There is no better way to get your bearings in a new city than with a free walking tour. You get a good overview of the place from a local and a bit of its history. Zagreb’s ‘Free Spirit’ walking tour takes 2 hours and meets at 11am and 5pm by the statue of a horse in Ban Jelačić Square. It’s obviously free but of course you should give the guide a tip at the end.
At only 66 metres long, the dinky funicular in Zagreb is the shortest in the world. What a claim to fame.
The first thing that comes into view after exiting the funicular’s upper station is the Strossmayer Promenade. Paid for by charitable donations in 1812, this was Zagreb’s first public walkway. Close by are some of the city’s best-known sights, such as the Lotrščak Tower, from where a canon is fired every day at noon. “Stross” (the promenade’s nickname) also provides expansive views of the Lower Town. Croatian writer Antun Gustav Matoš loved the panorama so much that the local authorities put up a statue of the author on the very spot in 1978.
The low terrain behind Zagreb Cathedral was once home to the fishponds owned by the bishops of Kaptol. In 1892 this green expanse was landscaped into an English style park featuring many exotic shrubs and trees. Right in the heart of the city, Ribnjak is an ideal spot to take a break from sightseeing.
This remarkable patchwork of central squares and parks was named after the great 19th-century urban planner Milan Lenuci. The locals also call it the Green Horseshoe because it connects seven delightful parks, including the Botanical Garden. The area features many landmark buildings housing scientific and cultural institutions, ministries, courts, museums, galleries and hotels, as well as Zagreb’s central railway station. Although the surrounding buildings have a formal aspect, the atmosphere in the squares and parks is much more laid-back, especially in nice weather. The sun-kissed lawns are then busy with people enjoying a moment of peace and quiet.
The monumental, historic building of the Croatian National Theatre was unveiled in 1895, and merits a visit for its architectural features alone. It also offers a rich programme of first-class opera, drama and ballet, and a performance here is guaranteed to be an unforgettable experience. If you are planning on visiting a performance, it is advisable to purchase the tickets at least a month or two in advance.
This densely forested park, landscaped in the English style, is the perfect destination for those wishing to escape the urban bustle. When it opened in 1794, Maksimir was the first public park in Southeastern Europe. It is named after its founder Bishop Maksimilijan Vrhovec. The park’s lush woodland hides five lakes and a number of streams – a setting perfect for recreation and relaxation. Other highlights include the Zagreb Zoo, Maksimir Belvedere and the Pavilion of Echoes.
Stretching between two bridges over the river Sava – Most slobode and Most mladosti – Bundek is a favourite recreational spot for the people living in Novi Zagreb (“New Zagreb”). The park’s main assets are its lakes, beaches, cycling and walking trails, a modern children’s playground and beach volleyball and handball courts. Also rich in flora and fauna, Bundek is a wonderful refuge from the fast-paced city.
A must for every science and technology buff, this museum is also the right address for eager learners. One of the highlights is the replica of Nikola Tesla’s laboratory, where visitors can enjoy daily demonstrations of his inventions. The museum also features a 300-metre-long recreation of a mine, portraying the extraction of coal and ferrous and non-ferrous metals.
Quite apart from being housed in a splendid historic palace on one of Zagreb’s prettiest squares, the Archeological Museum is a must-visit attraction on account of its rare and valuable collections. Visitors will be particularly impressed by the famous Linen Book of Zagreb – a strip of linen inscribed with the longest surviving text in the ancient Etruscan language. The recently restored Egyptian mummy is another of the museum’s high points.
The Garden Brewery is probably the best craft brewery on mainland Europe. Beers from Garden Brewery have exploded in popularity in recent years. If you’re into beer, you’ve probably heard of them: they’re sold in hipster bars all over Europe. But you really have to experience them fresh from their home brewery in Zagreb.
The square is home to the Croatian Government, Parliament and Constitutional Court. But as graceful and stately as these buildings are, they take a back seat to the stunningly pretty St Mark’s Church, which in part dates from the mid 13th century.
Photos don’t do the roof of the 13th-century St Mark’s Church justice. It’s a real icon of Zagreb and when you first see it when walking up the cobbled street from the funicular into the old town, it’s a remarkable sight. The tiles are very bright red and blue against the crisp white of the building.
More on (source): 30 things to do in Zagreb, Croatia’s underrated capital
More information about Zagreb, its history and landmarks can be found in this brochure by the Zagreb tourist agency.