City in Zagreb region
Zagreb
- Best time to go
- Apr, May, June, Sept, Dec
- Part of
- Zagreb region
Zagreb is a relaxed central European capital of parks, trams and long café afternoons.
The medieval Upper Town sits on a hill above the busy Lower Town, whose grand 19th-century squares and gardens were laid out in a horseshoe of green spaces. Most visitors pass through on the way to the coast, but the city deserves two or three days of its own. In December its Advent market fills the streets and squares.
Things to do
Don't miss in Zagreb
- Ride the short funicular from Ilica up to the Upper Town, then walk past St Mark's Church and the Stone Gate.
- Listen for the noon cannon fired from the Lotrščak Tower, and enjoy the view over the rooftops from the promenade beside it.
- Shop for fruit, cheese and flowers at Dolac, the open-air market just above Ban Jelačić Square.
- Visit the Museum of Broken Relationships, which displays objects and stories donated by people from around the world.
- Walk through Mirogoj, the city's main cemetery, known for its long arcades and green domes.
- Spend an afternoon in Maksimir Park, an old landscaped park with lakes, woods and the city zoo.
- Join the Advent market in December, when Zrinjevac park, the Upper Town and many squares fill with stalls, music and mulled wine.
Where to stay
Pick your neighbourhood
Lower Town (Donji grad)
first-time visitors who want to walk everywhere, with the squares, parks, museums and trams on the doorstep
Upper Town (Gornji grad)
couples who like quiet cobbled lanes and old houses, a short walk or funicular ride above the main square
Kaptol and Tkalčićeva
people who want cafés and bars outside the door and the Dolac market a few steps away; can be loud at night
Maksimir
families and runners who want a big park and the zoo nearby, with a direct tram into the centre
Near the main train station
travellers on an early train or airport bus who still want to walk to the Lower Town
Tours and getting around
Day trips from Zagreb
Walking and food tours cover the Upper and Lower Towns, and some focus on Zagreb's markets and coffee culture. Popular day trips go to Plitvice Lakes National Park, about two hours south, to the castles and spas of Zagorje such as Trakošćan, to Samobor for a kremšnita, and across the border to Ljubljana and Lake Bled in Slovenia.
You won't need a car in Zagreb: the centre is walkable and trams cover most of the city. Rent one for Plitvice, Zagorje or the wine roads. Bikes are handy in the flat Lower Town and along the Sava embankment, and there is a public bike-share scheme.
Getting there
How to get to Zagreb
Zagreb Airport (ZAG) is about 15 km south-east of the centre; a shuttle bus runs to the main bus station, and taxis and ride-hailing apps are easy to find. The main train station is at the southern end of the Lower Town, a short tram ride or walk from Ban Jelačić Square, and the main bus station is a little further east. By car, the A1 motorway reaches Split in about four hours, the A6 reaches Rijeka in about two hours, and Ljubljana is about two hours away. Parking in the centre is paid by zone and limited, so use a garage.