Tales of Zagreb Parks

It is great to live in Zagreb. When it comes to this sentence my humbleness shrinks to microscopical level because I really believe this is, without a doubt, one of the greatest claims. Streets, coffee shops, clubs, opportunities, the eclectic mixture of hectic busy streets, quiet avenues and parks are all coexisting in perfect harmony. But, it is also great to visit Zagreb even if only for a short time.

Taking pictures of the wonderful baroque and classicistic architecture, learning about our coffee culture, our temperament, and feisty character while being surrounded by friendly people willing to reveal you the hidden gems of their city are only some of the things Zagreb has to offer. This makes me wonder about how it is to someone who isn’t so keen on experiencing architecture and restaurants, but who also enjoys long walks and likes to play in the park. I am talking about our furry friends, the dogs.

Image credit: Ivan Luzar

What is it like for them to visit or live in Zagreb? According to the great wilderness of the Internet, Zagreb has more than 50 000 dogs living in the city. That is an impressive number if you ask me, especially if we take into consideration that most of the owners would want for their dogs to be able to go to the park and catch frisbees, go for a long walk with them or just be with them while having a cup of coffee (I know I would, even though I am currently a proud owner of one fat cat). But it would also be nice if dogs could have a bowl of water to quench their thirst.

Of course, Zagreb has dog-friendly cafes, grooming salons, hostels, and hotels, where you and your pet will always be welcome, and it even has some pretty decent pastry shops just for dogs. But I was wondering what else is there when it comes to hanging out on six legs.

So, I decided to find out what Zagreb has to offer for our furry little friends. And I was pleasantly surprised when I found out that Zagreb has one of the biggest European clubs, or NGO’s to be more precise, for training and educating not only dogs but humans as well.

Image credit: Ivan Luzar

You will get a clearer picture about what I am talking about when I tell you how people come here to find out how to behave with a dog in the city, how to train them, play with them and even teach them how to dance. This club is very popular and has many members, and it is right next to Hendrix Bridge over the Sava river. So if you find yourself wandering there with your four-legged friend, you might as well enjoy some of Zagreb’s popular landmarks. Convenient, right?

Even though it was cold, some cute mutt and a border collie greeted me and decided to show me how they earn their treats. Seeing them, my obsession with corgis instantly became way bigger. I could only imagine how energized you must feel after running around with your pet for the whole afternoon!

Image credit: Ivan Luzar

Still under the impression of how cool it is to have a place for you and your doggy to learn tricks, I wanted to see what else there is. And of course, Zagreb did not let me down. So, I took a tram and headed a bit more towards the west. Next stop – Vrbani neighborhood. Except for the fact that there is a dog park, it also has one big advantage, just like the one next to the Hendrix Bridge – it is near the water! Lake Jarun, ‘Zagreb’s seaside’ is just a big plus in my imaginative to do list with my future furry friend corgi. 

Image credit: Ivan Luzar

My imagination went wild and I thought: OK, I’ ve covered south and west of the city for my future pet but what's there in the east and north? Well, the north of Zagreb is kind of out of my hand, but the eastern part is where I live so I decided to get back to the hood. And guess what I found? A doggy park, that’s right! Just next to the chocolate factory, Maksimir park (yes, lakes as well) and a football stadium. you can play ball with your favorite animal without fear of losing them or worse, getting face to face with people who aren't dog-friendly.

As the smell of the melted chocolate filled up my nostrils, I defined my first New Years Resolution: from now on I will be a proud owner of a fat cat and a dog, because, as it turns out, Zagreb is a pretty decent place to live in when you have four legs.

Header image credit: Ivan Luzar

Author: Lana Suša