Feb 9, 2025

Muzička Akademija Zagreb

Home of music

""Muzička Akademija" is the new building of the Zagreb music academy, a modern, beautiful structure that blends in very nicely and is a firm statement..."

Music and music education have been a part of Zagreb for a long time. Music has been taught here since 1829, and in 1979, Music Academy (Muzička akademija) became a part of the University of Zagreb. Through all this time, there were many concert halls, music rooms and open-air acoustic spots, but the Music Academy did not have a proper building, a place to call their own.

All this changed in 2015, when the new building of the Music Academy was completed and opened. It is a modern structure by the architect Milan Šosterić, and some Zagrebers found it to be a bit of a sore eye among the older, traditional buildings that surround it at Republic of Croatia Square.

I disagree, and I think it blended very nicely with its surroundings, a firm statement that Zagreb is keeping pace in architecture, in education, in art. The sculpture in front of it, a sphere and a needle, were reportedly a symbolic version of musical notes. This is an urban legend that I have heard, but the explanation given by the architect is somewhat different: it is a symbol of male and female force in balance. Whichever version you prefer, the sculpture, especially the needle, really catches the eye. The big concert hall, with 300 seats, is a great spot for music lovers in Zagreb. Concerts for the public are held regularly.

I recommend seeing it in broad daylight, when the windows and the roof reflect the sunlight beautifully.

002-building
Art & culture

About this spot

Trg Republike Hrvatske 12

Some shows free:

20

Explore cities like a local with Spotted by Locals - discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our Zagreb guide.

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in Zagreb

Velvet-Pepper-Studio

Velvet Pepper Studio – Yoga & swing

"Velvet Pepper Studio" Zagreb is a light-filled yoga studio that specialises in yoga swings, where you have to stay concentrated! Classes also in English.

017-plant-1
Relaxing

By

Tamara

Lipnjak

Feb 11, 2025
La-struk

La štruk – Creative twists to a traditional meal

"La štruk" in Zagreb makes štrukli, the Croatian comfort food par excellence, with creative twists: gratinated, additional toppings... Nothing comes close!

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants
024-burger-1
Snacks

By

Tamara

Lipnjak

Feb 10, 2025
Krivi-Put

Krivi Put – For reevaluating your life choices

"Krivi put" in Zagreb means 'wrong path', and it's a bar that you might end up in if you've taken plenty of wrong turns in your life...

028-beach-bar-1
Bars

By

Tamara

Lipnjak

Feb 9, 2025
Botanicar

Botaničar – Art, parties and plants

"Botaničar" in Zagreb is a hip bar that's also a gallery and social club. Let me tell you: spending time here makes you want to invest in houseplants.

002-building
Art & culture
028-beach-bar-1
Bars
029-guitar-instrument-1
Music

By

Tamara

Lipnjak

Feb 9, 2025
Vintage-Industrial

Vintage Industrial – Best tribute band performances

"Vintage Industrial" is a bar/club in Zagreb I remember from my student years. Nowadays I go there for the really great tribute bands that play on weekends

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
029-guitar-instrument-1
Music

By

Tamara

Lipnjak

Feb 9, 2025
dav

Hotel Vila Tina – Brunch and relaxation

"Hotel Vila Tina" is a small hotel in Zagreb, one of the city's hidden jewels. I love coming here for their rich breakfast with family and friends...

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

By

Nina

Lalić

Feb 9, 2025
Swanky-Monkey-Garden

Swanky Monkey Garden – Hostel bar that locals adore

"Swanky Monkey Garden" in Zagreb is a local-friendly hostel with a great bar and garden I always enjoy sipping a cocktail at on a lazy Saturday afternoon.

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea

By

Tamara

Lipnjak

Feb 9, 2025
Bacchus-Jazz-Bar

Bacchus Jazz Bar – The greenest courtyard

"Bacchus Jazz Bar" in Zagreb is one of my favorite places in the city for a warm, lazy summer evening. The courtyard is completely covered with plants...

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
029-guitar-instrument-1
Music

By

Tamara

Lipnjak

Feb 9, 2025
Regular.Bar

Regular.Bar – Regularly pleasant

"Regular.Bar" in Zagreb is special. It has this homey feeling the city's backyards share. They even serve free cucumber water. Need I say more?

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea

By

Tamara

Lipnjak

Feb 9, 2025
Park-Maksimir

Park Maksimir – The oldest but most beautiful!

"Park Maksimir" in Zagreb is more than a park. This is where memories are created, where you see the forest for the first time. So many reasons to love it.

017-plant-1
Relaxing

By

Nevena

Mikec

Feb 9, 2025
dav

Trg Svetog Marka – Zagreb's oldest square

"Trg Svetog Marka", or St. Mark's square, is the heart and soul of Zagreb's Upper Town. Beautiful, quiet and replete with rich history...

002-building
Art & culture
017-plant-1
Relaxing

By

Nina

Lalić

Feb 9, 2025
Opatovina

Opatovina – Zagreb's craft beer street

"Opatovina" in Zagreb has old, hipsterish craft beer pubs. It's the city's unofficial beers street! There's even a quite popular beer festival in May.

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea

By

Tamara

Lipnjak

Feb 9, 2025

Just €9.99!

Heading to Zagreb?

134 Insider Tips from Locals

Authentic Stories

Escape the Crowds

Full Access to our Art & culture Blog & App!

Just €9.99

Going to Zagreb?

134 Hidden Gems only Locals know

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

✓ Authentic Stories

✓ Full Access to the Art & culture City Blog & App!

Our team loves Zagreb

Get to know our other Spotters from Zagreb

As featured on: