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Croatia has become an increasingly popular tourist destination, and for good reason. With beautiful cities, incredible nature, and lovely beaches, it's easy to see why the country is consistently listed as one of the best places to travel to. If you're traveling throughout Croatia, Zagreb may end up being your first stop.
Personally, when I travel, I don't usually go to a country unless I feel like I have time to do everything I want to do. The whole of Croatia was difficult to tack on to the end of my 3-month solo trip in Europe, so I decided to just do a day trip to Zagreb from my home base of Ljubljana, Slovenia. I met up with a friend I had met in an earlier country and spent the day with her and a group of people exploring everything the capital had to offer.
Some trip activities at a glance
Pictures taken from Unsplash
See the Cathedral of Zagreb Walk through Tunel Grič Visit the Church of St. Mark
Table of Contents
Dolac Market
Zagreb Cathedral
Museum of Hangovers
Lunch
St. Mark's Church
Museum of Broken Relationships
Walk through Tunnel Grič
Zagreb Funicular
Quick Tips
Zagreb is best enjoyed in the summer months of May - September, although the peak months of June and July may be too hot.
One of my favorite things to do when in a new city is joining a free walking tour. While I didn't join one this time around since I was meeting up with friends to walk around by ourselves, a tour will give you perspective on the history and context of the sights you stroll by.
Festivals happen all the time in Croatia, and there are some great ones to choose from. Visit this link for a full list of Croatian festivals, and note that some of the festivals that state "Dubrovnik" also happen in Zagreb for you to enjoy. Key ones include:
March 20-24: The new Festival of Lights that has light displays on recognizable Zagreb buildings
June 12-14: Dance Week Festival
July 17-21: International Folklore Festival, featuring many cultural traditions
November - December: 6-week winter advent festival
Getting there and around Zagreb
Zagreb is easily accessible by car, train, or airport. Personally, I took the first train from Ljubljana to Zagreb and the last train back out as I was not planning to spend a night there. However, if you have time I would recommend at least one night in Zagreb to more fully experience all the city has to offer. Plus, you avoid a 5-hour round-trip train ride.
Zagreb is very walkable, so I would recommend exploring by foot to truly take in the city. There are some interesting nooks and crannies that still live in my mind. However, the buses and trams are very affordable and easy to navigate.
Travel Map
If you are interested in the same stops I did, here's the most efficient route to get to each place. Total walking time is just over an hour. This route starts and ends at the train station and follows the map in the order it is listed in the itinerary.
Itinerary
Stroll through Dolac Market
I met up with my friends at Dolac Market, the central point of the city. This open-air market in the main square has fresh produce, flowers, meats, trinkets, and more. Make sure to bring some cash and take a peek at everything they have to offer! As it was drizzling when I arrived, many stalls were closed. However, if you have better luck than me, you can spend some time walking through and chatting with locals.
Zagreb Cathedral
The Zagreb Cathedral is a Gothic-style cathedral in the city, as well as the tallest building in Croatia. I wasn't able to go inside due to an ongoing service, but I enjoyed pausing here between locations for a peaceful moment.
Have a laugh at the Museum of Hangovers
Another €7 (with student ID) museum, this one is great fun for groups of friends. They include exhibits like a drunk driving simulator and beer goggles, and since I went with a group of about 10 we had a blast.
The outside view A friend attempting the drunk Click for a description of someone's
driving challenge worst hangover experience
If this isn't your cup of tea, the Tehnicki Muzej may be a good stop. It showcases some of the highly underrated inventor Nikola Tesla's inventions, as well as inventions from other prolific engineers. Spend some time exploring the wonders of science and enjoying demonstrations, particularly if you come on the weekend.
Try some Croatian Food
Croatia has countless new foods to try. Since it was a dreary day, I opted for čobanac, a traditional shepherd's stew, which really hit the spot. Other must-haves are crni rižot (black risotto with seafood) and some cured meat local to the area.
Enjoy the colorful roof at St. Mark's Church
This is the most famous image of Zagreb. While I was unable to go inside due to construction, you may be able to during your visit!
Contemplate love at the Museum of Broken Relationships
This museum has become one of my all-time favorites, simply because it shows the purest form of human experience: love. In it includes stories of heartbreak, wit, emotions, and wonder from all over the world, along with an item associated with each story. It may be the best €7 you ever spend.
Zoom in to the pictures to read some of the stories that were featured when I visited!
Walk through Tunel Grič
On the way back to the train station I popped into this WWII bomb shelter, now a pedestrian tunnel. It's a bit eerie, but it's interesting to imagine what it would've been like in this area during that time.
Zagreb Funicular
This funicular is the shortest one in the world, running from Lower to Upper Town and taking only about a minute. It also costs less than one euro! I did not feel the need to take the ride, but it definitely won't break the bank if you want to say you've done it.
There you have it! One day in Zagreb for all the must-dos. Overall, this was a great taste of what the city has to offer and certainly a place for me to revisit.
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