Vibrancy With a Dash of Lunacy – Zagreb and its Weird Museums!
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City of Zagreb
An Old City with a Young Soul
As the capital of Croatia, Zagreb has many historical sights, museums, and beautiful green oases that would delight any visitor. It is one of the oldest Central European cities and a perfect combination of rich heritage, lively rhythm of street life, and a multitude of attractions that will awaken all your senses.
With its extensive public transport network, hop on – hop off, cycling, and segway tours, Zagreb is a city offering a variety of opportunities for exploration.
Where to go?
A city tailored to the needs of man
In the centre of the city, you won’t be able to miss Ban Josip Jelačić Square, which can serve as your starting point for discovering all of Zagreb’s treasures. At the Manduševac fountain, you will learn all about the legend that gave the Croatian capital its name and the most recognizable symbols of Zagreb are just a short walk away.
The Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is the largest sacred building in Croatia, with elegant spires adorning the landscape of Zagreb. In the same neighbourhood, you will find the Dolac market, a beautiful living monument to local foods that will amaze you with its charm and authenticity. After becoming familiar with the best flavours and smells of Zagreb, head towards the Upper Town, where history is carved into every stone. The Stone Gate is the only preserved city gate that was part of the former defence system, and through it, you will be able to enter the historical Gradec.
Medvednica
The quick pace of the metropolis and relaxing in nature, in the very same day! This perfect combination is enjoyed by many citizens of Zagreb who spend their free time on the slopes of Medvednica Nature Park and its highest peak Sljeme (1033 metres). Apart from the city of Zagreb, this unique mountain oasis is also shared between Zagreb County and Krapina-Zagorje County. In this area that extends over 17,938 hectares of land, heritage of natural value and heritage of cultural and historical value alternate and complement each other. Its largest portion, more than 81 percent of the mountain, is covered with forests. Medvednica was declared a nature park in 1981.
Stroll the streets of the metropolis and walk through history
There, an amazing labyrinth of narrow streets will reveal a number of surprises.
The most important sight in St. Mark’s Square is the church that shares its name and features a unique roof. The most important Croatian state institutions – the Croatian Parliament, the Government of the Republic of Croatia, and the Constitutional Court – are located right next to it. The Upper Town has many legends to tell, and you can learn more about them thanks to the Gornjogradska coprnica project. If you wish to explore the city’s rich history, the best way to do so is by visiting the Croatian History Museum and the Zagreb City Museum.
Best of upcoming Events
Advent in Zagreb
11/28/2026 to 1/7/2027
The sound of bells, the scent of mulled wine, lights dancing to the rhythm of winter — it all comes together to create the magic of the city.
INmusic Festival
6/27/2027 to 6/29/2027
The 19th edition of INmusic festival, the biggest Croatian open-air event, will take place from the 27th to the 29th of June 2027 on the beautiful Island of Youth at Zagreb's Lake Jarun.
Only a few-minute walk separates you from the great Museum of Broken Relationships, which is sure to give you a new outlook on relationships.
Don't be startled when you hear the Grič cannon fire from the Lotrščak Tower – this is the traditional Zagreb way of striking noon. If you climb to the top of the tower, you will be rewarded by a million-dollar view of the city panorama. You can take a break on the Strossmayer Promenade in the shade of this century-old tower. There, you can feel the heart of the city beat in the company of the statue of the Croatian poet and writer Antun Gustav Matoš. In summer, you can also enjoy the popular Summer on Stross Festival, which turns this area into a dance stage.
Descend into the hustle and bustle of the city from the intimate space of the Upper Town in style.
Riding the cable car, which is said to be the shortest one in the world, is a really unique experience. The Lower Town will also amaze you with its wide streets and lavish parks where you can enjoy relaxing afternoons. The Lenuci horseshoe is one of the most beautiful cultural and historical monuments of the 19th century, an urban setting giving Zagreb a modern look with a wonderful combination of elegant buildings and green areas. Make sure to explore it on foot! This is where the neobaroque beauty called the Croatian National Theatre greets the sun. In Zrinjevac, an avenue of plane trees provides a wonderful contrast to the magnificent buildings of the Archeological Museum and the HAZU Palace.
The rich layers of Zagreb are best discovered slowly through its fantastic museums
Immerse yourself in the magical world of one of the world’s greatest inventors in the Nikola Tesla Technical Museum, explore the masterpieces of world authors in the unique Mimara Museum, change your perception in the Museum of Illusions, and push the boundaries in the Museum of Contemporary Art.
When you get tired of art, choose one of the many city centre terraces and relax just like the locals. On the Flower Square, the coffee culture takes the form of art, and the ritual of showing off your fashionable outfits on Saturday mornings is a tradition that should not be missed. In doing so, you will be accompanied by the brightest star in the universe. Thanks to the renowned Croatian sculptor Ivan Kožarić and his Grounded Sun installation in Bogović Street, it’s almost as if the Croatian capital is constantly illuminated by the rays of the sun. The sun can also be the starting point of your tour, as thanks to the artist Davor Preis and his Nine Views work, nine more planets were also raised throughout the city.
As Zagreb is one of the greenest European cities, its centre boasts numerous natural oases and a luxurious Botanical Garden, counting over 5,000 species of plants, which has been open since the end of the 19th century.
You can also enjoy various outdoor activities, such as the city zoo located in the beautiful Maksimir Park, and a bird safari on Savica Lakes, or you can enjoy some sports on Bundek and Jarun Lakes.
Nature lovers will have a hard time making a decision between all these choices. In the cosmos of the Medvednica Nature Park, you can fill your lungs with the freshest air and find out everything about the impressive Medvedgrad or get down into the underground realm of the Veternica Cave.
And finally, a recommendation for an unusual outdoor activity practised by many Zagreb residents – visit Hrelić, a large open-air market, where you can buy or sell everything but the kitchen sink. Only then will you understand the true meaning of the Croatian saying “from needles to locomotives”. In any case, you are guaranteed to have fun.
What to eat?
The Austro-Hungarian heritage is felt in every bite of the food in Zagreb, such as Grenadir Marša tasty pasta with onions and cheese, Kajzeršmarn, an original dessert with caramelized pancakes, pasta with cabbage (krpice sa zeljem) or turkey with pasta slivers. You should not miss the cheese puff pastries, the fresh cream and cheese, the doughnuts and honey and pepper biscuits… Simply delightful! And, of course, while in Zagreb you can always try the very best of the famous Croatian wines. Zagreb is principally the crossroads of all Croatian regional cuisines and is often the choice of the best of all of them. This is visible at Zagreb’s 13 large and 10 smaller marketplaces and above all the central one, which is called Dolac.
