When to Go

Zagreb and its environs are well worth a visit at any time of year, with each season bringing a different type of delight. Winter means skiing on Sljeme and enjoying the lively Zagreb Advent Market—continuously voted best or among the best Christmas markets in Europe. Spring kicks off hiking season, with plenty of treks and their blooming greenery waiting at the ready all throughout the region. Summertime in Zagreb is a special affair, when festivals pop up in almost every neighborhood, from big-name music fests to smaller-scale art and food events. Fall means foggy days made colorful by the foliage waiting to be explored around inland Croatia's hills, one of the prettiest areas being the Žumberak Mountains near Samobor.

No matter the time of year, there's never a shortage of things to do in Zagreb. Music, art, and food festivals take place across the city all year long. Outdoors activities, from hiking on Sljeme and jogging on the Sava riverbanks to kayaking on Jarun Lake are at your fingertips. Between that and a vibrant nightlife scene consisting of everything from buzzing clubs to underground live gigs, as well as hard-to-beat museums and cultural outings, this is a city you're not likely to be bored in, even if you're just sipping coffee in a café and people-watching.