Although Zagreb is the capital of Croatia and is famous for its monumental, central European-style architecture, it’s certainly not one of the most popular tourist destinations, but there’s plenty to see and do in Zagreb as we’ll tell you in this post. Even so, there’s plenty to see in Zagreb, as we’ll tell you in this post, as well as the best options for getting there, where to eat well and what excursions to take in the surrounding area. Ready? Well, stay tuned, we’ll tell you how to organise the perfect trip to Croatia’s capital.
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What are the best places to see in Zagreb?
The city of Zagreb is reputed to bear some resemblance to Vienna in its architectural style and the many palaces, bourgeois buildings and green spaces it houses. There is a lot to see in Zagreb, however, the city can be visited in one day as we will tell you later. For now we leave you with this list of must-see sights to include in your travel itinerary.
1. Tower Lotrscak
The tower is a must-see in Zagreb. It was built in the 13th century as part of the city wall and today serves as an art gallery. Inside, there is a lift that takes you up to the top for views of the city. A curious fact is that a cannon is fired from here every day at 12 noon to commemorate a historic event. The tower is open every day except Monday from 10am to 7pm and costs around 20kn.
2. Park Maksimir
Maksimir Park was founded 220 years ago and today it is the largest park in the city and one of the most beautiful in Europe. The park’s design is clearly French in style; rose gardens, pavilions, greenhouses and lots of flowers in general.
There is also a zoo on the premises which houses over 200 species of animals and is perfect for visiting with children. The park is open 24 hours a day and the zoo is open from 9am to 4pm in winter and 9am to 7pm in summer. Admission costs 30kn.
3. Churches to see in Zagreb, Croatia
The most famous and photogenic church in Zagreb is St Mark’s Church. It was originally built in Romanesque style, but was later restored in Gothic style. In the same square as the church there are also other important buildings to see such as the old town hall, the parliament and the seat of government.
On the other hand, there’s Zagreb Cathedral, a grand building built in the Gothic style, whose towers can be seen from all over the city. The church had to be rebuilt from scratch in the 19th century after an earthquake, so no trace of the original style remains.
4. Dolac Market
This is the most famous open-air market in the city and has been organized since 1930 in the Kaptol district. There are all kinds of stalls, from food, flowers, clothes… It is a real pleasure to stroll among the red umbrellas. There are also numerous cafés in the square where you can relax and enjoy the spectacle. The market is open every day from early morning until midday.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
What to do around Zagreb, Croatia?
When you have nothing more to see in Zagreb, we recommend that you set out to discover the surrounding area. Croatia is known for its small cove beaches and national parks. In addition, there are many other charming cities in the country that are well worth a visit. Here are some of the places we recommend you to visit.
1. Island of Krk
The island of Krk is located in the northern Adriatic Sea and is the largest island in the country. From Zagreb, it takes about 2h by car and the island can be reached by a bridge connecting it to the mainland. Krk is home to some of the best beaches in the country, and is a popular tourist destination for people from neighbouring countries.
The beaches can be small coves tucked away in a forest or larger areas. What they all have in common is that they are pebbly, so it’s best to wear crab shells. Some of the best beaches are Sveti Marak, Golden beach or Vrbnik beach.
2. Pltivice Lakes National Park
The Plrivice Lakes are one of the country’s most spectacular natural gems and therefore a World Heritage Site. This complex, located in the Lika region, is a collection of turquoise lakes, waterfalls and streams completely enveloped by lush vegetation and home to numerous birds and rare animals such as the European bear and lynx.
It is usually recommended to spend at least a couple of days in the area, however, you can also go for a day trip, you’ll just see fewer lakes. It takes 2 hours by car, as it does by bus. There are frequent departures from the bus station in Zagreb. The opening hours are from 8:00h to 19:00h and the entrance fee is 40€.
3. Excursion to Varaždin and visit of Trakošcan Castle
Trakošcan Castle is a medieval fortress built on the shores of a lake and enveloped by a lush forest. Inside, there are exhibitions of art and weapons of war, as well as classical music concerts. The museum is open daily from 9am to 4pm and admission is €6.
The fortress is located in the town of Varaždin, known as the Croatian Vienna. The town is famous for its baroque buildings, flowers decorating the streets and music. In addition to the castle, there are other points of interest such as the Town Hall, the Sermenage Palace, the Stari Grad castle and its baroque churches. From Zagreb, you can go by car (1h10) or by bus (2h).
Visit Zagreb in 1 day
One day is enough to visit the Croatian capital, and while you won’t be able to visit all the museums and sights, you’ll have time to see the essentials. In the upper town, we recommend starting with the Lotrscak Tower, Dolac Market, St Mark’s Church, the cathedral, Kaptol Square and Tkalciceva Street.
In the afternoon you can visit King Tomislav and Ban Jelacic squares in the lower town. And to end the day, if you have time, the best thing to do is to go to Maksimir Park. We left it for last because it is a bit far away, but it is worth the walk. Besides, when you’ve finished with all the things to see in Zagreb, you’ll be grateful for a rest in one of its meadows.
How to get to Zagreb, Croatia?
The most efficient way to get to Zagreb, Croatia is by plane. However, from Spain, we will have to make at least one stopover in a European city. The good news is that once you arrive at Zagreb airport, which is 20 km from the centre, there are many alternatives for getting to the city. The 290 bus will drop you off in the centre for 3kn, and runs every 30 minutes. Another option is to take a taxi, which costs 180-220kn and takes about 20 minutes. Alternatively, you can hire a private transfer or rent a car.
The train is another good option if you’re travelling from other nearby capitals as the station is in the city centre and prices are quite affordable. To get around Zagreb you can use the bus, tram and funicular for 15kn a trip. You can also buy day and minute passes.
Best accommodations in Zagreb
It is relatively easy to find accommodation in Zagreb Croatia. The city is quite touristy and prices are very affordable. The most central and convenient neighbourhoods for sightseeing are Gronji Grad, Donji Grad, Kapto, but others such as Jarun or Maksimir are a cheaper option although they are a little further out. One thing to keep in mind is that there are more flats to rent than hotels. Here are some of our favourite places to stay in Zagreb so you don’t have to go crazy looking for them and you can take advantage of all the things to see and do in Zagreb.
- Hotel Academia: is a centrally located 4-star hotel with its own restaurant. The rooms are modern and the price per night is around 110€.
- Sundial Boutique Hotel: this 3-star hotel is a little more affordable than the previous one (€80 a night) as it is about 2km from the centre. The best thing is that it has a terrace and a wonderful garden where you can relax after a long day of sightseeing.
- Funk Lounge Hostel: this hostel is a wonderful place to meet people and sleep cheap. The rooms are clean and modern and the rooms are clean and modern. It also has its own bar and is located in a lively neighbourhood.
Best restaurants in Zagreb, Croatia
Eating well in Zagreb is easy, and eating well and cheaply even easier. In general, restaurant prices in the Balkan countries are not excessive and the food is varied, with Slavic, Hungarian and Viennese influences. Some of the most typical dishes you will find in the restaurants we recommend below are kulen, Pasticada, Strukli, Burek and Sarma.
- Nokturno: a restaurant with a wide variety of Croatian and international dishes at very good prices. You can eat very well for less than 15€.
- La Struk: is a restaurant specializing in strukli, a typical Croatian dish similar to lasagne in different flavours. The dish costs about 33kn and is delicious. But go early because it’s small and fills up fast.
- Vagabund: It’s a large restaurant with a wide range of food at a very good price. The downside is that it’s not very central, but it’s worth the trip for its hearty dishes for less than €5.
- Plac: is a very good quality Croatian fast food option. The burgers are delicious and cost less than €5, plus you’ll get the chance to try the Cevapi.
Travel tips to Zagreb
- The official currency of Croatia is the Kuna
- If you are travelling by car, the lights should always be switched on.
- We recommend that you exchange money before you set off on your trip, as it will be cheaper.
- As European citizens we don’t need a visa to enter the country either, just your ID card or passport is enough.
- The best time to travel to Zagreb is in spring and autumn, when there are fewer tourists and temperatures are more pleasant than in winter or summer.
- Buy museum tickets in advance to avoid queues.
- The city is safe, but as with any tourist destination, it’s best to be careful with your belongings.
- Be covered for possible medical emergencies: travel insured.
Plan your trip to Zagreb, Croatia
Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.
- Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers
- Create your own itinerary and add suggestions from the app to it.
- Add the stops you’re most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
- Organise your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can take inspiration from the routes we present in the post)
- Check out the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
- Make any modifications you need to make, and you’re all set for your trip.
- Share your experience. Upload photos of places you visited on your trip to the app and recommend other travellers what to see in Zagreb Croatia.
If you have doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create a travel itinerary in Passporter.
Frequently Asked Questions when travelling to Zagreb, Croatia
No, if you are travelling from any EU country, your ID card or passport is more than enough. The only thing you should be careful about is the part of the country that is crossed by Bosnian territory, where you may have problems with the documentation.
The easiest option is to bring your home country’s currency with you. If not, you can change money at any exchange office in the city. At the airport it is not recommended to change money as it is more expensive.
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