Things to See in Zagreb: Points of Interest and Must-See Attractions

Croatia is a vacation destination particularly chosen during the summer months. Its capital, Zagreb, however, offers plenty of options throughout the rest of the year.

This city has not yet been truly reached by mass tourism, which allows visitors to explore it calmly and appreciate all its nuances properly.

Here are some must-see attractions when visiting Zagreb.

Get lost in the Upper Town of Zagreb, a maze of cobbled streets and historic buildings.

This area of the city hosts some of the most interesting attractions in Zagreb, along with a variety of restaurants, bars, and cafes.

The twin spires of the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary rise 108 meters high. It was damaged at various points in 1093 by an attack and in 1880 by an earthquake, and its current appearance is the result of several renovations made to the structure.

Inside the cathedral, artifacts dating from the 11th to the 19th centuries are housed. The interior has also been restored by the renowned architect Hermann Bollé.

The cathedral can accommodate approximately 5,000 people simultaneously. Currently, it is closed for restoration work following the earthquake that severely damaged the structure in 2020.

In the center of Upper Town, directly opposite the Cathedral, is Kaptol Square. Square in shape, it is particularly evocative as it tells the medieval soul of the city.

All the buildings that tower above it, including the palaces housing private residences, date back to the Middle Ages.

At the center of the square is the fountain known as the column of Mary, adorned with four golden figures of angels.

Naive art is the art of the naïve, primitive artists. Zagreb is home to a museum dedicated to this artistic segment-particularly popular in the 20th century-and it especially showcases works by Croatian painters and sculptors who identified with this specific cultural movement.

The Croatian Naive Art Museum is considered the most important in the world of its kind and features approximately 1,875 works including paintings, sculptures, sketches, prints, and characteristic objects.

The building that houses it is the Raffay Palace, located in the upper part of the city and dating back to the 18th century.

In stark contrast to the previous one, the Museum of Arts and Crafts collects as many as 160,000 artifacts.

These are primarily objects that tell the evolution of trades (and more) throughout history: from the Middle Ages to the present.

The collection encompasses various artifacts, divided into 8 museum halls and representing 19 different collections, including furniture, metalwork, painting, sculpture, clocks, photography and photographic equipment, musical instruments, graphic design, ivory, printing and bookbinding, printed items, leather, devotional objects, smoking accessories, and toys.

Founded in 1880, the museum also includes a library with over 65,000 volumes, all related to the field of trades and arts.

For nature lovers, a mandatory stop in Zagreb is the botanical garden. Established in 1890, it hosts 10,000 different types of plantings.

In addition to the section specifically dedicated to Croatian flora-which is divided into three areas known as rock gardens-there is also a wing for very rare tropical plants. Finally, ten acres are dedicated to the typical terraced layout of an English garden. The botanical garden is maintained and protected by the University of Zagreb and is located in the central part of the city.

Visit St. Mark's Square to admire the beautiful Church of St. Mark, one of the symbols of the city. The roof of the Church of St. Mark is famous for its colorful tiles that create two coats of arms: that of the Kingdom of Croatia, Slavonia, and Dalmatia, and that of the city of Zagreb.

The square also faces the Croatian Parliament building, the Government Palace, and the Constitutional Court.

The Zagreb Funicular is a distinctive and charming element of the city. It not only connects Upper Town with Lower Town but also serves as a tourist attraction that offers breathtaking views of the city.

Inaugurated in 1890, the Zagreb Funicular is one of the oldest of its kind in Europe. The route, only 66 meters long, is the shortest public funicular in the world, taking just 64 seconds.

Dolac Market is an essential landmark in the daily life of Zagreb and a must-visit for anyone exploring the city.

The colorful market, located between Upper Town and Lower Town, has existed for over ninety years and was established in the 1930s. Walking among the stalls, you'll find flowers, fruit, cheese, and cured meats.

The Stone Gate is the only remaining entrance of the ancient fortifications of Zagreb. Built in the 13th century, it was one of the four main access points to the city.

In addition to its historical importance, the Stone Gate serves as an important place of prayer. Inside the gate is a sanctuary dedicated to the Mother of God, featuring a painting that miraculously survived a fire in the 17th century.

Lotrščak Tower, dating back to 1266, is one of the oldest buildings in the city and one of the few remnants of the medieval walls and fortifications.

Famous for housing the Grič cannon, which fires a shot daily at noon, it has become a local symbol; the residents of Zagreb set their watches by this cannon fire. The tower offers spectacular views of the city.

One of the strangest museums in the world is located in Zagreb, the Museum of Broken Relationships dedicated to ended love stories.

Conceived by Olinka Vištica and Dražen Grubišić, the Museum of Broken Relationships is a journey through personal stories. Each exhibited object, left behind by previous owners, tells a story of a completed relationship, capturing the moments of joy, pain, hope, and despair that accompany the end of a bond.