭🇷 Zagreb, what to see: Church of St Mark, Trg Sv. Marka 5, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
🕓Opening hours: daily 7:30 am and 6:00 pm for mass (10:30 am on Sundays)
💰 Price: Free of charge!
…And then explore an epic cathedral
The silhouette of Zagreb is dominated by the tallest building in Croatia and one of the most important: the imposing Zagreb Cathedral. It is the building of which the city is most proud and has a special place in the hearts of the population, as many Croatian heroes are buried here. You should definitely visit it to admire its Gothic architecture and intricate details. Entry is free and the absolute silence will give you a peaceful break from the hustle and bustle of the city. You may notice that the clock on the wall doesn’t work, but no, it doesn’t need a battery change. It stopped permanently at 7:03 a.m., exactly when the earthquake of 1880 began.
🇭🇷 Zagreb, what there is to see: Zagreb Cathedral, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
🕓Opening hours: Daily from 10:00-17:00, or Sundays from 13:00
💰 Price: Free!
Go in search of hidden treasures at the Dolac market
Nicknamed ‘the belly of Zagreb’, this daily market is a hotspot full of locals who come here every morning to buy fresh fruit, meat and cheese from the dozen or so wooden stalls. There’s also plenty of backpacker stuff to discover, with some vendors selling souvenirs in the shape of the Croatian red heart, as well as snacks, second-hand books and flowers. The atmosphere is electrifying, especially in the early morning, and it’s one of the best things to do when visiting Zagreb for an authentic city experience.
🇭🇷 Zagreb, what to see: Dolac Market, Dolac 8, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
🕓Opening hours: 7.00 am – 2.00 pm
💰 Price: The viewing is free!
Take a coffee break like the locals
Zagreb has a strong café culture, and the favourite pastime of city dwellers is to hole up in a café for a few hours, chatting and watching life go by. If you visit Zagreb in spring or summer, you will see tables and chairs full of people on every street in the city centre. The atmosphere in Zagreb is very sociable and relaxed, and that’s one of the reasons why we love the city so much! If coffee is serious business for you, then you’ll love Quahwa. Tucked away on the UI. Nikole Tesle, is an independent roastery that makes the best coffee in town, in a very cool environment and with an even cooler clientele!
🇭🇷 Zagreb what to see: Quahwa, ul. Nikole Tesle 9/1, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
🕓Opening hours: Quahwa is open from Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 10 pm and on Sundays from 10 am to 6 pm
📷 @natanja
Picnic on the “Green Horseshoe
When you arrive in Zagreb by train, the first thing you see as soon as you leave the station is a perfectly manicured green garden full of different flowers, fountains and beautiful buildings. This is just the beginning of the “Green Horseshoe”, eight interconnected public parks that bring colour and life to the city. On a sunny day, they are full of people talking, reading and playing, and in the centre of King Tomislav Square is a stage where spontaneous performances often take place. For an inexpensive meal, there’s nothing better than a picnic on the grass!
🇭🇷 Zagreb, what to see: Green Horseshoe
🕓Opening hours: Always open
💰 Price: Free!
A walk through the cemetery of Mirogoj
You might think it’s a bit creepy to visit a cemetery for fun, but Mirogoj Cemetery is one of the most beautiful sights in Zagreb. First of all, it was designed by the famous Croatian architect Herman Bolle, who also designed the colourful roof of St Mark’s Church, so you can be sure it’s something special. He himself is buried there, along with Croatian greats such as poets and sports heroes. Mirogoj is a labyrinth of leafy arches, tiled paths and large domes, so large that you may not see a soul during your entire walk. What’s more, many travellers don’t know about it (although they should!).
🇭🇷 Zagreb things to see: Mirogoj Cemetery, Aleja Hermanna Bollea 27, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
🕓Opening hours: 6:00-20:00 in summer, 7:30-18:00 in winter
💰 Price: Free!
📷 @zurux
Have a drink (or several) in the Tkalčićeva street
Tkalčićeva Street is the liveliest area of Zagreb, a pedestrianised street full of bars, pubs and restaurants. It is the centre of nightlife in the city, but it is not ostentatious or over the top. In true Croatian style, it’s very informal and relaxed, with a bohemian atmosphere, plenty of places to eat and drink outside and street performers providing the perfect soundtrack for the evening. On Tkalčićeva you can wander from bar to bar, enjoying local bars, live music, Irish pubs, Croatian craft beer or elegant cocktails. Or all of the above! If you’re looking to unwind, be sure to stop by Otto & Frank for fantastic burgers at backpacker prices. Thank us later!
🇭🇷 Zagreb what to see: Ul. Ivana Tkalčića, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
🕓Opening hours: Most bars are open until 2 a.m. – if you want to stay even longer, clubs in the centre like Alcatraz are open until dawn
💰 Price: That’s up to you! But most bars don’t charge entry and the drinks are good and cheap
Ascent to the mountain Medvednica
It may not be the best choice in the morning after a night of drinking, but if you have some time in Zagreb and want to explore the surrounding area, this mountain is the best place to start. The Medvednica Nature Park, where the mountain of the same name is located, lies to the north of the city. The highest peak is 1035 metres high. The hike takes around two hours and offers the opportunity to observe local wildlife such as birds of prey, bats and salamanders – and it’s only a few kilometres from the city! There are also some impressive monuments to visit along the way, such as the small Sljeme Chapel, where midnight masses are held on Christmas Eve, and Medvedgrad Castle, which offers a fantastic view of the entire town. There are also mountain huts serving local food – you’ll need it when you reach the summit!
🇭🇷 What to see in Zagreb: Medvednica Nature Park, 49240, Sljeme, Croatia
💰 Price: The well-mapped hiking trails are free of charge
Take a trip to Plitvice Lakes National Park
Another great thing about Zagreb is that it’s only a two-hour bus ride away from one of the most beautiful places in Croatia, Plitvice Lakes National Park. It consists of 16 turquoise-coloured lakes with the clearest water you’ve ever seen, connected by dozens of waterfalls. A series of wooden paths surround the lakes, allowing you to visit the most incredible viewpoints and get up close to the waterfalls. The whole route takes about 6-8 hours! You can easily make a day trip from Zagreb, but there are also hostels around the park if you’d rather stay a few days in this dream location.
🇭🇷 Zagreb, what to see: Plitvice Lakes National Park, VH8J 5R Plitvički Ljeskovac, Croatia
🕓Opening hours: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily
💰 Price: Varies depending on the season. From November to March it costs 60 kuna (€8), from May to October 100 kuna (€13.50) and in high season in summer from June to September 250 kuna (€33.50)
Overnight stay in a fantastic hostel
After you’ve ticked off all the items on your list of things to do in Zagreb, you’ll need somewhere equally fantastic to rest your head. Luckily, there are plenty of fantastic hostels in Zagreb, starting from just €8 per night! Chillout Hostel is one of our favourites, just look at those quirky dorms! It’s a super sociable party hostel with a lively bar, happy hours, live DJs and karaoke nights. There are also two dogs that have been adopted by the hostel staff! The Swanky Mint is another favourite, an old factory converted into a very stylish and fully equipped hostel, even with a pool and bar! A shot of traditional rakija liqueur is served on arrival to give guests a taste of Croatia.
📷 Chillout Hostel
Now that you know all these good reasons to visit Zagreb, are you ready to add the Croatian capital to your itinerary? We’re sure you’ll love all the little quirks this city has to offer. Do you have any other tips for Zagreb that our readers should know? Let us know in the comments below!
Don’t forget to check out our other incredible hostels in Zagreb!
Read more: ⬇️
🌟 10 beautiful places to visit in Croatia
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