Zagreb is a city with lots to offer tourists but, in particular, it is a city of curious museums. In fact, Zagreb has the largest number of museums per capita in the world and there are some very unique examples among them! Book a villa in Zagreb and between exploring the charming historic centre, hanging out at the outdoor cafes, strolling through the pretty parks, admiring the impressive Cathedral, shopping at the markets, taking in the street art, attending shows at the stunning National Theatre, going on day trips to the likes of the famous Plitvice Lakes, and darting between all of the museums in town, you’ll never be short of something to see or do! We think that Zagreb is an ideal spot for a city break and a little off the beaten track compared to many other European capitals.
Among the museums in town, there is the likes of the Museum of Contemporary Art, one of the more conventional examples but no less interesting. This massive and impressive modern building features a rich collection of works largely by Croatian artists and one could easily spend a whole day exploring all that they have on show. A distance from the city centre, it can easily be reached by tram and is a vibrant and dynamic space that art-lovers are sure to enjoy.
Another stunning museum in town is the Museum of Arts and Crafts, the first purpose-built museum in Croatia, which was opened in 1888 and houses an extraordinary collection of over 160,000 objects from fine jewellery to historic furniture to ceramics to paintings and photographs. Organised and displayed in chronological order, from the Gothic to the Art Déco period and the 4th century to the present day, throughout 14 rooms and over three floors, around 3,000 of these pieces are on display inside the astounding palace-style building at any one time.
Other museums of this ilk in the city include the Archaeological Museum, the Croatian Association of Artists, the City Museum and the Museum Mimara (with a collection of items brought back to the city by well-heeled locals from their travels throughout the centuries including Alexandrian glassware, Chinese jade, paintings by Caravaggio, Rembrandt, Goya, Renoir, and Degas, and much more besides).
Of course, then there are the more unusual museums that can be found in this fascinating city if you book a vacation rental in Zagreb.
The Museum of Broken Relationships is, perhaps, the most famous example. As the name suggests, this museum is dedicated to donated items left behind after a breakup that people were unable to throw away but did not want to keep any longer. Located in the baroque Kulmer Palace in the historic and popular Upper Town of the city, the museum was initially inspired by the breakup of the Croatian artists Olinka Vistina and Drazen Grubisic, who decided to find a place for sentimental reminders of the relationship to remain together, even if they did not. After touring worldwide and becoming a big hit, there is now a permanent museum in Zagreb and another in LA and so many items have now been donated from all over the globe that only 15% of the collection can be displayed at any one time, even between the two museums and loans to temporary exhibitions.
Another of the more unusual museums in town is the Museum of Hangovers. The first of its kind in the world, this museum opens with a collection of over 50 wild tales of drinking and hangovers to amuse before bringing guests into the interactive section of the museum with dart games attempted to be played while wearing drunk goggles, the highly eye-opening and educational drunk-driving simulator, the wobbly, “drunk floor,” and more. Fun and quite informative, this unique museum is a must-see for those on holiday in Zagreb.
If you have gotten a taste for curious museums while on vacation in Zagreb, then fear not as there are some further examples in the city including the Museum of Naïve Art (dedicated to work by artists not formally trained in fine art and often including outsider artists), the Museum of Mushrooms (the only museum in the world totally dedicated to them), the 80s Museum, the Museum of Illusions, the Cannabis Museum, and the Chocolate Museum.