This ultimate travel guide for Zagreb, Croatia highlights the city’s rich history, vibrant culture, and must-see attractions to make your trip unforgettable.

As the first destination on our Croatia vacation in April 2024, we intended for Zagreb to be a quick unimpressive two day stop where we got rid of our jetlag and instead Zagreb stole our hearts and made us fall in love with the country of Croatia right off the bat ;).

Unlike the coastal charm and beach towns of the rest of Croatia, Zagreb offers a vibrant urban experience with its rich history, bustling markets, and eclectic blend of Austro-Hungarian architecture and modern attractions.

In a rush?

The Little Details

How to Get to Zagreb

Getting to Zagreb from the USA is straightforward, with several airlines offering flights connecting major U.S. cities to Franjo Tuđman Airport in Zagreb.

Most itineraries involve a layover in European hubs such as London, Frankfurt, or Amsterdam, making the journey both flexible and convenient.

We flew our favorite British Airways nonstop flight from San Diego to London and then took an easy 2.5 hour flight on Croatia Airlines to Zagreb.

I purchased both of these routes separately because I wanted to have a little bit of extra space on the Croatia Airlines flight in what they call “business class” – just an FYI all that is is the middle seat does not have someone seated in it. The seat map is still 3 seats on each side of the aisle with the leg space for every row being the same on the entire airplane (VERY LITTLE!).

This is the same situation for every British Airways European leg we have taken to other countries as well. So unless you purchase your ticket in Business Class to begin with – you will be cramped with the 3/3 seating arrangement for your second flight…

Thus I separated the tickets when I purchased them so that we could fly Premium Economy on our San Diego to London flight and this pretend business class from London to Zagreb ;).

Upon arrival, the airport is just a short drive from Zagreb’s city center, easily accessible by taxi, shuttle, or public transportation.

We have been using the app Blacklane for about two years now for almost all of our airport transportation and love the convenience of scheduling our rides ahead as well as the comfort of the premium cars that app uses.

We rented a car for our travels from Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes National Park and then on to Split, but since we spent the first 3 nights of our Croatia trip in Zagreb and knew we would not need a car in the city, we waited until we needed the car rental to go back to the airport and get our car on day 5 of our trip (see itinerary at the bottom of this post).

How to Get Around Zagreb

Zagreb is an extremely friendly walking city – no car is needed to see all the sights in this capital city.

Best Time of Year to Visit Zagreb

The best time to visit Zagreb is during the spring (April to June) and fall (September to October), when the weather is mild.

Having arrived into Zagreb on April 17th, we were quite pleased with the lack of lines at customs and baggage claim :).

The seasons of spring and fall offer a perfect balance of pleasant temperatures and fewer crowds, allowing for a more relaxed and enjoyable exploration of the city’s charming streets and attractions.

How Many Days You Need in Zagreb

With day one of our 15 day trip to Croatia being the evening we left San Diego (most US to Europe flights are evening flights), we arrived into Zagreb around 8pm on day two (see day to day itinerary below) and therefore used day 3 as our get rid of jet lag (ie sleep) day with some sightseeing in the early afternoon.

Day 4/15 was spent as a full day of enjoying the city.

We both felt these 2 days were enough time to get to know the city well and adjust to the 9 hour time difference from San Diego without feeling rushed or that we missed seeing anything.

Money and Plug Details in Croatia

Croatia uses the Euro (€) as its official currency. We predominantly used Apple Pay from our Iphones or credit cards but occasionally wanted to pay with cash.

In this case, we had leftover Euros from our December trip to Germany (read that travel guide here).

However if you don’t have any leftover Euros lying around (because well really – who does?!), I would suggest using a BANK ATM in Croatia to get maybe between 100 to 200 Euros for your entire trip for instances when you will want to pay with cash instead of credit card.

In Croatia, including Zagreb, you’ll need Type C and F plugs for your electronics, with a standard voltage of 230V and a frequency of 50Hz.

I bring this extension cord with me everywhere I travel and these adapters when traveling to Europe.

Best Places to Stay in Zagreb

Hotel Le Premier

While Hotel Le Premier is located within walking distance of all major sights in Zagreb, it is at a rather busy roundabout in the city.

We stayed here for 3 nights in mid April before they allow patrons to use air conditioners in the rooms. And since I need a very cool room in order to get a good night’s sleep, we decided to keep our windows open thus hearing the busy street noise very early every morning…

Other than this situation, we enjoyed our large, clean room as well as the lovely and delicious restaurant at the hotel.

Esplanade Zagreb Hotel

If you are willing to splurge a bit, Esplanade Zagreb Hotel offers a luxurious stay with a perfect blend of historic grandeur and modern comfort ideally located in the heart of Croatia’s vibrant capital.

Amadria Park Hotel Capital

Another perfectly located hotel in the heart of Zagreb and not on a busy city roundabout, the 4 star Amadria Park Hotel Capital would be a luxurious place to rest your head when not exploring this incredible Croatian capital city.

Photos courtesy of Amadria Park Hotel Capital website

Best Places to Eat in Zagreb

Having only two evening meals in Zagreb with one of them being at our hotel, the only restaurant suggestion we found for the area is below – but trust me – this is a GREAT choice!!

Konoba Didov san

With two locations in Zagreb (we ate at the Upper Town location near St Mark’s Church), Konoba Didov san was recommended to us by a local police man at St Mark’s Square and boy did this place not disappoint!!

Being our first introduction to Dalmation cuisine, we were excited for our eating options for the weeks ahead in hopes it would compare to this choice ;).

Top Things to Do in Zagreb

Zagreb Funicular

Take a short ride on the Zagreb Funicular, one of the world’s shortest public-transport funiculars, connecting the Upper and Lower Towns.

It is the oldest means of public transportation in Zagreb. It links the Donji grad and Gornji grad parts of Zagreb every day and on holidays from 6.30 AM to 10 PM. The rides are every 10 minutes, and a one-way ticket costs 0,66€ payable at the ticket booth with cash or card.

St Mark’s Church and Square

St. Mark’s Church in Upper Town Zagreb is a striking medieval church, known for its colorful tiled roof featuring the coats of arms of Croatia, Dalmatia, and Slavonia, making it a must-see landmark in the city.

Due to a terrorist attack in October 2020, the church and the government square it is located in are indefinitely closed. The only way to enter St Mark’s Church is to attend a Sunday mass ceremony (which we did not do).

The above mentioned restaurant is located on a side street behind St Mark’s Church and is a fun area to get lost in and enjoy the architecture of Zagreb.

Stone Gate Chapel

Joining Upper Town to Lower Town in Zagreb, The Stone Gate is a historic archway that dates back to the 13th century, serving as a revered pilgrimage site with a chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

Visitors can light candles and admire the beautiful murals while experiencing a tranquil moment in the heart of the city.

Streets and Architecture of Zagreb

Exploring the streets of Zagreb will show you a blend of historic and modern architecture, where charming cobblestone lanes lead you past grand Austro-Hungarian buildings and vibrant street art.

There are so many photography opportunities available if you just wander the streets and “get lost”.

Zagreb Cathedral and City Viewpoint

The city viewpoint is actually not near the Zagreb Cathedral however the March 2020 earthquake did such massive destruction of the church that as of April 2024, you still could not enter or even get anywhere near the cathedral.

See the map above for the panoramic viewpoint behind Church of St Catherine that includes stunning views of the cathedral and the red rooftops of the Lower Town (use the walkway to the right of the church or along the road with the Funicular station).

Museum of Broken Relationships

The Museum of Broken Relationships in Upper Town Zagreb offers a poignant and unique exploration of love and loss, showcasing personal artifacts from failed relationships along with the heartfelt stories behind them.

This thought-provoking museum invites visitors to reflect on the universal experience of heartbreak in a deeply personal way.

This museum far exceeded our expectations! We thought we were going to see exhibits of dramatic breakups and what we found was so much more: stories of breast cancer survival, death of a loved one, moving on from a first apartment.

It truly is worth an hour of your time in Zagreb to put everything in perspective and appreciate your own blessings or similar stories… and honestly was one of our favorite sights in the capital city (right up there with the closeby Stone Gate Chapel ;)).

Admission in April 2024 was right around $6 per person and was payable with a credit card at the door.

Zagreb City Museum

Visiting the City Museum of Zagreb offers a fascinating journey through the city’s history, with exhibits showcasing its rich cultural heritage from ancient times to the present.

Located in a former convent also in Upper Town, the museum provides an insightful and engaging experience perfect for history enthusiasts.

With only a 5€ entrance fee, this is a great place to see Croatian artifacts – however be aware none of the exhibits have signs in English so if you want to know what something is – you will have to use the Google Translate app or something similar.

We spent a little less than an hour at this museum after visiting the Broken Relationships Museum above.

Behind the museum is a peaceful and scenic path that will take you back down to Lower town and is a not to be missed walk to see more of the surrounding area.

Gric Tunnel

Visiting Grič Tunnel offers a journey through history, as this World War II-era bomb shelter turned tunnel provides a unique pedestrian passage beneath the city.

Locals use this cool in temperature shortcut to save time going around Upper Town (which is built on a hill).

The tunnel is most commonly accessed from Mesnička Street 19 and Radićeva Street 19 but does have 3 other entrances in the art park and Ilica. These free entrances are marked with the Zagreb coat of arms above them.

We used the Mesnička Street 19 entrance and exited at Radićeva Street 19. See the map above for where this entrance is discreetly located ;).

Dolac Market

Zagreb’s main open air market offers colorful stalls brimming with fresh produce, regional cheeses, and artisanal goods.

This bustling market, located just a short walk from the main square, is the perfect spot to experience the flavors and culture of Croatia firsthand and is open daily from 7am to 1pm.

Tkalčićeva Street

Visiting Tkalčićeva Street is a vibrant atmosphere where charming cafes, lively bars, and eclectic shops create a perfect place for leisurely strolls and people-watching.

This bustling pedestrian street captures the essence of the city’s social life.

At the beginning of Tkalčićeva street, you can see the old sundial that always shows the right time and the statue of Mary Juric Zagorka, a famous Zagreb journalist.

It is one of the top Zagreb spots for everyday meetups, daily gossip and drinking coffee.

King Tomislav Square

King Tomislav Square is a vibrant green space named after Croatia’s first king, surrounded by impressive neoclassical architecture and bustling with locals and visitors alike.

Serving as a gateway to the city’s cultural heart, the square is flanked on one side by the Central Station and on the other by the Art Pavilion and offers a scenic place to unwind.

Ban Jelačić Square 

Ban Jelačić Square is the bustling heart of Zagreb, where shops, cafes, and historic architecture converge around the statue of Croatia’s national hero, Josip Jelačić.

This lively square serves as the perfect starting point for exploring the city, offering a dynamic blend of modern life and rich history.

What to Wear in Zagreb in Spring

Zagreb enjoys mild spring weather with average temperatures ranging from 48°F to 63°F, making it perfect for outdoor exploration.

It’s best to wear layers, including a light jacket or sweater, and comfortable walking shoes to adapt to the variable spring climate.

These wide legged pants have been a favorite of mine for the last year or two :).

I wore a black pair on our Germany Christmas Market trip and also have it in the linen fabric for summer travels ;).

Our April 2024 Croatia Itinerary Day to Day Overview

DAY 1 | Fly from San Diego to Zagreb via London on British Airways

DAY 2 | Arrive in Zagreb 8pm

DAY 3 | Zagreb: wander streets, take Funicular to top, explore Saint Mark’s Square, lunch at Konoba Didov San, Museum of Broken Relationships, Stone Gate

DAY 4 | Zagreb: explore August Cesarec neighborhood, Tunel Gric, Gornjogradska Gimnazija viewpoint, Zagreb City Museum, dinner at Le Premier Boutique Hotel

DAY 5 | Get rental car and drive 2 hours to Plitvice Lakes National Park

DAY 6 | Plitvice Lakes National Park

DAY 7 | Drive 3 hours to Split (return car at airport), dinner at Portas Pizzeria

DAY 8 | Split: Diocletian’s Palace, Stari Pazar market, Split port, Marjan park and viewpoint, Varos neighborhood, dinner at Konoba Dujkin Dvor, sunset at People’s Square

DAY 9 | Split: Cathedral of St Domnius and belltower, Ethnographic Museum, Game of Thrones Museum, shop on Diocletian’s Street, Temple of Jupiter, Treasury, dinner at Chops Grill

DAY 10 | Day trip from Split to Hvar Island: Stari Grad and Hvar Town

DAY 11 | Used Daytrip company to drive us from Split to Dubrovnik with stops at Rizman Winery and Ston

DAY 12 | Dubrovnik: 7am Flytographer photo shoot, Fort Lovrijenac, shop on Placa and Ulica od Puca (Street of the Wells), Old Town and Wall, Franciscan Monastery, Dubrovnik Cable Car to Fort Imperial viewpoint, St Blaise’s Church, dinner at Bura Bistro

DAY 13 | Dubrovnik: day at the beach, Buza Bar, Jesuit Stairs, Dubrovnik Cathedral, snack at Holy Burek, dinner at Taj Mahal,

DAY 14 | Flight from Dubrovnik to London Gatwick (2.5 hour flight)

DAY 15 | Fly to San Diego from London on British Airways

I hope you found this ultimate travel guide to Zagreb Croatia helpful in planning your own adventures in this unassuming and uniquely incredible capital city.

We found Zagreb to be an ideally sized place to start our Croatia vacation as it does not overwhelm with too many sights and allows time to get rid of jet lag before heading to the next stop in this incredible country (which for us was Plitvice Lakes National Park as mentioned above ;).

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I want to make some memories.

~Mamma Mia

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