Image by Milana M.

PMS – Prostor Manufakturne Slobode (the space of manufacturing freedom) has opened just recently and is quickly becoming the new hotspot for all of those looking for a piece of creativity in Zagreb.

This cozy shop in one of Zagreb’s busiest streets offers the widest range of creativity. If you’re looking for a new piece of jewelry, a dress, hat, painting or even a lamp from recycled washing machine parts, look no further. It is very refreshing to have a space in Zagreb which provides artists and artisans with a place where they can exhibit and sell their work on a regular basis, and with no restrictions. The owner is open to anyone who wants to showcase their work and will give everyone a chance in line with the terms of the free market – let the end user decide! 

This philosophy brings about a constant change within PMS, so you can be sure you will not be seeing the same stuff there over and over again. Only change is constant and I am very happy and excited to see how PMS will develop and transform itself on its path. At the moment, it’s quirky, fresh and interesting, hopefully it will stay the same. 

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PMS | Art & culture, Shopping | From Kn 50
Tkalčićeva 61 | Upper town
Mon – Fri 10:00 – 20:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Zagreb

Image by Milana M.

Of course there are many other Archaeological museums that host by far larger and more important collections than the one in Zagreb. Still, there are at least two spectacular things to be found inside in case you’re at least a little bit interested in history and archaeology.

One of them is the longest script in the world in the Etruscan scribe, which is part of the Mummy of Zagreb, belonging also to the Etruscan tribe (a nation living in the north of the Apennines in the 8th and 7th century B.C. that is said to have influenced Romans quite a bit while others say of this mysterious nation that they are the natives of the peninsula residing there before the Latins), which is part of the Egyptian collection of the museum.

The second interesting collection that found its home in the Archaeological Museum is the coin and monetary collection – one of the biggest in this part of Europe. So in case you’re into money, it’s worth checking out .

Last but not least, the museum resides in a beautiful building in the very heart of Zagreb with one of the nicest gardens in town. Where, could you ever have guessed, there’s a cafe. So if you’re not even that interested in history and old exhibits, you can always chill in the shade of antique statues while having your coffee.

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Archaeological museum | Art & culture | Entry adults Kn 20
Trg Nikole Šubića Zrinskog 19 | Lower town | +38514873102
Tue – Wed & Fri 10:00 – 17:00, Thu 10:00 – 10:00, Sat – Sun 10:00 – 13:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Zagreb

Image by Milana M.

ZPC – the Zagreb Dance Centre opened its doors in October 2009, much to pleasure of all of us who are dancers, professional of recreational or simply in love with the art of dance. After a long period of waiting (somehow it seems that in Croatia the proverb “Good things come to those who wait” is beyond truth, it’s an universal fact) dancers, choreographers and common folk who wanted to inform themselves about anything connected to dance have gotten their spot.

ZPC is envisaged as a place where choreographers and dancers can perform, take classes and practice, with open doors for everyone who wants to learn. Apart for physical acts of dancing, film projections connected to dance take place here (after all, this used to be a cinema, one of the oldest in Zagreb which had to close its doors after the birth of big corporations called multiplex cinemas), discussions and seminars – in other words, anything and everything connected to dance.

Choreographers from most dance studios in Zagreb and beyond hold open classes in the Dance Centre to which you can simply walk in and test your strength, endurance and knowledge.

The building itself was voted one of the best architectural solutions lately in Zagreb, designed by the Zagreb based studio 3LHD. Therefore, ZPC is truly a place to visit, either to dance or simply look around and have a coffee on its terrace which provides a peaceful, artistic vibe in the very centre of Zagreb.

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Zagrebački Plesni Centar – ZPC | Art & culture, Coffee & tea | Dance workshops Kn 30
Ilica 10 | Lower town | +38514621967
09:00 – 22:00 daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Zagreb

Image by Krunoslav Koprivnjak

Peaceful and tranquil, this body of water has a magic appeal to human beings trapped in the city. Located in Novi Zagreb (New Zagreb), on the southern bank of Sava, this place used to be one of favourite bathing places in Zagreb in the 60-s and 70-s. During the 80-s and 90-s people kinda forgot about it and it turned into a swamp and a thicket, a small jungle in the city centre. Luckily, the whole place was rediscovered and refurbished in 2005 and has ever since become favourite location for pleasant festivals and relaxing events, or just spending an afternoon chilling and BBQ-ing.

For the sportsmen types, there’s a running/cycling track, a fishing pond and a beach volley court. When the sun sets, its BBQ-time. In the grove around the lake, you can find wooden gazebos and nearby BBQs, use of which is free of charge, you just need to get there in time and claim your spot. You can even rent a grill (however only on Saturdays and Sundays, and they have to be returned by 19:00) for free, bring your own or ask someone to use theirs.

In the middle of the lake, there is a floating platform for bands and performers. Each year there is a FloraArt flower festival in May and a four-day Summer fireworks festival in June – when you get to listen to Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra in open air and later lie on the grass, watch fireworks and nibble on delicatessen from the nearby fair.

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Lake Bundek | Art & culture, Coffee & tea, Relaxing | Beer Kn 15.00
Lake Bundek | Novi Zagreb
24 hours daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Zagreb

Image by Krunoslav Koprivnjak

All jazz lovers coming by train won’t see much of Zagreb if they enter Bacchus. Situated less than 100m from the central train station, this bar offers food and drink for both body and soul, serving as a perfect welcome, farewell or just a quick resting place for an inquisitive wanderer.

A bar with history, a former legendary notorious hot spot and gay meeting point, reopened its doors in 2008. with a new concept, slowly regaining it’s undeservedly lost cult status. The first thing that one notices upon entering is the details.

Everything here is about details. Every time you look around you will notice something new, from numerous antique writing machines, gramophones, radios, television sets, car models and wardrobes to a trapped baby doll, yellow rubber duck and a shark gnawing on a disco ball, to name just a few. The counter itself is made of an old bookshelf filled with books, and you get the check in one of them.

Jazz is played Wed-Sat, and the programme can be checked on their web page. If the weather is nice, you can sit in the garden up front, which reminds of a grandma’s back garden, extremely pleasant and relaxing.

The wine list is rather short but carefully selected, featuring wines from Argentina, Chile, California, Republic of South Africa as well as Croatian pride and glory. Besides wines, they offer a great list of cocktails and rakija made with herbs, berries, sour cherries, honey, pear, myrtle, and even nettle.

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Bacchus Jazz Bar | Art & culture, Bars, Music, Relaxing | Wine bottle from Kn 110
Trg Kralja Tomislava 16 | Lower town | +38514922218
10:00 – 00:00 daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Zagreb

Image by Dokukino Croatia

After the invasion of big corporations into the cinema industry Croatian old cinemas followed the route of I believe many old cinemas, at least in European tradition, that have reinvented themselves as specialized in certain “alternative” genres. One such story is the famous Kino Europa (check the Kino Europa article) in Zagreb.

Another one, not as famous but nonetheless equally interesting, is the creation of Dokukino Croatia – a cinema with only 37 seats. Ah, but beware dear film-lover, these seats are not your ordinary movie seats, rather comfortable sofas from which you can enjoy the best of the best documentaries.

Yes, Dokukino, as its name tells us specializes in documentary films and doesn’t screen any other genre, making it unique in itself. The cinema was reopened in 2009 by the initiative of Restart association and Croatia film company. Its purpose is to become the focal point of documentary-lovers’ gatherings, which is why the cinema organizes not only movie projections (both recent production and archive footage) but also talks with directors and various film workshops.

And yes, it does encompass a café in itself, where you can chill and talk movies. And documentaries.

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Dokukino Croatia | Art & culture, Cinemas | Entry Kn 20
Katančićeva 3 | Lower town | +38514813711
11:00 – 22:00 daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Zagreb

Image by Milana M.

The Museum of Arts and Crafts is definitely my favorite museum in Zagreb (the fresh Museum of contemporary art still has to prove its worth over a longer period of time) because it’s the least static museum in Zagreb. Naturally, this is easier to be when you’re a museum of Arts and Crafts, still I’m amazed by everything that goes on in this building.

Since its founding in 1880 (making it one of the oldest of its kind in Europe) it has focused on reflecting life and the world around us in a realistic and relevant way, originally envisaged to preserve the traditions of old crafts and create a new aesthetics for the people it serves.

Nowadays, after 130 years of tradition, the Museum still holds its relevant position in the artistic and everyday life of Zagreb. With its constant exhibitions which range from musical instruments over architecture, design, photography to ceramic, painting, textiles and many more, but more importantly with ongoing events and exhibitions that reflect the current state of arts, crafts and events in Croatia.

Therefore it is no surprise for the favorite “MUO” to hold an exhibition dedicated to the cult Zagreb radio station “Radio 101″ to celebrate its 25th anniversary or to host the explosion of supreme tastes during the Zagreb Wine and Gourmet Festival yearly in February. No matter what time of year you visit Zagreb, there will definitely be something worth seeing in MUO.

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Museum of Arts and Crafts | Art & culture | Entrance adults Kn 30
Trg maršala Tita 10 | Lower town | +38514882111
Tue – Sat 10:00 – 19:00, Sun 10:00 – 14:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Zagreb

Image by Milana M.

The “Mosque”, as it is colloquially called by residents of Zagreb, has a very interesting history. It was built according to the designs of the famous sculptor Ivan Meštrović, since its initial purpose was for it to be a monument for the king Petar I. Instead of a statue on the square, it was voted that a building would be erected, which would house an arts museum.

It served as a museum for nearly 10 years, when it was turned into a mosque, with three minarets built around the site. Although it served as a mosque for only 5 years, the name stuck with the people, which is how it is still referred to.

During communism it served as the Museum of the National Revolution up until 1990, when it was returned to its original purpose and given back for use to the Croatian Association of Artists.

Nowadays, apart for housing exhibitions by prominent Croatian contemporary artists, the gallery hosts many visiting exhibitions, artistic manifestations and even concerts of experimental music. All in all, it is an interesting space to visit, either for the architecture of the place or the contents of its three galleries.

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Croatian Association of Artists | Art & culture | Entry Kn 15
Trg žrtava fašizma | Lower town | +38514811561
Tue – Fri 11:00 – 19:00, Sat – Sun 10:00 – 14:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Zagreb

Image by Milana M.

In case you are into taking a silent walk around the upper town of Zagreb around midday, don’t be surprised if the silence will suddenly be interrupted at noon. Don’t be scared either, the city is not under siege, it is just the “Grič cannon” marking its usual noon activity.

According to the legend, the king Bela IV, who proclaimed Zagreb as a free royal city in 1094, left one cannon to the city of Zagreb and ordered that cannon to be in use every day so it wouldn’t get rusty. Officially, the cannon started its daily practice on January 1st 1877.

There is much more history to be told about the edifice where the famous cannon resides – the Lotrščak tower. It is one of the oldest standing buildings in Zagreb, the remains of the Romanesque old town walls and fortifications.

One of the interesting facts about the tower is that the city rented it out in times of peace in order to gain money for its maintenance and it was given back its defending purpose in times of peril. There are many stories about this oldest tower in Zagreb, but I will just say you should definitely visit the site to get more information.

In case you’re not so interested in history, visiting is worth it just for the amazing view from the top, which you can climb all the way up to. It’s definitely a special experience to be there right at noon when the cannon strikes.

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Lotrščak tower | Art & culture | Entry Kn 10.00
Strossmayerovo šetalište 9 | Upper town | +38514851768
Tue – Sun 10:00 – 19:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Zagreb

Image by Milana M.

“The Swamp” is all you would imagine it to be and more. It’s dark and sticky, full of hidden corners and surprises lurking from the dark. You never know what to expect but one thing is for sure, whenever you go there you’ll definitely have a blast. Močvara has been the melting-pot of Zagreb alternative scene for over a decade.

Situated in the old socialist factory „Jedinstvo” (Unity), it host some of the most interesting clubs Zagreb has to offer. No matter if it’s „Dirty dancing” night full of retro hits, a showcase of young bands who have grabbed their chance to be heard, a music festival hosting worldwide known bands (2010 Mars festival with the unforgettable performance by Skunk Anansie was one of those memories we’ll keep for a lifetime) of a drum’n'bass whole-night dancing madness hosted by the CFSN crew – you’re in for a good time.

The crowd in Močvara is also as diverse as its repertoire – a friend of mine always goes there in high heels and says that doesn’t stop her from all-night long dancing, while I prefer not to wear my brand new white sneakers taught by the experience of trying to wash off the dirt and beer-stains from them.

The club, as well as the whole “Jedinstvo” drive was shut down in 2009 due to some bureaucratic issues however, after a couple of demonstrations the whole thing was reopened in 2010, allowing us all to enjoy it for a longer time.

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Močvara | Art & culture, Coffee & tea, Music | Entrance from Kn 0.00
Trnjanski nasip bb | Novi Zagreb | +38516159668
20:00 – 05:00 daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Zagreb