Croatia’s capital tends to get missed by households in comparison with the cities on the coast, like Dubrovnik and Cut up, however with so many issues to do in Zagreb with children, it’s someplace that must be on your loved ones metropolis break checklist.
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We teamed our go to with a number of days in Dubrovnik, travelling (virtually) from one finish of the nation to the opposite – and when you suppose that seeing one Croatian metropolis is seeing all of them, Zagreb will change your thoughts.
With extra of a central European really feel right here and an entire host of very quirky museums, alongside historical past and streets made for strolling, right here’s why we beloved Zagreb plus my choose of the perfect issues to do in Zagreb with children.
Take a metropolis tour
I like a metropolis strolling tour as one of the simplest ways to get your bearings in a brand new metropolis, in addition to sharing among the uncommon tales that you just may not in any other case uncover.
In contrast to another European capitals, Zagreb isn’t large, so you can too cowl numerous the highlights in a number of hours.
We beloved this metropolis tour with a go to to the Second World Conflict tunnels – in addition to taking us previous a number of landmarks, such because the statue in Ban Josip Jelačić Sq., Zagreb cathedral (at the moment largely below scaffolding), the Stone Gate and the Lotrščak Tower – in addition to studying concerning the mannequin photo voltaic system round Zagreb and visiting the Oktogon passageway.
Our tour information additionally stuffed in among the historical past of Zagreb, in addition to life in Zagreb at present, plus gave us tips about all the pieces from the place to go for a stroll to the place to eat. At 2 1/2 hours lengthy, it’s higher with barely older children however undoubtedly family-friendly.
I additionally beloved the look of the Secret Zagreb excursions, which has some enjoyable family-friendly choices (however sadly timings didn’t work for us) or you possibly can obtain some free quests that are good with youthful children, with puzzles and challenges to finish as you discover.
This two-hour strolling tour is a barely shorter possibility, or save your toes with a bike tour of Zagreb as a substitute. For one thing on more moderen historical past, a Communism and Croatian Homeland Conflict tour is an attention-grabbing different for teenagers, or uncover Croatian delicacies as you go together with a meals strolling tour of Zagreb.
You may even get inventive and make your personal memento postcard, in addition to listening to among the tales and legends of town on this uncommon Zagreb tour.
Hear the cannon
Head to Lotrščak Tower in Zagreb’s Higher City (one of many oldest elements of town) and day by day at midday you possibly can hear the cannon fireplace from the highest flooring.
The tower itself dates from the thirteenth century, and as soon as housed a bell used to sign the time when town gates closed every night. However within the nineteenth century, an additional flooring was added to the highest of the tower, and a cannon positioned there, first fired at noon on January 1, 1877.
Used as sign to town’s bellringers that midday had arrived, and for town’s inhabitants to set their clocks, nowadays it’s solely a vacationer attraction but it surely’s nonetheless a enjoyable free factor to do in Zagreb with children, and it’s usually included in strolling excursions that are timed to achieve the tower simply earlier than 12.
A couple of phrases of warning; the bang is REALLY loud. It might sound apparent, however having seen comparable spectacles elsewhere, the truth that this sounds proper above your head makes it appear even louder – my ears have been ringing. With huge crowds targeted on the tower, you can too get pickpockets right here, so control your belongings in addition to the upstairs window.
Discover town mannequin
I’m a little bit of a sucker for metropolis fashions, which appear to pop up fairly a bit on this a part of the world – I’ve seen ones in Cut up and Ljubljana up to now. And Zagreb has its personal, simply across the nook from Ban Josip Jelačić sq., one other frequent cease on metropolis excursions.
The dimensions mannequin is 13 sq. metres in measurement, with bronze castings of town structure, in addition to greater than 400 separate buildings seen on the block of stone, so you possibly can spot your lodging, among the metropolis landmarks and usually tower over Zagreb like an enormous.
it’s additionally a fast approach to see the place Zagreb’s oldest areas are: Gradec, the place you possibly can nonetheless discover the Stone Gate, and Kaptol, house to the cathedral. In case you look on the edges, you can too see the unique coat of arms, in addition to some details about town’s historical past (in English and Croatian).
See the meteorological submit
Head all the way down to Zrinjevac park and you may spot Zagreb’s uncommon meteorological column (also called the meteorological submit, meteorological pole or Meteorološki stup in Croatian) on the north finish of the sq..
A brief stroll from Ban Josip Jelačić sq., the devices within the column have been recording temperature, humidity, and air stress since 1884 when Dr Adolf Holzer, an novice meteorologist, constructed the column as a present to town.
However it wasn’t only a need to offer one thing again (or to make himself look rich and benevolent, although it most likely helped) as Holzer was additionally making an attempt to find how local weather affected human well being.
In the present day, the column now not supplies official information however nonetheless supplies impressively correct measurements – so when you fancy an alternative choice to an app in your cellphone, or simply seeing one thing a little bit uncommon, it’s nicely value stopping by.
See the Stone Gate
As soon as there have been 4 predominant gates via town partitions into Zagreb – the Stone Gate, Mesnička Gate, Opatička Gate, and the gate close to the Friar’s Tower.
Between earthquake, fireplace and metropolis growth, all of the gates (and many of the partitions) have been destroyed over the centuries aside from the Stone Gate.
The truth is, this can be a rebuilt model after the picket gate burned down in 1731, when based on legend, solely a portray of the Virgin and Little one miraculously escaped the flames.
In the present day, it’s a shrine with the portray inside, and area for folks to mild candles and supply up prayers – you’re requested to be silent as you stroll via. You may nonetheless see some small fragments of the outdated metropolis wall close by on Ulica Ivana Tkalchiceva, in addition to by the cathedral, however visiting the Stone Gate is an efficient approach to visualise how the medieval metropolis may need seemed.
Enterprise into the Second World Conflict tunnels
Tucked away below a hill, the Second World Conflict tunnels get their title as a result of they have been constructed in the course of the battle as an air raid shelter, though they weren’t used as a lot because the title suggests.
After that, they largely fell into disrepair till they hosted one of many nation’s first raves within the 90s, earlier than getting used as a civilian refuge in the course of the Croatian Conflict of Independence – and now often to host occasions and exhibitions.
Today, they’re largely utilized by locals as a short-cut fairly than going the entire approach across the hill, as they’re free and open to the general public between 9am and 10pm (usually), and makes a really atmospheric place to stroll.
There’s an entrance simply across the nook from the bottom of the funicular, simply off Mesnička Avenue, resulting in Radićeva road (with another passageways main south from the central corridor). Round 350m lengthy, it solely takes about 5 minutes to stroll via.
Stroll the inexperienced horseshoe
The inexperienced horseshoe – Lenuci’s Inexperienced Horseshoe to be exact – is the catchy title for the string of parks, gardens and inexperienced areas in Zagreb which kind a U form via town.
A fantastic possibility with children, you possibly can stroll from one inexperienced area to a different, a stunning approach to discover a part of the capital. You can begin wherever you need however a simple possibility is to start at Zrinjevac park after testing the meteorological submit, and head south.
The route takes you in the direction of King Tomislav Sq. then alongside to the Zagreb botanical gardens (free to enter) and thru one other sequence of parks and squares to the Croatian Nationwide Theatre.
Relying how briskly you stroll, you would do the entire horseshoe in round half an hour with none stops, though it could be a disgrace to race via fairly than strolling it, particularly within the fairly botanical gardens, that are house to greater than 10,000 species of crops.
For an additional inexperienced area in Zagreb with a distinction, head to Maksimir Park, the place you’ll discover the 17-acre Zagreb Zoo – it’s round quarter-hour from central Zagreb by taxi or public transport and is house to over 7,000 animals from internationally
Stroll up Ulica Ivana Tkalcica
As soon as, there was a creek dividing the 2 unique elements of Zagreb – Kaptol and Gradec. In the present day, the water nonetheless runs underground, however the route it took is hidden below Ulica Ivana Tkalcica within the Higher City.
Lined with bars and eating places, in addition to memento retailers and a string of fairly vibrant buildings, it’s touristy for positive, however horseshoe nonetheless a stunning place to wander, to take a number of images and cease for a drink or two.
We truly ended up staying in an awesome AirBNB on the road, which additionally made an awesome base to discover the Higher City.
There’s even a playground on the road when you’ve received youthful children, though it’s value figuring out that there’s a statue of a unadorned girl very shut by as this space was as soon as the crimson mild district in centuries passed by. The statue, by the way, was there earlier than the playground!
Experience the funicular
Relationship again to the Eighteen Nineties, the Zagreb Funicular is the oldest and first technique of public transport within the metropolis – and at solely 66m lengthy, it’s additionally the shortest funicular on the planet.
The Funicular is at the moment closed for renovations and is because of reopen in 2026 so that you’ll have to attend till then for an opportunity to expertise ‘the outdated woman’ of Zagreb
Connecting the Higher and Decrease Cities, it cuts out the hill main as much as the Lotrscak Tower when you’re coming from Tomićeva road – not an not possible stroll even with youthful children, however driving a funicular is all the time enjoyable!
Take in the views
Standing within the Higher City, you get some implausible views down onto the rooftops and out in the direction of the Decrease City – you needn’t pay for a pricy viewpoint both, simply standing by the Lotrscak Tower is an efficient possibility, or climbing the highest for an excellent higher view.
You can even stroll from the tower to the Strossmayer Promenade, simply alongside the hillside, which has extra beautiful views. Or within the different route, stroll in the direction of St Catherine’s Church and there’s a viewpoint at Gradec Plato, not removed from the love locks on the prime of the Zakmardi stairs.
If you’re contemplating Zagreb 360, the perspective tower not removed from Ban Josip Jelacic Sq. on the rooftop of the Ilica Skyscraper, it’s at the moment closed.
Browse the meals market
Save time for a wander round Dolac Market, the principle market of Zagreb for round 80 years, which takes place day by day (it’s greatest to get there earlier than 1pm, the sooner the higher).
The part underground contains the fish market, in addition to meat and a few cheese – simply head down the steps from the principle sq. to get there.
Or when you’re in search of fruit and greens, they’re within the open-air part together with souvenirs, honey and different objects on the market. Maintain a watch out for the contemporary cornbread as nicely.
Main down the road in the direction of Ban Josip Jelacic Sq., there’s additionally a flower market. Whether or not you’re shopping or shopping for, it’s a stunning place to wander round. And when you head there on Friday evenings from round mid April to mid July, you can too discover meals being served as a part of the particular Place Market occasions.
Nikola Tesla Technical Museum
Regardless of its title, the Nikola Tesla Technical Museum isn’t solely targeted on Tesla’s concepts and innovations – though you possibly can see these inside too.
As a substitute, it’s a a lot wider science and know-how museum, with an entire part on transport and planes, one other on geology, a planetarium, shows on agriculture and firefighting and even an opportunity to be taught extra about radioactive waste.
In case you go to at particular occasions (3pm Tuesday to Friday) or at 11am on weekends, there’s additionally a guided tour via the museum’s mine included in entry, in addition to an indication of Tesla’s experiments on the Nikola Tesla Cupboard for some extra interactive displays.
It’s value figuring out that whereas a lot of Zagreb is walkable, the museum is a little bit approach out of the centre – it’s not too onerous to get to, round 10 minutes by taxi from Ban Josip Jelacic Sq. or round a 25-30 minute stroll.
In case you’re strolling the inexperienced horseshoe, it’s about 10 minutes from the botanical gardens so it’s straightforward to mix with that as nicely.
Museum of Up to date Artwork
If in case you have children who love artwork – or who you’re hoping to get a bit extra engaged with artwork – it’s onerous to beat someplace which has an enormous slide in it.
As a result of Zagreb’s Museum of Up to date Artwork has its personal custom-made double slide created by Belgian artist Carsten Holler, which takes you all the way down to the automobile park earlier than you allow – there are stairs instead when you don’t fancy racing one another down.
The main focus inside, with everlasting and short-term exhibitions is on all types of modern artwork, so you would see performing artwork and movie artwork in addition to visible arts, together with worldwide artists similar to Marina Abramović in addition to Croatian artists since 1950.
It’s additionally a approach out of town centre, throughout the Sava river from Zagreb’s Higher and Decrease Cities – it’s solely round quarter-hour by taxi from Ban Josip Jelačić Sq. or half-hour by public transport, however not inside straightforward strolling distance.
There’s a reduction on household tickets if in case you have youngsters below 15, at the moment 12 Euros (In comparison with 11 Euros for a single grownup ticket)
Zagreb Metropolis Museum
Zagreb’s Metropolis Museum dates again to 1907, sharing the historical past of Croatia’s capital from its earliest days – together with some traces of prehistoric life found below the museum’s foundations.
As you stroll via, beginning with these underground sections on the Iron Age settlements, you’ll transfer via Zagreb’s historical past, notably trying on the founding of Kaptol, centered across the cathedral, and Gradec on the hill reverse.
There’s an enormous quantity to find as you go, however the museum’s age does inform – this can be a very conventional, old school sort of museum the place most issues are in glass circumstances so there’s not rather a lot that’s interactive for teenagers. It’s additionally value having Google Translate in your cellphone, as not all the data is in English.
The medieval historical past is unfold out over fairly a number of rooms, together with some attention-grabbing shows on the guilds, and a stunning quantity on every of the necessary spiritual orders primarily based within the metropolis, earlier than taking you thru the Ottoman assaults and Zagreb’s previous as a part of the Austro-Hungarian empire.
The final hundred years or so are lined at a gallop, with one room on Communist Yugoslavia and one other small one on Croatian independence, though when you’re seeking to be taught extra concerning the Balkans battle of the 90s, you gained’t discover it.
There are some sudden quirky areas although, together with a room on the Oscar-winning Zagreb faculty of animation.
By the way, when you occur – like us – to go to on Could 31, which is Metropolis of Zagreb day, it’s utterly free. In any other case, household tickets price 8 Euros when you’re visiting with youngsters below 15 (or 5 Euros for adults). Not one for toddlers or youthful children, though a fast go to works for older children who’re occupied with historical past (and it’s not too pricy for that).
Haha Home
Zagreb appears to specialize in quirky museums – and Haha Home is among the most family-friendly of the lot. The world’s first Museum of Laugher, the principle intention is to make you chortle a minimum of as soon as, in addition to introducing you to several types of humour.
To get you within the temper, there’s a slide from the doorway down into the museum, the place you progress via a sequence of rooms and interactive shows.
Some appear designed with children in thoughts – urgent a button to play fart noises? Why not. However there’s a lot to make adults giggle as nicely – one spot had a rooster choir rendering varied tunes, which was surprisingly hilarious, whereas one other performed totally different giggles, guffaws, chuckles and laughs if you pressed totally different buttons.
There’s additionally an opportunity to decorate up and take foolish images, or pull on large inflatable Sumo fits for a little bit of Sumo wrestling.
However there was additionally one other room trying on the several types of comedy, with illustrations together with cartoons and references to TV exhibits, all whereas Charlie Chaplin performed on a display within the background for a little bit of silent slapstick enjoyable.
You may spend so long as you want, and at busy occasions you’ll have to queue – there was one room which completely appeared to have a protracted line, though the remaining was fairly quiet on the afternoon after we visited.
In the long run, we spent lower than an hour, so it wasn’t the most affordable attraction in Zagreb for households, but it surely actually is not possible to not chortle!
Cravaticum
You would possibly suppose {that a} museum on the historical past of the tie could be the very last thing to enchantment to children, however Cravaticum – one other of the string of quirky museums in Zagreb – is surprisingly good for households.
Strolling you thru the origins of the tie, which started its life in Croatia throughout wartime, the distinctive museum follows its historical past and appears at the way it grew to become modern after which a chunk of on a regular basis put on.
The museum go to begins with a video which whisks you thru this historical past and packs in some uncommon details – do you know the longest tie each made measured 8,915ft, longer than 28 soccer fields lined up finish to finish?
There are additionally a number of interactive sections, together with one space the place you possibly can practise tying ties, with diagrams and directions across the partitions. There’s additionally a stopwatch to see how shut you may get to the Guinness World Document for tying a Windsor knot, which stands at simply over 10 seconds. The closest we received was round 20!
There’s additionally a enjoyable optical phantasm with a curtain of ties round two mirrors, the place you may get some nice results utilizing your cellphone and stored us entertained for a surprisingly very long time. Or there’s a tie jigsaw and an opportunity to design your personal on a display for some extra hands-on enjoyable.
In the long run, we truly spent over an hour exploring this little museum, longer than we did at HaHa Home…! It’s near the doorway to the Second World Conflict tunnels so you possibly can mix the 2. Children aged 7 and below are free.
For extra optical illusions, there’s additionally Zagreb’s Museum of Illusions, which is round a 10-minute stroll from Cravaticum alongside Ilica Avenue, with loads of enjoyable picture alternatives, possibilities to trick your eyes and mind, and one of many largest hologram exhibitions in Europe
Museum of Damaged Relationships
Maybe the best-known of Zagreb’s uncommon museums, the Museum of Damaged Relationships is best for older tweens/teenagers but it surely’s a surprisingly good possibility for households with older youngsters.
There’s little or no that’s inappropriate, and whereas all of the shows deal with relationships which have ended, the displays are sometimes surprisingly inventive, humorous and even uplifting, though inevitably rather a lot could be very unhappy.
The rooms are largely themed, so one focuses on objects with hyperlinks to meals, for instance, whereas one other hinges round music, with vinyl and cassette tapes among the many objects.
However you could find all the pieces from a Mario Kart steering wheel and buttons to an EU flag, all with their tales listed alongside. With a number of rooms, you would possibly spend longer right here than you anticipate, though it’s one other one which is prone to take an hour or much less.
In case you’re in search of one other distinctive exercise in Zagreb with teenagers, take a look at Smash It, an attraction designed to allow you to safely break and smash objects up – someplace between stress aid and enjoyable, it’s one other of Zagreb’s quirky issues to do with older children
Chocolate Museum Zagreb
Head inside Zagreb’s Chocolate Museum and you may be taught all concerning the historical past of chocolate and the way it’s produced.
Plus, in fact, there’s the prospect to do some tastings, with an opportunity to attempt 9 several types of chocolate samples, and purchase some extra from native artisan producers earlier than you allow – in addition to a number of chocolate-themed selfie spots. You may even grind your personal cacao beans.
In case you’ve been to a chocolate museum earlier than, you’ll have already got an thought of what you’ll discover inside Zagreb’s Chocolate Museum too – however what number of children say no to extra choc?
Christmas Market
In case you’re visiting Zagreb at Christmas, town’s Christmas market was voted greatest in Europe for 3 years in a row.
Creation Zagreb is definitely a group of 25 Christmas markets unfold via town’s squares and predominant streets, usually with particular person themes however making it really feel like the entire capital as been remodeled right into a winter wonderland.
There are all the standard artisand merchandise and crafts you would possibly anticipate, plus mulled wine and conventional Croatian meals, in addition to varied performances and different leisure to get everybody in a festive temper.
The markets normally open on the Saturday earlier than the primary Sunday of Creation in late November and run to the primary week of January.
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Photos: Cathedral/meteorological pole/botanical backyard/funicular/Tesla Museum/Up to date artwork museum/Christmas bauble courtesy of Depositphotos, all different pictures copyright MummyTravels