Zagreb’s answer to Palm Beach! Some years ago, a survey to discover what people feel when they hear the name of a given Zagreb district showed that the name ‘Jarun’ awakened feelings of pleasure in most respondents. We strapped on our blades and hotpants, tucked our fluffy dogs under our arms and went to find out why. Located in the southwest portion of town (G-5), take tram 17 (Jarun) from ban Josip Jelačić Square.

A man made paradise?
Don’t expect glacial beauty. It’s a man made lake. But it is fed by underground springs, so it’s pretty clean – at least until the suntan oil slicks form in July.There are two lakes - big and small, and six islands. The shore of Lake Jarun is regulated by 2500 meters of sandy beach and the entire area is filled with recreational and sports centers connected to kilometres of hiking and biking trails.
The north side of the lake is dead straight because of the regatta course. However, we recommend walking around a bit, and you’ll find that it gets really quite pleasant. The small lake in the east has a pebbly beach, swan sanctuary and is fringed by cafes, bars, eating places and clubs. The big lake behind the regatta course even gets pretty wild in places, and one of the islands is devoted to mother nature. And we were really surprised with exactly how much there is to do. Here’s what you can find where.

Jarun offers an abundant amount of recreational opportunities:

Running, Cycling, Roller Blading
There’s a 6km track ‘Janica 2002’ and 1 cycling and roller blading path with a length of 5.5 km right the way round where you can amble, blade or cycle at will, perfecting that tush. Placards bearing stories of ‘Croatian Sporting Greats’, some of whom have spectacular facial topiary, give you all the motivation you need.
Keen punters can rent-a-bike or roller blades at Jarun, at the Petrine entrance (small lake). Prices are 20kn per hour and it’s open from 10:30 till 20:00 on weekends and public holidays, weekdays from 15:00 until 20:00.

Swimming
Beaches are on the south side, the Univerzijada and Trešnjevka islands and the little lake, and are really quite clean, whatever those picky Dalmatians might say. On the south side of the lake there is a nudist beach, whilst on the Island of Trešnjevka there is a swimming area for people with disabilities, which is equipped with all the necessary infrastructure. All beaches have toilets, changing cubicles, bars, kiosks. The beaches at Jarun are tested annually and have always met the regulated criteria and carry the Blue Flag.

Watersports
Sea? Pah! You can row, sail, kayak, canoe, windsurf and dive to your heart’s content at Jarun. You can join one of the clubs if you’re already up to speed; otherwise, try these helpful folks for some lessons.
Rowing: Srečko Šuk, Rowing Club Zagreb, (+385-1) 383 15 85 / (+385-) 098 30 21 73, www.vsz.hr
Sailing: Igor Božičević, Sailing Club Sveti Nikola, (+385-) 098 20 66 23
Windsurfing: Slobodan Bosnić, (+385-95) 529 16 24, www.kjd-zagreb.hr
Scuba diving: Call the Diving Club’s Instructor Lovorka Šimunec (+385-) 091 562 67 44, www.dps-zagreb.hr
Canoeing and kayaking: Canoe club Končar, (+385-1) 383 30 19
public.carnet.hr/kanu_klub_koncar/

Fishing
Fishing permits are permitted everywhere but if you wish to fish on the Regatta straight, a permit can be bought at Jarun Management in the Univerzijada building (Aleja Matije Ljubeka 3). Day permits cost 60kn. Night fishing is allowed on Fridays and Saturdays.

Dry land sports
As any self-respecting beach zone should, Jarun has sand volleyball courts by the big lake, where there’s also a handball court and football pitches. By both beaches you can also play mini golf, table tennis, skittles and bocce (boćanje). The south beach also has a floodlit skate park with eight ramps and night illumination.
There’s a jumping park with all kinds of bouncy things – that’ll tire the little monsters out (finally). Kids can enjoy the three available playgrounds (Big Lake, Small Lake, Island of Rowers), and on the Isle of Trešnjevka there is a playground for children with disabilities.
For more info call the Jarun info sports section on (+385-1) 642 13 55. And look at www.sportskiobjekti.hr.

With the vast range of recreational facilities at Jarun, the icing on the cake is a friendly barbecue or picnic with family and friends one can enjoy with friends. You’ll find small open wooden houses that are ideal for a picnic in the countryside as well as stone barbecues around the Big and Small Lake that will make Fed Flinstone proud. There are numerous artistic, environmental and educational activities such as Litopunktura Zagreb, Zagreb maze, Solar plexus Europe, Multisensory Park, the Wood Theme Park for a new life’.

After a day out of fun and excitement, visitors often wind down by going to one of the numerous restaurants at Jarun with culinary specialties, drinks, coffee or cool cocktails available in one of the bars with a terrace overlooking the lake.