A first visit to Zagreb is most enjoyable when you leave room for an impromptu coffee, a short detour and a rest in a park. You do not need to see every landmark in one day. Choose a few places that appeal to you and connect them in a walk that suits your pace.
This guide offers our suggestions for getting to know the city: historic streets, one museum, green spaces and small breaks that make a trip more enjoyable. Big Smile at Bračunova 14a in Črnomerec can be your address for your stay, while you adapt each day's plans to the weather and your interests.
Start at Ban Josip Jelačić Square
The main square is a good starting point for your first sightseeing walk: from here you can decide whether to head towards Kaptol, the old streets of the Upper Town or the parks of the Lower Town. Pause for a moment, look at the façades and choose your direction before rushing off to the next photograph.
Consult official tourist information for daily programmes, city maps and more ideas. Especially if you are visiting for a particular event, check its date and time before arranging an entire day around it.
The Upper Town: a walk through the historic heart of the city
Include the Stone Gate, the surrounding Upper Town streets and St Mark's Square in your plans. Choose accessible public routes and follow the signs if you encounter a barrier or a temporary change to a passage. It is worth slowing down to notice the details of doors, façades and small squares.
If you would like to add a funicular ride, ZET announced its return to service after renovation on 19 May 2026. However, check the operator's current notices for your visit date. You can also adapt your sightseeing plans without taking the ride.
Kaptol and Zagreb Cathedral
You can combine Kaptol with a tour of the city centre, respecting spaces intended for prayer. In an announcement dated 18 September 2026, the Archdiocese of Zagreb states that the cathedral has been open again since Christmas Eve 2025, while restoration work continues.
So do not base your plans on old photographs or the assumption that every area is accessible. Check official information about visits and worship, and adapt your tour to the works, signs and events you encounter.
Dolac and a break around Tkalčićeva
Explore the market according to current guidance, as selling locations change during renovation. In January 2026, Zagrebački holding announced temporary trading locations on Pod zidom and Ivana Tkalčića streets, on Splavnica and on the western part of the main square.
Before arriving, read the notices from Zagreb Markets rather than expecting Dolac's usual layout. Then leave time for a break in the surrounding streets: choose a place according to the menu, your budget and whatever suits you best that day.
Choose one museum that interests you
The Museum of Broken Relationships in the Upper Town connects objects with personal stories about relationships and partings. It can be an interesting choice if you enjoy exhibitions that spark conversation even after you leave the museum.
Instead of several hurried tours, we suggest one visit to which you can give enough attention. Before setting off, check official opening hours, holiday exceptions and tickets. If you are travelling with children, choose content that suits their ages and interests.
Zrinjevac for a slower part of the day
Zrinjevac is a park and square in the city centre, recognisable by its music pavilion, fountains and tree-lined paths. Include it after a museum or lunch as a chance to change your pace.
You do not need a particular activity for a pleasant break: sit down, organise your photographs or agree on the next stop. If you would like a longer walk through the Lower Town, choose another nearby square instead of spending the whole afternoon crossing from one end of the city to the other.
Maksimir when you want more greenery
Set aside part of the day for Maksimir, a park with wooded areas and lakes. It is a good alternative to another walk around the city streets, especially if walking and spending time outdoors suit you best.
Adapt the length of your walk to the weather and your travelling companions. You do not need to explore the whole park. Before visiting, look at the map and the manager's notices, and follow signs on site. Bring water and comfortable shoes, and leave the natural surroundings tidy for the next visitors.
Big Smile · Zagreb
Plan your stay in Zagreb
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Official sources and useful links
Suggested sightseeing itinerary from the Big Smile editorial team. Before visiting, check current opening hours, availability and notices on official websites.