Witches & Whispers: Zagreb’s Upper Town Tales

5.0 (6 reviews) 2–3 hours Free cancellation Private tour

out of 5

6 reviews

5.0

Witches & Whispers: Zagreb’s Upper Town Tales — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Witches & Whispers: Zagreb’s Upper Town Tales, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Step into a storybook version of Zagreb where history, mystery, and legend come alive. Led by a costumed guide, this immersive walking tour reveals the secrets of the city’s Upper Town through the eyes of outspoken women, forgotten witches, and scandalous nobles. You won’t just see landmarks, you’ll feel their stories come alive in the very streets they once haunted.

From ancient fountains to noble palaces, the tour blends theatrical storytelling with historical depth, making it ideal for curious minds, culture lovers, and travelers seeking more than just a checklist of sights.

Optional tasting at House of Spirits offers a charming way to close your evening—if you dare.

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At a glance

Duration: 2–3 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–15
Guide: English, Croatian
Operated by: Tales & Spirits of Old Zagreb

Ages: Children (8–10 years) · Youth (11–16 years) · Adults (17–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Small group experience for personalized attention and plenty of time to ask questions
Included: Ticket for funicular ride (if operating)
Included: Captivating tales of witches, women, noble scandals, and Upper Town legends
Included: Alcoholic beverages: Optional free tasting at House of Spirits at the end of the tour
Included: Immersive walking tour led by a costumed guide portraying a historical storyteller

Not included

Not included: Personal expenses and souvenirs
Not included: Gratuities: Optional and appreciated

Itinerary

Mandusevac Fountain

15 min

According to legend, a weary soldier and a kind girl named Manda gave Zagreb its name. This centuries-old spring reminds us how stories, not just stones, shape cities.
Cathedral of Zagreb

15 min

Towering over Kaptol, the Cathedral is both a spiritual and historical symbol. You’ll hear of life on the Bishop’s Court, Ottoman invasions, restorations, and the power this sacred place held over the city’s fate.
Dolac Market

15 min

Zagreb’s bustling open-air market is where fresh produce and lively chatter fill the air, but beneath it lies a deeper rhythm of tradition, community, and power.
Krvavi Most

15 min

No blood today, no bridge either, but the street named "Bloody Bridge" still holds plenty of old drama. Once the scene of fierce clashes between Kaptol clergy and Gradec citizens, this narrow street still whispers of rivalries long buried.
Stop 5

15 min

The only surviving gate into medieval Gradec. A fire, a painting, and a miracle transformed this archway into a sanctuary. Locals still stop to light candles and murmur wishes into the bricks.
Stop 6

15 min

One of the oldest pharmacies in Zagreb and a place tied to the city’s darker chapters: herbal lore, folk medicine, and whispered tales of witches.
St. Mark's Church

15 min

With its colourful tiled roof, St. Mark’s is more than a photo spot. Learn about the city’s political heart, secret meetings, and the women who watched history unfold from the shadows.
Lotrscak Tower

15 min

Each day at noon, this tower fires a cannon. But what else echoes through its stone? Hear about the ghosts said to roam here, and how sound was once used to unite a city.

Note: If you’d like to experience the famous cannon shot, make sure to book the morning tour.
Stop 9

10 min

This elegant palace once echoed with secrets of Zagreb's nobility. At Zrinski Palace, you’ll hear tales of aristocratic scandals, forbidden romances, and the unspoken rules of high society that often clashed with passion.
Croatian History Museum (Hrvatski Povijesni Muzej)

10 min

The Vojković-Oršić-Kulmer-Rauch Palace (today: Croatian History Museum) tells the story of a nobleman who rose through society by marrying well — a true tale that later inspired the famous Witch of Grič novels. Power, ambition, and fiction intertwine behind its grand façade.
Stop 11

10 min

Here was the city’s first public theatre with a real stage and balcony boxes. It was here that Zagreb’s cultural identity took its bow, in front of candlelight and curious eyes.
Stop 12

15 min

The oldest tavern still operating in Zagreb, a cozy nook that has seen poets, rebels, and everyday people gather under its creaky beams for over a century.
Radiceva

15 min

The tour concludes in this charming street close to the city center, making it easy to continue exploring. Optionally, visit the nearby House of Spirits for a tasting experience that lingers on the tongue — just like our stories.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

Ban Jelačić Square, by the equestrian statue of Ban Josip Jelačić

Your costumed guide will greet you next to the iconic horse statue in Zagreb’s main square.

End point

The tour concludes on Radićeva Street, just a short stroll from Ban Jelačić Square meeting point. This historic café-and-tavern lane is steps from the city center—perfect for diving deeper into Upper Town’s shops, galleries, landmarks, and eateries.

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

The operator may cancel if the weather does not allow it; you then get another date or your money back.
The operator may cancel if too few people book; you then get another date or your money back.

Good to know

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
The funicular is closed for renovation until March 2026.
If you’d like to experience the famous Grič cannon firing, make sure to book the morning tour.