Visiting Zagreb as the mum of a six-year-old was very different from the last time I came to the Croatian capital as a single 20-something. Luckily there are plenty of activities if you’re in Zagreb with kids.
My daughter found her own ways to amuse herself — such as feeding the pigeons in Republic Square and playing with the small selection of toys in the launderette. But I also found some more mainstream activities so that she would enjoy the visit as much as I did.
Here are my top picks for Zagreb with kids.
A Croatian invention that has now gone global, the Museum of Illusions has a huge array of optical illusions. My daughter and the other kids simply loved getting involved in the illusions, while for the adults it’s fascinating to try and figure out how they work. This is an awesome way to spend an afternoon when you’re in Zagreb with kids.
Zagreb Funicular
The world’s shortest funicular — and also one of the steepest — links the Upper and Lower towns of Zagreb, taking just a few minutes. It runs between Tomićeva Street and Lotršćak Tower. It was first launched back in 1890 when it was steam-propelled; the old steam engine was replaced with an electric one in 1934. The two cars, which run every 10 minutes during the day, can take 28 people each.
The Amazinga indoor adventure park is a real treat for kids (adults may need sunglasses and earplugs), with a massive range of activities — soft play, ball pools, trampolines, abseiling and so on…
The former bomb shelter runs between Mesnička Street and Stjepan Radić Street. Construction of the 250 metre tunnel was controversial from the beginning, and after the Second World War it became a warehouse but later fell into disrepair, being used mainly by Zagreb’s homeless — and then for the location for the Under City Rave in 1993. However, it was renovated in 2016, giving tourists a chance to explore part of the secret network of tunnels under Zagreb old town.
When we got past the crowd of schoolchildren on a massive sugar high at the entrance, we had a magical hour in the Chocolate Museum. It’s educational as it tells the story of how chocolate is made — but we also took full advantage of the taps dispensing milk, dark and white chocolate goo. Yummy!
Steppe in Style 
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