10 Best Sights in Donji grad (Lower Town), Zagreb and Environs

The building dates from 1895, when it was designed by the Viennese firm Hellmer and Fellner as part of preparations for a state visit by Emperor Franz Josef. In front of the theater, set deep in a round concrete basin, is Ivan Meštrović's eerily lifelike sculpture Zdenac Života (Fountain of Life) from 1912, which depicts four naked couples writhing uncomfortably in each other's arms around a small pool of water while one lone likewise naked gentleman stares meditatively into the pool. The only way to see the impressive stately interior of the theater is to attend a performance from its impressive show repertoire. Don your best clothes as the locals do and enjoy.

Museum exhibits here range all the way from prehistoric times to the Middle Ages. Pride of place is given to the Vučedol Dove, a three-legged ceramic dove found near Vukovar in Slavonia dating back to the 4th millennium BC, and a piece of linen bearing the longest known text in ancient Etruscan writing. The courtyard features a collection of stone relics from Roman times. The museum also runs the Archaeological Park Andautonia, an ancient Roman town with well-preserved ruins located in the modern-day village of Šćitarjevo, a 20-minute drive from Zagreb center. At the time of this writing, the museum sometimes offers temporary exhibitions on its first floor. The permanent collection and the rest of the museum building are currently closed for renovations, with no reopening date announced.  Call ahead if you plan to visit to see what's happening.

Buildings lining the city's main square date from 1827 onward and include several fine examples of Secessionist architecture. The centerpiece is an equestrian statue of Ban Josip Jelačić, the first Croatian viceroy, erected in 1866. Originally facing north toward Hungary, against which Jelačić waged war as a commander in the Austrian Imperial Army, the statue was dismantled after World War II by the communist government, only to be reinstalled in 1990, this time facing south. The square also features the Manduševac fountain, located to the east.

Founded in 1889, Zagreb's Botanical Garden includes an arboretum with a regularly used exhibition space, a small artificial lake, and an ornamental bridge. Today, the garden has more than 5,000 species of plants and is run by the prestigious Faculty of Science of the University of Zagreb.  Bring cash, as credit cards aren't accepted.

For a peaceful stroll in Zagreb's biggest (and southeastern Europe's oldest) public park, hop on a tram and head to Maksimir. A short ride east of the center of Zagreb (10 minutes on Tram 11 or 12 from Trg Bana Jelačića or 15 minutes on Tram 4 or 7 from the train station), this 44½-acre expanse of vine-covered forests and artificial lakes was a groundbreaker when it opened back in 1794. After getting off the tram, you walk forward a bit and enter on the left, through a gate opposite the city's main soccer stadium, aptly named Stadion Maksimir. A long wide promenade flanked by benches leads to Bellevue Pavilion (1843), perched atop a small hill and featuring a café. Do check out the Echo Pavilion (Paviljon jeka), built in the late 19th century in honor of the Greek nymph Echo. Stand in the middle and you can hear the whispers of anyone standing within the pavilion, as if they were right next to you. To your right along the way are some small lakes and, beyond, the city's modest zoo, Zoološki vrt Grada Zagreb, where admission is €4. To your left is a playground. One restaurant is located in the zoo, and two others are in the park outside it.

In a huge gray building, this vast private collection, including paintings, sculptures, ceramics, textiles, and rugs, was donated by Ante Topić Mimara (1898–1987), a Croatian who spent many years abroad where he made his fortune, supposedly as a merchant. On display are canvases attributed to such old masters as Raphael, Rembrandt, and Rubens, as well as more modern works by the likes of Manet, Degas, and Renoir and ancient artifacts including Egyptian glassware and Chinese porcelain.  At the time of this writing, the museum was closed but hopes to reopen by early 2025 after renovations. Check before you go.

Displaying works created since 1950 by Croatian and foreign artists, this museum is well worth a visit for anyone interested in modern art—the vast collection includes paintings, sculptures, graphic design, films, and videos. It lies outside the city center, south of the Sava River in Novi Zagreb. To get here, take Tram 6 (toward Sopot) or Tram 14 (toward Zapruđe) from the main square; journey time is approximately 30 minutes.

Zagreb is home to several unique first-in-the-world museums, including this exhibition featuring more than 50 real-life stories related to drunkenness, submitted by people from all over the world, along with associated objects. Each visitor has the chance to win a free ticket by hitting a bull's-eye dartboard while wearing beer goggles. Most exhibits are comical, but some are educational and others are cautionary tales. Beer or wine can be purchased at the entrance to enjoy as you stroll through.

In 2015, Roko Živković and Tomislav Pamuković founded this innovative museum of perception in Zagreb, and thanks to popular demand it has expanded to more than 40 locations in 25 countries across 4 continents. Including an antigravity room, mirror room, and many silly optical illusion exhibits, this museum will leave you laughing, curious about how visual perception works—and maybe even a bit dizzy. This is a fun visit for families as well.

Situated within an industrial building, this museum is guaranteed to appeal to both children and adults interested in science. Try to visit in the afternoon on a weekday or in the late morning on the weekend, when a series of guided visits are offered. The highlight here is the demonstration of some of Nikola Tesla's inventions, scheduled weekdays at 3:30 pm and weekends at 11:30 am, but there's also the tour of a lifelike reconstruction of a coal mine at 3 pm on weekdays and 11 am on weekends. That's not to mention all the vehicles on display, as well as a fascinating historical exhibit of firefighting equipment with trucks, ladders, and hoses aplenty. The museum is in the Trešnjevka neighborhood.