Zagreb, Croatia, Might Be the Best City in the World for Niche Museums

Zagreb, like any of Europe’s coolest capitals, is flush with museums. It’s home to classic cultural staples like the National Museum of Modern Art and Museum of Contemporary Art. But Croatia’s capital also overflows with specialty museums that make it a truly memorable museum city. Zagreb museums run the gamut from educational to humorous, exploring topics ranging from heartbreak and hangovers to amateur art and illusions. For a window into Zagreb’s eclectic museum scene, and to learn more about the city and Croatia in the process, these are the Zagreb museums you’re going to want to see.

The most interesting Zagreb museums, mapped

Museum of Broken Relationships

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The Museum of Broken Relationships is probably the most internationally renowned of all the Zagreb museums by now, thanks to the internet’s delight with its subject matter. Founded in 2006 by a pair of exes, the museum showcases mementos from failed relationships accompanied by anonymous stories of the heartbreaks they represent in Zagreb’s historic Upper Town. The intention behind the project was to establish a creative outlet for processing romantic loss, rather than lamenting it. The museum’s collection is eclectic, made up of objects donated by grief-stricken lovers from all over the world, from wedding dresses and love letters to everyday items like utensils or shared Netflix subscriptions.

Address: Ćirilometodska ul. 2, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia

Hours: 10 AM-9 PM daily from June 1 to September 30, 9 AM-9 PM daily from October 1 to May 31

Admission: Approximately $8 for adults; $6 for students, seniors, and visitors with disabilities; $5.50 for groups of 15+

Zagreb Eighties Museum

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Located in Upper Town not far from the top of the Zagreb Funicular, this fun and funky museum is dedicated to the pop culture, music, fashion, and everyday life of the 1980s. It was founded in 2019 by a group of enthusiasts who wanted to create a space where people could experience and celebrate the iconic decade through artifacts such as vintage clothing, toys, electronics, and albums. Visitors can explore different themed rooms, including a typical Croatian apartment from that time, an arcade game room, a disco, and a record store. One of the most popular attractions is the “Time Machine” room, which takes visitors on a journey back to the 1980s through an audio-visual presentation. The museum also hosts events and themed parties that encourage visitors to dress up and immerse themselves in the nostalgic atmosphere.

Address: 1st floor, Radićeva 34, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia

Hours: 10 AM-10 PM daily

Admission: Approximately $4 for adults, $3 for students and seniors, $25 for children ages 3-13, $8.50 for families, $3pp for groups of 10+, free for children up to 2

Croatian Museum of Naïve Art

In the context of this Zagreb museum, naïve refers to self-taught artists. The Croatian Museum of Naïve Art was founded in 1952 to challenge the traditional notion of what constitutes “good” art. The current collection features artworks by local and international artists that are unified in their simplicity, spontaneity, and childlike quality. They often depict everyday life, folklore, and nature using vivid colors and imaginative compositions. In addition to the permanent collection, the museum hosts temporary exhibitions and events, such as workshops, lectures, and film screenings. There’s also a museum shop where visitors can purchase reproductions of the artworks on display.

Address: Ćirilometodska ul. 3, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia

Hours: Tues-Fri 10 AM-6 PM, Sat-Sun 10 AM-1 PM

Admission: Approximately $3.50 for adults, $2 for students and seniors, $7 for families, $30 for guided tours of 10+

Nikola Tesla Technical Museum

Photo: Zvonimir Atletic/Shutterstock

Founded in 1954, opened to the public in 1963, and renamed after Croatian engineer and inventor Nikola Tesla in 2015, this technology museum displays a range of scientific and technical devices used throughout history, with an emphasis on aircraft, cars, machinery, and equipment. In addition to exhibits like a planetarium, beehive exhibit, and mine model, the Nikola Tesla Technical Museum also plays host to a historic but still operational steam engine dating back to the mid-19th century.

Address: Savska cesta 18, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia

Hours: Tues-Fri 9 AM-5 PM, Sat-Sun 9 AM-1 PM

Admission: Approximately $4.50 for adults, $3.50 for students and seniors, $13 for families, $3.50 for the planetarium

Museum of Illusions

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The Museum of Illusions is an interactive museum that explores the mysteries and illusions of perception. Installations are designed to challenge the senses and what is evident with exhibits that include rooms that appear to be slanted or upside-down, holograms, optical illusions, and mind-bending puzzles. Visitors are encouraged to touch, play, and engage with the exhibits, making this Zagreb museum a particularly great place for families and children. One of the most popular attractions is the Ames room, which is a distorted room that makes people appear either incredibly large or incredibly small depending on where they stand. There is also a vortex tunnel, which creates the illusion of a rotating cylinder surrounding the visitor.

Address: Ilica 72, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia

Hours: 9 AM-10 PM daily

Admission: Approximately $10 for adults, $9 for students and seniors, $7.50 for children 5-15, $33 for families, free for children under 5

Mushroom Museum

Zagreb’s Mushroom Museum, officially the Croatian Mycological Society Museum, is a small museum located in an office building overlooking the city’s central square, Ban Jelačić Square. It contains a collection of more than 1,500 preserved mushrooms found in Croatia and chronicles their ecological importance. Other topics explored include the history of mushroom foraging and the role of mushrooms in traditional medicine and cuisine. Visitors can also learn how to identify different mushrooms or even cultivate them at home.

Address: Splavnica ul. 2, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia

Hours: Mon-Fri 10 AM-4 PM

Admission: Approximately $3 for adults, $3.50 for families, free for children up to 7

Museum of Hangovers

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One of the most niche museums in a city filled with them is the Museum of Hangovers, which deep dives into the morning-after effects of heavy drinking. Serving as a funny and interactive space for people to connect over their shared experiences with hangovers, the museum identifies different aspects of hangovers, investigates science behind them, and even displays objects and artifacts related to hangovers. Exhibits include things like a “Puke-O-Meter” where guests can rate their level of nausea, a display of popular hangover foods from around the world, and a replica of a messy dorm room after a wild party.

Address: Vlaška ul. 55, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia

Hours: 10 AM-10 PM daily

Admission: Approximately $9 for adults; $7 for students, seniors, and children ages 7-18; $30 for families

Typhlological Museum

Typhlology is a branch of science that studies blindness, from causes and effects to control and treatment, which is the focus of this specialty museum in Zagreb. Exhibits include a collection of tactile models and replicas that allow visitors to experience different environments and objects through touch, a look into the history of disability rights and advocacy, and works by blind and visually impaired artists. One of the most interesting exhibits is a recreation of a 19th-century classroom for blind children, complete with raised maps and other educational tools. Visitors can learn about the challenges faced by blind and visually impaired students throughout history, as well as the innovative techniques and technologies developed to overcome these challenges.

Address: Draškovićeva ul. 80, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia

Hours: Mon-Weds 9 AM-4 PM, Thurs 9 AM-6 PM, Fri 9 AM-4 PM

Admission: Approximately $3.50 for adults, $2 for students, free for retirees and visitors with disabilities

Zagreb City Museum

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Located in the historic 18th-century Palace Palace Vranyczany-Hafner in the Upper Town, the Zagreb City Museum is all about Zagreb, from its early beginnings to today. Exhibits cover a range of topics, including the history of the city’s architecture, urban planning, and cultural heritage, with artworks and artifacts on display ranging from photos, to maps, to models. A highlight of the museum is the replica of the Grič cannon that stands atop the Lotrščak Tower, which is fired every day at noon and has become a beloved tradition in the city. The museum also offers guided tours and cultural events throughout the year, showcasing the diversity and richness of Zagreb’s history and culture.

Address: Opatička ul. 20, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia

Hours: Tues-Sat 10 AM-6 PM, Sun 10 AM-2 PM

Admission: Approximately $5.50 for adults, $9 for families with children under 15, $3.50 for students and retirees

Cannabis Museum

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The aim of the Cannabis Museum in Zagreb is to destigmatize cannabis, which is currently illegal in Croatia. The museum is split into seven sections that covers topics such as the morphology and history of cannabis, its medicinal and recreational uses, and different strains and their effects, as well as spaces like a photo zone and gift shop. The museum also highlights the legal framework surrounding cannabis in Croatia and other countries, as well as the potential benefits and risks associated with its use. Workshops are hosted throughout the year.

Address: Petrinjska ul. 59, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia

Hours: Mon-Thurs 11 AM-7PM, Fri-Sat 11 AM-8 PM

Admission: $8 for adults

Dražen Petrović Memorial Center

The Dražen Petrović Memorial Center is a museum dedicated to the life and legacy of one of the greatest Croatian basketball players in history, Dražen Petrović. It features exhibits that showcase Petrović’s achievements on the court, including his time with the Yugoslavian national team, as well as his successful NBA career with the Portland Trail Blazers and New Jersey Nets. Visitors can see memorabilia related to Petrović’s career — including his jerseys, trophies, and shoes — as well as displays centered on Petrović’s personal life, such as his upbringing in Croatia and his love of music and art.

Address: Trg Dražen Petrović 3, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia

Hours: Mon-Fri 10 AM-5 PM, Sat 10 AM-2 PM

Admission: Approximately $2 for adults, students, and seniors; $11 for families; free for children up to 7

Where to stay near the most interesting Zagreb museums

Central Zagreb is split into two areas: Gornji Grad, or Upper Town, which is the historic core that’s made up of narrow streets that stretch between the Kaptol and Gradec hills, and Donji Grad, or Lower Town, which is a buzzier, more modern area made up of wide boulevards and parks. Many of the must-see Zagreb museums are clustered in and around Upper Town, but there are also a few on the outskirts and south toward Lower Town. Here’s where to stay in Zagreb to be within walking distance of the best Zagreb museums.

We hope you love these hotels near the best Zagreb museums! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.

Esplanade Zagreb Hotel

Photo: Expedia

A five-star hotel in Lower Town, the Esplanade Zagreb Hotel is as convenient as it is luxurious. It’s located within walking distance of many important attractions, including multiple parks, the Zagreb Funicular, shopping hotspot Ilica Street, the Nikola Tesla Technical Museum, and the Typhlological Museum.

Where: Ul. Antuna Mihanovića 1, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
Price per night: From $176

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Hotel Dubrovnik

Photo: Expedia

Ideally located in Zagreb’s landmark main square, Ban Jelačić Square, Hotel Dubrovnik is about as central as it gets. From there, you can easily explore the many Zagreb museums in and around Upper Town, including the Museum of Broken Relationships, Croatian Museum of Naïve Art, and Mushroom Museum.

Where: Gajeva ul. 1, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
Price per night: From $112

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