Spring in Zagreb – Outdoor Daily Life

The lively colours, the smell of flowers, the first buds and gentle sun rays – once springtime reaches Zagreb, everyone is out in the open enjoying this harmonious season. Even though this is a city that lives outdoors for most of the year, spring is a truly special experience.

After the winter cold and the greyer skies are over, spring symbolises a rise in temperatures and more sunshine, as well as longer days that invite us to stay outside our homes for just a little while longer and enjoy the lovely sights. Therefore, the locals take their sunglasses and lighter jackets (and an umbrella just to be sure) and leave their homes, taking in lots of positive energy around them, photographing the most famous magnolia on Tomislavac, walking or riding their bikes and enjoying the merry scenery all across the Croatian capital.

Springtime on the city streets

The season of drinking coffee out in the open has officially begun! Zagrebians take their favourite ritual differently than their European neighbours. Here the time spent drinking coffee passes more slowly, the cup is being drunk more carefully, and every pause between sips is filled with the newest gossips or actualities. This playful city that is filled with warm sunshine and a light breeze, its squares and streets full of people, the nature awakening from its winter dream – this is the perfect setting for such rituals. Regardless of the part of town you find yourselves in, from Travno to Remete, from Dubrava to Podsused. Just let go to the light rhythm of the locals and enjoy Zagreb that slowly dresses into more lively colours and the lives that once again move to the streets.

Photo: Lice Grada

Springtime on green areas

Waking up from the winter stillness usually means that people will get on the move again and continue working out – an activity that is usually disregarded during the colder months when we just wanted to keep warm in the comfort of our homes. However, spring brings this amazing energy that invites us to take on new challenges, new habits, new hobbies. When everything is so cheerful and playful, why would we waste time indoors? There are lots of locations in Zagreb where the locals take up recreation: running on Sava dam, cycling through Maksimir, a walk around Bundek and Jarun lakes, a light workout in Ribnjak park. There are numerous options and everyone just needs to choose the one that will be the best fit for his or hers wishes and needs. Zagreb always guarantees lots of green areas and spring colours (this is the second greenest city in Europe) that are made for a workout in the open!

Springtime in Zagreb area

Zagreb is one of the few cities that can boast the proximity of a mountain – Medvednica and its peak Sljeme proudly stand beside the capital. The exciting views of the mountain peaks often invite the locals to explore the numerous mountain paths on Sljeme (there are around 70 of them), which vary in their difficultness so that everyone can enjoy hiking. Medvednica is full of mountain huts whose terraces are full of visitors enjoying the local food during the spring months. Moreover, there are many natural beauties on the mountain, such as Sopot waterfall and Veternica cave. The remnants of Zagrebian history, Medvedgrad fort and Zrinski mine, are also captivating in the springtime. Even the ones that are not physically fit can enjoy this joyful time of the year – there is a cable car taking them up to Sljeme directly from Zagreb!

Springtime in cultural institutions

Cultural institutions in Zagreb – theatres, museums, galleries, halls and cinemas – are also marked by new beginnings. These events mean that everyone will find something to suit their taste, even indoors. New exhibitions in museums and galleries, film and music festivals, concerts and plays invite the visitors to peek into the inspirational stories that evoke emotions via images and sounds. Of course, there will also be conferences and fairs with interesting and educational seminars. And let us not forget other cultural events that awaken our imagination, just as the spring does it in our hearts!

Springtime in gastronomy

The locals know that spring usually means lots of new colours on their favourite farmers markets, the most famous one being Dolac. This is the period when we are charmed by smells, tastes and colours of spring onions, radishes, asparagus, ramsons, lamb’s lettuce and our favourite delight – strawberries. So, it comes as no surprise that everyone rushes to the markets to secure these fresh ingredients for their table. Many even opt for trying out new recipes inspired by spring or visit the restaurants that enrich their offers with new dishes and fresh seasonal ingredients. Zagreb is a city full of gastronomical delights, and its residents always seek new experiences and flavours!