What to see in Zagreb in one day

When we organized our trip to Croatia, we had no choice but to start and finish in Zagreb. It is true that most people tend to prioritize the coast, but we only had a direct flight to the Croatian capital and besides, we were curious, especially for that more Central European than Mediterranean air that they say it has.

In this article we will tell you what to see in Zagreb in one day The route is designed so as not to miss the essentials and some recommendations for excursions in the surrounding area, in case you have an extra day.

• 12-day route through Croatia
• 11 things you should know before going to Croatia

Zagreb in one day, is it possible?

If, like us, you are on a tight schedule, we say that yes, at one day you can see the most important things quite well, although you will always want to see more. We took advantage of our last day to get to know it. We left the rental car on the outskirts, took a cab to the center and set out to discover all that Zagreb has to offer in one day.

In addition to walking around the city, we always recommend that you sign up for some free tour by Zagreb or even make a more complete guided tour if you would like to learn more about the history and details of each corner.

Getting to Zagreb and getting around the city

Zagreb is quite well connected, whether you come by car, plane or train. In our case, we were finishing a 12-day Croatia tour and we returned the car as the center is very easy to see on foot.

If you decide to arrive in car we recommend you to look for accommodation with parking or leave it in one of the park-and-ride lots and move around by public transport or walking. The center is quite comfortable to walk around and the most central streets are pedestrian or have limited access. You also have the option of Uber which works very well and is quite economical.

For those of you arriving in aircraft there is a bus which connects the airport with the center in about 30 minutes, but you can also ask for an Uber, as we did to return, and avoid carrying suitcases back and forth.

Getting around Zagreb is easy: the streetcar is cheap and connects almost the entire city, although for this one-day trip, we assure you that the best way is to kick it. And if you feel like something different, there are bike tours like this one. bike tour by Zagreb that look good enough to see more in less time.

What to see in Zagreb in one day

If you organize your day well and get up early, you can visit the most important places in Zagreb easily. We leave you the places that we liked the most and that we believe that you can not miss on a first visit.

1. Ban Jelačić Square

It is the heart of the city and a good starting point. There is always movement, streetcars, people coming and going... The square is wide and is surrounded by buildings from different periods Some of them are quite curious if you look at the details. From here several pedestrian streets will take you to the main attractions.

Dolac Market

Just up a flight of stairs from Ban Jelačić Square you will reach the Dolac Market Zagreb's most famous open-air market. We loved the colorful jobs A perfect place to see a bit of local life. If you are hungry, downstairs there is a closed area with fresh and local products.

3. Zagreb Cathedral

The Cathedral of the Assumption is visible from almost any point in the center thanks to its sharp towers. Although it has undergone several restorations due to earthquakes and wars, it is still impressive. Be sure to take a moment to see its interior, which is quite sober compared to other European cathedrals.

4. Stone Gate

Climbing up to the upper town, you will find the Stone Gate, the only remnant of the ancient walls of Zagreb. Inside there is a small chapel dedicated to the Virgin that always has candles lit. We were struck by how quiet this place is in contrast to the surrounding streets.

5. San Marcos Church

Probably the best known postcard of Zagreb. The church stands out for its colored tile roof that forms the shields of Croatia, Dalmatia and Slavonia. It is in the square that bears the same name and, although inside it is not freely visitable, the exterior is worth the visit.

6. Lotrščak Tower and the noon cannon shot.

A cannon shot is fired from this medieval tower every day at 12:00 h a tradition that began in the 19th century. You can go up (upon payment of an entrance fee) to have one of the best views of the historic center.

7. Ivana Tkalčića Street

Tkalčićeva is the most atmospheric street in Zagreb, full of bars, cafeterias and restaurants. An ideal place to make a stop, either to eat or just have a drink and watch life go by. At night it is also very lively.

8. Museum of Broken Relationships

One of the most peculiar museums we have seen. It is dedicated to objects that symbolize stories of relationships that ended. It is small, but it has a very emotional and curious tour. If you like the different plans it is well worth it.

9. Grič Tunnel

This tunnel was built during the Second World War as a air-raid shelter. Today, it can be traveled from one side to the other as a pedestrian walkway. We were surprised at how cool it was inside, which is appreciated if you visit Zagreb in summer. You can also sign up for a war tour of Croatia to learn more about this period.

10. Green Horseshoe of Zagreb

A set of parks and squares that form a semicircle in the center of the city, perfect for strolling and resting for a while. The walk includes gardens such as Zrinjevac and imposing buildings such as the Archaeological Museum and the National Library.

11. Croatian National Theater

In the middle of the Herradura Verde, the National Theater is one of the most elegant buildings in Zagreb. Although we didn't go inside, just looking at it from the outside is impressive, especially at sunset when the light highlights it.

12. Mirogoj Cemetery

It may sound strange to recommend a cemetery, but Mirogoj is really beautiful. The arcades, the mausoleums, and the greenery make it a very special place. It is a bit far from the center, so if you are short of time, you can leave it for another occasion.

13. Zagreb Botanical Garden

Very close to the central station, the Botanical Garden is another quiet corner for a walk. It is small but very well kept, ideal if you want to end the day relaxing.

Map with places to see in Zagreb

To make it easier for you to organize the route and not to go around too much, we leave you a map with all the sites we have mentioned.

Our recommendation is to start at Ban Jelačić Square and go up towards the upper town, passing the Stone Gate and St. Mark's Church. From there, you can continue towards the Lotrščak Tower and go down Ivana Tkalčića Street. Then take a walk along the Green Horseshoe and finish at places like the Botanical Garden or the National Theater.

More things to see in and around Zagreb

If you have a little more time or simply want to complete your visit with a plan outside the center, Zagreb has several very interesting options in the surroundings.

Excursion to Samobor

Just a half hour drive away is Samobor small town, a small town, very picturesque and famous among the locals for weekend getaways. It is ideal for a leisurely stroll, taste the kremšnita (a typical cream cake) and disconnect from the rhythm of the city. If you don't have a car, you can check out a tour or take a bus from the main station.

Plitvice Lakes National Park

Although it is a bit farther away (about two hours by car), if you organize yourselves well, you could make a excursion to Plitvice Lakes in one day from Zagreb. It is one of the most beautiful parks in Croatia, with amazing turquoise lakes and waterfalls everywhere. Of course, be prepared to walk under the sun, although it is totally worth it. We did it on our route through Croatia and it is one of the places that impressed us the most.

Varaždin

Another plan we were quite tempted to visit was Varaždin, a city known for its baroque style historical center. It is north of Zagreb, just over an hour's drive. They say that its landscaped cemetery is one of the most beautiful in Europe. If you are one of those who look for alternatives less touristic may be a good option.

Curiosities of Zagreb that surprised us

Beyond the tourist sites, Zagreb has a lot of small details that surprised us and that perhaps go unnoticed on a first visit:

• The walk of Croatian stars: In the middle of Bogovićeva Street, you will find the Croatian equivalent of the Hollywood Walk of Fame, but much more discreet. Here they honor important personalities of Croatian culture and sport.
• Public water pumps: Scattered throughout the city you will see green cast iron fountains called "pumpe". They have been in operation since the 19th century and still today many people use them to drink fresh water.
• Historic cafés: Zagreb has a very strong coffee culture, inherited from the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Some of the oldest cafes, such as the Kavana Palainovka, have existed since the mid-19th century and maintain that classic air of marble tables and uniformed waiters.
• The shortest funicular in the world: The funicular that connects the lower town with the upper town is only 66 meters long. It is one of the shortest in the world, yet it has been in operation since 1890.
• Graffiti and urban art: If you notice while strolling around, Zagreb is full of murals and street art, especially in neighborhoods like Martićeva. There are even themed routes for those who want to get to know the city's street art.
• Peculiar museums: Apart from the famous Museum of Broken Relations, Zagreb has other curious museums such as the Museum of Illusions or the Museum of Chocolate. A good option if you travel with children or if it rains.

Where to eat in Zagreb

Zagreb has plenty of options for eat well and at a good price. We took the opportunity to try local food in simple, uncomplicated places.

If you want something traditional, look for places where they serve dishes such as the štrukli (a kind of pasta stuffed with cheese) or the čevapi (grilled meat). In the Ivana Tkalčića Street There are plenty of restaurants for all tastes, although it tends to be more focused on tourism.

For something more local, we recommend a stroll through the less central streets, where you will find places with daily menus quite cheap. In addition, Zagreb has a good offer of cafes where you can stop for a quick drink.

And if you prefer something more organized, you can always sign up to a gastronomic tour by Zagreb or even make a free gastronomic tour to discover local flavors.

Where to stay in Zagreb

For a one-day visit like ours, it is best to stay near the center in the vicinity of the Ban Jelačić Square or from the train station. This way you will be able to move around on foot without wasting time in transportation.

Zagreb has accommodations for all budgets: from simple hostels to more comfortable hotels and tourist apartments. We were looking for something practical and easy to reach by cab from where we left the car.

If you prefer something quieter and with a local atmosphere, there are also residential neighborhoods such as Maksimir o Trešnjevka that are well connected by streetcar. If you go in summer or on special dates, book in advance because, although Zagreb is not as touristy as other Croatian cities, prices are rising fast.

Useful information before traveling to Zagreb

If you are going to include Zagreb In your trip to Croatia, we leave you some basic information that may be useful for you:

• Currency: Since 2023 Croatia uses the Euro, so you won't have to worry about currency exchange if you come from the Euro zone.
• Language Croatian is the official language, but in Zagreb it is easy to find people who speak English, especially in tourist areas.
• Sockets As in Spain, plugs type C and F at 230 V, so you will not need adapters.
• Internet Zagreb has good mobile coverage and quite a few places with free WiFi, especially cafes and restaurants.
• Weather Cold winter and quite hot summer. If you go in summer like us, be prepared for hot days and cooler nights than on the coast.
• Travel insurance Although Croatia is in the EU, it never hurts to travel with insurance. It is not mandatory, but it can save you a lot of trouble.

If you want to read other articles ideal for your trip that complement What to see in Zagreb in one day you can visit our posts about Croatia.