Discover Zagreb: Old Town, Funicular and City Market

Zagreb can be explored through three distinct points of interest: the walkable Old Town, with its Upper and Lower Town; the historic funicular connecting the two parts; and the city market, with produce from across Croatia. Together, these aspects give you a concrete impression of which sides of the city may matter to you. When planning your trip, consider whether you are particularly interested in historic urban areas, transport history or regional produce.

Explore the Old Town on foot

Many of Zagreb’s historic sights are concentrated in the Old Town, which is divided into Upper and Lower Town and can be explored on foot. These two names give you a simple way to orient yourself in the historic part of the city: you can first look at the Old Town as a whole and then consider how it is divided. This turns a mere sequence of individual sights into a spatially connected area, with Upper and Lower Town as its main points of reference. If you like to plan your trip around historic urban areas, this part of Zagreb offers a clear starting point. The description of the Old Town as walkable applies to the area as a whole and makes it a suitable focus for visitors who enjoy getting around on foot when exploring a city.

A connection with history

The Zagreb funicular is a public-transport railway that connects Lower and Upper Town; it began operating in 1890. It adds a clearly defined transport link to exploring the area on foot, as well as a historical perspective on Zagreb. For travellers interested in the history of urban transport, the year provides a concrete point of reference. Connecting the two parts of the city also makes clear why the funicular has a distinct role in any look at the Old Town. The year 1890 places the railway in its historical context. If you would like to ride the funicular on a particular day of your visit, check its current operating status in advance.

The city market and produce from Croatia

Zagreb’s city market is known for local fruit, vegetables and fresh domestic produce from across Croatia. This brings a different side of the city visit into focus than the historic Old Town and its transport link. If you are interested in food and the country’s produce, the market offers a distinct point of interest, directing your attention beyond Zagreb’s historic urban layout to Croatian products. Its nationwide reach is part of the market’s character: the produce comes from across Croatia. The market can therefore be understood as a culinary highlight without equating it with a particular dish or a single regional specialty.

Discover Zagreb according to your interests

To decide whether Zagreb matches your travel interests, you can weigh the three highlights differently: the Old Town is the point of reference for historic sights and exploring on foot; the funicular connects Upper and Lower Town and highlights transport history; and the city market represents produce from Croatia. This is not a prescribed itinerary, but a practical way to distinguish the city’s offerings according to what interests you in a city break. If historic urban areas, their public-transport history or regional products are to shape your stay, these points can help you assess Zagreb as a destination and then find hotels in Zagreb.

For the broader travel overview: Zagreb County.