Agrotourism in the Vicinity of Zagreb

Is there any better way to spend a peaceful and pleasant winter weekend break, far from the usual hubbub of the city, then to escape to the country where you can enjoy fresh air, the warmth of the roaring fire and a rural atmosphere? There are more than enough of these places in the surroundings of Zagreb.

Although a majority of the citizens of Zagreb choose Sljeme, the well known hilltop above Zagreb, for their weekend outings, there are a number of attractive rural retreats in the vicinity of Zagreb which offer various opportunities for stay and entertainment apart from the typical rural atmosphere. 

If we set out in the direction of Croatian Zagorje, in Luka village, only 25 kilometers away from the city, you will find a quintessential wooden house, typical of the region, and in its vicinity a restaurant, 'Dva potoka' /Two Brooks/, which fosters rural tourism and offers delicious home-made food.
If the road takes you towards the Samobor hills, you will find several family owned farms in the area. The Lijepo brdo Žumberak /Beautiful Žumberak Hill/ property is a rural house made of local stone which accommodates up to six people. It is located in the very heart of the Žumberak Park of Nature, some 60 kilometers away from Zagreb. Somewhat closer to Zagreb, at a 20 kilometer distance, is the family owned farm Etno kuća pod Okićem /Etno House under Okić/ which, in addition to the authentic rural atmosphere, offers opportunities for recreation – trekking, visiting a small museum with a collection of arts and crafts objects typical of the area and indulging in local specialties. Not far from there is the popular outing place Divlje vode /Wild Waters/ with a reputation for being one of the most beautiful excursion places near Zagreb. The restaurant offers fresh fish from the property’s own fish pond as well as some other flavorsome local dishes.

En route to Jastrebarsko, a little town mid-way between Zagreb and Karlovac, there are two more family owned farms catering for tourists. The Repro-eko farm is located near Jastrebarsko and, unlike many other such facilities, it offers exclusively vegetarian food. In addition to the rich gastronomic offer, the visitors can also get their hands dirty doing proper farm jobs – working on the land, basket weaving by the roaring fire and pottery making. 

In Klinča Sela, a village near Jastrebarsko, a rural family welcomes guests at their home known as Pri Naceku /At Nacek's/. The family offers excellent home-made food and a ubiquitous rural atmosphere, and visitors can also try themselves at trekking, mountain climbing, hunting and bee-keeping. 

There are also several rural households east of Zagreb. The rural tourism and catering establishment Janković is in Stara Marča village near Ivanić Grad. The property borders on a forest from which a whole herd of fawn and fallow-deer come out every day to be fed. In the middle of the property, there is an attractive log cabin with an organically grown fruit orchard, a lake which abounds in fish and has a little island in the middle with a gazebo; there are sports and recreation grounds and another gazebo where up to 70 people can eat in good weather. The owners offer possibilities of camping, organizing schools in nature, educational workshops, team building and other events and activities. The offer includes a number of sporting activities such as forest trekking, fishing in the lake or in the near-by river and archery. Close to Janković farm, there is another property, Kezele farm, which abounds in farm animals. The tasty gastronomic offer is 'spiced up' with the quality offer of wines from the owner's own cellar. 

The small village of Habijanovac near Vrbovečka Dubrava, 55 km east of Zagreb, is the location of Zrno farm. In addition to the conventional rural offer, the farm also boasts a natural pool suitable for swimming and a large children's playground. A large research and education center is an integral part of the farm and offers seminars and workshops in organic farming and healthy cooking. The farm accommodates visitors in six double bedrooms with 12 additional spare beds.
On the road to Zelina, on the Zelina wine route, there are also several rural retreats, of which the best known is the property called Ljubekov Gaj.