March 25, 2022 - Does it look like your summer will involve staying in Zagreb, whether it’s due to work or a tight budget? Well, we've got you covered with our Zagreb summer guide covering a range of fun yet affordable activities, including a number of free festivals in the town.
An option that is both cheap and relaxing is to visit one of the town’s major parks such as Jarun or Bundek. Both have spacious grassy areas in both sun and shade, perfect for outdoor picnics, in addition to long tracks for running, rollerblading, or biking, as well as a skate park. There’s also the pebbly beach and the nearby cafes at Jarun, which give an almost seaside feel. Just bring your snacks and drinks, your bike or skates, and some company, and you're all set. And at Bundek, you can catch the Pop Up Summer Garden from mid-August to September, featuring creative art and floral installations paired with live music performances, cocktails, and gourmet food. There’s also one in the Tuškanac forest, for those closer to there.
If you're based in the town centre and are after something more local, look no further than the upper town area. The Strossmayer promenade has its free, annual Ljeto na Strossu (Summer on Stross) festival, starting in early June. It features a diverse range of outdoor events, from concerts to al-fresco bars, to market stalls and some more unusual happenings - check out the best mongrel-dog show.
Just nearby, there’s Ljetno kino Gradec, the open summer cinema at the Gradec plateau, showing regular screenings of both new and classic movies, complete with a stunning setup of outdoor lights. Reservations must be made beforehand, and prices range from 20kn per seat to 80kn per table for 4 people, which is overall pretty affordable depending on how often and with how many people you plan to go.
Also at Gradec, there is the Baš Naš Gourmet & Music festival. Usually, in mid-June, this free festival brings a great summer rooftop bar atmosphere, with its outdoor concerts and DJ sets at a stage located at the highest point in Zagreb, adorned with colourful umbrellas and lamps, chill zones, and a garden oasis. You’ll spend your time admiring this colourful, summery view as you enjoy top-quality cocktails and the best local gourmet food Zagreb has to offer.
And while you’re in the upper town, check out the Art Park located just under Strossmayer, next to the bottom station of the Zagreb Funicular. All year round it is considered an outdoor street art gallery and a popular “hangout” spot, with a great atmosphere and a view overlooking the Zagreb town centre. During the summer, it is as their social page describes, a “city park turned into a magic chill spot for art lovers”. In 2019, ground-breaking art collective Pimp my Pump teamed up with street art studio Lapo Lapo and brought the Art Park project to the larger Ribnjak park (located east of the Zagreb cathedral), resulting in an open space for workshops, movie screenings, outdoor concerts, ping pong tournaments, drawing sessions, yoga classes and more. Entry is free and the park is open every day, throughout both the summer season and the whole year. Moreover, it is a child- and dog-friendly space, so bring over the whole family, as there is something for everyone to enjoy.
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