This is my guide to the superb Zagreb 80s Museum, a totally hands-on museum where you can delve back into 1980s Yugoslavia.
Ah, the 1980s. We both grew up during this decade of Cold War tension, the Sony Walkman, mullets and absurdly-sized shoulder pads, and couldn’t wait to visit the Zagreb 80s Museum. We were in town for the Zagreb Christmas Markets, and were very keen to take this nostalgic trip back in time.
We were also keen to show our 5-year-old son the distant universe in which we both grew up, albeit at opposite ends of the planet.
The 80s Museum Zagreb seemed ideal for our little fellow as he loves to pick up and touch exhibits. Here he could touch all the different items on display and play with whatever interested him to his heart’s content.
It seemed to be one of the best things to do in Zagreb with kids, and he was very excited about going beforehand.
The Museum is dedicated to showing life in Yugoslavia in the 1980s, and we can’t think of another museum in the world quite like it.
It’s one of several Zagreb museums to have opened since we last visited early in the millennium. Other museums and exhibitions have sections or displays on the 1980s, but this IS the 80s, the full, immersive experience.
Would we laugh at the terrible hair and dress sense? Or would we come away having recurring dreams of bad brown wallpaper patterns in our sleep? Only one way to find out…
Where To Stay In Zagreb
Hotel Park 45 – excellent 4-star close to the Funicular Railway, Jelacic Square and the sights and museums of Gornji Grad
B&B View – awesome location for a B&B on Jelacic Square, with superb views from the terrace, and very close to all of the main sights
Baroque – beautiful 18th-century apartment in the Upper Town, just behind St Mark’s Church
Best Zagreb Tours
This Zagreb City and World War 2 Tunnels Walking Tour is an excellent introduction to the city, covering all the main sights in the Upper and Lower Towns.
And this slightly shorter Zagreb walking tour focuses on the Upper, or Old Town, passing the best of the museums along the way.
How Is The Zagreb 80s Museum Laid Out?
The Museum fills one floor of an old townhouse in the Gornji Grad (also Gradec or Old Town) district of Zagreb. It is set out like a large apartment, with a living room, kitchen, bedroom and games room.
The reception area is in the middle, complete with a bright yellow 1980s Zastava – also known as Yugo – car welcoming you back to the 80s.
Were the 1980s Different In Yugoslavia To The West?
If this exhibition is anything to go by, yes – but not as much as you might think. Yugoslavia was a Communist state, but not aligned with the Soviet Union and Warsaw Pact.
So it was a one-party state (led by Croatian-born Josip Broz Tito for much of the decade) but was more open to the West (especially allowing tourists in) than many of its neighbours in central and eastern Europe.
I grew up in Wales in the UK and Faye grew up in New South Wales, Australia, and while there we commented that there are so many similarities.
We all had the terrible décor, and our parents had all the naff clothes, including the garish patterned ties. We all had similar gadgets, and our mustard-yellow kitchen wall units were pretty much the same the world over.
You Can Touch Everything?
Absolutely. This is where this Zagreb museum really stands out. Within ten minutes of arriving, our son had tried on several fake fur hats, spoken on an old plastic telephone, watched an ancient cathode ray TV set and played his first ever LP on a vintage record player.
He loved every moment of it, and so did we.
We also had plenty of fun emptying the kitchen cupboards preparing imaginary pancakes, lying in the brilliantly styled bedroom and looking at the extremely basic computer games just like the ones we used to play back in the 80s.
The fact that he could pick things up and try them out made it come to life much more.
Are There Any Other Similar Museums in Europe?
There are none we have encountered where you can pick up every exhibit. The DDR Museum in Berlin covers some similar ground, but apart from being able to take a simulated Trabant drive, you can’t touch many other items on display. There are several other DDR Museums across the former East Germany, and two of the best are at Pirna (near Dresden) and Thale (in the Harz Mountains).
Two Prague museums give an insight into the Communist era, especially the 1980s. The new (opened May 2022) Retro Museum Prague is a brilliantly designed exhibition in the Kotva department store in the city.
And the Trabant Museum Prague is a tribute to the cult favourite splutterbucket East German car.
Where Is The 80s Museum In Zagreb?
Radiceva 34, just across the street from the Kamenita Vrata, the Stone Gate with a small Roman Catholic altar and shrine at the entrance to the old town.
Zagreb 80s Museum FAQ
Zagreb 80’s Museum Address
The museum is on the first floor of an old building in the historical old town of Zagreb, surrounded by many other tourist sights.
34 Radiceva street, 1st floor
10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
Zagreb 80’s Museum opening Hours
These and ticket prices are displayed on the 80s Museum website so check times are current before visiting.
Mon-Sun: 10.00 – 22.00
Christmas Eve (24.12): 12.00 – 18.00
St. Stephen’s Day (26.12): 12.00 – 20.00
Closed: Christmas Day (25.12), Silvester (31.12.), New Year (1.1.)
How Much Are Zagreb 80s Museum Tickets?
You can purchase entry ticket in person at the box office in the museum
Adults: 40kn
Seniors (age 65+) and Students*: 30kn
Children (3-13): 25kn
Infants (age 0-2): FREE
Family**: 90kn
*validation required.
**family ticket includes 2 adults and 1 child under 13.
They accept cash, Maestro, Visa, MasterCard and Diners Club.
Zagreb 80s Museum – Final Words
This is a great museum, and the fact you can handle all the exhibits makes it stand out from other museums covering similar themes around Europe. Even if you only have one day in Zagreb, try to spend an hour if it here.
Two other outstanding Zagreb museums are a short walk up the hill via the Stone Gate. The Zagreb Naive Art Museum is one of a small number of museums in Europe devoted to Naive Art, an almost childlike interpretation of rural life and scenes (and other subjects, from cities to animals to folk festivals) by artists without formal training.
And the more widely-known Museum of Broken Relationships, showing objects from a couple’s past, accompanied by the story behind the break-up. Some are sad and poignant, one or two hilarious.