Things to Do in Zagreb, Croatia: Walking Guide

Zagreb, Croatia’s landlocked capital, blends medieval streets, Austro‑Hungarian architecture, leafy parks and a lively café culture into a compact city that rewards slow exploration. Its historic Upper Town and Lower Town, linked by the Green Horseshoe of parks, offer churches, museums and everyday charm that make the city worth a visit. Neywo provides a free audio guide for Zagreb with 202 narrated places, letting you hear the story of each sight as you walk.

Top sights in Zagreb

Archbishop’s Palace and Zagreb Cathedral

Rising over Kaptol, Zagreb Cathedral’s twin spires are visible from much of the city and stand over 108 metres tall, making it the tallest sacral building in Croatia and the most monumental Gothic church southeast of the Alps. The original Romanesque cathedral dates from 1217, was damaged in the Tatar invasion of 1242, rebuilt in Gothic style and later restored after the 1880 earthquake by Hermann Bollé, who gave it the Neo‑Gothic form seen today. Beside it, the Archbishop’s Palace—a baroque building from 1729 with later work by Antun Steindl and Bollé—houses an older Romanesque‑Gothic chapel of Saint Stephen first erected in 1250.

Croatian National Theatre

The Croatian National Theatre (HNK Zagreb) dominates Republic of Croatia Square with its bright yellow façade. The institution opened on 24 November 1860, while the present neo‑Baroque building was inaugurated on 14 October 1895 to designs by Ferdinand Fellner and Hermann Helmer, offering seating for about 750 spectators. A typical season features more than 220 stage performances, including over twelve premieres and twenty repeat titles; a second stage in Trešnjevac opened in 2025 and the complex also contains the theatre’s workshops.

Art Pavilion

On King Tomislav Square, the Art Pavilion’s domed hall greets visitors arriving by train. Established in 1898, it is the oldest gallery in Southeast Europe and the only building in Zagreb created specifically for large‑scale exhibitions. Protected as a first‑category monument, it is also one of Europe’s earliest prefabricated structures; although often credited to Fellner and Helmer, the design actually comes from Hungarian architects Floris Korb and Kálmán Giergl.

Lotrščak Tower

Lotrščak Tower rises above Strossmayer Promenade as a historic symbol of Zagreb’s fortified past. Built in the thirteenth century to protect the southern gate of Gradec’s town wall, its Romanesque foundations are still evident in the wall’s proportions. After its defensive role faded, the tower was altered in the nineteenth century by Kuno Waidmann, reaching a height of 19 metres plus a five‑metre roof and a six‑metre dome for a total of 30 metres. The dome includes a viewing platform, and the Grič cannon fires at noon as a daily reminder of the tower’s former function.

St. Mark’s Church

St. Mark’s Church gives its name to the central square of Zagreb’s Upper Town. Its most striking feature is the colourful tiled roof displaying the coats of arms of Croatia, Dalmatia, Slavonia and the emblem of Zagreb. Dating back to the thirteenth century, the church combines Gothic and Romanesque elements and is protected as a cultural good of the Republic of Croatia. The surrounding square houses the Croatian Parliament, the Government of Croatia and the Constitutional Court.

Nikola Tesla Technical Museum

The Nikola Tesla Technical Museum is one of Zagreb’s most popular museums, presenting the history of technology through real objects and working equipment. Visitors can examine historic aircraft, cars, machinery and various technical devices that illustrate how scientific and technical achievements have shaped Croatia’s history.

Bishop Haulik Mansion

Set in the southeastern part of Maksimir park‑forest, the Bishop Haulik Mansion (Ljetnikovac biskupa Haulika) was built between 1839 and 1840 to a design by Franz Schücht, with construction overseen by Andrija Leitner. Its restrained classical façade features a central projecting section with a richly moulded triangular pediment marked by the monogram G.H., a terrace in front, and a two‑arm staircase at the rear leading to the basement. Inside, the salon opens onto the terrace and is articulated with pilasters and niches; the bedroom contains a striking floor‑set bathtub.

Bishop Haulik New Mansion

Also in Maksimir Park, the Bishop Haulik New Mansion (Novi ljetnikovac biskupa Haulika) is believed to have been erected around 1855, though reliable sources for that date are lacking. Its façade reflects early Romantic historicism: a shallow projection ends in a low triangular pediment, large slightly recessed windows, bay windows and a three‑window motif give the building a distinctive character, while the roof cornice treatment completes the design. Today the mansion serves as the parish office of the Parish of Saint Jerome.

Meštrović Pavilion

Standing on the Square of the Victims of Fascism, the Meštrović Pavilion was designed by Ivan Meštrović and built in 1938 as an art gallery. During the Independent State of Croatia it was converted into a mosque (work began 1942, finished 1944); three minarets were demolished in 1947, leaving only a well before the entrance. After serving as the Museum of the Revolution in socialist Yugoslavia, the building returned to the Croatian artists’ association in 1990 and, following extensive renovation, has hosted exhibitions and concerts since 2006.

Meštrović Atelier

A few steps from the Pavilion lies the Meštrović Atelier (Atelijer Meštrović), an art museum dedicated to the work of Ivan Meštrović. The space preserves the artist’s studio environment and offers insight into his creative process.

Saint George Killed the Dragon Statue

The Saint George Killed the Dragon Statue (Sveti Juraj ubija zmaja) depicts the legendary scene of the saint confronting and slaying the dragon. Located near the Zagreb 80’s museum, it invites visitors to explore a different facet of the city’s recent history, particularly its 1980s cultural scene.

Basilica of the Heart of Jesus

Situated on Palmotićeva Street, the Basilica of the Heart of Jesus (Bazilika Srca Isusova) is an important Catholic landmark used by the Jesuits. Its neo‑Baroque design was conceived by Croatian architect Janko Holjac, and it is regarded as the second‑largest church in Zagreb after the cathedral.

St. Roch Chapel

Just above Britanski trg, St. Roch Chapel rests in Rokov Park, which takes its name from the chapel itself. The modest church serves as a quiet point of reflection within the green space.

Church of St. Emeric

In the Šestine area of Podsljeme, the Church of St. Emeric (Crkva svetog Mirka) is recognisable by its distinctive roof. An earlier church stood on the site from 1622; the present building took shape through reconstruction in 1909 and was consecrated in September 1927 by auxiliary bishop Franjo Salis‑Seewis. Damaged in the March 2020 earthquake, structural restoration began in July 2022 and continued until summer 2023, with particular attention to the roof under strict conservation supervision.

Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Stenjevec)

In Stenjevec, the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Crkva Uznesenja Blažene Djevice Marije) was built between 1758 and 1769 and is now a protected cultural property of the Republic of Croatia. Its long history makes it an important landmark of the Stenjevec neighbourhood.

Explore Zagreb with Neywo

If you have time for a day trip, the nearby town of Samobor offers a charming baroque centre and easy hiking trails. For a contrast to Zagreb’s inland vibe, the Dalmatian city of Zadar lies a few hours away, while north of the capital Varaždin is known for its well‑preserved baroque architecture.

Neywo’s free audio guide turns your walk into a self‑guided discovery. Choose from five walking tours, one bus route and one bike route—each narrated at 202 locations across the city. As you reach a place, the app tells its story, allowing you to explore at your own pace with no group and no schedule. Narration is available in eleven languages, so you can enjoy Zagreb’s history, architecture and everyday life in the language that suits you best.

Download Neywo, press play, and let the city reveal itself step by step.