6 Things to Do in Zagreb You Shouldn't Miss — Cathedral, Dolac Market, Ban Jelačić Square, and the Old Town on the Hill

Zagreb is the capital that travelers tend to skip, rushing instead toward the Dalmatian coast. Those who spend 2 or 3 days here almost always say it became the highlight of the whole trip. An old town spread across two hills — ringed by open-air cafés, a market that has traded since 1930, and a cathedral that has stood since the 13th century. Zagreb doesn't announce its greatness loudly; it gives you a quiet warmth that other tourist cities simply can't manufacture.

#1

📍 Kaptol — the eastern hill of the old town

Zagreb Cathedral

The most sacred site and the most recognizable landmark in Zagreb. Construction began in the 13th century, and the building has been rebuilt multiple times after earthquakes and wars. The twin towers stand 105 metres tall and are visible from almost everywhere in the city. Inside, marble altars and mosaic panels cover the walls. In front of the cathedral, a gilded statue of the Virgin Mary serves as the city's unofficial meeting point. One tower is currently under restoration but the impact is still considerable.

Best time 8–10 am before tour groups arrive, or late afternoon when golden light sweeps across the façade.

How to get there A 10-minute walk up the hill from Ban Jelačić Square, or tram lines 11 and 12 to the Kaptol stop.

Travel tips

• Entry is free during morning and evening prayer hours — far quieter and more atmospheric than the midday tourist rush.
• Walk up the hill from Dolac Market to take in the view from above before heading inside.
• If the tower is open for climbing (check in advance), the view from the top is the best vantage point in Zagreb.

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#2

📍 Central Zagreb

Ban Jelačić Square

The heart and gathering point of Zagreb since the Middle Ages. This large square functions simultaneously as the city's main tram hub, an open-air market, a site for political demonstrations, and an evening café terrace. The equestrian statue of Ban Jelačić — a Croatian national hero — stands at the centre, flanked by Baroque and Art Nouveau buildings. It is the natural starting point for exploring both the upper old town (Gornji Grad) and the lower city (Donji Grad).

Best time 9–10 am for the local café atmosphere, or 5–7 pm during špica when Zagreb residents come out to walk and be seen.

How to get there Zagreb's tram hub — lines 1, 6, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 17 all pass through.

Travel tips

• Cafés around the square open early and locals linger over coffee for hours — this slow ritual is called špica and it is one of the most distinctly Zagreb things you can do.
• The square is the terminus for all tram lines, making it the most convenient base for getting anywhere in the city.
• During December the square hosts one of the best Christmas markets and winter fairs in Europe.

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#3

📍 Above Ban Jelačić Square on Kaptol hill

Dolac Market

Zagreb's most vibrant open-air market, trading since 1930. Rows of bright red umbrellas stretch across a cobbled terrace with views up to the cathedral spires. The stalls sell local fruit and vegetables, farm-made cheeses, various types of sausage, and fresh flowers. The lower level holds a covered meat and grocery hall. The atmosphere is the kind of genuine neighbourhood warmth that tourist markets can never replicate.

Best time 7–10 am on weekdays — the freshest produce and the liveliest atmosphere.

How to get there Walk up the steps from Ban Jelačić Square heading north — about 3 to 5 minutes on foot.

Travel tips

• Arrive before 9 am to get the best of the fresh produce before it runs out — the market is at its busiest and best between 7 and 11 am.
• Pick up some sir i vrhnje (fresh cheese with cream) and a bread roll from a nearby bakery for a proper local breakfast.
• Open Monday to Saturday; Sunday hours are shorter and the selection thinner.

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#4

📍 Markov trg square on Gornji Grad hill

St. Mark's Church, Zagreb

Zagreb's most distinctive church, instantly recognizable for its colourful tiled roof. The left half of the roof displays the coat of arms of Croatia's three historic kingdoms; the right half shows the emblem of Zagreb. The church dates from the 13th century and received its current roof decoration in 1880. It sits on Markov trg, a quiet square surrounded by the Croatian Parliament and the seat of government — a very different pace from the streets below.

Best time 1–4 pm for photography of the roof, and the tourist numbers are lower than in the morning.

How to get there A 10-minute walk from Dolac Market up through the medieval Stone Gate, or take the funicular from Ilica Street.

Travel tips

• The best angle for photographing the roof is straight-on from the front of the church in the early afternoon, when the light falls directly on the tiles.
• Entry is free — the interior holds impressive modern sculpture and altarwork worth seeing.
• Markov trg is home to a military guard post; a changing-of-the-guard ceremony takes place on certain days.

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#5

📍 Southern end of Gornji Grad on Gradec hill

Lotrščak Tower

A medieval fortress tower that survives from Zagreb's original city walls, built in the 13th century. What makes it famous is a tradition that has run since 1877: a cannon is fired from the tower every day at exactly noon. The shot originally helped set ships' clocks on the river and warn the city; today it continues as pure living tradition. You can climb the tower for a panoramic view of the city. At the base, a 66-metre funicular — one of the shortest still in public service anywhere in the world — connects the upper and lower towns.

Best time Just before noon for the cannon ceremony, or 5–6 pm to watch the sunset from the top of the tower.

How to get there A 5-minute walk from St. Mark's Church, or ride the funicular up from Ilica Street on the Donji Grad side.

Travel tips

• Arrive by 11.50 am to watch the noon cannon firing from close range. It is genuinely loud — but that's the point.
• The funicular from Tomićeva Street costs 0.66 euros and takes about one minute. A small luxury that saves a steep climb.
• Tower entry costs 2 euros and gives a 360-degree view over Zagreb and the Medvednica mountain range to the north.

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#6

📍 At the foot of Medvednica mountain, north of Zagreb

Mirogoj Cemetery

Widely regarded as the most beautiful cemetery in Europe and one of Croatia's great works of architecture. Designed by Austrian architect Herman Bollé in 1876, the long tree-lined arcades create the feel of a park rather than a burial ground. Mirogoj is a genuinely inter-faith site — Catholic, Orthodox, Muslim, and Jewish graves stand together without separation. The neo-Renaissance entrance gate alone is worth the trip out.

Best time 8–11 am when soft light filters through the tall trees, or 4–6 pm for a peaceful, atmospheric end to the day.

How to get there Bus 106 from Ban Jelačić Square takes about 15 minutes, or a taxi ride of 10 to 15 minutes.

Travel tips

• Entry is free and the grounds are open from morning until evening. It is cooler and quieter here than anywhere in the city centre.
• Check a map before you go to find the graves of Stjepan Radić, the politician, and Miroslav Krleža, Croatia's most important 20th-century writer.
• Be respectful with your camera — this is an active cemetery, not an open-air museum, and families visit regularly.

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🏨 That's all 6 spots! Next step — book a top-rated stay in Zagreb →