Zagreb
Croatia
Backpacking Zagreb
Information on Zagreb, sights to see, nightlife, activities and more.
The capital of Croatia, as well as its biggest city, Zagreb has a lot to offer. With a rich history dating back to the year 1094, the city boasts a plethora of different architectural styles and historical monuments. With buildings in the secessionist, classicist, and neo-Gothic styles around every corner, you'll be in awe at the intricate, storied detail of the city's architecture. Zagreb has two sides: the ancient, which you'll find in Upper Town, and the more modern in Lower Town - so be sure to explore them both. Zagreb is a vibrant city, and the center is teeming with life. The cafe culture here is unrivaled, as the locals' favorite pastime seems to be sitting in coffee shops to people-watch and relax with friends. The city also offers large pedestrian zones that succeed in attracting both locals and visitors with their open cafes and street terraces. These relaxed, yet energetic environments encourage creativity and companionship as you walk along the streets, meeting people from all over the world. At night, the youthful side of the culture awakens with bars, clubs, live music, and more.
Must See
Check Out Lower Town - Ban Jelačić Square is the central square in the Lower Town and the area is full of markets, so this was a very lively place almost all day.
Check Out Upper Town - The Upper Town is the oldest part of Zagreb, made up of winding, cobbled streets, full of historic buildings and offering killer views over the red roofs of the city. The Upper Town is great for strolling around on foot, soaking up the chilled vibes and stopping for coffee or an ice cream café’s with epic lookout points.
St. Mark’s Church - The colourful tiled roof of St. Mark’s Church is one of the most famous sights in Zagreb. It’s red, white and blue rooftop feature mosaics of the Croatian, Dalmatian and Slavonian medieval coats of arms and makes for an excellent photo spot
Must Do
Visit the Museum of Broken Relationships - This unusual museum is actually one of the more interesting places in Zagreb. It’s full of random items donated from relationships gone wrong. Each artifact comes with a story from the heartbroken lover it belongs to, which range from the heart-breaking to the hilarious and completely bizarre.
Dolac Market - This daily farmers’ market is nicknamed ‘the belly of Zagreb’. It’s a busy hub full of locals who come to shop for fresh fruit, meats and cheeses from the dozens of wooden stands that pop up every morning. The atmosphere is buzzing, early in the morning, and it’s one of the best things to do in Zagreb for an authentic experience of the city.
Nightlife
Tkalčićeva Street is the liveliest area in Zagreb, a pedestrianized street that’s completely lined with bars, pubs and restaurants. It’s the hub of nightlife in the city, but true to Zagreb’s style it’s casual, and chill with plenty of patio drinking,dining and street performers playing live music all evening. A night of bar hopping on Tkalčićeva involve’s local bars, live music, Irish pubs, Croatian craft beer and fancy cocktails. Later in the night we can send you in the direction of after hours clubs and bars!
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