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Archaeological Museum
The Archaeological Museum displays artefacts from prehistoric to medieval times, including Egyptian mummies, with ambient sounds and light to provoke pondering. The coin collection is one of the most important in Europe, containing some 260,000 coins, medals, medallions and decorations. The courtyard has a collection of Roman monuments dating from the 5th to 4th century BC and functions as an open-air café in summer.
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Archbishop's Palace
Under the northeastern wing of the Archbishop's Palace, of which little remains, is a 19th-century park with a sculpture of a female nude by Antun Augustinčić.
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Art Pavilion
The yellow Art Pavilion presents changing exhibitions of contemporary art. Constructed in 1897 in stunning Art Nouveau style, the pavilion is the only space in Zagreb that was specifically designed to host large exhibitions.
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Arts & Crafts Museum
The Arts & Crafts Museum was built between 1882 and 1892. The museum exhibits furniture, textiles, metal, ceramic and glass dating from the Middle Ages to contemporary times. You can see Gothic and baroque sculptures from northern Croatia as well as paintings, prints, bells, stoves, rings, clocks, bound books, toys, photos and industrial designs. The museum also contains an important library and there are frequent temporary exhibitions.
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Banski Dvori
Banski Dvori (Ban's Palace) was once the seat of Croatian viceroys and is now the presidential palace. The building is composed of two baroque mansions and houses courts, archives and other government offices. In October 1991 the palace was bombed by the federal army, in what some believe to have been an assassination attempt on President Franjo Tudjman. From April to September there is a guard-changing ceremony every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at noon.
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Botanical Garden
For a change from museums and galleries, relax in the lovely Botanical Garden, which were laid out in 1890. In addition to 10,000 species of plant, including 1800 tropical flora specimens, the landscaping has created restful corners and paths that seem a world away from bustling Zagreb.
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Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Kaptol is dominated by the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, formerly known as St Stephen's, whose twin spires soar over the city. Built on the site of an earlier Romanesque cathedral, which had been destroyed by the Tartar invasion in 1242, construction of this cathedral began in the second half of the 13th century following the prototype of the church of St Urban in Troyes, France.
Read more about Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
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City Museum
Don't miss the City Museum in the 17th-century Convent of St Clair, which is built along the eastern wall of the town. Since 1907 the convent has housed a historical museum presenting the history of Zagreb in documents, artwork and crafts, plus interactive exhibits that fascinate kids. Most interesting is a scale model of old Gradec. Summaries of the exhibits are posted in English and German in each room and evocative music accompanies your visit.
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Crkva Svetog Marka
One of Zagreb's most emblematic buildings is the colourful St Mark's Church, with its unique tiled roof constructed in 1880. The tiles on the left side depict the medieval coat of arms of Croatia, Dalmatia and Slavonia, while the emblem of Zagreb is on the right side.
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Croatian Artists' Centre
The Croatian Artists' Centre is one of the few architectural works by Ivan Meštrović. The centre was built as an exhibition pavilion and then transformed into a mosque before finally becoming a showplace for contemporary Croatian artists. It may be slightly out of the way but the unusual architecture makes it worth the walk.
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Croatian History Museum
If you have time, stop in at the Croatian History Museum. It's located in a splendid baroque structure and displays an interesting collection of flags, stones, fine art, photos, documents and maps tracing Croatia's history.
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Croatian Museum of Naïve Art
There are over 1000 works, mainly paintings and drawings, at the Croatian Museum of Naïve Art. The most important artists in Croatia's long tradition of naïve art, including Generalić, Mraz, Virius and Smaljić are represented here, as well as international artists working in the same style.
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Croatian Natural History Museum
Try to fit in a visit to the Croatian Natural History Museum, which houses a collection of prehistoric tools and bones excavated from the Krapina cave as well as exhibits showing the evolution of animal and plant life in Croatia. Temporary exhibits often focus on specific regions, such as the island of Mljet.
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Dverce Mansion
The 18th-century Dverce Mansion was restored in the 19th century and is now used for official receptions. Before leaving the square, note the fountain with the statue Fisherman with Snake , which was created by Simeon Roksandić in 1908.
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Ethnographic Museum
The Ethnographic Museum is worth a visit. Housed in a domed building dating from 1903, the museum contains some 70,000 items cataloguing the ethnographic heritage of Croatia. Only about 2750 exhibits are on display, including ceramics, jewellery, musical instruments, tools and weapons, as well as Croatian folk costumes, gold-embroidered scarves from Slavonia and lace from the island of Pag.
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Galerija Klovićevi Dvori
The Galerija Klovićevi Dvori is housed in a former Jesuit monastery and is the city's most prestigious space for exhibiting modern Croatian and international art, which is presented in a series of changing exhibitions. Some of the more noted exhibitions have included Picasso and The Hague School . By the way, if you're looking for an unusual, arty souvenir, try the gallery's gift shop.
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Gallery of Modern Art
The Gallery of Modern Art has, after a long renovation, finally opened with a glorious display of Croatian artists of the last 200 years including such 19th- and 20th-century Croatian masters as Bukovac, Mihanović and Račić. It's an excellent overview of the vibrant Croatian arts scene.
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Jesuit Church of St Catherine
The fine baroque Jesuit Church of St Catherine was built between 1620 and 1632. Although battered by fire and earthquake, the façade still gleams and the interior contains a fine altar dating from 1762. The interior stucco work dates from 1720 and there are 18th-century medallions depicting the life of St Catherine on the ceiling of the nave.
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Kaptol Sq
The lovely medieval Upper Town centres on Kaptol Sq, with most buildings dating from the 17th century.
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Lotrščak Tower
The Lotrščak Tower was built in the middle of the 13th century in order to protect the southern city gate. For the last hundred years a cannon has been fired every day at noon commemorating an event from Zagreb's history.
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Maksimir Park
Maksimir Park is a peaceful wooded enclave covering 18 hectares; it is easily accessible by trams 4, 7, 11 and 12. Opened to the public in 1794, it was the first public promenade in southeastern Europe and is landscaped like an English garden-style park with alleys, lawns and artificial lakes. The most photographed structure in the park is the exquisite Bellevue Pavilion, which was constructed in 1843, but there is also the Echo Pavilion and a house built to resemble a rustic Swiss cottage.
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Market
The Dolac quarter contains Zagreb's colourful fruit and vegetable market.
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Medvedgrad
The medieval fortress of Medvedgrad, on the southern side of Mt Medvednica just above Zagreb, is the most important medieval monument in Zagreb. Built from 1249 to 1254, it was erected to protect the city from Tartar invasions and is itself well protected by high rocks. The fortress was owned by a succession of aristocratic families but fell into ruin as a result of an earthquake and general neglect.
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Meštrović Atelier
Highly interesting for its insights into Croatia's most recognised artist is Meštrović Atelier. From 1922 to 1942, Meštrović lived and worked in this 17th-century house, which now presents an excellent collection of some 100 sculptures, drawings, lithographs and furniture from the first four decades of his artistic life. The museum reflects the artist's preoccupations with philosophical and religious themes as well as nudes, portraits and self-portraits.
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Mirogoj
A 10-minute ride north of the city centre on bus 106 from the cathedral takes you to Mirogoj at the base of Mt Medvednica - it's one of the most beautiful cemeteries in Europe. One wag commented that the people here are better housed in death than they ever were in life.
