Zagreb is seriously underrated. Most tourists find Zagreb just a landing spot for their travel in Croatia, but that’s because they didn’t know all the hidden gems in Zagreb. We find Zagreb a charming, fun and affordable place to open up all our senses and get us ready to take in Croatia.
The best of Zagreb are the 6 reasons to visit Zagreb.
1. Watch and hear Grič cannon fire since 1877
Grič cannon firing is a well-kept tradition in Zagreb. The cannon has been firing exactly at noon from the Lotrščak Tower since 1877 to signal the monks to ring church bells throughout Zagreb. Today, Grič cannon still fires although unloaded. For visitors, it is still very cool to hear, see and feel the power of a real cannon fire. It’s BOOM and white smoke.
2. Admire the Architecture
Architecture in Croatia is fantastic because the region of Croatia went through many different rules. In Zagreb, you can see from Gothic, Neo-Renaissance, Neo-Baroque, Austro-Hungarian, Viennese, to socialist style.
Visit Croatian National Theater in Zagreb
Croatian National Theater is an iconic neo-baroque building built by famed Viennese opera house architects in the 1800s. The surrounding garden makes the grand Croatian National Theater even more picture perfect. But you’d be missing out big time if you only appreciate the building from the outside. The interior of Croatian National Theater will transport you to Vienna. For just 13 to 25 Euros, you can see a ballet, contemporary dance, opera, or drama show while admiring the glamorous Viennese opera house interior, perhaps from box seats. Check the performance schedule. Tickets can be purchased online or at the box office located on the right hand side of the first floor.
3. Be enchanted by the dancing fire of old gas street lamps
Traditional gas street lamps are romantic but very few cities in the world preserve these gas street lamps. In Zagreb, lamplighters still manually turn on over 200 gas lit street lamps one by one. Lamplighter is a very honorable profession in Zagreb, and not every resident is eligible for this job. It is passed down generations.
The gas street lamps can be found in Upper town and Kaptol in Zagreb, but where is best to experience the charm and beauty of undisrupted gas lamp lit streets in Upper town and Kaptol? The best places in Upper town and Kaptol to see gas street lamps are:
1. The loop from Market Dolac to Cathedral of Zagreb to Lanterna na Dolcu
2. Around St. Mark’s Church. The biggest are in front.
3. Around Zagreb City Museum
4. Explore the Taste of Croatia for a non-tourist price
Most tourists go to Dubrovnik and Split, where restaurant prices skyrocket in summer. Zagreb, on the other hand, is the city where you can enjoy high quality curated tasting menus for much cheaper. Make Zagreb your first stop in Croatia, and these restaurants will give you a tour of local and seasonal food all around Croatia.
Torero Restaurant
For only 90 Euros (in 2023) at Torero Restaurant, you get to use all your five senses to enjoy quality ingredients and cuisines from the forest, Adriatic Sea, and local farms with their tasting menu. It really is a sensational experience to get to know Croatia through food. A la carte is also available.
HERITAGE Croatian Street Food & Shop
HERITAGE Croatian Street Food & Shop is a perfect place for a quick bite and learn about specialty food of Croatia. They offer traditional food from each region of Croatia, such as kulen, olive oil from native Croatian olive varieties, truffle, cheese, anchovies, and cod pate.
Restaurant Nav
Restaurant Nav serves tasting menus beyond modern Croatian cuisine. Chef Tvrtko Šakota is more adventurous with aromas and textures using techniques from the Western and the Eastern parts of the world, on ingredients directly from local producers. The tasting menu is priced at 130 Euros (in 2023).
Restoran HAS
Restoran HAS is a hidden gem restaurant in Zagreb that serves traditional Croatian food with a modern twist through simplicity and intimacy. They also use locally sourced fresh ingredients.
5. Be amused at the Museum of Broken Relationships
The Museum of Broken Relationships curates interesting real stories and associated objects donated from all over the world, even from the World War II era. It’s not meant to send you to a heartbroken place, but to float you through bite-size rich and quirky life stories.
6. Imagine in the Grič Tunnel
Tunel Grič is a large tunnel built in 1943 to shelter Zagreb civilians during World War II. It’s well maintained, and there are water fountains and toilets available in the tunnel. Although there’s nothing special inside, it’s fun to figure out where the hidden entrances are and contextualize how the Grič tunnel system connects the Upper Town to served its original purpose. If you are lucky, sometimes there are art installations inside Tunel Grič.
Flip the Tunel Grič map below upside down. Then you’ll be able to match that to the Google Map below with marked entrances: Tunel Grič (west entrance), Tunel Grič – Tomićeva, Tunel Grič – Ilica 8, Tunel Grič – Radićeva, Other entrances/exits are likely closed.
