The 10 Best Outdoor Adventures in Zagreb, Croatia

Zagreb offers a wealth of incredible outdoor activities
Zagreb offers a wealth of incredible outdoor activities | © Darko Pribeg / Unsplash
Louise Bastock

Compact and understated, Zagreb is an intriguing mix of vibrant street culture, ornate neo-Baroque buildings and cobblestone streets, punctuated by elegant parks, stunning lakes and lush mountain peaks. As such, a trip to the Croatian capital allows you to combine a city break with the great outdoors.

With world-class museums, a dynamic fine-dining scene and a coffee culture like few others, Zagreb was made for city breaks. But beyond the chic cafés and innovative exhibition spaces, there’s a wealth of incredible activities luring visitors outside. From skydiving and stargazing to sketching and discovering secret passageways, these unbeatable outdoor adventures in Zagreb will give you your fresh-air fix.

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CentralAmerica

GORGEOUS GUATEMALA

Gorgeous Guatemala

5 days . Mini
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1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

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CentralAmerica

BEACHY BELIZE

Beachy Belize

5 days . Mini
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2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.
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CentralAmerica

COLONIAL MEXICO

Colonial Mexico

5 days . Mini
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3. Mexico

An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.
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SouthAmerica

ADVENTUROUS ECUADOR

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic
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1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

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SouthAmerica

ANCIENT PERU

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic
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2. Peru

An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.
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Europe

SEDUCTIVE SOUTHERN ITALY

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic
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1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

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Europe

EDINBURGH AND THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS BY TRAIN

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

7 days . Culture
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2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.
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Europe

COMPLETE PORTUGAL BY TRAIN

Complete Portugal By Train

8 days . Culture
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3. Portugal

A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.
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Asia

SOULFUL SOUTH KOREA

Soulful South Korea

10 days . Epic
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1. South Korea

Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.

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Asia

THAILAND, CAMBODIA & VIETNAM

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

11 days . Epic
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2. Thailand

From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.
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Asia

SECRETS OF SRI LANKA BY TRAIN

Secrets Of Sri Lanka By Train

10 days . Culture
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3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price
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Africa

EPIC MOROCCO

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic
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1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

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Africa

ULTIMATE EGYPT

Ultimate Egypt

9 days . Epic
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2. Egypt

From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.
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Africa

IMMERSIVE KENYA

Immersive Kenya

8 days . Epic
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3. Kenya

An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.
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Pedal round Zagreb with Blue Bike

Architectural Landmark

From the taxis to the trams and the 19th-century funicular, Zagreb’s transport options are all decked out in bright cerulean blue. And Blue Bike is bang on trend, offering chic city tours on their fleet of sky-blue cycles. “In just a couple of hours, you will get all the essential info about Zagreb,” Blue Bikes says on their website. “Not only crucial historical facts, but great insights into our present day way of life.” Rent your own bike for DIY explorations or join a themed tour. What sets their tours apart, according to Blue Bike, is that all their guides are “Zagreb locals, born and bred, who love our city deeply, know all its secrets and can’t wait to share them with you.”

Wine and dine as you walk the streets

Market, Wine Seller, Croatian

Far from your average cooking class, the Walk and Cook tour from Kamauf Tours will engage all five senses, giving you a window into Zagreb’s history, its food culture and traditional delicacies. Accompanied by a highly skilled Croatian chef, you will first explore the city’s main sights before heading to scout out the best ingredients at the open-air Dolac Market – known as “the belly of Zagreb”. Baskets bursting at the seams with fresh, mouthwatering produce, it’s time to learn how to create your traditional Croatian dish. For wine lovers: try Kamauf’s Walk and Wine tour, which culminates at a rustic winery where you can watch the sun set and discover a bouquet of brilliant Croatian wines.

Sketch the major sights of the city

Architectural Landmark

See the minutiae of the city in sharp relief with the remarkable Black and White Sketching Tour from Hello Zagreb. “This city tour is a one-of-a-kind, unique way of getting to know Zagreb,” explains Damjan Beusan, CEO of Hello Zagreb. “You’ll visit the city’s major sights, but instead of providing loads of facts and information, we encourage you to seek creativity in yourself, sketching the sights that appeal to you specifically.” Over the course of three hours, accompanied by an expert artistic guide, you’ll refine your craft and explore the city in unparalleled detail. Plus, Damjan adds, “Besides the great experience, you get to take home a unique piece of artwork that was handmade in Croatia.”

Climb the region's mountainscapes

Natural Feature

Though largely flat, Zagreb’s cityscape nestles against the backdrop of the 1,035m-high (3,400ft) Medvednica mountain. While there aren’t many climbing opportunities on Medvednica itself, you can experience this classic Croatian topography with a rockclimbing trip to the dramatic Dinaric mountain range, a one- to two-hour drive from the city. Natural Croatia offers adrenaline-pumping excursions packed with climbing challenges to suit all levels. Their one-day trips include specialised safety briefings and expert guidance, lunch at a mountain lodge or picnic-style snacks and transfers from Zagreb city centre.

Historical Landmark

Travel back to the Dark Ages with a spooky tour of Zagreb’s more sinister past. As night falls, gather in front of the horseman statue at Ban Jelačić Square to get acquainted with your tour guide and virtual guide (or ghost?) from the past. From here, you’ll wander the streets, exploring the city’s spine-tingling basements, alleyways and historic locations encountering dark spirits and learning about gruesome events from executions and torture to adultery, murder and witch hunts. Walk in the footsteps of formidable kings, queens, peasants and witches, and see if you have what it takes to uncover the city’s darkest secrets.

Trek Medvednica under the stars

Natural Feature

Laced with trails and lush forest, Medvednica was made for hiking. But why not take your trek to the next level with an otherworldly after-dark hike? Kitted out with head torches, walking poles and an expert guide, Lobagola Tours will help you navigate the moonlit pathways and planets above, and take you off-the-beaten path to discover 500-year-old fresh spring wells and medieval fortresses and to enjoy a picnic of Croatian delicacies under the stars. With low light pollution and a dedicated network of dark sky parks, Medvednica’s interstellar views will transport you far, far away from the bustle of the city below.

Explore the city's underground passageways

Historical Landmark

A secret network of underground passageways might sound like something from a sci-fi novel, but in Zagreb this fantastical scene comes to life in the form of the mysterious Grič Tunnel. Built in 1943 as part of a network of tunnels, Grič served as a bomb shelter during the Second World War. Left desolate for many years, ravers put the tunnels back on the map in the ’90s after discovering their incredible acoustics. And in 2016, Grič was opened to the public as an avant-garde, 350m-long (1,150ft) exhibition space. Check out an event, explore the history or beat the heat underground on a hot summer’s day. Opening hours are between 9am and 9pm, and admission is free. The five entrances are marked with the Zagreb coat of arms.

Enjoy some inner-city nature at Maksimir Park

Park, Zoo

Heralded as the oldest park in Zagreb, and one of the first public parks in the world, Maksimir is steeped in local heritage and natural wonder, boasting a centuries-old oak forest, five stunning lakes, wild meadows and winding trails. Visit Zagreb describes Maksimir as a “refuge from the city buzz. A place where you can enjoy a good book, go jogging, explore the park’s rich history or simply relax.” They add, “for the perfect family day, visit Zagreb Zoo – one of the best in Europe – surrounded by the park’s 200-year-old oak trees.”

Take to the air with a tandem skydive

Sports Center

A great way to explore a new city is to see it from above – climb a church tower, hike to a mountain viewpoint or get the ultimate thrill ride with a tandem skydive! Launching from Lučko airport, a short 25-minute drive from Zagreb, Emir and Martina from the Skydiving Tandem Group offer a panoramic flight over the capital city of Zagreb. From the air, you can map the streets and trace the city’s history. “It’s the kind of feeling you can’t experience in your everyday ‘earthly’ life,” say Emir and Martina. You might not be able to stick it on your fridge or post it to a friend, but this souvenir is one you won’t forget in a hurry.

Kayak in the urban jungle

Natural Feature

Croatia’s coast is famed for its sparkling azure water and plethora of water sports activities, so inland Zagreb might seem like an unlikely spot for kayaking adventures. That is until you get to the stunning turquoise shores of Lake Jarun. A mere 30-minute drive from the city centre, this astounding spot of natural beauty will make you feel at once like you’re in the heart of the city, and yet an entire world away. Lobagola Tours offers incredible three-hour kayaking and SUP excursions that include introductory sessions for all levels, refreshments and an expert guide.
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I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!

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