What to visit in Zagreb - Advent, sights, restaurants and museums

Updated: 13 November 2023

If you are planning a trip to Zagreb, a day trip or a long weekend, we have compiled an extensive guide through Zagreb, so that you can find all the information you need in one place.

With Air Serbia, you reach Zagreb in a flight of an hour and ten minutes. You can buy Belgrade - Zagreb flight tickets quickly and reliably on the company's website, and if you sign up for the Newsletter, you will receive notifications about discounts on ticket prices, and information about new departures.

As in other big cities, Zagreb has well-organized public transport, mainly trams and buses. There are a total of over 160 day and 8 night routes.

You can buy tickets at several locations in the city or from the driver in the vehicle itself. Taxi services are also available. 

The most popular tourist spots are: Upper Town, Maksimir, Zelena (Lenuzijeva) potkova (Green Lenuzzi Horseshoe), Trg Republike Hrvatske (The Square of the Republic of Croatia, Trg Bana Jelačića (Bana Jelačića Square), Medvednica nature park, streets like Ilica and Tkalčićeva.

For many tourists, the most beautiful, and at the same time the oldest city district is the Upper Town. You can reach this part of Zagreb on foot, but certainly the most popular form of transport to the top is the cable car, which takes about 6 minutes. In the Upper Town there are sights with a long and turbulent history, to name just a few: St. Mark‘s Chruch, St. Catherine‘s Church, Church of Cyril and Methodius, City Assembly, Banski dvori (Croatian Government), Stone Gate, Lotrščak Tower with the most beautiful panoramic view, etc.

Other state and public buildings are located on the Square of the Republic of Croatia, such as the Croatian National Theatre, the University of Zagreb, the Mimara Museum, the Museum of Art, and many others.

The Ban Jelačić Square is the starting point for almost all tourists and the spot considered to be the city centre of Zagreb. This is a place of daily walks for tourists, but also for the locals, a meeting place for various events, and there is also the famous Manduševac fountain.

The two most famous streets in Zagreb are Ilica and Tkalčićeva. Ilica is one of the longest streets, stretching from the Ban Jelačić Square all the way to Vrapče in the western part of the city. It has many stores of renowned brands, cafes and restaurants. Near Ilica, there is also Tkalčićeva Street, which stretches from the Ban Jelačić Square to the north of the city. This is one of the most popular streets and people say that it has a soul.

While we are still in the city centre, let's mention the Green (Lenuzzi's) horseshoe. Did you know that Zagreb is almost 70% covered with greenery and that it is one of the cities with the most parks? In one part of Zagreb, there are as many as eight parks - squares: Zrinski Square, Strossmayer Square, King Tomislav Square, Ante Starčević Square, Botanical Garden, Marulić Square, Mažuranić Square and Marshal Tito Square.

For nature lovers Maksimir is a must-see park. This is the largest park and sports and recreation centre, and it is only a 10-minute drive from the city centre. The largest part of this site is the park, next to the zoo, the football stadium of the Dinamo club and 5 lakes.

North of Zagreb stretches the mountain Medvednica, whose highest peak is Sljeme. On this mountain there is a nature park and a ski centre with cable cars where the world ski championships for women have been held. When the weather allows, a large number of tourist guides and agencies organize trips to Medvendica.

In addition to numerous parks, Zagreb also has several lakes.

Lake Jarun is located in the south-western part of the city. A 6 km long asphalt road stretches around the lake, and tourists and locals visit it mainly for recreation (swimming, running, rowing, cycling and rollerblading, etc.).

Lake Bundek is located in Novi Zagreb, stretching between the bridges Sloboda (Freedom) and Mladost (Youth) on the Sava river. It is one of the most popular places during hot summer days. There are several other lakes nearby: Lake Ontario, Lake Rakitje, 5 lakes in Maksimir (First, Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth Lakes), etc.

Zagreb is known for a large number of museums, both classic and alternative, which offer unusual exhibitions.

We will mention a few: the Archaeological Museum, the Museum of Contemporary Art (known for its 90m long LED screen) or the Mimara Museum (a collection of works of art by collector Ante Topić Mimara). Tourists are also interested in the City Museum, the Modern Gallery and the Ethnographic Museum.

Zagreb is also known for the Museum of Broken Relationships - an exhibition of objects reminiscent of a former relationship, which are donated by people after parting with a loved one. When visiting Zagreb, do not miss the Hangover Museum, the Museum of Illusions or the Chocolate Museum.

Visitors can delve into history at the Croatian History Museum, which houses artefacts and exhibits detailing the nation's story from prehistoric times to the present day. The extensive collection of medieval armour and weapons is specially interesting, providing insight into the region's turbulent past.

True art lovers should not miss the Klovićevi Dvori Gallery in the upper town. It often hosts large exhibitions of both Croatian and international art, set in the beautiful surroundings of an old Jesuit monastery. Its programme ranges from Renaissance to modern art, with a special focus on promoting local artists and their contribution to the global art scene.

When planning to visit museums in Zagreb, it is worth checking the calendar of temporary exhibitions and events, as the city is known for its dynamic cultural schedule that often features themed exhibitions, interactive installations and a variety of educational programmes.

During a walk and while touring all the sights of Zagreb, you will have to take a lunch break. Like every major city in the Balkans, Zagreb is known for its excellent food and beverages.

Zagreb specialties are a mixture of flavours and cuisines from the surrounding regions. From Zagorje comes štrukla (type of pie) and turkey with „mlinci“ (a type of flatbread), Viennese steak stuffed with cheese and ham became Zagreb steak, and stews and various cooked dishes are taken from Hungarian cuisine. Also, there are more and more international restaurants, so the gastronomic offer will cater to everyone's taste.

Zagreb also offers the best nightlife in Croatia, and there are clubs and bars that offer a variety of music – in short, something for everyone. The night life of the capital is often the main reason for visiting especially for the younger population.

Advent in Zagreb has been the best holiday festival in Europe for three years now. From its first year until today a large number of tourists have visited Advent from all over the world. It is the most popular destination for festival fans from Serbia, primarily because it is only an hour away from Belgrade.

Advent this year will stretch from 2 December until 7 January. Streets and city squares, promenades, passages and parks will provide visitors with a refuge to socialize with their loved ones, warm their hands and enjoy a cup of mulled wine or hot chocolate. Visitors will be able to enjoy the irresistible smells and tastes of cinnamon and cloves, as well as local delicacies.

The upper town will be an advent exhibition, with innovative and creative New Year's decorations. A walk in this part of Zagreb will let tourists get to know the history of the city in a different way.

This season, Zagreb will also offer a rich cultural programme that will present an uplifting experience, based in museums and historical buildings. Music lovers will enjoy classical concerts and traditional music evenings, but also the flash mob concept. Short, unannounced performances will surprise random passers-by, vocal artists will make frequent appearances in city centre passages, presenting their happenstance audience with the most beautiful festival melodies.

Visitors to the festival will enjoy the sounds of classical pieces performed by the Zagreb chamber orchestra, master pianists and Zagreb soloists. The organizer's idea is to hear the melodies of Christmas not only from concert halls, cathedrals and museums, but also from parks, squares and city balconies.

Zagreb advent is also known for its gastronomy. This year's Gastro Adventure will offer all visitors a rich selection of international and local delicacies. Recognizable smells and tastes, such as boiled štrukli, sarma, and roast suckling pig will fill the air, while new trends in holiday delicacies will be there to discover.

And who enjoys Christmas and New Year's magic more than children? For the youngest visitors, advent in Zagreb brings organized theatre performances, competitions, fairs and socializing with favourite cartoon heroes, as well as unique chocolate exhibitions and a now traditional toy exhibition.

This year, pet owners, their furry pets and all animal lovers will be able to enjoy the Christmas magic together.

Besides the walking experience through the city streets, the organizers will enable visits to pet-friendly museums, with socializing in local cafés.