20 Must-Visit Attractions in Zagreb, Croatia

St Mark’s stands out as an iconic attraction because of its chequered-tile roof displaying the coats of arms of Zagreb and Croatia, brightening the focal square named after it. Other external features reflect its lengthy construction, such as its Romanesque windows, Gothic portals and particularly the 15 effigies over the south portal.

St Mark’s Church, Trg Svetog Marka 5, Zagreb, Croatia, +385 1 4851 611

St Mark’s | © Jorge Franganillo/Flickr

The National Theatre is a cultural landmark and a work of art in its own right. Habsburg Emperor Franz Josef attended the unveiling of this architectural masterpiece, created by the Viennese design team of Ferdinand Fellner and Herman Helmer. Ivan Meštrović later sculpted the fountain outside, The Source of Life.

National Theatre, Trg maršala Tita 15, Zagreb, Croatia, +385 1 4888 488

National Theatre | © Jorge Franganillo/Flickr

The bizarre yet popular Museum of Broken Relationships illustrates doomed romantic liaisons by way of the unusual souvenirs, personal letters and strange artifacts that arise as couples uncouple. Conceived by a former couple, the concept struck a chord, and a permanent home was found here in the Upper Town.

Zagreb’s finest art collection was bequeathed to the nation by controversial war-time cultural consultant Ante Topić Mimara. How Mimara came by his outstanding collection of Goyas, Canalettos and Van Dycks isn’t clear but for the tourist, such treasure housed in a beautiful former school from the 19th century is worth a day’s visit.

Mimara Museum, Rooseveltov trg 5, Zagreb, Croatia, +385 1 4828 100

Mimara Museum | © David Holt/Flickr

Created by Cathedral architect Hermann Bollé, Mirogoj is the main cemetery for both Zagreb and the nation. Croatia’s great writers, artists and politicians lie here in what was a summerhouse and vineyard. Bollé’s grandiose main entrance lends the right tone to any visit.

Mirogoj, Aleja Hermanna Bollea 27, Zagreb, Croatia, +385 1 4696 700

Mirogoj | © Adrià Páez Forteza/Flickr

Dominating the skyline for miles around, the neo-Gothic spires of the Cathedral top this late 19th-century rebuild by German architect Hermann Bollé. Under restoration for several years, hence the scaffolding, the Cathedral contains the relief of Archbishop Alojzije Stepinac by Ivan Meštrović, marking the resting place of the controversial cleric.

The collection of the Archaeological Museum stretches to nearly half a million artifacts, most unearthed in Croatia. Stand-out exhibit is the Vučedol Dove, a vessel carved around 2,500BC and discovered in 1938. Its intricate markings are said to represent the seasons and constellations, perhaps the first calendar in the western world.

Created for the World Student Games of 1987, Jarun is Zagreb’s main area for recreation. Cycle paths and a skateboard park surround a man-made lake where sailboats glide, dotted with the islands that stage June’s major INmusic festival. Nightclubs, including the seminal Aquarius, fringe the shoreline.

Jarun, Croatia

Jarun | © prkos/Flickr

Named after the famous inventor and national hero Nikola Tesla, the Technical Museum houses a planetarium, a collection of rare transport, a mock-up of a coalmine and a cabinet of Tesla’s bizarre creations. The end result is a surprisingly entertaining and diverse visit for all ages.

An unusual work created by renowned sculptor Ivan Meštrović, the Meštrovićev paviljon houses the Croatian Associations of Artists. Opened as a circular arts hall before World War II, it was later converted into mosque, then a museum. Today the building hosts events and exhibitions of national cultural importance.

Meštrovićev paviljon, Trg žrtava fašizma 16, Zagreb, Croatia, +385 1 4611 818

Meštrovićev paviljon | © Fred Romero/Flickr

Zagreb’s largest park was created in the 1790s by Bishop Maksimiljan Vrhovac. Its rolling hills and sprawling oak trees represent the English style, rustic and less constrained than its French counterpart, with lakes and footpaths. Today you’ll also find Zagreb Zoo and nearby the national football stadium, also called Maksimir.

Maksimir, Zagreb

Maksimir | © ivan_m_zg/Flickr

Zagreb’s most significant cultural opening in modern times, the Museum of Contemporary Art is known by its acronym of MSU, permanent home for some 10,000-plus artifacts from the mid 20th century onwards. Architect Igor Franić has created a somewhat functionalist shell, with a flexible, twisting interior.

A Baroque creation of the 1600s, St Catherine’s lends its name to the pretty square in the Upper Town that also houses the Klovićevi Dvori Gallery in the adjoining monastery. The church displays the coat of arms of the noble families who contributed to its reconstruction later in the 17th century.

St Catherine’s Church, Katarinin trg, Zagreb, Croatia, +385 1 4851 950

St Catherine’s | © Prabhu Balakrishnan/Flickr

The recently opened Grič tunnel beneath the Upper Town fortifications was created as an air-raid shelter during World War II. Unused then abandoned, it was taken over by DJs and ravers in the 1990s. Now renovated, it stages fashion shows and exhibitions and is slated to host a Museum of the Senses.

Grič Tunnel, Mesnička ulica 19, Zagreb, Croatia

Grič Tunnel | © Miroslav Vajdic/Flickr

Housed in the Habsburg-era Vranyczany Palace, the Modern Gallery holds some 10,000 domestic works from the 1800s to the present day. At any given time, some 750 are on display, from Impressionist paintings by Vlaho Bukovac to cutting-edge video art, along with sculptures and installations.

Modern Gallery, Andrije Hebranga 1, Zagreb, Croatia, +385 1 6041 040

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Donated to the nation in 1868 by the eminent bishop of the same name, the Strossmayer Gallery of Old Masters contains the 256 paintings of his private collection. Concentrating mainly on the Italian Renaissance, these works also include pieces by El Greco, Jean-Antoine Gros and Jan Wallensz de Cock.

Strossmayer Gallery of Old Masters, Trg Nikole Šubića Zrinskog 11, Zagreb, Croatia, +385 1 4895 117

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Presenting the urban development of Croatia’s capital from prehistoric times to the present day, the Zagreb City Museum is most enlightening when dealing with the 19th century. Away from the fusty models and maps showing medieval expansion, the museum brings Habsburg Zagreb to life with replicas of shopfronts and artifacts from the theatre stage.

Opened in the 1890s, the Botanical Gardens operate from April 1 to November 1. Along with the many glasshouses containing some 10,000 species of plants, you’ll find large garden ponds, winding paths and many benches, allowing for quiet contemplation away from the busy city.

Botanical Garden, Trg Marka Marulića 9A, Zagreb, Croatia, +385 1 4844 002

Botanical Garden | © Shadowgate/Flickr

Workplace of Croatia’s most renowned sculptor, the Atelijer Meštrović occupies the 17th-century properties that he himself restored over 20 years until his arrest in 1941 and subsequent exile. Works in marble, stone, wood and bronze, and drawings and graphics cover two floors, an atrium and the atelier off the ivy-clad courtyard.

Atelijer Meštrović, Mletačka 8, Zagreb, Croatia, +385 1 4851 123

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