Despite Zagreb being the Capital city of Croatia, it is often overlooked in favour of the flashier historic cities of Dubrovnik and Split. Despite, its lack of coastline, we think Zagreb is the perfect city to explore. It has an abundance of charm, fascinating architecture, and so much more. Not to mention, we think this is the best spot to wild camp in not only Zagreb but all of Croatia (if you are looking for city life)!
We opted to wild camp at Lake Jarun. Lake Jarun is a man-made lake located slightly outwith the city centre. This lake is home to a plethora of activities, whether you are looking to get active or just relax. You can swim in the lake; scoot, cycle, or skate around the lake; you get even have a BBQ as there are numerous BBQ stations located on the perimeter of the lake which you can use free of charge. There is enough going on at this spot to wild camp that you won’t even want to venture into the city of Zagreb.
It costs 10KN to enter, and that is a one-off payment. As long as you don’t exit through the barrier you are free to stay as long as you like. We believe that you can be charged up to 70KN if entering in a larger vehicle (>6m). There is a road that surrounds the lake and lakeside facilities, this is where you will find an abundance of streetside parking. As the parking spots are on a tarmacked road, it is generally very level and provides a great night’s sleep! There is also a small carpark at the bottom of the lake where larger motorhomes were located. This is perhaps the best place to park if you have a larger rig.
Although you are essentially parked on a road. It is not nearly as busy as you may think especially in the evening when there is virtually no one around. The only time when it was slightly busy was on a sunny Saturday afternoon.
Another perk of parking lakeside is the amenities on offer. There are toilets and bins that are open year-round. There are also outdoor showers located at numerous points surrounding the lake. When we visited in late April they were not operational as it is “out of season”. We imagine they would be switched on in early June, as that is typically when Croatia is in peak season.
The beauty of this spot to wild camp in Zagreb is that it is extremely versatile. Depending on what you want to do, will dictate where you park. For example, if you want to explore the city, park near the entrance barrier as it’s a mere 5-minute walk to a tram that will take you directly into the city centre. If you are looking for nightlife, head to the top of the lake as there are restaurants, bars, and even a popular nightclub. Finally, if you are looking to have fun and enjoy the lake and its surroundings, park on the far side of the lake. Here you will find, play parks, skate parks, cafes, and even a nudist beach! So whatever you are into, this lake will have something for you.
One thing we would recommend if opting to spend some time here is to stock up on food and do your laundry prior to arriving. It is a pretty substantial walk to the nearest shop and laundrette!
Location
Lake Jarun, Jarun, 10110, Zagreb, Croatia
45.78220, 15.92380
Price
From 10KN
toilets
Yes
(+showers)
Water
No
Bins
Yes
signal / 4G
Good 4G and signal.
If you have any questions regarding where to park overnight in Zagreb…or Croatia in general don’t hesitate to comment down below.
Or why not check out all the great overnight parking places we have been to so far here!