How to Spend a Perfect One Day in Zagreb

Okay. So, you’ve planned to spend one day in Zagreb but are confused about what to do in the city just in a day. Don’t sweat it. I’ve got your back. Our Zagreb itinerary will help you explore the best of Zagreb in 24 hours.

The charming capital of Croatia mostly remains overshadowed by its coastal counterparts viz. Dubrovnik, Split, and the Croatian Islands like Vis and Travelers give this beautiful inland city a miss to rush for the glimmering coastline that Croatia is known for.

I’m glad you’ve added Zagreb to your Croatia Itinerary. It seems Zagreb finally has been getting its due.

Related Read: Best Places to Visit in Croatia

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One Day in Zagreb Itinerary

To make the most of your 24 hours in Zagreb, it’s important to know the way the city is laid out. It saves time and hassle, especially when you are short on time.

To give you an idea, Zagreb is divided into two halves, Zagreb Upper Town (Gornji Grad) and Zagreb Lower Town (Donji Grad).

The Upper Town is all about the medieval architecture lined along the narrow winding cobbled streets. In contrast, the wide boulevards, spacious urban spaces, and modern architecture are the centerpiece of the Lower Town.

Most of the popular tourist attractions are located in the old part of Zagreb. So, if you’ve just a day in Zagreb, it’s best to concentrate on the old town.

We’ve crafted 1 day Zagreb itinerary in a way that includes almost all the best things to do in the city in one day.

If you find a self-guided walking tour difficult or you are a history lover and are keen to know the fascinating tales and legends that define Zagreb, it’s best to join a private or group walking tour with a local guide. We recommend this tour as it includes most of the must-see attractions in Zagreb.

8 am: Breakfast @ Otto & Frank

Get a great start to your day in Zagreb with a delicious and healthy breakfast at Otto & Frank.

Located right on Tkalciceva Street in the city center, this bistro is famous for its Zagreb Breakfast, an all-day breakfast platter.

9 am: Check Out Ban Josip Jelacic Square

After a hearty breakfast, begin your exploration from the heart of the city. Ban Josip Jelacic Square, the main city square is always buzzing with life.

Dotted with lofty modern buildings, restaurants, cafes, and shops – the square is the primary junction for trams and pedestrians.

The huge statue of Ban Josip Jelacic, erstwhile governor of Croatia graces the square.

Walk to the other end of the square, toss a coin in the Mandusevac Fountain, and make a wish. Because you never know!

Read More: One Day in Dubrovnik Itinerary

9:30 am: Drink in the Best Views Over the City from Zagreb 360°

Located right on the famous shopping street of Ilica, bordering Ban Josip Jelacic Square is a plain-looking building that once (former Yugoslavia) was the most modern building – Zagreb Neboder or Zagreb Skyscraper.

You’d not even imagine what the top (16th) floor of the otherwise ordinary-looking high-rise building holds.

It houses the Zagreb 360° Observation Deck or Zagreb Eye that’s best known for its eye-catching views over the city of Zagreb and beyond.

Enjoy your morning cup of coffee while ogling at the beautiful view from its rooftop terrace bar and cafe and then come back in the evening and drink in the night views with a pint of beer. Isn’t it amazing?

The ticket is valid for an entire day. You can visit as many times as you want.

Note: Zagreb 360° is temporarily closed to the public.

10 am: Shop Local Flavors at Dolac Market

Dolac is the biggest open-air local farmers’ market in Zagreb. It’s difficult to miss it because you can spot the bright red umbrellas from the main square.

Operating since 1930, the stalls at the market sell fresh and local produce. From meat, local fish, bakery items, dairy items, and flowers, to fruit and veggies, and traditional souvenirs.

The market operates from 7 am to 3 pm from Monday to Saturday and 7 am to 1 pm on Sundays.

10:30 am: Admire Zagreb Cathedral

A short uphill walk from the main square leads you to Kaptol Square. The square is home to the grand Zagreb Cathedral.

Dating back to the 11th century, the Neo-Gothic cathedral with its soaring twin towers looks incredibly beautiful. The interiors are just as impressive.

The cathedral has endured quite a few renovations over the years to preserve it to its past glory. In fact, the restoration work was going on during our visit.

11 am: Ride the Funicular to Upper Town

You can walk uphill to explore the remaining attractions of the Upper Town but how can you miss the fun of riding the world’s shortest funicular (66m) and Zagreb’s oldest means of public transportation?

The ride takes a little less than 60 seconds!

The funicular runs every 10 minutes from 6:30 to 22:00 every day and costs 4 HRK per adult one way. The kids up to 7 years go free. If you have a Zagreb Card, the ride comes free.

11:30 pm: Walk along the Peaceful Strossmayer Promenade

Stroll along the lush green haven called Strossmayer Promenade aka Zagreb Stross.

It’s so quiet here. Plus, the panoramic views of the city from the promenade are an add-on.

As you stroll along the promenade, stop by the silver statue of the famous Croatian poet, Antun Gustov Matos gracefully sitting on a bench.

12 pm: Watch Out for the Noon Gric Cannon shot at Lotrscak Tower

It’s time for Noon Gric Cannon Shot.

Lotrscak Tower is a medieval tower that fires a cannon every day over the city exactly at noon supposedly to celebrate the victory of Zagreb over the Turks. The tradition goes back to about 1877.

Climb the narrow steps to reach the lookout post and be fascinated by the birds-eye view over Zagreb.

12:30 pm: Let Your Emotions be Evoked at Museum of Broken Relationships

Zagreb is known for its unique museums and the Museum of Broken Relationships is no different.

It’s one of the quirkiest museums I’ve ever visited.

The museum dearly treasures the items that are remnants of love and relationships that failed each accompanied by a story, some sad, some heartwarming, and some funny.

Know that you will go through a range of emotions.

Visit the official website for updated hours and ticket prices.

1:30 pm: Lunch @ Stari Fijaker 900

A little about 400m walk from the museum is a lovely restaurant, Stari Fijaker.

If (of course you must) you want to try traditional Croatian food, it’s your best bet.

2:30 pm: Marvel at the Beauty of St. Mark’s Church

Not as grand as Zagreb Cathedral, St. Mark’s Church with its signature polychromed tiled roof remains the icon and a poster child of Zagreb.

The colorful roof adorns the coats of arms of the city of Zagreb and the Triune Kingdom of Croatia, Slavonia, and Dalmatia.

Dominating St. Mark’s Square, the church is one of the oldest monuments in Zagreb.

You can witness the stunning interiors only during the daily mass that takes place at 6 pm from Monday to Friday, 7:30 am on Saturdays, and 10:30 am to 6 pm on Sundays.

If you happen to visit between April and October, plan a visit to the church during weekends at noon to attend the changing of the guard ceremony.

Note: If you are visiting Zagreb just for a day, you’d have to choose if you want to watch the cannon firing at Lotrscak Tower or witness the changing of the guard ceremony at St. Mark’s Church.

3:30 pm: Walk Through the Stone Gate

The Stone Gate is the only preserved medieval town gate out of the four gates. It’s used as a passageway from Upper Town to Lower Town and vice versa.

But it’s not just a gate. Its archway is home to a chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary, a guardian saint of Zagreb.

In fact, the Stone Gate Chapel is Zagreb’s most important sacred and religious site.

The chapel hosts a painting of the Virgin Mary with a child that remained undamaged during the great fire of 1731 in Gradec. Locals believe the painting protects Zagreb from troubles and always answers the prayers.

4 pm: Walk the Gric Tunnel

Close to the Stone Gate is the Gric Tunnel. Set up in 1943, during World War II to be used as a bomb shelter, the tunnel was opened to the public after a renovation in 2016.

Admission to the tunnel is free and open from 9 am to 9 pm.

5 pm: Stroll Tkalciceva Street and Stop By One of its Many Cafes

It’s time to head down to a lovely pedestrian street, Tkalciceva, Zagreb’s vibrant and bohemian heart.

Sprinkled with chic boutiques, traditional shops, cafes, and restaurants – it’s an ideal place to drop in for a much-needed coffee break.

The Cookie Factory is your answer. Order a steaming hot cup of coffee and pair it with delicious cookies. Just so you know, the cafe is celebrated for its luscious mix of brownies and ice cream.

6 pm: Shopping at Ilica Street

Ilica Street is one of the longest (over 6 km long) shopping streets in Zagreb. From expensive high-end brands to reasonably priced and cheap items, the street has something for everyone.

There are a ton of restaurants, cafes, bakeries, and bars along the way.

You can walk the entire length of the street and take a tram back to the main square.

8 pm: Dinner @ La Struk

We loved dining at La Struk and thus, recommend it to our readers.

PS: They serve the best ever Strukli, a traditional Croatian specialty.

Other Beautiful Places to Add to Your Zagreb Itinerary

Our Zagreb one-day itinerary covers almost all the best places to visit in Zagreb without you feeling rushed. Still, there are a few places we’d recommend you visit.

No. I’m not suggesting these extra attractions because I want you to cram your itinerary but because I want you to know that certain places are worth a visit provided you have time and energy.

You can easily transform our itinerary for Zagreb by removing the places that don’t fascinate you and swapping them with the ones that you find worthy as per your travel style.

Croatian National Theater

Commissioned in 1895 by Franz Joseph I, the Croatian National Theatre aka HNK Zagreb is an architectural masterpiece and a core of the performing arts scene in Zagreb.

You can experience drama, opera, and ballet performances here.

Apart from being an important cultural landmark, the saffron-colored building is also a major architectural landmark. A saffron-colored building with impressive neo-baroque architecture is a delight to look at.

Art Pavilion

The oldest in Southeast Europe, a gorgeous bright yellow colored art gallery, Art Pavilion is strategically located on the Lenuci Horseshoe (a unique U-shaped green belt of Zagreb that comprises the city squares with urban parks in Lower Town) with Nikola Subic Zrinski Square in its south and King Tomislav Square in its north.

Crafted using metal frame techniques, the building looks arresting. It deserves a visit even if you are not planning on checking out the art exhibitions it hosts.

Mirogoj Cemetery

Who’d want to visit a cemetery? But how can you not when it’s as mesmerizing as Mirogoj!

Located outside the city center, on the slopes of the Medvednica mountain, Mirogoj with its seemingly endless arcades draped by lush climbing ivy is utterly gorgeous and peaceful.

The location, the architecture, the surroundings, the history, the vibes – everything adds to the beauty and significance of the cemetery.

Ironically, it’s one of the most attractive and instagrammable places in Zagreb. In fact, it’s often counted as one of the most beautiful cemeteries in Europe.

Planning a Trip to Zagreb: Practical Details

You should know certain things about Croatia’s capital city before you plan a trip.

Our First Timer’s Guide to Visiting Zagreb gives you tons of crucial information about planning a trip to Zagreb.

You must imbibe the information at the early planning stages as it will largely influence how your Zagreb travel itinerary comes together.

Read More: How to Plan a Trip to Europe

Visa for Zagreb

Most countries enjoy visa-free travel to Croatia. You can check here if you need a visa for Croatia or not.

Countries who require a visa for Croatia can fill out the visa application form online at crovisa.mvep.hr and submit it to the competent Croatian Embassy or Consulate or visa center or through an accredited tourist agency along with other required documents.

Indians with a multiple-entry Schengen Visa don’t need a separate visa for Croatia.

Read Next: The Blue Cave in Croatia

How Many Days in Zagreb

It’s not easy to say how many days exactly you need to explore a particular city or country because it all depends upon your travel style and taste but we can give you an idea based on our perspective.

Is one day in Zagreb enough? One day in Zagreb is enough to uncover its soul. Zagreb is amazingly walkable, making exploring easy and fun without feeling rushed. Thus, you can effortlessly cover the highlights of Zagreb in 24 hours.

With 2 days in Zagreb, you can go beyond the Upper Town and explore other attractions in Lower Town.

3 days in Zagreb allow you to wander off the beaten path. You can discover beautiful sights like Mirogoj Cemetery a bit away from the center of Zagreb, maybe relax at its oldest urban park Maksimir, or hike the famous Mount Medvednica.

With 4 days in Zagreb or more, you not only get time to take in the feel of the city at a leisurely pace but you can also take a day trip or two from the capital of Croatia. Plitvice Lakes National Park is one of the best day trip destinations from Zagreb.

What’s the Best Time to Visit Zagreb?

Don’t plan around June and July because those are the busiest months. It’s when the tourist crowds, temperature, hotels, and flight prices – everything shoots up!

The autumn months of September are ideal to visit Zagreb. It’s the beautiful time of year when days are short, the air is crisp and cool, Mother nature joyfully displays gorgeous autumn foliage, fewer tourists, and the hotel and flight prices are remarkably low. In short, it’s a perfect time to visit Zagreb.

Zagreb is also a sight to behold during Christmastime.

Where to Stay in Zagreb?

With a plethora of accommodation options in Zagreb for every budget and travel style, choosing where to stay in the city is easy.

Gornji Grad (Upper Town) and Donji Grad (Lower Town) are the best areas to stay in Zagreb. Naturally, most of the top attractions are located in and around these areas.

We recommend Hotel Esplanade and Hotel Le Premier for luxury travelers, Rooms Zagreb 17 and Art Hotel Like for budget travelers, and Feels Like Home Apartments for travelers who seek a home-like atmosphere even while traveling.

Airbnb is also a good option, especially for families traveling with kids. We stayed on Bianca&Marko’s property and loved every bit of our stay. It’s fairly close to the center of the city yet away from all the hustle and bustle of it.

Related Read: Best Things to do in Zadar

How to Get to Zagreb?

Zagreb is well-connected to the rest of the world by air and the European countries and other Croatian cities by air, road, and rail.

Franjo Tuđman Airport serves the Craotian capital of Zagreb. There are no direct flights from the USA, South America, India, Australia, and Africa. Toronto, Doha, Dubai, and a good deal of European countries have direct flights to Zagreb.

We use and recommend Skyscanner to get the best deals on flights.

If you are coming from the nearby countries in Europe or from the other cities in Croatia, you can choose to travel by bus, train, or car.

I’d highly recommend renting a car if you are visiting Zagreb as a part of a larger European itinerary like ours. We visited Europe for a month and covered parts of Croatia, Slovenia, Slovakia, Austria, the Czech Republic, and Hungary.

We rented a car for our European adventure. The ease, freedom, and fun that come with having your own vehicle are unmatched.

Our 2-hour road journey from Ljubljana to Zagreb allowed us to discover the charming town of Samobor on the way. See, how having your own car gives you the flexibility to change your plans and stop wherever your heart wants to.

If you rent a car, make sure to book a hotel or Airbnb with a car parking facility. You’ll have to leave your car in the hotel or Airbnb parking because you can’t explore the city in a car. Parking is a hassle and expensive in Zagreb like in any other European city.

We use and recommend Trainline, Eurail, RailEurope, Omio, and FlixBus to book trains and buses in Europe and Discover Cars to rent a car in Europe.

Related Read: First Timer’s Guide to Split, Croatia

How to Get Around Zagreb?

Zagreb is best explored on foot if you stick to the city center and the old part of the city.

Another beautiful way to explore the city is on a bike. You can either hire a bike or can join one of the many biking tours in Zagreb.

If you wish to venture out of the city center then Zagreb’s integrated public transport network of trams and buses helps you a great deal.

Local Taxi (Cammeo Taxi, Radio Taxi, and Eko Taxi) and Uber also operate in Zagreb.

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