Zagreb tours

Things to do in Zagreb

Welcome to Zagreb, a city where history and modernity create a dynamic blend that intrigues and invites exploration. Start at Dolac Market, the bustling heart where fresh produce and lively chatter fill the air. Your local guide helps you delve deeper, revealing the stories behind the Austro-Hungarian architecture and modern art that define the cityscape. Each step through its cobbled streets or each taste on a culinary tour brings you closer to Zagreb's true character. With the personal touch of a local guide, the city reveals itself as more than a destination—it's a rhythm, a pulse, a story waiting to unfold. If you’re looking for more inspiration, take a look at our curated list of things to do in Zagreb. Explore Zagreb your way At ToursByLocals, we believe that how you explore is just as important as where you go. That’s why every Zagreb tour is private, flexible, and built around you: Move at your own pace, skip the crowds, make connections and follow your curiosity. Find local guides offering private tours in Zagreb for every interest, including: History tours: Walk Gornji Grad through the Stone Gate, light a candle at the small shrine, and hear the noon boom from Lotrščak Tower as you cross St. Mark’s Square. Many tours also include the Grič Tunnel and Mirogoj Cemetery, where you learn about notable figures beneath Herman Bollé’s arcades. Nature and Wildlife tours: Hike or drive into Medvednica Nature Park to explore trails around Medvedgrad fortress and look for roe deer and woodpeckers with binoculars. Closer to the centre, your guide can help you birdwatch around Maksimir Park’s lakes, or plan a day to Lonjsko Polje Nature Park to see stork villages like Čigoč. Architecture tours: Follow the Green Horseshoe to see Secessionist and neo-Renaissance landmarks such as the Croatian National Theatre, the Art Pavilion, and the Esplanade Hotel. In the Upper Town, study the tiled roof of St. Mark’s Church and the neo-Gothic spires of the Cathedral of the Assumption, then compare them with the modernist Meštrović Pavilion. The centre is very walkable, and trams and buses run frequently, with the short funicular linking the Lower and Upper Town. For hills, parks, or out-of-town nature, you can book chauffeured tours or ask your guide to arrange tours with private transportation. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all itinerary, you can tailor your private tour to match your interests, pace and personality with a local who knows Zagreb inside and out. Walking tours & neighbourhoods Discover Zagreb on a private walking tour and let a local guide show you its most intriguing neighborhoods. Choose the ones that resonate with your interests and connect with the city on a deeper level. - Upper Town (Gornji Grad): Perfect for history enthusiasts. Wander through streets filled with medieval architecture and quaint cafes, and visit landmarks like St. Mark's Church. - Lower Town (Donji Grad): Great for families and those who love shopping. This area offers parks, museums, and vibrant shopping streets. - Jarun: Ideal for active travelers. Enjoy the large lake and recreational areas perfect for cycling, jogging, or a leisurely picnic. Day trip ideas from Zagreb Use Zagreb as your base and branch out to nearby cities, castles, and parks that work well as day trips without a long drive. Plitvice Lakes National Park: Boardwalks loop past clear lakes and waterfalls, with easy routes for light walking and short boat or shuttle hops to save time; if nature photos, calm trails, and fresh air are your thing, your tour can choose the right loop and pace, and add a quick look at the mill village of Rastoke on the way. Samobor: A small town 30 minutes west with a cosy main square, famed kremšnita cake, and quick forest paths to Samobor Castle ruins for wide views; this is a smooth fit if you want café time, local sweets, and a short hill walk in one simple outing. Varaždin and Trakošćan Castle: Pair a graceful old town full of baroque facades and quiet courtyards with a storybook lakeside castle an hour north; history fans and architecture buffs get both a city stroll and a castle visit, and your tour can thread in scenic stops across the gentle Zagorje hills. Ljubljana and Lake Bled, Slovenia: Cross the border for a compact capital with riverside lanes, then continue to an alpine lake where you can circle the shore or take a small boat to the island; ideal if you want a second country in a single day, with city sights and mountain scenery in one of the region’s most popular tours. A private tour with a local guide is the best way to really get to know a place. Skip the crowds, follow your interests, and see a side of Zagreb most travellers miss.