The Museum of Illusions is an interactive museum on Ilica Street, Zagreb's main street, in the city centre. It opened in Zagreb in 2015, and the concept has since spread to other cities. More than 70 exhibits play with perception, from a room where you can appear to walk on the ceiling to an Ames room that makes the same person look giant in one corner and small in the other. Holograms, mirror rooms and a playroom of puzzles add to the visit. It suits families and adults alike, and it fits into a short afternoon between other sights.
A 2015 launch in Zagreb
The Museum of Illusions opened in Zagreb in 2015. The idea mixes education and entertainment, and this Zagreb site is where the concept was first launched. The idea later spread to other cities.
The permanent exhibition explains the science behind how illusions work. Information panels sit alongside the rooms, so you can connect what you see with the reason it fools the eye.
What is inside
Most of the more than 70 exhibits are rooms built to bend your sense of space. In the anti-gravity room you appear to walk on the ceiling. In the Ames room, the same person can look giant in one corner and tiny in the other. The vortex tunnel and the rotated room play with direction, and a chair illusion makes a seated visitor look oversized. A head on a platter is another popular photo.
Holograms form a large part of the collection. Mirror rooms and an infinity room with mirrors multiply your reflection, and you can magnify or repeat yourself in them.
The playroom holds games, puzzles and brain teasers. Some are hard to solve, so allow a little extra time for them.
How a visit works
Tickets are sold for set time slots. Booking in advance is recommended, and it is the simplest way to avoid waiting in line.
Staff speak good English and guide visitors through the rooms. The museum is compact, so a visit can take under an hour, while some visitors spend two hours or more.
The shop sells logic games, books and jewellery, which makes it a good place to pick up a small souvenir on the way out.
Getting there and access
The museum is at Ilica 72, on Ilica Street, a short walk from the city centre. The entrance is set back in a passage that leads to a backyard. The stairs and low light there can be hard for visitors with limited mobility.
The museum lists a wheelchair accessible entrance and a wheelchair accessible parking lot. Paid parking is available, both as a lot and as street spaces. A changing table is provided for families with babies.
The museum suits families with young children, couples and adults who enjoy interactive exhibits. It is less suited to visitors who want long, detailed displays, since the museum is small.
Häufige Fragen
Is there an entry fee?
Yes. Admission is paid, and tickets can be bought in advance on the museum's website.
Do I need to book tickets in advance?
Advance booking is recommended. Tickets are sold for set time slots, which helps you avoid waiting in line.
How long do you need?
Plan one to two hours. The museum is compact, so a visit can be finished quickly, but many rooms reward a slower pace.
Is the museum suitable for children?
Yes. The exhibits are interactive and hands-on, and the museum suits children as well as adults.
Is the museum wheelchair accessible?
The museum lists a wheelchair accessible entrance and parking lot. The entrance is reached through a dim passage with stairs, so check the route with the museum before you visit.
