Zagreb can be a very rewarding stop for travelers looking for a unique, historical city in Central Europe, despite its inland location in a country otherwise known for its sensational beaches and coastlines.
However, you’ll be hard-pressed to find flocks of tourists in Zagreb. But that isn’t because there aren’t things to do. It merely gets overlooked in favor of its Croatian counterparts, who are fortunate enough to have the Adriatic at their doorstep.
With that said, let’s break down the best things to do in Zagreb for a 2-day visit.
Is Zagreb Worth Visiting?
If your only intent when visiting Croatia is to see the scenic coastal landscapes and best islands, then Zagreb might not be worth your time.
Otherwise, Zagreb is a city definitely worth visiting. And even if you’re planning a trip to Croatia with the aim of lounging on the beach or on the water, I strongly suggest considering blocking off two days on the front-end or back-end to go to Zagreb.
Not only is it a nice city break, but it has a much different vibe than coastal Croatia, making for an intriguing contrast. It’s four times larger than any other city in the country, so if you want a glimpse into the average Croatian lifestyle, it’s worth a visit. It’s also really easy to get to from Budapest if you’re considering doing a Central European tour like I did.
Top Things to Do in Zagreb
There are very few activities I’d consider “touristy” in Zagreb. The city isn’t catered to tourism as much as Dubrovnik, Split, and essentially anywhere in Istria or Dalmatia. But that doesn’t mean that Zagreb isn’t a nice place to visit. You’re just going to see a lot of locals in the few areas that are considered relative tourist attractions. For me, that’s a positive!
With two days in Zagreb, you can do all of the following:
- Head to the Dolac Market, an open-air farmers market in the main square.
- Relax in and around Ban Jelacic Square.
- Have a drink and people watch on Tkalciceva Street.
- Explore the famous Upper Town (Gornji Grad).
- Shop on Ilica Street.
- Hike up Sljeme Peak.
- Visit the Museum of Broken Relationships.
- Visit the Hangover Museum.
- Ride the tram around Lower Town.
- Ride the world’s shortest funicular, connecting Lower Town to Upper Town.
- Walk under Zagreb in Gric Tunnel.
Day 1 in Zagreb
Zagreb is so compact that you can see most of the top sights in one day, so with a 2-day trip to Zagreb, you don’t need to worry about being in a rush.
With that said, here’s what you can do on your first day in Zagreb.
Walk to Ban Jelacic Square
Ban Jelacic Square is the centerpiece of Zagreb. It’s where all of the most notable streets intersect and is home to a beautiful equestrian statue that looks extra magical at night.
The square itself doesn’t have as many restaurants and bars as your typical big city European square, but you’re going to find yourself around here a good bit given its location.
Grab Drinks and People Watch on Tkalčićeva Street
Tkalčićeva Street, extending off the main square, is the most charming street in Zagreb. It’s lined with bars, restaurants, cafes, and boutique shops, and is the best place to relax, sip on an Aperol Spritz and people-watch. The structures were mostly built in the 17th and 18th centuries, instilling a really historical feel that you can’t find in most other areas of Zagreb.
Continuing up the street will take you into the elevated, quieter Upper Town.
Wander Upper Town (Gornji Grad)
What’s great about Upper Town is that even though it’s the most beautiful neighborhood in Zagreb, you can easily navigate to a quiet, residential side street without a person in sight.
The majority of the most alluring landmarks are located here, and thanks to its compactness, you can visit all of them in just an hour or two. Nowadays, the Medieval architecture, cobblestone streets, and baroque churches remaining in Zagreb are essentially isolated to Upper Town, so it’s undoubtedly the most appealing and unique neighborhood of the city.
Visit St. Mark’s Church and the Stone Gate
The two most famous landmarks in Upper Town are St. Mark’s Church and the Stone Gate.
Constructed in the 13th century, St. Mark’s Church is a breathtaking Romanesque structure with a colorful roof that includes tiles displaying the Zagreb coat of arms and Croatian flag.
The Stone Gate, also built in the 13th century, is an inviting shrine with a gilded display of Mary holding baby Jesus. Inside are prayer circles carved into the marble, pews, and candles lit for prayer. You might even see a nun inside. The gate, which is more like a tiny tunnel, is by no means secluded. You might just stumble upon it when walking around the neighborhood, which is particularly unique.
Walk Through Grič Tunnel
Grič Tunnel is a former underground bomb shelter turned pedestrian walkway. Though a relatively straightforward 350-meter tunnel most of the year, it’s a must-visit come Advent season, as it’s decorated in its entirety with a colorful light installation.
Ride the Funicular Back Down to Lower Town (Donji Grad)
Once you feel like you’ve seen all you need to see, walk back to the top of the funicular on Tomic Street. At 66 meters long, it’s the shortest public-transport funicular in the world, and remains the oldest form of public transportation still operating in Zagreb.
Given its length, the ride is unspectacular to say the least, but at least you can say you rode the shortest funicular in the world!
Have Dinner at Boban
By this point, you’ll be back in Lower Town on Ilica Street, the most bustling and walkable street in Zagreb. On and around Ilica Street offer arguably the best shopping and dining options in all of Croatia, so you’ll have no shortage of places to eat.
Boban, in the heart of the pedestrian walkway and the center of Zagreb, is a fantastic Italian restaurant just a few minutes’ walk from Ilica Street. If you’re craving something other than Italian, rest assured that there are a plethora of good options around here as well.
Have an Evening Nightcap at Swanky Monkey Garden
The Swanky Monkey Garden defines “hidden gem,” as it’s tucked in an alleyway off Ilica Street. Without Google, you’d have no idea this place existed. But once you walk upstairs, you’ll be captivated by the setting. There are a couple of bars (both indoor and outdoor) perched on a rooftop, all surrounding a pool! Each space offers a slightly different vibe from the next, so whether you’re looking for a quiet nightcap or a lively way to end your evening, this can be your solution.
Day 2 in Zagreb
With one full day in Zagreb, you can see almost all of the must-see spots in Lower Town and Upper Town on foot. So on Day 2, you can hone in on just a few, perhaps more time-consuming activities below.
Go to the Dolac Market
Dolac Market, a daily, open-air farmers’ market, is as authentic as it gets. Located just behind Ban Jelacic Square, the red umbrellas set up for the dozens of vendors make for an eye-catching setting.
Be sure to go below ground—it’s not obvious that there’s an indoor portion of the market in the warehouse beneath the surface—where all of the fresh fish and meat are on display.
Locals frequent the market, particularly the underground portion, making for a very traditional experience.
Visit Zagreb’s Quirky Museums
Zagreb prides itself on its unusual museums. You have your run-of-the-mill art and history museums, but there are a handful of standalone, creative museums that are well-worth exploring.
A few of the best include:
- Museum of Hangovers
- Museum of Broken Relationships
- Museum of Illusions (the original of the 18-museum franchise)
- Croatian Museum of Naive Art
- Zagreb 80’s Museum
If you’re traveling with kids, you can’t go wrong with the Museum of Illusions, which is very interactive. For young adults, unsurprisingly, the Museum of Hangovers might be most worth your time. It also has some funny interactive elements.
I can vouch for all of these museums. Sure, they might not be as famous (or important) as The Louvre or Anne Frank House, but they can be equally memorable because of their peculiarity!
Hike Sljeme Peak
Not many visitors venture outside of the Zagreb city center. But if you like hiking, you absolutely must take the bus or short Uber to the base of Medvednica Mountain and hike up Sljeme Peak.
The 2,500-foot hike, starting from the Gracani neighborhood, takes about 2.5 hours to pinnacle, give or take 30 minutes depending on your fitness level. On the way, you’ll be provided with some nice views of the hillside and city below, but the real reward is at the top where breathtaking views of the Croatian and Slovenian countryside await. There are a couple of bars and restaurants up there as well, so don’t worry about bringing food and drinks (aside from water).
The best part? If you don’t want to hike, or can’t, you can ride the gondola up or down! I recommend hiking up if possible and rewarding yourself by taking the gondola down. It’s a 15–20-minute journey.
This is a legitimate mountain hike, but it’s so close to the city (about 15 minutes from the city center), which makes for a fantastic little outdoorsy getaway.
Explore One of Zagreb’s Non-Central Neighborhoods
If you still have time (and energy), I recommend seeing a different side of Zagreb to cap off the day. While the city center is most visually appealing, it doesn’t necessarily represent most of the city.
Tresnjevka is a nice area on the west side of the city with plenty of bars, restaurants, and local shops worth exploring. Regardless, it’s easy to escape the crowd in Zagreb, and the city is extremely safe overall. So, if you want to do some real off-the-beaten path exploring, there’s nothing stopping you from doing so with ease!
In-Summary: Best Things to Do in Zagreb in 2 Days
Too many people fly into Zagreb and immediately dart off to the coast, using it only as a launch point. But in my experience, Zagreb is one of the best cities in Europe for a 2-day trip. It’s small enough that you can see what you need to see in 48 hours, but big enough to consistently keep you occupied. Zagreb is definitely worth visiting for a weekend especially.
Plus, Croats are really outgoing and inviting people. And especially if you learn a few Croatian words and phrases, you’ll probably be invited to join their party!
