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Croatia

One Day In Zagreb: 10 Fun Things To Do!

One Day In Zagreb: 10 Fun Things To Do!

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. Please see the full Disclosure and Privacy policy for further information.

What is the best way to spend one day in Zagreb, Croatia’s bustling capital city? 

Most people simply pass through Zagreb on their way to the coast or before heading to nearby Ljubliana. However, I think this is a shame as Zagreb is a really charming city. When I visited Zagreb, I instantly fell in love with it.

Located in the Northwest of the country, Zagreb has a much more Eastern European feel to it than the rest of Croatia’s popular tourist spots. 

Although Croatia’s capital is small and compact there is still plenty to see and do here. I recommend spending at least a day in this fab little city or maybe even more if you truly want to experience all it has to offer. 

It is also a very budget-friendly city as there are many cheap and free things to do in Zagreb. 

In this post, I’ll show you all the awesome things you can do when spending one day in Zagreb, Croatia. Use the ideas below to create your own one day Zagreb itinerary. 

Hi, I’m JJ!

I’m a travel blogger with a passion for unique travel destinations, discovering hidden gems, and adventurous solo travel.

I’ve travelled all over the Balkans and visited Croatia several times. Zagreb is one of my favourite Balkan cities.

I hope you enjoy my free guides and travel tips! If so, please consider supporting my work 💕

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Table of Contents

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  • Is Zagreb worth visiting?
  • 10 things to do in one day in Zagreb 
    • #1 – Ride the funicular 
    • #2 – Climb the Lotrščak Tower
    • #3 – Museum of Broken Relationships
    • #4 – St Mark’s Church 
    • #5 – Hang out at Tkalciceva street
    • #6 – Communism tour
    • #7 – Visit the Cathedral 
    • #8 – Unwind at Out rooftop bar
    • #9 – Museum of illusions and torture museum
    • #10 – Take a day trip 
  • Tours from Zagreb 
  • Best cafes, bars and restaurants in Zagreb 
  • Where to stay in Zagreb 
  • Summary of one day Zagreb itinerary
    • My Favourite Travel Resources

Is Zagreb worth visiting?

Absolutely! This capital city is a hidden gem in Croatia, full of unique experiences for solo travellers and people who want to explore something off the beaten path.

From its lively art scene, fantastic cuisine, and incredible architecture, Zagreb has something special to offer all types of travellers.

The city also boasts some of the most gorgeous nature spots in the country, with stunning lakes and parks for a peaceful retreat.

Plus, the cost of living is relatively low compared to other cities in Europe, making it an affordable option for budget travellers. With all these fantastic qualities, Zagreb is definitely worth visiting.

10 things to do in one day in Zagreb 

#1 – Ride the funicular 

Did you know Zagreb is home to the world’s shortest funicular?

At only 66 meters long it connects Zagreb’s upper town and lower towns and takes less than a minute to reach the top. Supposedly it is also the world’s safest funicular railway, never having a single accident since it opened in the 1890s!

Price: 4HRK (~50p) 

Zagreb Funicular. How to spend one day in Zagreb, Croatia
Zagreb funicular railway

#2 – Climb the Lotrščak Tower

At the top of the funicular, you’ll find Lotrščak Tower. A 13th-century defence tower with incredible panoramic views of the city.

Every day at noon a cannon is fired from the tower. This is a tradition dating back from 1877 and was intended so that the citizens of Zagreb could set their clocks to exactly noon. Unfortunately, the cannon has not been firing ever since a recent earthquake. Hopefully, they will get it running again soon! 

The best time of day to visit the tower is in the hour before sundown. At this time you can view the city bathed in a beautiful golden glow. The viewing platform at the top is narrow and easily crowded but I promise the views are worth it! 

Opening times: 10am – 7pm (closed on Mondays) 

Price: 20 HRK (~£2.25) 

View of St Marks church, Zagreb - One day in Zagreb itinerary
travel blogger selfie from Lotrščak Tower, Zagreb. One day Zagreb itinerary
View from Lotrščak Tower, Zagreb. One day Zagreb itinerary
Views from the tower

#3 – Museum of Broken Relationships

If you are wondering what to see in Zagreb in one day then you should know that this quirky museum is one of the best things to do in Zagreb!

The museum of broken relationships started as a travelling exhibit before finding its permanent home in a baroque palace in Zagreb.

People from all over the world have donated items to be displayed alongside their stories of how their relationships ended. Some of the stories are heartbreaking, some are uplifting and others are downright hilarious!

The exhibits give a fascinating look into human behaviour and how we handle our relationships.

There is even a guestbook so that you can share your own story of lost love! It was one of my favourite experiences during my one day in Zagreb and I definitely recommend that you add it to your Zagreb Itinerary. 

Opening times: 10am – 9pm 

Price: 40 HRK (~£4.50)

Museum of broken relationships, Zagreb, Croatia
Toaster on display at the museum of broken relationships, Zagreb, Croatia
Toaster on display at the museum of broken relationships, Zagreb, Croatia
The toaster of vindication!

#4 – St Mark’s Church 

If you have ever browsed photos of Zagreb on Instagram then you will probably instantly recognise this iconic church. The gothic church dates back to the 13th century. It is instantly recognisable by its colourful tiled roof. 

If you are visiting on a weekend between April and October you can watch the changing of the guard ceremony which is performed outside of the church at noon.

This is still a working church so if you would like to see the interior your best option is to attend daily Mass, just remember to practice responsible tourism and be quiet and respectful to the worshippers inside. 

Opening times: Weekdays 09:00-12:00 (Entrance may be restricted)

Mass schedule: Weekdays at 18:00, Saturday at 7:30, Sunday at 10:30 and 18:00

Price: Free 

St Marks church, Zagreb, Croatia.
Admire the gorgeous tiled roof of St Marks church during your one day in Zagreb

#5 – Hang out at Tkalciceva street

Tkalciceva street was one of my favourite places in Zagreb. This lively pedestrianised area is home to the best restaurants, bars and cafes in Zagreb.

During my time in Zagreb, I stopped by around mid-afternoon to sample a craft beer at Mali Medo and then returned in the evening for dinner.

There are a lot of great restaurants here and lots of great options for vegan and veggie travellers too! This fun street is also a great place to meet other travellers in Zagreb. 

Tkalciceva street, Zagreb Croatia
Tkalciceva street is a great place to spend the evening

#6 – Communism tour

Croatia is a part of former Yugoslavia and used to be under communist rule from 1945 until the breakup of Yugoslavia in the early 1990s. It was also a part of the brutal homeland wars in the ‘90s.

I always find the recent history of former communist states to be absolutely fascinating so I will usually book a tour and try to learn as much as I can whenever I visit a country like this.

In Zagreb, I took this 2.5 hour walking tour and loved it! I can honestly say it’s one of the best history tours I have ever done.

The guides are really knowledgeable and add in their own personal memories of the war. There was also a short film shown at the end of the tour which was very moving. 

Time/Location: 3pm every day from Ban Jelačić Square (the main square)

Price: Check price here

Old Yugoslavia currency note
Underground tunnels from WW2 in Zagreb Croatia
Soldier uniform. Communism and homeland war tour. One day in Zagreb itinerary
The communism and homelands war tour is a must-do in Zagreb

#7 – Visit the Cathedral 

The beautiful gothic style Zagreb cathedral that stands in the city centre of Zagreb is well worth a visit. It is the second tallest building in Croatia and one of the most famous landmarks.

The cathedral was damaged during an earthquake in 2020 so it currently has some scaffolding around it. It is still very pretty though!

You can wander inside but be aware that mobile phones and photography are not allowed. You can also get a great view of the cathedral at night when it is lit up. 

Opening times: Monday – Saturday 10:00-17:00, Sunday 13:00-17:00

Price: Free 

Zagreb Cathedral. One day zagreb itinerary and travel guide
Zagreb Cathedral

#8 – Unwind at Out rooftop bar

This delightful little rooftop bar is an absolute hidden gem and one of the best rooftop bars in Zagreb. I discovered it as it was located on the top floor of the hotel I was staying in. There is a fun lively atmosphere here and they sometimes have live music too.

Come here for sunset and get a great view of the Lotrščak Tower.

I had the most perfect gin & tonic at this bar and it was *chefs kiss* 

Opening hours: Monday – Thursday 4pm – 12am, Friday – Sunday 12pm – 12am

Gin & Tonic at Out rooftop bar in Zagreb, Croatia. Best bars in Zagreb
Out rooftop bar is one of the best places to eat and drink in Zagreb

#9 – Museum of illusions and torture museum

I love exploring fun interactive museums and Zagreb has plenty to take your pick from. 

The museum of illusions allows you to take photos of yourself in several different rooms which all feature fun optical illusions. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to experience the illusions museum as I was travelling solo and forgot to bring my tripod, I figured it would be a bit pointless to go if I couldn’t take photos but next time I visit Zagreb I’m definitely planning to grab a friend and go have fun at this quirky museum. 

I did manage to spend some time at the torture museum which is a small but fun museum dedicated to medieval torture instruments. It is very similar to many of the other torture museums that you can find all over European old towns but I did like how they give you an iPad which you can use to scan the items and get a multimedia experience. 

Museum of illusions opening times: 9am – 10pm 

Museum of illusions price: 50HRK (~£5.60) 

Skip the line tickets: Check price here

Torture museum opening times: 12pm-7pm

Torture museum price: 50HRK (~£5.60)

Masks on display in the torture museum in Zagreb, Croatia
Masks at the torture museum

#10 – Take a day trip 

Zagreb is located in a perfect place to use as a base for day trips to other parts of the country. Some popular day trips from Zagreb are: 

Plitvice lakes national park

Ljubliana 

Lake Bled

The Plešivica wine region

The Istria coast

Medvednica Nature Park

View of Rovinj, Croatia from the harbour
Consider taking a day trip to the Istrian coast from Zagreb

Tours from Zagreb 

If you fancy spending your one day in Zagreb as part of a tour then there are several great options. You can choose from food tours, walking tours or experiences with locals. Check out some of the most popular Zagreb tours below. 

Best cafes, bars and restaurants in Zagreb 

Zagreb has an excellent culinary scene. As a vegan traveller, I found it easier to find good vegan food options in Zagreb than I did elsewhere in Croatia.

The best restaurants are around Tkalciceva street and Ban Jelačić Square but there are also a few gems scattered throughout the city.

In my opinion, the best places to eat and drink in Zagreb are: 

Roots juice & cocktail bar – I came here for breakfast on my one full day in Zagreb and had the most delicious smoothie and avocado toast. Roots bar is located at the base of the funicular which makes it a perfect stop for breakfast before you spend the day sightseeing. 

As Zagreb is such a great city for digital nomads, I could see this being an excellent spot to set up your laptop and get some work done whilst enjoying a smoothie.

Breakfast at Roots juice bar, Zagreb. One of the best cafes in Zagreb
Breakfast at Roots – One of the best cafes in Zagreb

Mali Melo – This place seems to be a favourite for both locals and travellers. Pop in to sample some Croatian craft beer. 

Pint of craft beer in Zagreb
Sample Croatian craft beer at Mali Melo

Curry Bowl – I came here for dinner on my first night in Zagreb and loved it! The restaurant specialises in Sri Lankan curries with a Croatian twist. Absolutely delicious! 

Vegan curry from curry bowl in Zagreb, Croatia. One of the best restaurants in Zagreb
Vegan curry from curry bowl in Zagreb, Croatia. One of the best restaurants in Zagreb

Out rooftop bar – Located on the rooftop of the Time Out heritage hotel this fun little rooftop bar is the perfect spot to grab a cocktail before dinner. 

Submarine burger – Very good burgers with plenty of options for veggies and meat-eaters alike. Try the truffle oil fries for a taste of local Istrian truffles. 

Vegan burger from Submarine burger in Zagreb Croatia
Vegan burger, Zagreb

Where to stay in Zagreb 

I stayed at Time out heritage hotel and loved it. I would definitely stay there again. The hotel has both hotel rooms and hostel dorms. I stayed in the dorms and can honestly say it was one of the nicest dorm rooms I have ever stayed in. The room had lots of quirky design touches, a balcony and the beds were huge! 

Dorm rooms at Time Out heritage hotel, Zagreb, Croatia
The dorm rooms at Timeout hotel

Use the widget below to check for availability and book your stay in Zagreb 

Summary of one day Zagreb itinerary

I hope that this post will help you to make the most of seeing Zagreb in one day.

As you can see Zagreb is a great little city with plenty to offer and is definitely worth spending some time in. I highly recommend adding it to your Croatia itinerary.

Did you enjoy this Zagreb one day itinerary? Are you planning to spend one day in Zagreb? Let me know in the comments below! 

Happy travels xo

ps. If you need help getting around Croatia check out my Croatia transport guide!

My Favourite Travel Resources

Travel Itineraries: I offer a range of pre-planned travel itineraries for many popular destinations. Use them to make planning your next trip a breeze!

Accommodation: I always use booking.com for hotels and Hostelworld for hostels. I’ve found some great bargains by using these sites!

Flights: My favourite tools to find the cheapest flights are WayAway, Expedia and Skyscanner

Ferries: For cheap ferry tickets I use Ferry Scanner

Activities: I use Viator and GetYourGuide to find the best tours and activities in every destination I visit. I’ve had some fantastic experiences using these sites!

Cashback: With the WayAway Plus membership plan, users get access to premium travel support, travel content prepared by locals, and cashback on flights, hotels, car rentals and other travel services. I love using Wayaway to get cashback on my travel expenses. In fact, it is one of my fave budget travel hacks 😉 Click here to get 10% off of a WayAway Plus membership

Foreign Currency: I highly recommend getting an international card to save you loads of money in expensive bank fees. The Wise Card allows you to spend in 150+ currencies and withdraw cash from ATMs anywhere in the world without paying any bank fees!

Travel Insurance: Never travel without proper travel insurance! I always use EKTA

Luggage Storage: Radical Storage is a Luggage storage network that operates in over 70 countries and 350 cities with more than 3500 storage points. I love using Radical storage to store my bags before or after checking in/out of my hotel as it gives me an extra day to explore without having to worry about dragging my luggage around with me.

Travel Planning services: Did you know that I offer travel planning services and custom itineraries? Let me plan your next trip for you!

Psssst… Need inspiration for your next adventure? Check out my travel store!

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About JJ

About JJ

Hi, I’m JJ! I love a good adventure and have a passion for misunderstood places, post-conflict destinations and responsible tourism. I love to get off the beaten path and explore some of the most unique destinations in the world as well as discover hidden gems in popular destinations. I hope that this blog can inspire you to go outside your comfort zone and explore more of the world! Travel Expertise: Off-the-beaten-path explorer, lover of hidden travel gems & advocate for responsible tourism

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15 comments

  1. Lisa says:
    October 20, 2021 at 9:01 am

    What an amazing post! Have bookmarked your page and signed up for newsletter… feel like I’m ready for some travel inspiration in my life again!! 🙂 Marnie xx

    Reply
    1. JJ Jordan says:
      October 20, 2021 at 9:20 am

      Thank you Marnie! I’m so glad you enjoyed it 😊

      Reply
  2. TasTravel says:
    October 20, 2021 at 11:09 am

    Great Post, you give so much inspiration for a nex trip, also your photos are amazing 😊

    Reply
    1. JJ Jordan says:
      October 20, 2021 at 11:23 am

      Thank you! 😊

      Reply
  3. Laura says:
    October 20, 2021 at 11:29 am

    I had never really thought about visiting Zagreb before, but it looks like a beautiful city! I might have to consider that a little more 🙂

    Reply
    1. JJ Jordan says:
      October 20, 2021 at 11:44 am

      You absolutely should! I think it’s a very underrated destination 😊

      Reply
  4. ildiko says:
    October 24, 2021 at 12:25 am

    Love your post and your awesome suggestions. The tile roof on St Mark’s church is gorgeous. What a beautiful city!

    Reply
  5. simplyjolayne says:
    October 24, 2021 at 2:07 am

    So many fun things that you found on your visit. The museum of broken relationships! Awesome. I would also find the communism walking tour of interest as that part of history intrigues me.

    Reply
  6. Hannah says:
    October 24, 2021 at 7:02 am

    I really want to visit Zagreb! It looks like such a lovely place! I’d love to climb Lotrščak Tower and take in the views! The cathedral also looks so grand and the Museum of Broken Relationships sounds like such a cool and quirky place! I hear there are great Christmas markets in Zagreb too! Thanks for the great guide!

    Reply
  7. Daniella says:
    October 24, 2021 at 1:06 pm

    I so badly want to visit Zagreb and now that I’ve read your post it’s even higher on my list. There is such an intriguing mix of things to do and see in this lovely city. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  8. Caroline @ PackTheSuitcases says:
    October 24, 2021 at 1:36 pm

    Great post! I’ve been to Zagreb and loved it, good to see it’s still just as nice 🙂

    Reply
  9. Intan says:
    October 24, 2021 at 2:34 pm

    I remember taking one of the shortest funicular in the world to get to the museum of broken relationships. At the time, I just got out of a toxic relationship, and I wondered if I could actually contribute stuff to the museum. xD Excellent Zagreb guide, will keep this handy!

    Reply
  10. Emma says:
    October 24, 2021 at 4:55 pm

    I haven’t been to Croatia yet but it looks amazing. My friends is actually there this week, I’m going to have to send this to her. Love the look of the unique historic hotel, and all that delicious food. Zagreb seems like a great place to check out when I finally make it to Croatia

    Reply
  11. Krysten Quiles says:
    October 26, 2021 at 3:09 am

    What a great little snippet, I’d end up wanting to stay for more!

    Reply
  12. Lasma says:
    September 1, 2022 at 9:23 am

    I never really considered Zagreb as a destination when visiting Croatia, but I admit that after reading this I feel inspired, there are a lot of cool activities to do, like tours and streets to see, plus the cafes and restaurants seem to offer a lot! Thanks for sharing this

    Reply

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About Me

About Me

JJ Jordan, Founder
Hi, I’m JJ

I'm going to help you get out of your comfort zone and explore more of the world!

I love a good adventure and have a passion for unique travel experiences & finding hidden gems.

Travel Expertise: Off-the-beaten-path explorer, lover of hidden travel gems & advocate for responsible tourism

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