Zagreb, the cosmopolitan and cultural epicentre of Croatia, is also the country’s northwestern capital city. It is located on the banks of the Sava River and is known for its Austro-Hungarian architecture, pedestrian friendly squares and streets full of cafes, boutiques, and restaurants. While it is often overlooked by travelers wanting to just experience the Adriatic coast, the city offers so much to do: from historical sights, festivals, events, and nightlife to parks, forests and lakes (Zagreb also has more museums per square foot than any other city in the world). Zagreb has two main areas: The Lower Town has more of an energetic and busy vibe with plenty of restaurants, banks, bakeries, and shopping options, while the Upper Town contains red roofed homes, winding cobblestone streets, charming cafes and wine bars, the Gothic Zagreb Cathedral, and 13th-century St. Mark’s Church. Note: If you’d like to have a guided running experience in Zagreb, we highly recommend our affiliate partner Go! Running Tours.
There are some great options for running in Zagreb. Our ‘runseeing’ tour covers some of the most important sites in Upper and Lower Town. Enjoy a 5 km tour of Maksimir Park, the oldest park in southern Europe. There are ~5 km of paths along the Sava River, including the lovely City Park. Lake Jarun is another popular running spot, and for some scenic hill running, head to the Tuškanac & Pantovčak neighborhoods or the trails of Dotrscina woods. Our thanks to primary author Lana Bukvic, a runner who has been living in Zagreb.
Zagreb is very pedestrian-friendly, and there’s a good tram and bus system.
