Novi Zagreb - How to Spend a Day on the Other Side of the Sava River?
It's not that there is nothing new to do in the city of Zagreb. There is always something going on. Some people might even say that it is too much. If you feel the need to explore something different, something so hip and non-tourist, just cross a bridge and you're welcome to Novi Zagreb.
It was the time of the future
After the WWII, the city boundaries expanded to the other side of the Sava river. It was the era of socialism and the plan was to build new homes in forms of tower blocks to fit as many citizens as possible and make their living as enjoyable as it can be. It may not be the most prestigious area but over the years it has developed so much and made the downtown Zagrebians come across the Sava. The starting point was a step made by then mayor Većeslav Holjevac (who now has a whole avenue named after him), a moment when he made a decision to move the Fair from Savska road across the Sava river. Afterwards, the expansion kicked off.
Image credit: Zagreb Tourist Board, Marko Vrdoljak
A family of neighbourhoods
Novi Zagreb is kinda like Zagreb but it actually represents a distinct area. It's like Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part one and two - the novel is the same but they function as two separate films. Novi Zagreb can be divided into two parts - East and West. Some also add Brezovica, a peaceful neighbourhood known for its luxurious baroque Castle Brezovica which used to belong to Zrinski and Drašković family. Unfortunately, the Castle is losing its magic and slowly perishing under its surrounding flora. The East side was quite rural back in the 60's - there were pastures, swamps and ravines. The construction of Most Slobode (the Bridge of Freedom) switched the rural game to urban.
Neighbourhood patrol
Visit the Museum of Contemporary Art, catch free guided tours every day and see Roger Ballen's provocative work this September. Have a stroll through the nearby neighbourhood Dugave to see the murals that brought the hood back to life as a result of the Street Art Museum.
Aside from murals, you could explore the neighbourhoods of Novi Zagreb by Geocaching or by finding all the planets of the grounded solar system as they are scaled to resemble astronomical distances.
Novi Zagreb has an interesting architectural history. One of the impressive modern buildings is the Arena, which resembles a huge rib cage. There is a festival of modern home interior design in September you can check out.
Admire two colossal buildings - Mamutica (The Mammoth), the home of about 5,000 people which makes it one of the biggest apartment buildings in Europe and Super Andrija. They are so breathtaking and they make awesome models for architectural photography.
Image credit: Zagreb Tourist Board, Marko Vrdoljak
Daytime for fun times
One of the best things about Novi Zagreb is that it is spacious so you can find a spot for yourself to be at peace. Go to Bundek park and find yourself a quiet spot to do yoga by the lake or just dip your toes into the lake. Feeling a bit hot outside and don't like the idea of dipping your toes in the middle of the park? Then you'll probably enjoy the Utrina pools which are open for public. Before you hit the pools, visit the Hippodrome close to Bundek to hang out with Zagrebian horses.
The Park of the Newlyweds (Park mladenaca) is a nice park between two neighbourhoods Trnsko and Siget. Bring your kids to the playground, your canine kids to their huge playground or hit the outdoor gym (at least take a selfie pretending you're working out on your vacation!).
Hey, big spender!
If you are in a shopping spree mood and want to go hit the malls, go to Arena shopping Centar or Avenue Mall, or choose a more alternative version - visit Hrelić flea market and have a unique experience that you will definitely remember. Can you imagine that the busy streets of Sopot, where you shop at Avenue Mall, used to be plain grassland? It may be easier to imagine it on a Sunday when you are visiting Hrelić. The aforementioned Zagreb Fair, which was the toehold to crossing the Sava, has numerous events for you to choose from and get lost in.
Where's the party?
To be completely honest, I don't know many party places in Novi Zagreb. Usually, tourists consider Novi Zagreb as a sleeping area because it is cheaper. Probably because the distances in this part of Zagreb are bigger than in downtown and the neighbourhoods are trying to maintain the homely vibes. So you can find some great bars and have the best time of your life but that will be because you're awesome, not because you went to a hot pompous club.
There are two places I know of: Metropolis Billiards Club and Močvara (which is actually still on the other side of Sava and doesn't technically make Novi Zagreb). Metropolis Club offers diverse music each night and it is spacious so you can dance your butts off. Catch a cool blues concert and play pool - a recipe for a great night! Močvara is a renowned underground club on the embankment, organising a bunch of concerts, plays and music theme nights. The visitors are from different generations, depending on the programme. I guess it's fun to see the teenage pre-gaming on the grass with cheap wine. All in all, I mostly partied at my friends' flats all over Novi Zagreb. So if you find a great club - lemme know!
Header image credit: Hrvoje Topić, Love Zagreb
Author: Karla Knezevic