Zagreb Art Travel Guide: A Two-Day Itinerary for Contemporary Art, Museums, Street Art, and Cafes
Zagreb is for art and museum lovers! Are you one of them?
Zagreb is a city brimming with creativity, surprises, and an abundance of street art (yay!). This Zagreb art travel guide is perfect for art lovers exploring the local scene and highlights some of the most unique things to do in Zagreb. You’ll wander through charming old buildings, trendy art galleries, impressive street art, hip third-wave cafes, and quirky museums that showcase the best of art and culture in Zagreb!
Getting around is easy with excellent public transportation and walkable streets lined with parks and trees. It’s really so pretty and I love how walkable the city is too.
I arrived with no expectations but left feeling joyful as my inner child spent time playing, exploring, learning, and being surrounded by art. A true, feel-good, playful holiday!
Note: This art guide is best suited for Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday due to gallery hours. Most galleries close by 1pm on Saturday. Always double-check current opening times, as they may vary by season.
What to do in Zagreb, Croatia?
This two-day itinerary will help you discover the cool, creative side of Zagreb, guiding you to must-see contemporary art museums, street art hotspots, galleries, tunnels, and scenic viewpoints.
Zagreb is full of charm, creativity, and culture. There’s so much to explore! This curated map highlights the best things to do in Zagreb for art lovers, including:
•Art Experiences in Zagreb (black paint palette)
•Unique Places in Zagreb (maroon heart)
•Delightful Cafes (brown coffee cup)
•Vegan-Friendly Restaurants in Zagreb (green leaf)
Scroll below the map for a complete, in-depth art travel guide to Zagreb. Use the map alongside the two-day itinerary (just below) to plan your perfect art-filled trip!
👉 Open the map in a new window
Day 1 – Contemporary Art Museums and Zagreb Street Art
Zagreb Museum of Contemporary Art
(10:30am) Our day begins at the Zagreb Museum of Contemporary Art, a short 30-40 minute tram ride from the city center. You can purchase tram tickets or a book of tram tickets at TISAK. Look for the red TISAK sign on kiosks around the city (I’ve included a photo below to show you what they look like).
The museum relocated in 2009, and its new building stands out as minimalist and industrial, with large windows that allow plenty of natural light. Supported by concrete pillars, the museum floats above a mural wall, painted with works by well-known street artists, adding an urban touch.
The museum features three main floors connected by a spiral ramp, which accommodates both permanent (super excellent!) and temporary exhibitions. If you're lucky, you can exit through art! Carsten Höller's Double Slide (2009) is an immersive, permanent installation that takes you from the third floor back to ground level, providing a playful way to conclude your visit. It’s one of the best contemporary art museums in Zagreb and a must-visit for anyone interested in modern art and interactive installations.
Before the museum opens, take a moment to look for I See You by OKO (meaning 'The Eye' in Croatian). Their signature eyes and animal figures are a museum highlight! Then, walk over to the mural wall. Allow yourself 2 hours to explore the museum before taking the tram around 1pm to the Martićeva neighborhood.
🖤 Zagreb Museum of Contemporary Art @msuzagreb
🕒 Open Tuesday-Friday: 11am to 7pm, Saturday-Sunday: 11am to 6pm (Closed Monday)
🎟️ Admission: 11 Euros
Martićeva Neighborhood – Zagreb’s Design District
(1pm) Take the tram to Martićeva, known as Zagreb’s design district. It’s a bohemian neighborhood filled with vibrant cafes, art galleries, indie boutiques, Croatian design, bookshops, and Zagreb street art. The area comes alive at night with conversations over wine on terraces, live music, and street performances. My Airbnb was located here, and I loved the energetic atmosphere. Below, I've highlighted a few interesting places.
Program Bar is eye candy for the soul! It's warm, inviting, and delightfully eccentric, with pink chairs suspended from the ceiling and golden embellishments that radiate royal elegance. A design lover's dream and the perfect spot for a coffee pick-me-up before exploring the neighborhood. (And dear vegans, they have plant milk!)
🖤 Program Bar @program_bar
🕒 Open Monday-Friday: 7am-11pm, Saturday: 8am-11pm, Sunday: 9am-11pm
🎨 Mala Martićeva Street Art is just outside the cafe @bare.boris
Step out of Program Bar and onto Mala Martićeva, a pedestrian street featuring a remarkable carpet mural by Croatian street artist Boris Bare. Inspired by the Croatian haustor, the traditional entryway in older homes is designed with floral or geometric motifs, which creates a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
I don't usually recommend places I haven't personally visited, but I'm making an exception for Antimuzej (Anti Museum), an alternative, conceptual, no-art museum. It's a few minutes walk from Program Bar, so take a chance because once you walk through the colorful gate, you'll find walls covered in street art. The space has since been cleaned up, making the pieces more visible.
I marked the entrance on the map. Walk in, towards the middle. When you see graffiti, you're in the right area. If it's open, please tell me if it's worthy of a place on my guide.
🖤Antimuzej (Anti Museum) @antimuzej
🕒 Open daily: 12pm-7pm
(4pm) Galerija Miroslav Kraljević (G-MK) is an independent, non-profit space for contemporary art that champions bold artistic and intellectual practices. It’s located on the lower floor of the building. If you don’t see it, look down. Make this a quick stop on your way to Karas Gallery, just a five-minute walk through Park Bartola Kašića.
🖤Galerija Miroslav @galerija.mk
🕒 Open Tuesday-Friday: 4pm-7pm, Saturday: 10am-1pm (Closed Sunday-Monday)
*Optional Food Stop: Grab a meal at Lazeez, a vegan-friendly Lebanese restaurant located across the street from Karas Gallery.
(4:15pm) Karas Gallery is a small but influential contemporary art space that has helped shape and define Zagreb’s art scene. In addition to exhibitions, it hosts workshops, residency programs, and maintains an enriching digital platform. It’s excellent and not to be missed.
🖤Karas Gallery @karasarthub
🕒 Open Tuesday: 10am-1pm, Wednesday-Friday: 4pm-8pm, Saturday: 10am-1pm (Closed Sunday- Monday)
(4:35pm)Take Tram 9 from Tuškanova stop (in front of Karas Gallery) to Vodnikova stop, a 4-minute walk to your destination. (About 20 minutes in total.)
Street Art Hot Spots and Art Galleries
(5pm) Galerija SC (Student Center) supports young artists with a focus on modern and conceptual art. It’s a very cool stop for fans of urban art in Zagreb, as the surrounding buildings are covered in murals and Zagreb street art, making the space feel like an open-air gallery. Tucked in the back, you’ll also find a small performing arts theater.
🖤 Galerija SC
🕒 Open Monday-Friday: 12pm-8pm, Saturday: 10am-1pm (Closed Sunday)
(6pm) Our final stop for Day 1 is the Autonomous Cultural Center Medika (Autonomni Kulturni Centar Medika) and Gallerija Siva. It's wild, unconventional, and a cornerstone of Zagreb’s underground art scene! Don't miss the pink punk rock bathroom, and walls plastered with murals and art. For concerts and events that keep the place buzzing with creative energy, check their social media accounts for updates.
🖤 Gallery Siva @galerijasiva
🕒 Open Friday-Wednesday: 5pm-8:30pm, Thursday: 8pm-11pm
🖤 AKC Attack (Culture Center)
🕒 Check Facebook or Instagram for event times
Day 1 is complete! Grab dinner, reflect, post a few stories, and rest well for Day 2 of your Zagreb art adventure.
Day 2 - Quirky Museums, Old Town Views, and Art Galleries in Zagreb
You know yourself best, but when I’m on holiday, I love getting up early. There’s something magical about the morning crowd and the city coming to life. You can definitely sleep in; just ignore the suggested times. However, please note that if you're doing this on Saturday, the galleries close early.
Dolac Market and Breakfast
(7:20am) Begin at Dolac Market, Zagreb’s iconic open-air market tucked under a sea of red umbrellas. It’s a beautiful place to start your day, overflowing with fresh produce, flowers, and traditional Croatian delicacies. A must-visit if you’re looking for things to do in Zagreb in the morning, or enjoy experiencing local markets (one of my favorite things to do when I travel!)
(8am) Walk to nearby Broom 44 for breakfast (in the same square as Dolac Market). There will likely be a queue, so please plan accordingly. The menu is seasonal, the coffee is top-notch, the scrumptious pastries are freshly baked, and there are plenty of options for vegans!
🖤 Dolac Market
🕒 Open daily: 6:30am-3pm
🖤 Broom 44 @br00m44
🕒 Open Monday-Saturday: 7am-2pm, Sunday: 8am-2pm
Museums and Old Town Charm
Walk through a narrow alley where the walls have been transformed by spontaneous graffiti and paste-ups. It was the biggest surprise and totally made my day! Then, climb the stairs to Love Rails to see a plethora of locks declaring people’s undying love, and take in a panoramic view of Zagreb.
(9:15am) The Museum of Broken Relationships is one of Zagreb’s most famous museums. It’s quirky, original, and full of heart. People donate objects along with personal stories that range from heartbreaking to hilarious. It's intimate, just you, the discarded object, and a short narrative to read up close.
🖤 The Museum of Broken Relationships @brokenships
🕒 Open daily: 9am-10pm
🎟️ Admission: 7 Euros
🔥 Hot tip: Spend a few minutes in the gift shop, and if you spot the scratchy postcards, grab a few and write to your friends. They’ll be thoroughly amused to receive one in the mail.
(10:30) Travel back in time at the Zagreb 80s Museum, set in a house filled with pure nostalgia and recreated to depict what everyday life was like in former Yugoslavia. It’s a retro time capsule packed with records, groovy orange, forgotten prints and patterns, and if you open the right cabinet doors, cheeky photos of women. It’s fun; you can touch everything, and it takes about 30 minutes to walk through.
🖤 Zagreb 80's Museum @zagreb80museum
🕒 Open daily: 10am-10pm
🎟️ Admission: 5 Euros
Let's explore the old town and admire the colorful tiled roof of St. Mark's Church, one of Zagreb's oldest and most iconic buildings. If you enjoy clicking photos of old buildings, spend some time walking along the historical streets before heading towards Strossmayer Promenade. When I travel I love going for walks where I look for color, patterns, texture, and unique architecture!
Red-tiled rooftops, striking spires, medieval towers, and stone walls are just a few of the sights along Strossmayer Promenade, one of the most romantic and scenic viewpoints in the city.
Art and Design
(11:30am) Trotoar Gallery is a contemporary art space with classic white walls and large windows, exhibiting both Croatian and international artists in a beautifully curated setting.
🖤 Trotoar Gallery @trotoar.gallery
🕒 Open Wednesday-Friday: 11am-7pm, Saturday: 10am-2pm (Closed Sunday-Tuesday)
Skip the main road and walk through the Grič Tunnel. Halfway in, take the first open right tunnel. Once you exit, go left towards Roots Bar, and your next stop is across the street. To your left is the funicular (the shortest in the world) connecting Upper and Lower Town.
(12pm) Take Me Home is hands down the cutest shop in Zagreb! Everything inside is handmade, locally crafted, and totally gift-worthy. Think jewelry, postcards, bags, books, clothes, ceramics, magnets! It’s the perfect spot for lovers of Zagreb design to buy something special and support local artists!
🖤 Take Me Home Croatian Design Shop @takemehomezagreb
🕒 Open Monday-Friday: 9:30am-8pm, Saturday: 10am-3pm (Closed Sunday)
(12:30pm) Josip Račić Studio is part of the Modern Gallery and is named after the beloved Croatian artist. It’s a space dedicated to showcasing contemporary Croatian art.
🖤 The Josip Račić Studio of the Modern Gallery
🕒 Open Monday-Friday: 11am-7pm, Saturday-Sunday: 10am-1pm
Just a few doors down, on the corner (the door past Bonita Cafe), you’ll find the entrance to the glamorous art-nouveau Oktogon passageway. Bathed in warm yellow tones that melt into the light of the atrium, it’s a stunning little surprise in the middle of the city.
🖤 Oktogon
🕒 Open 24 hours daily
One block further down the street is Everyday People by Lunar. Slaven Lunar Kosanović is a local artist from Zagreb who played a key role in shaping Croatia’s early graffiti scene. Look down to spot the colorful, playful piece because it’s painted right on the street.
🖤 ‘Everyday People’ by Lunar @slavenlunar
🕒 Open 24 hours daily
Here’s where we can part ways or keep going. Zagreb has plenty of museums and restaurants, and if you had your heart set on any of them, now’s the time to explore. But if you’re up for continuing this adventure, let’s go!
(1:15pm) Lunch at Zrno is a must. Everything is organic and sourced from Zrno, Croatia’s oldest organic farm. This cozy farm-to-table spot is 100% vegan and serves delicious sugar-free desserts. I ordered the macroplate and still dream about it.
🖤 Zrno @zrnobiobistro
🕒 Open Monday-Saturday: 12:30-11pm (Closed on Sunday)
(2:30pm) After lunch, take a 15-minute walk to the Museum of Unfinished Art, where you’re the artist. This one-of-a-kind museum encourages you to find beauty in the unfinished and create simply for the joy of it. You're invited to paint, stamp, weave, sew, trace, and play. I left with three small pieces of my own art and contributed to the museum’s collaborative works. A refreshing reminder that it’s okay not to finish everything, as long as you enjoy the process.
🖤 Museum of Unfinished Art @museum_of_unfinished_art
🕒 Open Tuesday-Friday: 11am-7pm, Saturday-Sunday: 10am-6pm (Closed on Monday)
🎟️ Admission: 9 Euros
(4pm) Have a refreshing drink at Botanicar Cafe. It's effortlessly stylish with lush green plants, chic vintage furniture, cozy reading corners, a jazzy vibe, and a new exhibition each month.
🖤 Botanicar Cafe @bar_botanicar
🕒 Open Monday-Saturday: 8am-11pm, Sunday: 11am-7pm
Day 2 is complete!
I hope you love this art travel guide to Zagreb, Croatia. I adore cities that surprise me, and Zagreb truly did. From quirky galleries to established Zagreb art museums, this guide covers it all. Whether you’re planning a weekend escape and crafting your Zagreb travel itinerary, or searching for unique things to do in Zagreb, this art and culture guide will lead you straight to the city’s creative heart.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out. I’ll do my best to help!
Have the best time ever! When you post photos, tag me on Instagram (@in_pursuit_of_art) so I can see your adventures!
Here’s more information and photos, along with links to detailed Instagram posts:
Museum of Unfinished Art Program Bar Punk Rock Pink Bathroom Museum of Broken Relationships Botanicar Cafe Word on the Street
