theworldbyemstagramThe Croatian capital of Zagreb was a destination which can be explored in just a day. It certainly wasn’t one of my favourite destinations and I much preferred Split and Hvar in Croatia. Here is how you can make the most of 24 hours in Zagreb.
24 HOURS IN ZAGREB CROATIA
Where to stay in Zagreb Croatia
Subspace Hostel £19/night
I’d been keen to stay in the hostel since I found out about it and didn’t even bother looking for other hostels in the city. You have your own pod to sleep in and the entire hostel is space themed. Your pod has lighting controls and it’s own air con.
The room with the pods in had constellations projected onto the ceilings. The showers and toilets were all in little capsules too. I really enjoyed this type of hostel and I loved that it had a theme.
The downsides were that there was no kitchen – only a fridge, kettle and microwave. Also, there wasn’t a great deal of atmosphere in comparison to other hostels.
Have a look at their website here!
24 Hours in Zagreb Croatia – Things to Do
Zagreb Botanical Gardens
The botanical gardens in Zagreb are totally free to look around. You can find them at They first opened in 1891 and its array of foliage and flowers spreads across 5 hectares. The gardens are open 9-2:30 on Monday and Tuesday, and 9-7 Wednesday to Sunday.
Zagreb Funicular Railway
No 24 hours in Zagreb would be complete without a trip to the upper town. In order to reach the Zagreb upper town you either walk or catch the funicular railway. The track for the railway is just 66m long so it is one of the shortest public transport funiculars in the world. It only took about 30 seconds to get to the top. The fare was 5 kuna (around 60p).
Zagreb Upper Town
This part of Zagreb gives a view over the entire city, something you’ll want to see when visiting Zagreb. There are plenty of food stalls and ‘beach bars’ up there selling snack foods, meals and drinks. Also located in the upper town is St. Mark’s Church and the Museum of Broken Relationships.
Museum of Broken Relationships Zagreb Croatia
The Zagreb Museum of Broken Relationships was the first of it’s kind to open back in 2010. This attraction is certainly a Zagreb must see and something you have to include in your 24 hours in Zagreb! Entry is 40 kuna (£4.70).
The museum was founded by two Zagreb based artists, inspired by their own break ups. Since then this franchise of museum can be found at 21 locations around the world. The only other permanent museum is in LA – the rest are exhibitions. The museum ‘treasures and shares heartbreak stories through artefacts donated by the general public’.
In 2011 the museum received the Kenneth Hudson Award for being Europe’s most innovative museum. I definitely back this up – it is a completely unique attraction and the best thing to do in Zagreb!
Find out more about them here.
You can buy a book with with all the artefacts and the stories behind them in.
Ban Jelacic Square (official name: Trg bana Jelacica)
24 hours in Zagreb would not be complete without a trip to the main square. The main square of Zagreb is named after Count Josip Jalacic, the former Ban of Croatia. A statue of him on a horse was installed in the middle of the square in 1866.
Gric Tunnel
These tunnels were built in World War 2. They connect Mesnicka Street in the West and Stjepan Radic Street in the East, along with 4 passageways going south. After the war they fell into disrepair before being renewed in the 1990s. During the Croatian War of Independence (1991-1995) the tunnels were used as an air raid shelter.
Their name comes from the old neighbourhood of Gric which the tunnels are built under. They were opened as a tourist attraction in 2016 and have FREE PUBLIC TOILETS INSIDE!! They are the best way to get to different parts of the city in some cases. The tunnels total a length of 350m and are 3.2m wide.
Zagreb Cathedral
‘Catholic Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary’ is the largest building in Croatia at 108m high (354ft). It was constructed between 1880 and 1906 and is in Kaptol Square. It’s free to enter and is open from 7am until 7pm every day. Inside there is a massive organ with over 6000 flue pipes, making it one of the top ten finest and best quality organs in the world.
Zagreb Museum of Illusions
This museum hosts a variety of different cool and interesting illusions, most of them really intriguing. There are puzzles and activities for you to try out and take part in on the second floor of the museum. Entry is 40 kuna (£4.70).
Zagreb Farmers Market – Dolac Market
This is the most visited and best known farmers market in the Zagreb. The market hosts a vast array of stalls selling fresh produce homemade products, flowers, gifts and souvenirs.
The market is behind the main town square (Ban Jelacic) and has been the city’s main trading place since 1926. The market is open 6am – 3:30pm Monday to Saturday, and 6am – 1:30pm on Sunday.
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