With kids · activities
Sport and activities
Zagreb makes it easy to wear a child out: a mountain half an hour from the centre, lakes with cycle paths, city pools, and a well-developed system of clubs attached to schools.
One-off outings
Medvednica and Sljeme
The mountain above the city, with marked trails at every level from half-hour walks to a full ascent. In winter there is sledging and a small ski slope. The cable car takes you up without the climb, which with children solves a great deal.
Open siteCycling at Jarun
A flat four-kilometre loop around the lake with no cars. The best place in the city for a child to gain confidence on a bike. Seasonal rental is sometimes available on site.
City swimming pools
Indoor and summer pools run year-round, with children's pools and swimming classes. Caps are usually compulsory. Weekday mornings are quietest.
Ice skating
In winter an "Ice Park" is set up on King Tomislav Square as part of Advent, and it is one of the main winter attractions. Year-round rinks also exist in the city.
Climbing walls
Several indoor climbing centres with children's areas and classes. A good rainy-day option for anyone who needs to burn energy.
Bundek and scooters
Wide, level paths around the lake — ideal for balance bikes, scooters and first bicycles. Calmer than Jarun and entirely free of cars.
Clubs and classes
If you are here for the long run, a club delivers sport, language and friends at once. The practice in Croatia is straightforward and inexpensive by European standards.
- Through school. Primary schools run sports programmes and have links to local clubs. The class teacher is the fastest source of information.
- Sport-specific clubs. Football, handball, basketball, water polo, tennis and swimming are all well established — handball and water polo especially, as national sports with a serious tradition.
- District sports centres. Every major district has one with halls and children's groups.
- The language sorts itself out. Training involves little talk and all of it practical, and children absorb the language faster there than in a classroom.
Enrolment usually happens at the start of the school year in September, but most groups take children during the year too — ask the club directly.
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