Parks · 15 of the best in Zagreb
Maksimir: one of Europe’s oldest public parks
The back story
About Maksimir: one of Europe’s oldest public parks
Maksimir, east of the centre, is Zagreb’s great park: a romantic English-style landscape of oak woods, meadows and lakes, with pavilions and a belvedere, opened to the public in 1794 and still one of the city’s favourite places for a walk.
A bishop’s gift
In 1794, Bishop Maksimilijan Vrhovac opened his park to the people of Zagreb, making Maksimir one of the first public parks in South-East Europe. It was named after him, and later bishops reshaped it as a romantic landscape garden.
A romantic landscape
Paths wind through old oak woods to a chain of lakes, meadows and pavilions, including the Echo Pavilion and the Belvedere, a viewpoint above the park.
Maksimir was open to the public before most European cities had a public park.
The zoo
Zagreb Zoo, inside the park, makes Maksimir a favourite family outing.
Our advice: take a tram east to Maksimir, walk from the main gate to the lakes and the Belvedere, and allow half a day if you add the zoo. Autumn colours here are superb.
Why it's on our list
- A bishop’s gift
- An English-style landscape
- The zoo
- A walk through the park
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Maksimir: one of Europe’s oldest public parks before you go.