Lenuci’s Horseshoe (Green Horseshoe) in Zagreb: The Perfect Park Walk

Lenuci Horseshoe (often called the Green Horseshoe) is a U-shaped chain of parks and squares in Zagreb’s Lower Town. It’s one of the best “do nothing, but feel like you did something” activities in the city.

The magic is that it’s not one park — it’s a walkable system. You get trees, benches, museums, and architecture in a route that naturally flows.

A quick origin story: the Horseshoe is tied to 19th‑century urban planning in the Lower Town, and it’s named after engineer/urban planner Milan Lenuci — the person most associated with the idea.

People describe the Horseshoe slightly differently, but the “classic” walk is built from these core Lower Town squares — plus the Botanical Garden as a green detour.

• Zrinjevac (Trg Nikole Šubića Zrinskog)
• Strossmayer Square (Trg Josipa Jurja Strossmayera)
• King Tomislav Square / Tomislavac (Trg kralja Tomislava)
• Ante Starčević Square (Trg Ante Starčevića)
• Republic of Croatia Square (Trg Republike Hrvatske) — HNK area
• Mažuranić Square (Trg Ivana, Antuna i Vladimira Mažuranića)
• Marulić Square (Trg Marka Marulića)
• Botanical Garden (as the calm “green break” on the route)

1. Short (60–90 minutes): Zrinjevac loop → Tomislavac (King Tomislav Square) → coffee → back to the center.
2. Long (2–3 hours): Zrinjevac → Art Pavilion area → Botanical Garden detour → HNK area → one museum stop → dinner.

The Horseshoe walk is great on its own — but one museum stop turns it into a full “Zagreb day.”

• Zrinjevac: the classic “first square” feeling.
• King Tomislav Square (Tomislavac): open space, seasonal events, and a strong city-break atmosphere.
• Art Pavilion: a landmark exhibition hall on the route.
• Botanical Garden: a calm detour when you want less street noise.
• Croatian National Theatre (HNK): a classic landmark to anchor an evening plan.

• This is a flat, flexible walk. You can do 20 minutes or 3 hours and still “count it.”
• Bring water in summer — the shade comes and goes.
• Bench rule: if you see a bench you like, sit. That’s the Horseshoe rhythm.
• If you’re doing it for photos, go late afternoon for better light and fewer harsh shadows.

• Spring: fresh green and a calm, walkable center.
• Summer: shade breaks between museums and cafés.
• Autumn: color and the best “slow walking” weather.
• Winter: Advent atmosphere across central squares and parks (plan for crowds).