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Zagreb walking tour & city guide

A café-loving capital of upper and lower towns.

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Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, is a relaxed Central European city with Austro-Hungarian architecture, leafy parks and a strong café culture. Its historic Upper Town sits on a hill above the busy Lower Town, and the two are linked by one of the shortest funiculars in the world.

The Upper Town

Gornji Grad, the Upper Town, is the oldest part of Zagreb. St Mark's Church is famous for its colorful tiled roof showing the coats of arms of Croatia and Zagreb. Nearby, the Stone Gate shelters a small shrine where people light candles, and the Lotrščak Tower fires a cannon every day at noon.

The Museum of Broken Relationships, a museum of objects left behind after breakups, is one of the most original museums in Europe. From the Strossmayer Promenade, there are lovely views over the rooftops of the Lower Town.

The Lower Town

Ban Jelačić Square is the main meeting point, surrounded by cafés and trams. Just above it, the Dolac market, with its red umbrellas, has been the city's 'belly' since 1930. The twin spires of the cathedral rise next to it.

The Lower Town has a 'Green Horseshoe' of parks and squares lined with grand buildings, including the yellow Croatian National Theatre. The Tkalčićeva street, once a stream, is now a lively street of bars and cafés.

Visiting tips

Zagreb's Advent festival is often voted one of the best Christmas markets in Europe. On Saturday mornings, locals dress up for 'špica', a coffee and people-watching ritual in the center. Plitvice Lakes National Park is about two hours away.

Top sights in Zagreb

  1. 1

    St Mark's Church

    A church with a famous tiled roof.

  2. 2

    Ban Jelačić Square

    The main square of the city.

  3. 3

    Zagreb Cathedral

    A neo-gothic cathedral with twin spires.

  4. 4

    Stone Gate

    A medieval gate with a shrine.

  5. 5

    Museum of Broken Relationships

    Objects and stories of lost love.

  6. 6

    Lotrščak Tower

    A tower with a noon cannon and views.

Food markets & where to eat in Zagreb

  1. Dolac Market

    The city's main market under red umbrellas.

  2. Tkalčićeva Street

    A lively street of cafés and bars.

  3. Bogovićeva and Preradovićeva

    Café terraces in the Lower Town.

  4. British Square market

    A small local market with an antiques fair.

Food to try in Zagreb

  1. Štrukli

    Baked or boiled dough filled with fresh cheese.

  2. Zagrebački odrezak

    A breaded veal cutlet stuffed with ham and cheese.

  3. Purica s mlincima

    Roast turkey with thin baked pasta.

  4. Kremšnita

    A vanilla cream slice from nearby Samobor.

Opening hours and prices change often. Please check with each place before you visit.

Plan your trip to Zagreb

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