Zagreb tours and tickets
Zagreb asks for very little booking. Museums and the Upper Town take tickets at the door, and the market and cathedral are free. Plan ahead for Advent in December, for Plitvice Lakes day tours in summer, and for a table at a leading restaurant. Samobor, Varaždin and the Zagorje castles are easy by train, bus or a short guided trip.
Book these first
- A table at a Michelin-listed restaurant
- 1 to 2 weeks ahead. The starred and Bib Gourmand places are small and fill at weekends.
- Hotels for Advent
- Several months ahead for December. The Christmas market fills the city, and rooms in the center sell out.
- Plitvice Lakes day tours
- A few days ahead in summer. Tours and entry slots are limited, and a day trip from Zagreb is long.
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Monuments and landmarks
Lotrščak Tower and the Upper Town
A funicular, one of the shortest in the world, links the lower and upper towns. The tower has a view, and a cannon fires at noon. St Mark's Church with its tiled roof is nearby.
Which to pick. Take the funicular up and walk the streets. Buy a ticket for the tower on arrival.
On the day is fineOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorZagreb Cathedral
A Gothic cathedral with twin spires, the tallest building in Croatia, and a treasury. Entry is free, and the building often has scaffolding for restoration.
Which to pick. Visit in the morning, and dress modestly. Check which parts are open on the day.
Not needed, entry is freeVisitor guideOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorMirogoj Cemetery
A cemetery of arcades, domes and green paths, regarded as one of the most beautiful in Europe. Entry is free, and bus 106 runs from the cathedral. A visit takes an hour.
Which to pick. Go on a calm afternoon, and be respectful. A guided walk adds the stories behind the graves.
Not needed, entry is freeVisitor guideOfficial siteTours and tickets on Viator
Museums and galleries
Museum of Broken Relationships
A small museum of objects donated by people after the end of a relationship, with short stories attached. A visit takes about 45 minutes, and tickets are sold at the door.
Which to pick. Go in the morning or late afternoon when it is calm. Buy online in summer to skip the queue.
On the day is fineVisitor guideOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorMuseum of Contemporary Art
A modern building in Novi Zagreb with Croatian and international art from the twentieth century onward. It is reached by tram and is a quiet alternative.
Which to pick. Take the tram for a half day of art. Check the exhibitions before you go, and buy at the door.
On the day is fineTours and tickets on Viator
Food tours and classes
Dolac market food tour
A guided walk through the open-air market, with tastings of cheese, cured meats, strawberries and local pastries, ending with a coffee. Tours last about three hours.
Which to pick. Join in the morning when the stalls are busiest. It is a good first activity.
2 to 4 days aheadOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorŠtrukli cooking class
A hands-on class making štrukli, a baked or boiled cheese pastry that is a Zagreb classic, and other regional dishes. Classes are small and end in a shared meal.
Which to pick. Choose a morning class that ends with lunch. It suits anyone who wants to bring the recipe home.
A week aheadTours and tickets on Viator
Day trips
Plitvice Lakes National Park
A park of terraced lakes and waterfalls with boardwalks, about two hours from Zagreb. Tickets are timed in high season, and most visitors take a full-day tour.
Which to pick. Buy a timed ticket ahead in summer, and go early. A tour handles transport and timing.
A few days ahead in summerOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorSamobor
A pretty town about 30 minutes west, known for cream cakes, mustard and a castle ruin on a hill. Buses run often from the city.
Which to pick. Go by bus for lunch and a walk by the river. Try the cream cake, the kremšnita, and buy mustard.
On the day is fineOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorTrakošćan and Varaždin
A fairytale lakeside castle and a baroque city, about one to one and a half hours north. Tours combine the two with a lunch.
Which to pick. Take a guided day if you have no car. Varaždin is also reachable by train.
A few days aheadOfficial siteTours and tickets on Viator
City and museum passes in Zagreb
- Zagreb CardA card with free public transport and discounts on museums, tours and restaurants over 72 hours. It pays off with several museum visits and tram rides. Official page
Booking tours and tickets in Zagreb
Do I need to book Plitvice Lakes?
In high season, yes. Entry is timed and can sell out. Buy online a few days ahead and arrive early to avoid crowds on the boardwalks.
When is Advent in Zagreb?
From late November through early January. Hotels book months ahead, and the stalls in the old center are busy in the evenings. Weekdays are calmer.
Is the Museum of Broken Relationships worth it?
Yes, for its unusual stories. It takes under an hour, so pair it with the Upper Town. Buy online in summer if you dislike queues.
Is the Zagreb Card worth it?
It is worth it if you plan several museums and use trams every day. For a short stay with few paid sights, single tickets cost less.
Can I get to Plitvice without a tour?
Yes, by bus in about two hours. A tour is easier for timing and for combining with a stop. Book the park ticket ahead in summer.
What can wait until I arrive?
The Upper Town, cathedral, Dolac, Mirogoj and Samobor can be done on the day. Book Advent hotels, Plitvice and a table at a leading restaurant ahead.