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Zagreb

Cafe culture, Sunday flea markets & Upper Town strolls

Browse Zagreb

Zagreb is one of the most rewarding places to explore, and this local guide brings together the best things to do, where to eat and where to stay in one place. Highlights include Britanac Flea & Antique Market, Ban Jelacic Square and Zagreb Cathedral. Food lovers should not miss Vinodol and Submarine Burger. Below you will find 11 hand-picked local recommendations across sights, restaurants, hotels and tours, which you can filter by category and budget to plan the perfect trip, whether you have a weekend or a week.

Zagreb at a glance

  • Ideal stay: 2 to 3 days
  • Best time to visit: spring and autumn
  • Highlights: Britanac Flea & Antique Market and Ban Jelacic Square
  • Where to stay: Upper Town and Novi Zagreb
  • Local picks: 11 hand-chosen recommendations
  • Getting around: walkable, plus easy public transport

Local tips for Zagreb

Stories and neighbourhood know-how from our local guides.

Where to stay in Zagreb

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Centre

Ban Jelacic Square

The buzzing central square where all of Zagreb meets.
★ 4.5
$
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Martićeva (Lower Town)

Booksa

Why it matters: run since 2004 by the nonprofit Kulturtreger association, Booksa is Zagreb’s living-room literary club – over 18,000 members and 500-plus visiting writers, sustained by a symbolic annual membership of about 2 euro that you pay at the bar. Grab a coffee, browse the shelves of books and magazines, and you’re suddenly part of the city’s cultural scene rather than watching it from outside. Readings, quizzes and concerts happen most weeks, many with English-friendly crowds. Tip: it’s closed Mondays, and the quiet garden out back is the locals’ choice on warm afternoons.
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Britanski trg

Britanac Flea & Antique Market

A long-running Sunday antique and flea fair on British Square, going strong for well over a decade. Stalls brim with porcelain, glass, old radios, books, artwork and secession-era curios – held every Sunday, rain or shine, with a wonderfully local atmosphere.
★ 4.4
$
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Centre

Dolac Market

The red-parasol farmers market above the main square.
★ 4.5
$
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Centre

Esplanade Zagreb Hotel

The 1925 Orient Express grande dame beside the train station.
★ 4.6
$$$
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Giant Whale Mural

It gave a new life to an abandoned building that has never been accepted by the residents of Zagreb. The fact the city authorities allowed a giant mural like this one in…
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Upper Town

Museum of Broken Relationships

A moving, original museum of donated objects from failed romances.
★ 4.6
$
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Novi Zagreb

Museum of Contemporary Art

Croatias flagship contemporary art museum, complete with a slide.
★ 4.4
$
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Upper Town

St Marks Church

The little Upper Town church famed for its colourful tiled roof.
★ 4.6
$
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Strossmartre

Strossmartre or “Ljeto na Strossu” lasts from May till September, but there are similar events in other seasons, too. It all takes place in the open, on a beautiful walkway popularly called…
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Centre

Submarine Burger

A cult local burger joint on the riverbank scene.
★ 4.4
$
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Lower Town

URIHO Gallery Shop

Why it matters: URIHO is Zagreb’s institution for the rehabilitation and employment of people with disabilities – around 500 employees, about 60 percent of them disabled – and this gallery shop on Gajeva is where their handmade work is sold. Skip the airport-souvenir stalls and pick up the Purger & Purgerica line of Zagreb-motif mugs, tote bags and hand-painted ceramics, or one of the Braille-embossed T-shirts and backpacks you won’t find anywhere else. Everything is made in URIHO’s own Zagreb workshops, so your money goes straight back into the program. Tip: it’s two minutes from Ban Jelačić Square but closes at 13:00 on Saturdays and stays shut on Sundays.
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Centre

Vinodol

A long-loved central restaurant for hearty grilled and roasted Croatian fare.
★ 4.5
$$
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Kaptol

Zagreb Cathedral

The twin-spired neo-Gothic cathedral towering over Kaptol.
★ 4.6
$
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Upper Town

Zagreb Upper Town Walking Tour

A guided climb through the medieval Upper Town and its legends.
★ 4.5
$
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Book your trip to Zagreb

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Zagreb travel FAQ

How many days do you need in Zagreb?

Two to three days is enough to enjoy the highlights of Zagreb at a relaxed pace.

Where is the best area to stay in Zagreb?

Stay central and walkable to the main sights for a first visit.

What are the best things to do in Zagreb?

Browse the local picks above, from top sights and museums to where to eat and stay. Or read our best things to do in Zagreb guide.

What is the best time to visit Zagreb?

Spring and autumn usually bring the most comfortable weather and thinner crowds, though Zagreb is worth visiting year-round.

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