Zagreb Travelers Recommend

Fewer than two hours by road from Croatia’s capital, Plitvice Lakes National Park makes an idyllic back-to-nature escape, with acres upon acres of pristine forests, tumbling waterfalls, and blue-green lakes to explore. Here’s how you can visit the stunning national park from Zagreb.

Group Tours

Group tours to Plitvice Lakes from Zagreb squeeze in the scenic highlights of this UNESCO World Heritage Site into one good-value package. Most group tours make a pit stop at Rastoke, a historic town set at the confluence of the Slunjcica and Korana Rivers, known for its heritage houses, traditional mills, and natural beauty. From there, group tours continue to the park itself, where participants embark on guided hikes of the Lower Lakes (Donja Jezera) and Upper Lakes (Gornja Jezera), and, on some tours, train rides and electric boat cruises. 

Private Tours

With private Plitvice Lakes tours from Zagreb, you can customize the itinerary based on your personal preferences and fitness levels. You might want to make stops at the historic city of Karlovac or at Rastoke, before venturing into the park where you can hit the highlights that interest you most with your very own dedicated tour guide. 

Things to Know

• The Plitvice Lakes are 80 miles (130 kilometers) from Zagreb. 

• Day tours from Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes typically last eight to 11 hours. 

• Most groups and private tours include free time for lunch, which you can purchase at select sites. Alternatively, bring along a packed lunch. 

• Temperatures can be hot in summer, so bring sunblock, a hat, and water.

• The panoramic train and boat rides run only from April to October. 

From its museums and monuments to its wealth of drinking and dining establishments, Zagreb has plenty to keep visitors entertained—but the city’s proximity to Croatia’s top national parks as well as other Balkan highlights makes day-tripping a must. Here’s how to nail your itinerary for three days in Zagreb.

Day 1: Historical Zagreb

Spend your first day getting acquainted with the city’s top landmarks. Take an introductory tour in the morning, either a hop-on hop-off bus itinerary that provides an overview of Lower Town landmarks—from the Lenuci Horseshoe (a series of verdant parks) to the city’s Art Pavilion—or a small-group bike tour for a closer look at the scenery. Head to one of the Lower Town’s elegant coffee shops for a light lunch before taking a funicular (or embarking on a climb) up to the landmarks of the historical Upper Town. On a walking tour, you can spot St. Mark’s Church and the Zagreb Cathedral, wander the picturesque streets, and learn about the history of the Croatian capital’s oldest quarter. As darkness descends, capture panoramic photos of the sun setting over the city before returning to the Lower Town for a hearty meal.

Day 2: Alternative Zagreb

There’s more to Zagreb than grand monuments and elegant parks, so devote your second day to exploring the city’s alternative side. Begin with a visit to one of the city’s unusual museums: the Museum of Illusions provides plenty of wacky backdrops for photos, while the Museum of Broken Relationships displays breakup letters and mementos sourced from the public. In the afternoon, sign up for an arts-and-crafts bike ride to visit coffee roasters, artisan-jewelry makers, and other local craftspeople. Alternatively, head out to discover the capital’s wealth of brutalist architecture (and vibrant street art). In the evening, join a wine-tasting tour to enjoy numerous Croatian varietals or drop by one of the city’s new craft-beer bars.

Day 3: Day Trip Adventures

Spend your last day exploring the countryside outside Zagreb. Explore emerald-hued lakes, unspoiled nature, and a wealth of waterfalls at Plitvice Lakes National Park, just a 2-hour drive from the capital. The only national park in Croatia that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s one of the country’s most beautiful attractions. Zagreb is also within easy commuting distance of Slovenia. For a day trip of another stripe, Head to the scenic capital city of Ljubljana, admire Lake Bled, and otherwise enjoy the opportunity to country-hop.

With centuries of history, a beguiling mix of architectural styles, and elegant coffee shops cheek by jowl with modern craft-beer bars, Zagreb is one of Europe’s ascendant capitals, and its vibrancy seems to increase year upon year. One day offers just enough time to dip a toe into its enchantments—here’s how to plan your stay.

Morning: A Zagreb Overview

When every hour counts, make the most of your day out in Zagreb and kick things off with a hop-on hop-off bus tour. Make a quick, 1-hour circuit of the city, and admire its neoclassical squares and buildings as you go. Alternatively, head out on another set of wheels and get up close and personal with the sights when you explore Zagreb by bike. Many bike itineraries visit both the Upper Town (Zagreb’s oldest, most landmark-packed quarter) and the Lower Town, making for an efficient way to explore.

Afternoon: Exploring on Foot

Venture to one of the city’s grand cafés for a restorative coffee and light bite before continuing your tour around town. In the afternoon, soak up Zagreb’s evocative ambiance and receive a crash course in the city’s long history when you set off on a walking tour. A number of themed itineraries are available, depending on your interests. Sign up for an insider tour to discover what daily life in Zagreb is like; venture out on a private tour for a more intimate sightseeing experience; or book a history-themed tour to learn more about Zagreb’s wartime past.

Evening: Dinner in Zagreb

If you’ve worked up an appetite during your day of sightseeing, then all the better. Croatia is host to a rich food culture and longstanding winemaking traditions—and evening in Zagreb is the perfect time to sample both. Book a food-themed tour and you can hop from restaurant to restaurant, tasting classic local dishes as you go. Alternatively, attend a wine-focused tasting session to sip a number of Croatian varietals (and nibble local cheese, cured meats, and other traditional snacks).

Croatia’s capital and largest urban hub, history-saturated Zagreb is a city of contrasts. Its centuries-old Upper Town is counterpoised with its more modern Lower Town; its traditional eateries are juxtaposed with trendy bars and cafés; and its monuments exist alongside quirky museums. Here’s how to see it all on a 2-day trip.

Day 1: Monuments and History

**Morning:**On your first day in town, opt for a crash-course in Zagreb’s rich history and many monuments. Climb aboard a hop-on hop-off bus tour to admire the neoclassical buildings, expansive parks, and brutalist architecture of the Lower Town.

**Afternoon:**In the afternoon, trek—or take a funicular, if you’d prefer to rest your legs—up to Zagreb’s lofty (and aptly named) Upper Town. A history-themed walking tour is the perfect way to get acquainted with its surfeit of landmarks, which range from the Zagreb Cathedral and Stone Gate to St. Mark’s Church (famed for its vibrant, tiled roof). You can also drop by the Museum of Broken Relationships, one of the city’s most unusual destinations.

**Evening:**Evening offers the chance to see another side of Zagreb. Register for a nighttime bike tour and you can catch glimpses of the city’s buildings and squares lit up with golden light. At tour’s end, head to a local pub for a dose of Zagreb’s bustling nightlife.

Day 2: Indulgence, Croatian-Style

**Morning:**On your second day in town, it’s time to indulge. Fresh, seasonal ingredients are at the heart of Croatia’s gastronomy, and you can see how locals shop and dine on a morning farmers market tour. Then, pick up ingredients and use them to prepare a traditional meal with the guidance of a local chef.

**Afternoon:**In the afternoon, go for a stroll to work up an appetite before embarking on a food-themed walking tour. Enjoy a survey of local restaurants, bakeries, and other eateries, and nibble traditional Croatian delicacies as you go.

**Evening:**The sun beginning to set can only mean one thing: It’s time for wine. Locals are exceptionally proud of Croatia’s winemaking traditions, and you can sample a wide variety of local wines on an evening tour—and learn from an expert what sets native varietals apart.

With a U-shaped chain of parks that curve around the Lower Town (Donji Grad) and trail-threaded expanses on the outskirts of town, Zagreb is blessed with a wide variety of green spaces. Here are our top picks for parks in the Croatian capital. 

Zagreb Botanical Garden

Founded in the 19th century, the Zagreb Botanical Garden—part of the Lenuci, or Green, Horseshoe, a chain of eight landscaped parks that loop around the Lower Town—offers some 10,000 different plant species. The 11.6-acre (4.7-hectare) space also has several glasshouses, an arboretum, rock gardens, ponds, and tranquil corners that provide the perfect respite for weary sightseers.

Zrinjevac Park

Also located in the Lower Town, this picturesque green square is surrounded on all sides by important cultural institutions and government buildings, including the Supreme Court of Croatia, Zagreb’s Archaeological Museum, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Strossmayer Gallery of Old Masters. At its center is a music pavilion that hosts concerts in summer and a festive Christmas market in winter.

Maksimir Park

Open since 1794, Maksimir is one of Zagreb’s oldest parks. Today the ‎780-acre (315-hectare) patch of green is also one of the city’s most popular, with woods, meadows, lakes, cafés, ample walkable pathways, and the Zagreb Zoo. 

Strossmayer Promenade

Well-situated on the elevated southern boundary of the Upper Town (Gornji Grad), the tree-lined Strossmayer Promenade makes for prime strolling turf. The walkway offers excellent views of the city; during summer, it hosts a solid lineup of concerts and art exhibitions, all open to the public.

Mt. Medvednica

Located 20 minutes by road from the center of Zagreb, Mt. Medvednica is an easily accessible retreat for city-folk. During winter, the snow-covered park has top-notch skiing and sledding; in summer, it’s a favorite among hikers making the 2.5-hour trek to the top of its highest peak, Sljeme, which sits more than a half-mile (0.8 kilometers) above sea level. Not a hiker? Fear not—you can catch a bus straight to the top.