Places to cool down in summer in Zagreb with a swim

Bundek (Photo credit: Ivo Biočina / Source: CNTB)

With temperatures sizzling in the Croatian capital these past few days and expected to get hotter in August, Zagreb can be a sticky place to be over the summer.

If you are in the capital and wishing you were on the coast to have a dip to cool down, there are options. ‘Blue Flags’, symbols of eco-responsibility, signifying clean waters, have been raised at two of the city’s most popular lake spots.

Obviously not as idyllic as the Adriatic sea, cooling down is cooling down, so here are two lakes you can hit if you are stuck in the city in the sweltering heat.

Jarun

Jarun (Photo credit: Ivo Biočina / Source: CNTB)

Jarun is a 2km long artificial lake surrounded by cycling tracks, a promenade, forests, and parks. It’s located in the southwest part of Zagreb and you can get there by taking trams 5 or 17. It’s popular as the weather gets hot with the swimming season opened in June. There are lifeguards on duty during the swimming season.

Veliko Jezero (the big lake) is the part of the lake for rowing and windsurfing, while Malo Jezero (the small lake) is reserved for swimming, pedal boat rides, bars, and cafes.

Bundek

Bundek (Photo credit: Ivo Biočina / Source: CNTB)

Bundek is located in Novi Zagreb north of Zapruđe and Središće neighborhoods. Since it was renovated in 2005 it’s a famous nature getaway. Besides the lake, there are cycling tracks, a promenade, and parks. There are contents for kids as well as for grown-ups – under the trees, you can find barbecues, which you can use for open-air parties.

Bundek (Photo credit: Marko Vrdoljak / Zagreb Tourist Board)

There are bars and cafes around the lake as well. During the summer people swim here and there are lifeguards on duty. Bundek is not as big as Jarun, however, it’s more accessible from the city center and it’s very charming. To get there take any bus from Glavni kolodvor and get out on the third stop.

Zagreb also has a number of public swimming pools around the city where you can also cool down.

Mladost 

(Photo: Zagreb Tourist Board)

Mladost pools are located not far from Jarun near the Sava river. The sports park has indoor and outdoor Olympic size swimming pools (25×50 meters), several smaller pools, a children’s pool, sunbathing space and other facilities.

Svetice Pools 

Svetice (Photo credit: Tomislav Miletić /Pixsell/Press)

The 10,000 m2 Svetice complex, located in the Zagreb suburb of Svetice, has an Olympic-size pool, and also a number of pools for recreational swimmers, beginners and kids. The multi-level complex also offers a wellness programme, including various types of saunas, a fitness centre, massage rooms and a specially built zen garden. Svetice has also sun-bathing areas and is surrounded by facilities for table tennis, badminton, volleyball and football.

Utrina Pools 

Utrina pools (Photo: Zagreb Tourist Board)

Located in Novi Zagreb, not far from Avenue Mall, Utrina pools is another place where you can cool down at on a hot summer day in the city. As well as a big Olympic-size pool, there are pools for kids and a dive pool also. There is also a wellness centre there and sun-bathing areas and a cafe to relax. 

Šalata Pools

Šalata pools (Photo: SRC Salata/Facebook)

Located in the centre of the city on Šalata, these outdoor pools are a great place to cool down at. The summer swimming season is open until September and is open from 13:30 – 18:00 during weekdays and from 11:00 – 19:00 on the weekend.