Secret Zagreb Walks
ZAGREBARIUM
Zagrebarium is a steampunk-inspired walking tour that offers you a taste of Zagreb’s fantastic history in the company of a storytelling tour guide. It reveals traces of the city’s great expansion in the 19th and early 20th centuries, shares stories of amazing minds and incredible events. It is a chance to discover both the best sights and hidden gems, and learn about the city’s traditional crafts and impressive industrial heritage.
This tour follows the footsteps of Nikola Tesla in Zagreb, reveals the connection between great 20th century rock stars and Croatian scientists, searches for links between superstition and science and gives insight into earth-shaking and sky-breaking events.
SLEEPING DRAGON
Inspired by the legends and vivid folk costumes of north-western Croatia, this dragon-themed walking tour gives you the chance to see Zagreb’s famous sights and learn about Croatia’s fascinating folklore. Familiarise yourself with ancient “reptilian” folk stories, see sculpted snakes and dragons and hear a few interesting facts about the strangest society around on our Sleeping Dragon Walking Tour.Learn some esoteric mysteries, and all about flaming and tectonic catastrophes, and remain in hope that the sleeping dragon will not wake up during your stay in Zagreb.
ZAGREB GHOST TOUR
If you're interested in Zagreb’s mysterious side, join this evening walking tour and discover the city’s haunted mansions, forgotten graveyards, unique residents and eerie apparitions. Hear chilling ghost stories, dark poems and strange historical facts and, last but not least, visit places in the heart of the city that the guidebooks don't mention.
WITCH HUNT
This activity is inspired by actual historical events. Zagreb is in fact known as the city that continued the infamous witch trials deep into 18th century, when the rest of the world had long abandoned that craze.
Before the game starts, the participants are introduced to the history of witchcraft and witch hunts in Zagreb. The participants are then divided in two teams. The first one that resolves all the riddles wins the game. The entire event lasts around 1,30 hrs, but the very quest is limited to 60 minutes. The entire game takes place within the area of what used to be a medieval town called Gradec.
ZAGREB CHRISTMAS CAROL
When you're in the mood for winter sightseeing in Zagreb, join this wintry city tour and enjoy all the peculiar facts, for example why did the locals keep their turkeys on their balconies before giving them a full makeover and central position at the Christmas table… Hear our advice on how to foretell the following year Croatian way... Learn all about Croatia’s strangest gift-bringers, starting from the nicest lady who carries her eyes on a silver plate... Find out all the fun facts about winter sports and troubles with snow in the old Zagreb.
Zagreb Space Walk - planet hunt trough the streets of Zagreb
Rumour has it there are curious sculptures of Sun, Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars, hidden in the Zagreb´s street puzzle, and yet many fail to find them all! Yes, Zagreb has its own grounded solar system, cool, ha? Croatia´s capital has always been fond of astronomy, and puzzles!
The Central sculpture - the Grounded Sun (the replica of the original from 1971), artwork of Ivan Kozaric, the Croatian artist internationally famous for his sculptures, has been permanently placed in the heart of city center, amongst flowers and the commotion of the popular Bogoviceva Street, since 1994. In the year 2004, nine planets -stainless steel rounded sculptures, called Nine Views (Pluto was still considered a planet at the time), were "grounded" in Zagreb´s metropolitan area reflecting the scale of real astronomical bodies by another artist - Davor Preis. Intervals and dimensions of the "grounded" planets are proportional to actual distances of planets from the Sun, considering the diameter of the Grounded Sun sculpture.
Almost a decade after its first ground control spin, we invite you to accompany us for a serendipitous experience of Zagreb streetpuzzle solving with Zagreb Space Walk. It is time for a Great Planet Hunt trough the city!
The Medvednica mountain
Zagreb leans along the Medvednica Mountain which is covered with forest. You can climb to its highest mountain peak called Sljeme (1033 m) using the pedestrian walkway that begins in the city’s central square. The western mountainside of Medvednica that covers 228 km and is a Park of Nature.Within Medvednica you can find hotel accommodation, mountain paths and an alpine centre which offers refreshments and over-night stays. Amongst its natural highlights is one of the largest caves in Croatia called Veternica; it holds many tunnels and is a home to numerous colonies of bats.
There is a medieval fortified town on Medvednica, Medvedgrad, about 30 minute drive from the centre of Zagreb. Built in 1250, it is one of the largest and most impressive hilltop fortress towns in Croatia. The fortress itself is uniquely impressive and commands breathtaking views of the city of Zagreb below. Here you can take part in a spectacular re-enactment of a medieval battle with swords, bows and arrows. Become a brave medieval knight while the old defence walls of Medvedgrad relive their glory; rattling of the weapons, quarrels of the knights, love sorrows of the maidens....you might even learn how to be a bow archer.
During winter, the Medvednica Mountain is a popular ski and sleigh resort where ski events are organized, whereas during the summer season it becomes an area of refreshment.It was here that the most famous Croatian skiers of all time and the Olympic winners JanicaKostelić along with her brother Ivica made their first ski steps to becoming world champions! Thanks to them, Zagreb and Medvednica host the world famous VIP Snow Queen Trophy Ski Cup!
On the banks of river Sava
A great value to modern Zagreb is certainly Jarun, the so called “Zagreb’s sea”, a large recreational and sports center, situated on the left bank of the river Sava in the immediate proximity of the metropolis.
The 2 lakes and 5 islets are interconnected by bridgesand pebble beachesand accommodate swimmers. Jarun also consists of kilometres of winding paths, cycling trails, green meadows, shady groves and the impressive 2,250 metres long regatta lane upon which numerous international and world championships are organized.
Throughout the year Jarun attracts many citizens and their guests, but the liveliest season is summer when due to the pleasant weather a stage is set up at the Lake – hosting many theatre performances, open-air concerts, featuring famous DJs, fashion shows, firework shows and other events.
Golf & Country Club is also lacated along the Sava river and is a popolar meeting place for golfers and their colleagues or partners.
The green necklace
Additionally, some 40 minutes away by road, Zagreb's picturesque hilly surroundings abides in green hills dotted with churches, tales and legends, wine trails as well as many impressive medieval castles. The past has been preserved in the ethno-village of Kumrovec, the birth place of former Yugoslav president Tito, where one can make their own gingerbread hearts, prepare some typical dishes of the region, learn a local dance or simply get to know how locals lived in the past.
Additionally, only 2 hours driving time from Zagreb, a unique experience awaits you – the Plitvice Lakes National Park– where 16 lakes linked by more than 90 waterfalls, a natural marvel under the protection of UNESCO, invites you to take a stroll under the slopes or enjoy a boat ride across a lake.
If you prefer a visit to the coast, you can either reach Opatija in 2hours time by road or fly down south (50 min) to the Pearl of Adriatic – Dubrovnik.
