Jarun Lake

Jarun Lake is the main recreational lake of Zagreb, in the southwestern part of the city, on the floodplain of the Sava river. It is a long, artificial lake with a ring of beaches, paths and wooded banks, and it is where many residents go to swim, cycle, row and relax when the weather is warm. For visitors it is an easy way to see how Zagreb lives outdoors.

The lake’s history is relatively recent. The area was once marshy ground beside the Sava, and the lake was created in the 1980s, when Zagreb prepared to host the Universiade, the World Student Games, in 1987. The organisers needed a high-quality rowing and canoeing course, and engineers dug out the basin, shaped the banks and built facilities for competitions. After the games the lake remained, and the city developed the surroundings as a large park, with the result that a former wetland became one of the most loved public spaces in the capital. The rowing course still hosts regattas and training, and the main water is separated from a smaller lake used for bathing.

Today the lake is surrounded by a network of paths, mostly paved, which circle the water and make a loop of several kilometres, popular with cyclists, joggers, skaters and walkers. Trees line the paths and give shade, and there are playgrounds, picnic spots, small beaches of sand and pebbles, and a range of sports. Rowing, sailing, windsurfing and kayaking are all practised on the main lake, and clubs offer lessons and equipment hire for beginners. In summer the bathing beaches, with lifeguards and showers, fill with families and groups of friends, and the water, though not alpine clear, is regularly tested and good for swimming.

Jarun is also a place for evenings. Along the shore there is a string of cafés, bars and open-air clubs, some of them famous across the region, and on summer nights music carries across the water. Concerts and festivals are held in the park, and the mood on a warm evening is relaxed and sociable. There are no admission fees to enter the park, so it is an easily accessible, family-friendly place.

Getting there is simple, since trams run from the centre and cycle paths connect the lake with the rest of the city. Zagreb’s other attractions, from the Upper Town to the Dolac Market and the museums, are within a short ride. The lake suits families, sports lovers and anyone who wants to cool off in the city. Weekdays are quieter than weekends, and morning is a good time for a walk or run.