Zagreb • Culture
Museums in Zagreb: What to Pick (and Why)
A guide to Zagreb museums: how to choose the right ones for your trip, plus a simple museum-to-walk pairing strategy.
Map: Zagreb museums (quick picks)
Pins for the main museums mentioned in this guide.
Map tiles by OpenFreeMap (OpenMapTiles / OpenStreetMap). Scroll zoom is disabled to keep page scrolling smooth — use the zoom buttons instead.
Don’t do “all the museums”
Zagreb has an unusually fun museum scene for its size. The best strategy is to pick 1–2 that match your mood, then balance them with a park or a café.
A great starter set
- Museum of Broken Relationships: the city’s most distinctive “story” museum (quirky, moving, and very Zagreb).
- Museum of Illusions: playful, hands-on, and perfect when you want something light (especially on rainy days).
- Chocolate Museum: a sweet, experience-style stop that’s great for couples and families.
- Zagreb City Museum or the Archaeological Museum: a classic “context” museum in the center when you want depth without overload.
- Museum of Contemporary Art (MSU): across the river for modern culture and a different side of the city.
- Atelier Meštrović: a quieter Upper Town museum that feels like a pause (especially good if you like sculpture).
Museum of Broken Relationships guide
What it’s like + how to pair it with a walk.
Museum of Illusions guide
A fun, photo-friendly rainy-day pick.
Chocolate Museum guide
A treat stop that fits perfectly into a café day.
Zagreb City Museum guide
Historic context in Upper Town.
Archaeological Museum guide
Central “classic museum” choice by Zrinjevac.
Museum of Contemporary Art (MSU) guide
Modern culture day across the river.
Novi Zagreb guide (MSU area)
Modern side of the city across the river.
Technical Museum Nikola Tesla guide
Hands-on, great for rainy days.
Atelier Meštrović guide
A calm Upper Town culture hour.
More museums worth picking (by interest)
Use this list when you want a second museum day — or when rain pushes you indoors.
Zagreb City Museum
City story and context in Upper Town.
Museum of Illusions
Interactive, hands-on, and fun for couples/families.
Chocolate Museum
A sweet, experience-style stop near the center.
Museum of Hangovers
Quirky, funny, and surprisingly fun.
Atelier Meštrović
A quieter Upper Town museum with atmosphere.
Archaeological Museum
Classic central museum choice.
Croatian Museum of Naïve Art
A uniquely Croatian art niche.
Klovićevi Dvori Gallery
Big temporary exhibitions in Upper Town (check current program).
Ethnographic Museum
Folk culture, textiles, and everyday-life stories.
Croatian Natural History Museum (HPM)
A strong rainy-day pick (especially with kids).
Museum of Arts and Crafts
Design/objects museum (check current status; reconstruction has affected visits).
Technical Museum Nikola Tesla
Hands-on, rainy-day favorite.
Mimara Museum
A large collection near the HNK zone (check current status).
Lauba (House for People and Art)
Contemporary art space with changing exhibitions.
Museum pairings (make the day flow)
- Museum → café → short walk (best for rainy days).
- Museum → park loop (best for sunny days).
- Museum → dinner → night walk (best for couples).
Three museum days that always work
- Rainy-day classic: Museum of Broken Relationships → long coffee → another small museum (if you still have energy).
- Park-and-culture afternoon: Archaeological Museum → Zrinjevac / Horseshoe walk → dinner.
- Modern contrast day: MSU → Bundek park loop → dinner back in the center.
FAQ
How many museums should I do in a weekend?
Two is a sweet spot: one “story” museum and one “visual” museum, plus parks and cafés between them.
What’s the best museum for a rainy day?
The Museum of Broken Relationships is a great rainy-day pick because it’s central, easy to combine with cafés, and usually feels “complete” in a single visit.
Is MSU worth it if I’m not a big art person?
If you’re curious about modern culture and want a different side of the city, yes. If you’re neutral, prioritize the historic center first and add MSU only if you have extra time.
Further reading
- Museum of Broken Relationships (official)↗
- Museum of Illusions Zagreb (official)↗
- Chocolate Museum Zagreb (official)↗
- Museum of Hangovers (official)↗
- Atelier Meštrović (official)↗
- Museum of Contemporary Art, Zagreb (official)↗
- Zagreb City Museum (official)↗
- Archaeological Museum in Zagreb (official)↗
- Croatian Museum of Naïve Art (official)↗
- Klovićevi Dvori Gallery (official)↗
- Ethnographic Museum (official)↗
- Croatian Natural History Museum (official)↗
- Technical Museum Nikola Tesla (official)↗
- Mimara Museum (official)↗
- Museum of Arts and Crafts (official)↗
Keep exploring Zagreb
Use the guide list to build a trip that fits your pace — a few anchors, plenty of wandering, and at least one night walk.
Love Zagreb is an independent guide. For official updates, visit Zagreb Tourist Board and the linked official sources above.