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When people decide to go to Croatia, their choice rarely stops on Zagreb. They choose the coastal towns, the beachfront locations, and we can’t blame them. But when we chose to go to Croatia in November, there was no point trying to hit the beach, those days were long over. So we chose to go to Zagreb because we knew there would be a cool city to discover, there wouldn’t be tons of tourists, and we could go to a place that is often overlooked. When you want to do things your way, Zagreb is the place for you! So here are the best things to do in Zagreb. The best attractions and must-sees in Croatia’s capital are right here for you!

You’ll notice that there are not tons to do in Zagreb and that’s ok. The city has a laid-back vibe, making it easy to explore at your own pace. It has a booming restaurant scene, for all the foodies out there. It also has the biggest number of museums per square meter, for those trying to get their culture on. It may not have beaches, but it makes up for it in many other ways. When you come to Zagreb, we recommend you stay for three days, to be able to fully take in all the sights at a leisurely pace. But we’ve made this guide perfect for 2 days in Zagreb.

This article may contain affiliate/compensated links. For more information, please see our disclaimer here. We take all the efforts necessary to ensure the information included in this post is accurate, correct and current, sometimes, things just change! Travel information like opening hours, business operations and prices may change. If you find anything in this post that is incorrect or outdated, please let me know in the comments so I can update it for other readers. Cheers!

The best time to visit Zagreb

As always, the best time to visit Zagreb depends on what you want to do, and what your favorite season is. Zagreb has 4 distinct seasons with temperatures rising in the summer to 25 degrees C, and dropping close to zero in the winter. It’s also one of the rainiest capitals in Europe, so come prepared with your umbrella.

If you’re a Christmas fan, make sure you head there for Zagreb’s Advent. Christmas markets are sprinkled all over the city all through the month of December, making it the perfect spot to do some shopping for unique gifts.

Zagreb in November

We went to Zagreb in late November. As you’ll see from our pictures, it was quite gray the whole time we were there, with a few light rain showers here and there. Nothing too serious though! The weather was still quite nice despite the clouds. If you dress in layers, with a warm jacket, you should be golden!

As for crowds at the attractions in Zagreb – well, they’re non-existent in November. We saw a walking tour going on, and it had what seemed like one family of 5 and a few stragglers following them. So if you’re looking to get away from the crowds, then Zagreb in November is your best bet! You’ll be able to see all the best places to visit in Zagreb, without any of the usual crowds!

What to do in Zagreb in 2 days – The best must-sees in the city

There’s plenty of things do in Zagreb and even a few places to visit around the city. Everything is pretty close together, and you have tons of parks and green spaces, so walking around is the best option!

We spent 2 days here, and it was the perfect amount of time to see the best attractions in Zagreb. We explored Croatia’s capital at a leisurely pace and got to do everything we set out to do… even if the weather didn’t collaborate! So despite the weather, if you’re wondering what to do in Zagreb, this is the article for you. Let’s get started!

1. Admire the Zagreb Cathedral, one of the top Zagreb attractions

No European city would be complete without its cathedral. The Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is one of Zagreb’s top attractions and its icon. With its twin towers and defensive walls with round towers, this church is quite beautiful to visit, adding to the city’s skyline.

Across the Cathedral, you will find the famous fountain of the Virgin Mary with her Angels. The gold-plated beauty is hard to miss. Walk around it to admire the intricate work done on the angels.

Inside the Cathedral, you will find peace… and the embalmed body of Cardinal Aloysius Stepinac. He was the Archbishop of Zagreb from 1937 to 1960, renowned for helping the Jews and others to escape during WWII. He also publicly condemned the Yugoslavian government and its actions during the war. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1998 for all his work.

If you’re looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, Ribnjak park, right next to the Cathedral, is a great place to wander. It’s peaceful and beautiful, and if it’s a beautiful sunny day, this is what to do in Zagreb.

2. Grab a bite to eat at Dolac Market, a must-see in Zagreb for people-watching

You know how much we love food, and fresh local products (mainly produce), so Dolac Market was a must-see on our Zagreb bucket list. This open-air market is one of the iconic Zagreb attractions that you have to see.

Here, you will find local vendors selling fish, cheese, fruits and veggies, some toys and handmade goods, and pretty much anything else. If you want to people-watch and get a true sense of local life, this is one of those places to visit in Zagreb.

Come early in the morning to get the freshest and best products. Head there around 3-4 pm to get the best deals. And no matter when you go, make sure you’re hungry! Our favorite thing to do here was to walk around and grab a little bite from a few stalls. It’s the best way to get a taste of everything!

3. Check out St Mary’s Church, another iconic place to visit in Zagreb

With its beautiful gold and green spire standing tall, this beautiful 18th-century church is hard to miss from the Dolac market. Take a little moment to step inside and admire its beauty.

Originally, St Mary’s church was a minster and was first mentioned in texts dating back to the 13th century. Later, it was turned into a parish church, in the early 16th century. With such history, it’s no surprise that St Mary’s is one of the notable places to visit in Zagreb.

4. Walk around Tkalčićeva, one of the best things to do in Zagreb

Undoubtedly the most colorful and lively street in Zagreb, Tkalčićeva is where you’ll find all the bars, restaurants, boutiques, and shops. It’s no surprise it’s one of the best things to do in Zagreb!

You’ll also find the statue of Marija Jurić Zagorka, Croatia’s first professional female journalist, and advocate of equal rights (and you know how much we love strong independent women!).

In the area, you will also find the Bloody Bridge which is actually an alley that connects Tkalčićeva with Radićeva. The bridge that was originally there was torn down, but the alley still bears its name.

You will also find the statue of St George with the dragon he killed. Of course, Derek had to stand here for a long time admiring this dragon and how the powerful St George slayed it! We later found out (thanks to Google) that Saint George is actually one of the first dragon-slaying-princess-saving knights in European history.

The story has it that a dragon made himself a nest next to a spring that provided water to the city of Silene. To get water from this spring, people had to lure the dragon away with sheep… or maidens when the stock was low! One day, fate chose the princess to be the dragon’s next meal. Of course, that would not fair with a famous knight that went by the name George. He had to save the princess. And so he did. Killing the dragon. What a hero!

So if you’re wondering what to do in Zagreb at night, head to Tkalčićeva. You’ll be able to mingle with the locals, try some amazing local brews and enjoy the delicious pub food available in this booming area of the city.

5. Walk through the Stone Gate to get to Upper town, one of Zagreb’s must-sees

This is your official entrance into Upper Town, which is a must-see in Zagreb. Stone Gate is the only old town gate that remains in the city today, although it was rebuilt in the 18th century. Under the arch, you will find a little chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary, the patron saint of Zagreb.

6. Check out St Mark’s Square during your 2 days in Zagreb

Impossible to miss once you’re in the Upper Town, St Mark’s Square and Church are the heart of this part of the city. The Church was built in the 13th century and still stands tall today.

All around the square, you will find important government buildings like the Banski favori, the Governor’s Palace, and Sabor, or the Croatian Parliament. This is also where you will find the Croatian History Museum, the Old City Hall, and the Croatian Museum of Naive Art.

If you have the time, make sure you check out some of these amazing Zagreb attractions.

7. Walk around Catherine’s Square, a Zagreb landmark

Another important part of the Upper Town is Catherine’s Square with St Catherine’s Church. It’s said to be the most beautiful Baroque church, making it a must-see in Zagreb.

Right behind the church, you will find the best view from Gradec. You will see the Cathedral, St Mary’s Church, and Dolac market for sure. On a clear day, you will also see the dome of Mirogoj cemetery and Mount Medvednica. AS we mentioned, we were not so lucky with the weather, so we just saw the view of the city, which was quite impressive itself!

8. Stroll around Strossmayer Promenade, one of the best things to do in Zagreb

Running along the southern edge of Gradec hill, you have the Strossmayer promenade. Lined with trees, it is a peaceful place to walk around, admiring the city from above.

There, you will find the statue of Anton Gustav Matoš, one of the city’s greatest enthusiasts and beloved Croatian writers.

You will also find the world’s shortest passenger cable railway, the 66-meter funicular! This connects Lower Town to Upper Town, although there are steps that might get you there just as quickly!

The funicular is just next to Lotrščak Tower, the only preserved medieval tower from the 13th-century fortifications. This is where they shoot the famous canon from.

Every day at noon, a loud bang can be heard here. Watch out, because it’s much louder than expected! Be sure to get here a bit before noon so you can get the best seat in the house. If you’re in Zagreb in November like we were, you’ll probably be one of the only people there!

9. Check out the Museum of broken relationships, the top attraction in Zagreb

We usually consider ourselves pretty lucky, in love, in life, and in travel. But luck was not on our side when we were in Zagreb. Despite the rainy and grey weather, we made the best of our time here.

And as you know, we’re not big on museums, but there was one we were really looking forward to exploring – the Museum of broken relationships… but it was closed when we went. It closes once every four years, and it had to fall on the dates we were there!

Opened in 2006, this museum started out as a joke between two lovers who ended their relationship. Today, it’s a globally crowd-sourced project that features items left over by lovers when their relationship ended. Sounds pretty cool, doesn’t it?! Yeah, that’s why we wanted to check it out too! Guess we have another reason to go back to Zagreb!

If you’re looking for museums to check out, you’re in luck because Zagreb is home to the largest number of museums per capita. There is really something for everyone, from the Nikola Tesla technical museum to the archeological one, and a ton more.

10. Admire the street art in Zagreb at Art Park, another top attraction in Zagreb

Right below the Lotrščak Tower, as you take the steps down to Lower Town, you will find Art Park, another one of the must-sees in Zagreb. This cute park for children is decorated by street artists. We love street art, and this is the only place we found some in the city, along with a short staircase by Catherine’s square.

11. Walk around Ban Jelačić Square

Between Upper town and Lower town (though considered to be a part of Upper), you will find Ban Jelačić Square. It’s the city’s commercial center and has been since 1641. This huge square, with the imposing statue of Ban Josip Jelačić, is where a lot of the trams and buses stop.

12. Walk the Lenuci Horseshoe to see some of the best Zagreb attractions

Ok, at this point, we could break down all the little things you can find around the Horseshoe that makes up the Lower Town of Zagreb, but that would be waaaaay too long. As they say: “Ain’t nobody got time for that!”. So here is what we suggest. Walk down the horseshoe, and stop and admire what you feel is important to you. If you have the time, you can even visit some of the many attractions in Zagreb.

The horseshoe is made up of sooooo many parks. Find a bench and people-watch. There are museums all around it too, so you can stop and explore one of them if you feel like it. The list of museums is endless – did we mention that Zagreb has the most museums per capita in the world?! So if that’s your thing, you’re in luck! Whatever you choose to do, just do you, boo!

Start at Zrinjevac park, where you have the Meteorological Post, First Fountain, and the Archeological Museum. You can also find HAZU and the Gallery of Modern Art there. Just after, you will find the Art Pavillion.

You will then get to King Tomislav Square with its imposing statue greeting everyone coming out of the main railway in Zagreb. Turn right when you get to the Hotel Esplanade, an iconic landmark of the city since 1925. Fun fact: Guests from the Orient Express used to stay here. One of its famous guests was Josephine Baker, a provocative dancer from the ’20s.

Keep going as you will make your way through the Zagreb Botanical Gardens. If the Gardens are open, take a stroll there, as you’ll be able to discover over 10,000 different plant species. We, of course, got there at closing time!

Keep going as you will come upon the Croatian National Theatre and the very sensual Well of Life. Don’t be surprised to see students around there, as Zagreb University is just there.

You will also find the museum of Arts and Crafts and the Mimara Museum. Did you spot the other statue of St George, this time killing a dragon? Quite a famous guy isn’t he?!

The best attractions near Zagreb

If you are looking to leave the city center and explore things that are different, we have 2 spots to recommend for you that are the best attractions near Zagreb.

1. Pay hommage at Mirogoj cemetery, one of the nicest places to see in Zagreb

Ok, we know what you’re thinking. Why in the world are we recommending a cemetery?! Well, this is no ordinary place. The architecture here is absolutely beautiful. We don’t want to make this the main tourist attraction, but both a random tour guide and our hostel recommended we walk around here.

This is Zagreb’s main cemetery, opened in 1876. It is the final resting place of many notable Croats, and people from all religions. This is why you will see all sorts of Catholic, Orthodox and Muslim symbols around.

If you go here, please be respectful. It is not a place to take Instagram pictures, but a place of respect and humility. Just take in the beauty of nature and enjoy the moment.

Getting there: To get there, take the 201 or the 226, just near the Zagreb Cathedral. The bus stops right at the cemetery.

2. Climb Medvednica Mountain

We love a city that’s so close to nature! And Zagreb seriously delivers here! 

Just North of Zagreb, you will find Medvednica Mountain. Because Zagreb is known for being rainy, we didn’t have a chance to go here, but we know we’ll be heading up for a hike next time we’re in the city.

There are plenty of ways to get up there, but the most eco-friendly is biking or taking the bus. If you head there, here are some more details on how you can do it.

Where to stay in Zagreb – Chillout Hostel Zagreb

Chillout Hostel is our favorite place to stay in Zagreb. With a name like Chillout, there’s really no way to go wrong, is there?! This hostel fits in perfectly with the vibe of the city: friendly, laid-back and full of life.

Downstairs, you have a bar where locals and travelers alike can meet. Such a chill vibe, cool music, and awesome staff make this a place to meet new (or old) friends. Super well located, right near Art Park, at the steps of the Upper Town, Chillout has super comfy rooms, with your choice of dorms or private.

As if that wasn’t enough, their staff is super friendly. Corey made it a point to let us know where all the cool spots were, and had some awesome recommendations for us when it came to restaurants and things to do in Zagreb that were off-the-beaten path. Plus, they offer free walking tours around the city, so you can learn more about the sites.

We can’t wait to head back here, meet up with old friends and make new ones once again.

Where to eat in Zagreb

Because we had such a short time in Zagreb, we have 2 recommendations for you in town:

Mali Medo: This microbrewery is known for its craft beer and delicious food. Situated in Tkalčićeva, this place has an extensive outdoor terrace, so it’s perfect in the summer. Derek loved his Pub plate that had a bit of everything. I opted for pizza, as our waiter told us it was better than Italian pizza. If you try, let us know what you think. The verdict is still out for us!

Stari Fijaker: If you’re looking for typical Zagreb or Croatian food, this is your spot. They don’t have many vegetarian options, but they were very accommodating, modifying their side dishes for me. I had the delicious veggie steaks.

How to get to Zagreb by train

Zagreb was one of our stops on our epic European train trip. We ended up doing 13 cities in 30 days. A hectic pace, but it was so fun to dip our toes into these amazing countries, cities, and cultures. It was a way to get a taste of the places we want to come back and explore more deeply later. Here are some things to know about getting to Zagreb and leaving by train, especially since Croatia isn’t in the Schengen area.

Getting from Budapest to Zagreb by train

Getting from Budapest to Zagreb by train is quite simple, but a little long. It’s actually going to take you pretty much all day to get to Zagreb by train. The average train ride is about six and a half hours, although there is a direct train that will save you about 10 minutes off the ride.

Make sure you check timetables and availabilities ahead of time. If you want to get from Budapest to Zagreb by train, you will have two trains a day, on average. The first leaves very early, around 6 am and the second, around 2:45 pm. We chose to take the latter to enjoy more of our time in Budapest. We got to Chillout Hostel just a little past 9 pm.

The views on the train ride from Budapest to Zagreb are nothing to write home about. The landscape is fairly flat, but you may sneak a glimpse at Lake Balaton.

But there is something to note about getting from Budapest to Zagreb by train. At the border crossing between Hungary and Croatia, the train will come to a stop. Border police will hop on and ask each passenger to show their passport. They will inspect it very closely, ask you a few questions about your journey in broken English, stamp your passport and move on. This is because Croatia is not in the Schengen area, which is good to know if you are approaching the limit of days in the area.

Getting from Zagreb to Ljubljana by train

We left Zagreb and headed to Slovenia’s capital of Ljubljana. Getting from Zagreb to Ljubljana by train is as smooth as train rides get! The journey is short and sweet at about 2h 20 minutes from station to station in each capital.

The earliest train leaves at 6:50 am and the last one is at 9:20 pm. On average, there are 4 trains per day that go from Zagreb to Ljubljana. We took an early afternoon train and made it to Ljubljana in the middle of the afternoon. Giving us a good amount of time in each city.

Once again, on your way from Zagreb to Ljubljana by train, you’ll be stopped at the border and have your passport checked and stamped once again. You guessed it, you’re entering back into the Schengen area! The process is quite painless, just a little time consuming. Well worth it to visit such a cool city, if you ask us!

How to get around Zagreb

Zagreb is fairly small (but oh-so-cute) so walking around town is your best bet. Because Chillout Hostel Zagreb was so well-located, we could easily walk from one place to the next. It’s the most eco-friendly way to get around anyway, which we love! 

However, if you want to get somewhere faster, or get out of the rain, their bus and tram network is pretty awesome. We took the bus from the Zagreb Cathedral to Mirogoj cemetery, and back. It was very punctual and easy to take.

Use the Zagreb Card for discounts at the best Zagreb attractions

If you’re looking to visit all the museums (which would take you a long time), you may want to get the Zagreb Card. Like in other cities, it gives you discounts on so many entrances and Zagreb attractions, free transport and so much more. It may be worth investing in the card if you plan on hitting these places up.

Sustainable travel and ecotourism in Zagreb

As always, we want to be sure everyone practices sustainable travel in Zagreb, Croatia, and all over the world. That’s why we always share these tips to help you travel in the most eco-friendly way possible! Ecotourism is so important because it helps lower our carbon footprint, it helps travel become less of a burden on the environment, and it helps preserve our beautiful planet, so future generations can explore the beauty of the world.

Here are our tips to help you practice sustainable travel in Zagreb:

1. Bring reusable water bottles and coffee mug: Tap water in Croatia and Zagreb is safe to drink, and it’s one of the cleanest in the world. In fact, Croatia has the third-largest source of water in Europe per capita. So make sure you bring a reusable water bottle that you can fill up (we always have our Lifestraw Go with us!) And if you love to drink coffee, make sure you bring you reusable coffee mug too!
2. Eat as local and vegan as you can: This is the easiest way to reduce your environmental footprint. Eat as much local produce and food as possible, and especially, eat all the vegan options you can! It’s a delicious and easy way to reduce your carbon footprint.
3. Support small local restaurants and eateries: If you eat out, make sure you go to locally-owned restaurants. Avoid big chains or restaurants owned by conglomerates. Go off-the-beaten-path with your restaurant choice by asking locals for their best recommendations.
4. Bring your own bags and refuse plastic bags: Like most places, they still offer plastic bags in grocery stores, at the local markets, and at various shops. So bring your own bag and do your little step to save our beautiful planet!
5. Walk or bike around: We walked all around Zagreb and had a great time getting lost in its streets. It helped that our hotel was so centrally located to all the main attractions in Zagreb.
6. Use public transportation to get around Zagreb: The busses in Zagreb are some of the most efficient and cleanest we’ve seen in the world. It’s very easy to get around the city using public transportation.
7. Stay in eco-hotels or small locally-owned hotels in Zagreb: Another great way to promote ecotourism in Zagreb is to stay in smaller, locally-owned hotels like Chillout, or better yet, to stay in eco-hotels.

The 14 best things to do in Zagreb in November

As always, here’s a quick recap of the 14 best things to do in Zagreb. We got to do all of these cool things in our 2 days in Zagreb in November. It was a perfect itinerary for us, and hopefully, it will be for you as well!

1. Visit the Zagreb Cathedral
2. Eat local at Dolac Market
3. Check out St Mary’s Church
4. Walk around Tkalčićeva
5. Walk through the Stone Gate
6. Walk around St Mary’s Square
7. Check out Catherine’s Square
8. Stroll around Strossmayer Promenade
9. Check out the Museum of broken relationships
10. Admire the street art in Zagreb at Art Park
11. Check out Ban Jelačić Square
12. Walk the Lenuci Horseshoe
13. Pay hommage at Mirogoj cemetery
14. Climb Medvednica Mountain

Although our time in Zagreb was short, it was the sweetest. Such a cool, laid-back city, so many parks, and beautiful architecture, we highly recommend you find some time, head away from the coast, and discover this capital!

Have you ever been to Zagreb? Did we convince you to check it out? Let us know in the comments.

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