Zagreb is filled with beautiful areas, historic attractions, and charming neighborhoods. Picture yourself starting the day with your GPS set and your seatbelt on. Sightseeing in Zagreb is convenient by car because most top spots are only a short drive from the center. You can stop anytime, enjoy a coffee, take photos, or walk around a hidden gem that public transport often misses. And if you don’t have your own vehicle, renting a car in Zagreb is easily done online. In this guide, you’ll discover the most beautiful places in Zagreb.
Zagreb is a driver-friendly city with a well-connected road network, making sightseeing in Zagreb by car convenient. Most sights are within a 15-minute drive of the centre, and having a car lets you venture beyond the usual tourist path. You can smoothly drive from the historic Upper Town’s cobbled streets to the green slopes of Medvednica Mountain without waiting for tours or buses. Parking is available in marked car parks and garages throughout the city.
In Croatia, cars drive on the right-hand side. Zagreb has modern roads, and main avenues like Ilica Street are equipped with tram lines – so be cautious and yield to trams when driving alongside them. Speed limits are generally 50 km/h in the city unless posted otherwise. If you plan to drive to the outskirts like the Medvednica nature park, some winding roads may be narrower, so drive slowly and enjoy the scenery.
Here are the must-visit attractions in Zagreb for your road trip:
Tkalčićeva Street is a pedestrian lane in the heart of Zagreb’s old town. Although you can’t drive directly on this cobbled stretch, it’s still easy to reach. You can park at a nearby garage and enjoy a short walk. Tkalčićeva is lined with traditional cafés, local boutiques, restaurants, and bars, making it one of the city’s hubs for casual nightlife and daytime strolling. Colourful buildings with historic façades frame the street on both sides. As you walk through, look for the statue of Marija Jurić Zagorka, a celebrated Croatian writer, seated on a bench, and the old sundial at the start of the street. From here, you can also explore nearby highlights such as the Dolac Market and the Zagreb Cathedral.
British Square, locally called Britanski trg or “Britanac,” is a small square with lively open-air markets. It’s on Ilica Street, only a few blocks west of Ban Jelačić Square, and very easy to reach by car. The drive from the city centre takes about 5 minutes. On weekdays, a morning farmers’ market brings together local vendors selling fresh fruit, vegetables, and flowers.
On Sunday mornings, the square transforms into a much-loved antique fair that draws visitors from all over the city. The space is filled with stalls offering a variety of items, including old books, vintage records, coins, retro household goods, and artwork. Even if you are not shopping, the scene is a delight for photographers, with colourful umbrellas and antique displays. Beyond the markets, you can enjoy coffee at British Square. Several cafés with outdoor seating line the area. The surroundings include refined residential neighbourhoods such as Pantovčak and Zelengaj, as well as a music school housed in a historic building.
Strossmayer Promenade (Strossmayerovo šetalište) is Zagreb’s most romantic promenade, a tree-lined walkway perched on the southern edge of the Upper Town. Although you cannot drive on the promenade itself, you can easily reach the Upper Town by car and park nearby. From there, it is a short walk to Strossmayer Promenade. This scenic path runs along the old city walls beside the Lotrščak Tower, offering sweeping views over Zagreb’s downtown and the distant hills. As you stroll, you will catch glimpses of the Zagreb Cathedral spires and the rooftops of the Lower Town.
The promenade is more than a lookout point. During the summer months, it becomes “Strossmartre,” an open-air festival inspired by Montmartre, with live music, art stalls, and evening performances. You may come across artists painting, or bands playing jazz under old-fashioned street lamps. Quirky sculptures and art installations appear along the path. Couples often attach love locks to the railings, and it is common to hear a talented street musician filling the air with soft guitar melodies.
Historically, Strossmayer Promenade is named after Josip Juraj Strossmayer, a notable Croatian bishop. It stands on what used to be defensive walls protecting the Gradec part of the city. A charming way to arrive is by taking the Zagreb Funicular, one of the shortest funiculars in the world. It connects Tomić Street in the Lower Town to the Upper Town right beside the promenade. The ride lasts just a minute, and once you step off, you are already at the entrance.
Tuškanac Forest is a green oasis only 5 minutes from the city centre. Tuškanac is a forest park set within a valley and hillside north of downtown, offering shaded walking trails, towering old trees, and fresh air. It is one of Zagreb’s 17 protected park forests. From Ilica Street, follow the small road through Dežman Passage and then continue up Tuškanac Street. A public car park is right at the edge of the forest, allowing you to park and step straight onto a peaceful woodland path.
The atmosphere in Tuškanac is truly serene. Instead of car horns, you will hear birds chirping and leaves rustling overhead. Locals come here to jog, walk their dogs, or let their children play at the small playground. One of the forest’s standout features is the Tuškanac Summer Stage, an open-air theatre and cinema hidden among the trees.
In summer, it hosts outdoor film screenings and performances, creating a magical experience under the stars. As you continue exploring, you will find Dubravkin put, a scenic two-kilometre trail that connects Tuškanac with a nearby park. You can also come across Cmrok hill, a wide meadow for summer picnics, which turns into a popular sledging spot in winter. The forest is also bordered by some of Zagreb’s most elegant residential streets, where you can spot early 20th-century villas.
For a true escape into nature and history, set your GPS for Medvedgrad and the Sljeme slopes, two of the most beautiful areas in Zagreb. Medvedgrad is a medieval fortress perched on the southern slope of Medvednica Mountain, overlooking the city. By car, it is only a 20- to 30-minute drive from the centre. The route takes you along winding but well-paved forest roads until you reach a parking area close to the fortress entrance. From there, a short uphill walk leads to the restored stone walls of Medvedgrad. The fortress was built in the 13th century following the Mongol invasions to protect the city. When you reach the ramparts, you are rewarded with panoramic views of Zagreb and the countryside.
Inside Medvedgrad, you will find a small museum and visitor centre, including legends of the mysterious “Black Queen,” who is said to have lived here. There is also the Altar of Homeland, a memorial dedicated to Croatian heroes, built within the fortress walls. After exploring the fortress, you can continue your drive up to Sljeme, the peak of Medvednica Mountain. The road climbs further through dense forest to about 1,030 metres above sea level. Sljeme, meaning “summit,” is famous as Zagreb’s local mountain resort. In winter, it offers small ski slopes and hosts competitions. In summer, it is filled with hiking trails, mountain huts serving hearty meals, and picnic spots.
Šalata is one of the most beautiful neighbourhoods in Zagreb, known for its leafy streets, elegant villas, and sports facilities. It is located on a gentle hill just above the city centre, north of Vlaška Street. As a result, it offers lovely views looking back towards downtown. You can drive to Šalata in only a few minutes from the central square. As you follow the winding lanes upward, you will notice the scenery shift from busy city blocks to peaceful residential streets with embassies and private gardens.
Interestingly, the name “Šalata” comes from the Croatian word for salad. Historically, this area was once home to vegetable gardens where salad greens were grown. Today, it is an upscale district and home to important institutions such as the University of Zagreb’s medical campus and the Ruđer Bošković Institute. For travellers, Šalata’s appeal lies in its authentic residential atmosphere. The architecture ranges from early 20th-century villas, some featuring Art Deco or Secession-stle details, to modern residences surrounded by lush greenery. The sports centre has swimming pools, tennis courts, and an ice rink in winter. It also occasionally serves as an open-air concert venue.
Ilica Street is the longest and one of the most famous streets in Zagreb. Ilica is the city’s main artery, stretching westward from Ban Jelačić Square for about 6 kilometres. It links the city centre with the western neighbourhoods. Be prepared for heavy traffic during peak hours, as the street is a popular shopping destination. At times, it is easier to park and explore part of it on foot.
Near the main square, you will find flagship stores, boutiques, and department stores. This first stretch is Zagreb’s premier shopping street, visited by people from all over the city. Ilica has existed since the 14th century, and if you look above the modern shopfronts, you will spot beautiful façades, decorative stonework, and historic details. As you continue westward, the street becomes more everyday and local, with bakeries, hardware shops, and traditional cafés. It is also one of Zagreb’s busiest pedestrian routes.
While driving, keep an eye out for Britanski trg (British Square) on your right as you head west, a market square discussed earlier. Further along the route, you will approach the Mimara Museum and the Technical Museum near Savska Street. Eventually, the tram tracks separate from the main road, and Ilica continues into quieter residential areas. If you follow it all the way to the end, you will reach the neighbourhood of Vrapče. Visit a pastry shop for a burek or a fresh croissant, or step into one of Ilica’s courtyards. Some hide charming little surprises, including a secret basketball court and a path leading into the Tuškanac woods. Driving along Ilica gives you a mini-tour of Zagreb’s urban life, from east to west.
Zagreb is a worthwhile city to see and experience. So even though you have the convenience of a car, take the time to slow down at each destination, step out, and soak in the atmosphere. Chat with locals at the market on British Square, savor a coffee on Tkalčićeva Street, or breathe in the pine-scented air on Medvednica.
If you’re planning to explore Zagreb or venture further across Croatia, rent a car with Final Rentals. Choose your pickup point from Zagreb Airport or Downtown and select the vehicle for your trip. With instant booking confirmation, flexible dates, and a wide range of cars, Final Rentals ensures you can hit the road without delays. For extra convenience, download the Final Rentals app on Google Play and the App Store.
