28 April 2022 - Many people associate Croatian tourism with its famous coastline and sunny beaches. But the nation’s capital is an underrated gem. Here, I show you the best way to visit Zagreb in 24 hours. 

Zagreb is the capital and the largest city of Croatia, with a rich history dating back to Roman times. Described by locals as a "big town disguised as a small city", Zagreb is a mix of Western Balkan and central European culture with laid-back, youth-led rhythm. Walking down the promenades, visiting the outdoor market, and drinking coffee in its vibrant settings, this 24-hour itinerary will have you feeling like a local in no time. From historic locations to museums to a bar crawl, everything covered is within the centre of Zagreb, at most a short tram ride away.

10.00 a.m-13.00 p.m.

Get a good start to the day by walking around the centre of Zagreb, where you’re going to want to pass through some of the iconic walking spots like Tkalčićeva street, where you can also stop for a quick coffee or drink at one of its many open cafes.

Image: Jorge Franganillo/Flickr

If you find yourself hungry right away, stop for breakfast or brunch at the nearby Otto & Frank. Definitely go for their signature dish, the Zagreb Breakfast - Zagreb’s answer to a traditional breakfast dish complete with toasted bread, cottage cheese, and crispy poached eggs. Their menu contains other brunch staples from oatmeal to French toast, many of which are veggie. 

Image: @otto_frank_bar/Instagram

Alternatively, go for a coffee at Mala Kavana, a coffee shop/brunch place overlooking the Josip Jelačić main square. Zagreb is home to its own coffee culture - sitting at a vibrant open space with a strong coffee and a friend is part of the ZG lifestyle. And for this packed day, I have planned for you, you're gonna want to fuel up on caffeine.

Image: Mala Kavana/Facebook

And if you prefer to eat on the go, quickly grab a pastry from one of Zagreb’s bakery chains such as Dubravica or Dinara - the nearest in the centre being in Dolac, from which you may detour towards the end of Tkalčićeva. An iconic place of Zagreb culture, the open-air farmer’s market is where traders from all over Croatia sell their locally grown produce, from fresh fruit and vegetables to different types of cheese. The market also has a butchery and fish market, in addition to pasta vendors, gift shops, and flower stalls. 

Image: Jerome Rondeau/Flickr

13.00-15.00 p.m.

You definitely will want to hit one of Zagreb’s museums, whether it’s one of the art galleries like Klovićevi dvori, or the more one of a kind ones, like the Museum of Naive Art, the Museum of Broken Relationships, or the Zagreb 80s Museum, all within walking distance of the upper town. Or, the quirky Museum of Illusions in Ilica or the Chocolate Museum in Varšavska street (near the Cvjetni square). The appeal of Zagreb museums is not only its diverse range and creative design, but also its prices and accessibility. Tickets can be bought upon entry, and are usually at an average price of 50kn per adult.

Image: muzejiluzija.com 

15.00-17.00 p.m.

From the upper town, head from one of the former museums to some of Zagreb’s historic landmarks, from St. Mark’s Church, to the Strossmayer Promenade, the idyllic walking space of the Zagreb upper town complete with a panoramic view of the city, and the location of the historic Grič cannon and the world’s shortest funicular - Zagreb’s first and oldest means of public transport. Connecting Strossmayer to Tomićeva street, this short and sometimes even deemed "pointless" ride is nonetheless a must when visiting Zagreb. If heading out from the Museum of Illusions or Chocolate Museum, take the funicular upwards from Tomićeva to Strossmayer.

Image: inavukic

But regardless of which route you take, by now you'll want a break from all that walking, and what better way to do so than to stop for some sweet delicacies. Right beside the funicular end at Tomićeva is Vincek, the famous Zagreb cake shop, or rather its small outdoor branch known as Vis a Vis. Their kremšnita (cream pie) is a Zagreb favourite, and definitely one to savour in the outdoor setting, next to the carrot cake or triple chocolate brownie. What’s more, all their pastries are gluten-free, meaning those with allergies do not have to miss out.

Image: Gilbertt G/Tripadvisor

18.00-20.00 p.m
As the sun sets, head down to Zrinjevac park, a popular hanging spot to just sit in the grass and enjoy the atmosphere. Stop at the nearby Studenac grocery shop for some drinks or snacks, and chill out in the park. If there is an event happening, such as Cest is dBest or the Food and Film Festival, enjoy the music, performances, food and drink, and souvenirs. 

Image: e r g a s/Flickr

Otherwise, just use the hours to rest and take in the scenes. Walk around the park and go into the other nearby ones like the Josip Juraj Strossmayer park or the one at Kralj Tomislav square.

20.00-23.00 p.m.

If you're after a night out at the club, know that the Croatian way is to go in late hours. Which leaves plenty of time for a bar crawl to get your energy going for a long night ahead! Zagreb has a rich nightlife scene that has only continued to grow in recent years, and no matter what you're into, there is something for everyone. On the main square you have the popular bar and club Johann Franck. Going in towards Bogovićeva street, there’s Bulldog, and in Ilica, the stunning Swanky Monkey Garden, with its chill garden terrace vibe and excellent cocktails. And in the summer, head on further down to Tuskanac for the Pop Up Summer garden. For more info on what to do in Zagreb during the summer season, check out our guide covering festivals and other events in Zagreb that are either cheap or totally free.

Image: ​​Swanky Monkey Garden/Facebook

Now, if you identify more with counterculture, a bar crawl of Zagreb’s range of alternative pubs is the way to go. Starting on Preradovićeva street, you have Alcatraz, the bar/nightclub that has earned itself a cult following thanks to its regular lineup of cheap drinks and rock tunes.

Image Credit: Neven Vukovic/CityPal

Nearby there’s Rock star, fully adorned on every wall with rock memorabilia, and just 9 minutes away is The Beertija, the rock-themed outdoor beer garden and nightclub with its long menu list of top-quality beers. 

23.00 p.m-early hours
Now that it's time to hit the clubs, there’s the trendy Opera on Petrinjska, known as one of Zagreb’s top clubs with the best events and party atmosphere, attracting large numbers of visitiors in the spacious interior from late night till the early morning hours. 

Image: Pjerino B/Tripadvisor

For those following the alternative bar crawl, there’s Vintage Industrial at Savska (easily go there from i.e. the Beertija, via the 4 or 17 tram), or for the younger crowd, Močvara at Trnjanski nasip (slightly further away and best reached via the bus).

Image: mochvara.hr

6.00-9.00 a.m.
If you’ve finished a long night out or just want to get a quick coffee before wrapping up the day, you can always head back to the main square and stop back at Mala Kavana, or grab a slice of pizza at Fries Factory - the latter being a classic post-night out snack stop. 

And there you have it, the best 24 hours spent in Zagreb, hopefully showing just how much the small capital has to offer - not just its history and culture, but also its people and way of living.

For more on travel in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

March 6, 2022 - In the Dolac market in Zagreb, spring is already starting to be felt in the dozens of its stands, and also in the good spirits of its vendors and consumers. A Dolac seller shared with a Croatian outlet not only a delicious and healthy soup recipe but also explained why Dalmatian olive oil is better than Istrian.

Spring has arrived at the Dolac market. The sellers' stands are green with early spring crops and nothing is missing. Asparagus, bear onion, watercress, young spinach have arrived ... Sardines have also returned to the fish market but at the new price of 30 kuna per kilo, which caused dissatisfaction among many because they are now ten kuna more expensive than last year.

Dalmatian Ivo Marić welcomed Večernji List at his stand. A few weeks ago he shared with the same Croatian media outlet his recipe for raštika in Dalmatia, which turned the Dolac seller into a real internet sensation. This time, he shared with them a simple recipe for vegetable soup, but also explained why Dalmatian olive oil is better than Istrian.

- ''This is a quick recipe for vegetable soup intended for ladies who are in a hurry and do not have time to cook, and want to eat healthily. You need one broccoli, two potatoes, kohlrabi, and carrots. Cut them into cubes, put to boil with a little salt pepper, and olive oil. When the vegetables soften, add the pasta and that's it.'', he said. ''The secret of this soup is in quality olive oil. Without a good oil, there is nothing'', Marić pointed out.

- ''And which oil is better, Istrian or Dalmatian?'', a reporter from Večernji List asked the Dolac seller.

- ''They say it's better in Istria, but they buy olives from Brač. Half a liter is a hundred kuna for them, but they buy olives from Brač. They say that the stronger the oil, the better, but the stronger it destroys the fish later. When it's strong, it burns, coughs, and destroys the fish, even tourists don't want it when it's too fierce. They say oil with more acid is better. Old people in Dalmatia throw olives into the sea to kill the bitterness, now they say it's not good. It seems that everything that is old is no longer valid, now everything is modern and mostly worse than before.'', Marić concluded.

When it comes to olive oil, Croatia is one of the leading countries in the industry. From Istria to Dalmatia, you can find all the information you need to know about the origins, processes, and where to buy Croatian olive oil on the Total Croatia page, now in your language!

For more on Croatian products, producers, companies, and exports, make sure to check out Made in Croatia.

As Poslovni Dnevnik writes on the 8th of April, 2020, in addition to the much loved Dolac market located in the very heart of Zagreb, the markets in Kvatrić, Trešnjevka, Špansko, Prečko, Jarun, Gajnice and Utrina will also be opened.

Zagreb's popular Dolac market has begun operations today, with all the measures required to reduce the spread of coronavirus firmly in place. Ten ''cottages'' have been set up on Dolac market from which Croatian OPGs are selling their fresh local products, and benches are set up, which have been placed five metres apart.

Customers can then come and buy what they need from the sellers in limited numbers with mandatory hand disinfection in place, with a maximum of one hundred people being allowed to be there, writes Vecernji list.

As previously mentioned, in addition to Dolac market, there will also be other popular Zagreb markets open in Kvatrić, Trešnjevka, Špansko, Prečko, Jarun, Gajnice and Utrina. The new cottages from which Croatian producers will sell their products will be open from 08:00 to 13:00, where the marketplaces are operating outside, while closed markets will allow for sales to take place from the benches.

On Kvatrić market, OPGs will sell their products from six cottages, on Trešnjevka market, from five cottages, and in Špansko, from two cottages, and everything will be done under the principle of cottage - one OPG.

The Green Market is becoming a drive-in. Vertical and horizontal signage has been installed, cars will enter through the carriageway, and sellers will be to the left and to the right. In front of them will be a ''showroom'' of sorts with their products on display already packed, and in each box will be what they have pre-prepared, that is, what they currently have in their gardens.

When the buyer chooses a product or products he wishes to purchase, he will turn off from the lane, and the seller, who will be three metres away from the buyer at all times, will pack the package into the boot or place it on the back seat of the buyer's car.

Make sure to follow our dedicated section for more on coronavirus in Croatia.

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