Zagreb, the capital city of Croatia, has a lot to offer. While you won’t find the beaches or the Adriatic Sea, you will find culture, history, restaurants, shopping, bars, and more. The city has three main sections; the Upper Town is a thousand years old and has the Presidential Palace and St. Mark’s Church. Lower Town dates to the 19th century and features theatres, restaurants, shops, and more and New Zagreb was constructed following WWII and is less popular among visitors. You will actually find more museums in Zagreb per square foot compared to any other place in the world, making it hard to pick. These top attractions are ideal if you only have a short amount of time in the city.
1: Zagreb Cathedral
Although most people refer to it as Zagreb Cathedral in English, the full name of this cathedral is the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, but it used to be called St. Stephen’s Cathedral. This cathedral features typical Gothic architecture and has two identical spires which are seen from around the city. The original cathedral was destroyed during the 13th century from the Tartar attack, leaving the current cathedral to be built during the latter part of the same century. It was also renovated following the 1880 earthquake, but it still has its medieval design.
2: Dolac Market
Dolac Market is an incredibly colorful open air market that features stands where you can buy a wide range of items. On the weekends, you will find people from around Zagreb visiting the market to get fresh products and groceries. You can buy seasonal products as well as hand-made souvenirs, and bargain for your items. The market is conveniently located close to Ban Jelacic Square, which is the main city square of the city. While the best-known part of the market is open-air, there is also a covered portion below where you will find fishmongers, butchers, and more.
3: Mirogoj Cemetery
Mirogoj Cemetery or Monumental Cemetery Mirogoj dates back to 1876 and it was made to replace eight cemeteries that were currently in use. The construction of the arcades, as well as their church, central portals, and cupolas, began in 1879. The arcades were completed in 1917 and the central portion in 1929, giving the cemetery a Neo-Renaissance style featuring balance and clear perspectives. Interestingly enough, all religions have their symbols represented equally within the cemetery.
4: St. Mark’s Church
St. Mark’s Church is an emblem in Zagreb, dating back to the 13th century. The roof is made up of colorful tiles and was built in 1880. You can find the Zagreb emblem on the right side and the coat of arms from medieval times for Croatia, Slavonia, and Dalmatia on the left. There are 15 figures within the Gothic portal which was created during the 14th century. Inside, you will see various sculptures, but you can only enter the church during Mass and the anteroom during opening hours. You should also try to watch the guard-changing ceremony each Saturday and Sunday in the summer.
5: Maksimir Park
Maksimir Park is the perfect place to spend your afternoon or morning, whether you are alone, with family, your partner, or your pet. This 18 hectare park is an escape from the city, surrounded by nature without any car engines within earshot. The forest area first opened in 1794 to the public, and at the time, it was the only park of its type in this area of Europe. During your trip to Maksimir Park, be sure to stop by the City Zoo as this is conveniently located within the park. You will find five lakes spread throughout the park, in addition to tree-lined avenues, a mock Swiss chalet, and more.
Website: www.park-maksimir.hr
6: The Tower Of Lotrscak (Lotrščak Tower)
This tower was built during the middle 13th century as a means of protecting the southern gate of the city. Climbing the tower is one of the best ways to get a gorgeous 360 degree panoramic view of Zagreb. At noon every day, you will hear a cannon being fired from this tower. This tradition has been taking place for a hundred years and commemorates a time during the middle of the 15th century when the cannon fired at noon at the Turks. Legend says that the cannon accidentally hit a rooster, blowing it up and the demoralized Turks left.
7: Mimara Museum
The Mimara Museum hosts the largest collection of historical art in Zagreb. The contents of the museum include archaeological finds, statues, and paintings which are organized both thematically and chronologically. Unfortunately, there is not much explanation in English at this museum donated by Ante Topic Mimara. In addition to the permanent exhibits that include Gothic works to oriental carpets, there are also temporary exhibits related to art or archaeology.
Website: www.mimara.hr
8: Jarun Lake
Although Jarun Lake is most popular during the summer, this southern Zagreb Lake is popular year round. A section of the lake is set apart for boating competitions, but you can still swim in a large area of it. When you enter the area, head right if you want to go windsurfing or enjoy the pebble beach at Veliko Jezero or left for pedal-boat or canoe rental or swimming at Malo Jezero.
9: Mount Medvednica
Mount Medvednica translates to Bear Mountain in English and is the perfect place to go hiking, camping, or biking or to enjoy scenic natural beauty. The highest peak in the area is Sljeme, which measures 3396 feet high. There is also the Medvedgrad Fortress in the park, which dates back to the 13th century. You can also find the Veternica cave and skiing in the winter.
Website: www.lonelyplanet.com
10: Archaeological Museum
Zagreb’s Archaeological Museum has permanent collections that range from Prehistoric to Numismatic to Egyptian to Antiquities. The Numismatic Collection alone has nearly 280,000 items and the entire museum has more than 450,000 artifacts. The museum started as the National Museum in 1846 before 1866 when it became the “State Institute of Croatia, Slavonia, and Dalmatia.” When the umbrella museum dissolved in 1939, the museum was left as the Archaeological Museum.
Website: www.amz.hr