The Perfect One Day in Zagreb Itinerary
Last Updated on 14th January 2024 by Sophie Nadeau
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Spending one day in Zagreb, Croatia can be a fun experience and a unique way to see one of the most beautiful cities in the Balkans. Whether your visit is part of a longer Croatia itinerary or you chose to explore Zagreb as a short escape from another European town, the capital of Croatia will not disappoint you. In this article, I will share with you all the things you can do if you have 24 hours in Zagreb to make the most of your time in this important Croatian city.
If you are thinking about visiting Croatia, then be sure to check out how to spend one week in Croatia, how to plan a honeymoon in Croatia, and the best hidden gems of Croatia.
Contents
Basic Things to Know about Zagreb
Where is Zagreb?
Stretching from the Sava River to the foothills of the Dinaric Alps, Zagreb is located in the northern area of Croatia and near the border with Slovenia.
How to Get to Zagreb
The city has an international airport and it is possible to get to Zagreb from different European cities and countries out of Europe by plane. The airport also receives flights from other Croatian cities including Dubrovnik and Split.
There are also bus services reaching Zagreb from Austria and Italy, as well as buses and trains from the rest of the Balkan countries.
Moving Around
The best way to move around in Zagreb is to use public transport, trams are very efficient, fast, and affordable, and can take you to all the sites you plan to visit in a day, the service also runs at night (with a more limited schedule).
Keep in mind that tickets are not sold on the trams, but must be purchased at newsstands. The tram ticket is known as tramvajska karta and they must be validated once on the tram.
Getting from the Airport to the City
Zagreb’s International Airport is located about 15 kilometers from the center of town, and there is a comfortable bus shuttle (“Pleso prijevoz”) that operates between the airport and the central bus station in Zagreb. As an alternative, the ZET (Zagreb Electric Tram) also connects the airport terminal with Velika Gorica.
What is Zagreb known for?
Zagreb is famous for being a transport hub and is where many intersections of the country meet; great road and transport links mean that this is where Central Europe, the Mediterranean and Southeast Europe all meet. Zagreb is also pretty stunning and is often regarded to be one of the most beautiful places in Croatia.
Currency in Croatia
Prior to 2023, the local currency was the Croatia Kuna. However, as of January 1st 2023, the new currency of Croatia is the euro, which is used in 20 other countries in the eurozone. Therefore, be sure to have Euros readily available when visiting Croatia.
When to Visit Zagreb
The Balkan city features mild temperatures both in spring (from April to June) and autumn (from September to November), making these two seasons the best time to visit Zagreb.
Temperatures tend to go up a lot in summer, as well as prices and crowds, therefore, it might not be the best time of the year to enjoy a quiet visit.
Winter, on the other hand, can be quite cold and rainy, however, it is the perfect time of the year to enjoy Zagreb’s Advent festival during the merry season.
At the end of this article, you will also find details to visit Zagreb during the Christmas period.
Is one day enough time in Zagreb?
Those who enjoy visiting attractions and monuments at a fast pace will find that one day in Zagreb is sufficient to get a feel for the city. If you prefer slow travel and want to see a number of more off the beaten path attractions, you’ll want to spend two or three days in Zagreb.
Best Things to Do in Zagreb in One Day
Historic District
Zagreb’s Upper Town, known as Gradec, is a characteristic historic district with a medieval atmosphere, and the ideal place to discover more about the history of the country. Here, you will be able to learn about the ancient capital of Croatia and its Austro-Hungarian past.
It features beautiful cobbled streets adorned with typical gas lamps still hand-lit every day when the sun goes down.
Over here, you can marvel at the Croatian Parliament and admire the magnificent collection of aristocratic palaces and other colorful buildings dating from that historic period, erected between the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
Ban Jelacic Square
The main square in Zagreb is probably the first place you will want to visit as it allows you to reach any of the city’s major attractions just within a short walk.
In this place, you will find a plethora of stunning buildings all around the square. If you made it to Zagreb early in the morning, then this is the right spot for a quick breakfast since there are dozens of cafes in the area.
Saint Mark’s Church
Considered one of Zagreb’s most amazing architectural examples, the building features an impressive mix of Romanesque and Gothic styles clearly visible in the exquisite bell tower.
The church’s incredible roof is made of colourful tiles that form the city’s coat of arms as well as the colours of the historic Kingdom of Croatia-Slavonia. The church dates back to the 13th-century, though much of what you see today was built in the latter half of the 14th.
Zagreb Cathedral and Archbishop’s Palace
You don’t need to get too far from the square to check out one of the most important monuments in town, just meters from the northern area of Ban Jelacic Square.
The most distinctive trait of Saint Mark’s Cathedral is the two Neo-Gothic spires of the cathedral, originally built back in the thirteenth century but reconstructed in the late years of the nineteenth century after a strong earthquake hit Zagreb.
Attached to the cathedral you will find a spectacular Baroque building, known as the Archbishop’s Palace while the tomb of Cardinal Stepinac, who was one of Zagreb’s most remarkable archbishops, is also hosted inside the cathedral.
If you’re in the mood for walking a little bit more, head to the pedestrian Tkalciceva Street, lined up with dozens of picturesque cafés and small eateries, perfect for a quick lunch and a cup of coffee.
Joining a Private Historic Walking Tour like this one hosted by a local will give you a special insight into the Cathedral and other historic landmarks including the streets of the upper city, the oldest pharmacy in Zagreb, and Opatovina Park, a peaceful green oasis away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Communist Zagreb
Not far from this street, you can explore the old WWII tunnels that were still being used during the years of Communist rule in many of the Balkan countries, here you can learn a lot about the former Yugoslavia and its charismatic ruler, Tito.
A visit to the WWII underground tunnels is a perfect occasion to understand how it was to live in Zagreb during the turbulent years of its recent history, getting a closer look at the Croatian Homeland War which ignited the fall of communism in Croatia. An organised tour like this one is the best way to have a clear picture of Croatia’s recent tragic past.
The Stone Gate
When visiting the upper old town, you will also have the opportunity to pass through one of Zagreb’s most iconic sites, the only surviving gate to the historic district and also a pilgrimage site for the locals.
Known as the Stone Gate, this access to the ancient city dates from the thirteenth century and it hosts a beloved painting of the virgin which was not damaged in a great fire back in the 1700s. For that reason, it has become a place of worship that locals regularly visit.
Lunch Break at Dolac Market
If you enjoy learning about local products and traditional crafts, but also have fun tasting Croatian delicacies and hunting for small souvenirs and trinkets, head to the Dolac, Zagreb’s main public market, just meters from the cathedral.
Several stalls display colorful fruits and vegetables but the place is also great for a quick and inexpensive lunch while enjoying a relaxed walk around the center of the capital.
For those who enjoy learning about the local culture through its gastronomic traditions, a Zagreb Food Tour is probably the best way to do it.
Check out one of the many food walking tours in Zagreb, such as this option. The experience takes you to the central spots in Zagreb to discover more about the city’s history and different local dishes.
These food tours often include a stop at the central green market where you can taste homemade peasant dishes and products including burek, cottage cheese, fish and meat, and more. Some tours also include a visit to the local chocolate factory and a sample session of Croatian dishes from other regions in the country.
Museum of Broken Relationships
Perfect for an afternoon break, this original exhibition is among my favourite museums in town.
Known as the Museum of Broken Relationships, it houses unique collections of really personal objects that, in one way or another, are related to painful break-up stories from all over the world and connected to love stories that could not find a happy ending due to cultural, wealth, or even class differences.
Zagreb City Museum
Not far from the Museum of Broken Relationships the city museum is located in the ancient Convent of the Clares, dating from the seventeenth century.
Apart from discovering the interesting structure hosting the exhibition, you will certainly enjoy the unique collection of objects that tell the history of Zagreb from prehistoric times.
Lotrscak Tower
One more building that dates from the thirteenth century, the tower is known for the Gric cannon which is fired every day at midday! The tower is open to the public and it can be visited to enjoy great views of Zagreb’s historic district as well as the modern town.
On a curious note, the tower has its own official Twitter account which you can follow. The account only tweets once a day, at the exact hour that the cannon is fired. What does the tweet say? Just one word: “bum!”
You can follow this original feed at @gricki_top
Only metres from the tower, check out the funicular, the oldest public transport in town, dating from 1888. Only 66 meters long, this is the shortest funicular railway in the world and it connects the Upper Town to the Lower Town in just minutes.
Zagreb Botanical Garden
If you enjoy long walks surrounded by green spaces, plants, flowers, and fragrant bushes, then head to the lower town and spend a couple of hours visiting Zagreb Botanical Garden.
This incredible oasis in the middle of the vibrant city first opened its gates to the public in 1891 and it features more than 10.000 different plant species from all over the world.
Nikola Tesla Technical Museum
Another unmissable place to check out in Zagreb is the Nikola Tesla Museum, a place that offers an interesting insight into the world of science and technology placing a special focus on technological progress and sustainable development.
During the visit, it is possible to walk through an ancient underground mine and witness the visionary ideas of Nikola Tesla by participating in interactive demonstrations in Tesla’s cabinet.
The experience, attractive to people of all ages, also includes permanent exhibitions regarding a variety of areas, such as transport, firefighting, geology, radioactive waste, and renewable energy.
Insider’s tip: If you visit at 3 pm (from Tuesday to Friday) or 11 am (weekends), there is a free guided tour through the museum’s mine and a demonstration of Tesla’s experiments at the Nikola Tesla Cabinet. You can purchase the ticket in advance here.
Christmas in Zagreb
Zagreb is a magical Christmas destination displaying dozens of gorgeous decorations, lights, and Christmas trees as well as interesting markets where locals love to gather to taste traditional sweets, have a glass of mulled wine, and purchase Christmas ornaments for their homes.
Among the places you should not miss during the holidays are the famous Tkalčićeva Street with incredible decorations, but also Zagreb Cathedral, and the Lotrscak Tower.
If you want to learn more about the spell bounding Christmas traditions, explore unique corners in town, discover the story of the Christmas tree, and many more magical things can happen during the Christmas period in town, join a special Christmas tour in Zagreb.
You will also visit the old-fashioned Christmas Market in Zagreb and experience the magic of Croatia during this special time of the year.
Where to stay in Zagreb
If you are planning to spend more than a day in Zagreb, then
Budget: This well-reviewed hostel is located
Mid-range
Luxury: For a stay you’ll remember for a long time, you’ll want to book yourself into this five-star accommodation. Highlights include air-conditioning and a 24-hour front desk. Check prices and availability here.
A final note on planning a day in Zagreb
No matter what time of the year you visit, Zagreb is a great place for a short getaway in Europe, the city is small and easy to walk, has affordable public transport, and offers an amazing array of landmarks to discover, as well as charming markets and delicious cuisine.
Are you spending a day in Zagreb any time soon? Trust me, you won’t regret it!
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Gabi Ancarola is a journalist and travel writer who has lived over 20 years in Italy, and has been living in Crete for the last five years. She hosts culinary tours, translates and writes for her Crete travel blog The Tiny Book. She’s written for Greek Reporter and published several travel guides about Greece.
