Sometimes you just want to get a flavor of a place that the tourist destinations don’t give you, you need the unusual – you need quiet.  Yes, it is amazing to try the national food, see that old building, or visit the best museum.   It is also wonderfully acceptable to just want to take a walk without having to worry about running into someone and take the day at your own pace.

When your personal space bubble needs to be increased or you need to get away from the crazy, here are two great unusual places to visit in Zagreb.

 Maksimir Park

Escape to this amazing 1005 acre park.  Built in 1787, the park provides spaces to walk along sidewalks or through forested trails.  You can also walk around one of the many lakes and look at the ducks or sit on a bench and read. I love it here.  It is so large, that you can always find a space for quiet.  A good destination in any season, the mixture of water, forest, and grassland is enough to ease anyone’s spirit or excite your imagination.

It also houses the zoo which will be more crowded, but can be easily avoided. Take the tram to Bukovačka station.  From the main square you will hop onto the 11 (to Dubec) or 12 (to Dubrava) train.  Make sure you validate your ticket.  If the tram is especially crowded note if the passengers are all wearing jerseys because there might be a game on.  Maksimir Stadium is right across the street from the park. The Dinamo Zagreb, Croatia’s top fútbol team, plays there.

The entrance to Maksimir Park takes you along this contemplative path.

This colorful duck is a Mandarin. Love him.

One of the many lakes within the park.

An old gazebo makes the perfect lookout point over the park.

Mirogoj Cemetery

This one may not pop into your mind as a cool place to visit until you see the pictures below.  While an unusual tourist spot, this cemetery is a work of art.  You will witness history as you walk through the impressive sculptures and monuments.  I went in winter and it was beautiful.  Just think what the place would look like in spring or summer.

To get there, take the bus.  From the cathedral take the 106.  This is about a 15 min ride.  If you want a bit more of a walk or need to use your tram ticket leave on the 14 (to Mihaljevac) from the main square and get off at Gupčeva Zvijezda station.  From there walk up the hill past the hospital.  The walk is about a half a mile and forks from the tram road at about 2 o’clock.  This walk gives you an impressive first glance of the entire facade of the cemetery.

The interior view of Mirogoj’s outer wall.

Mirogoj Cemetery gravesite.

Mirogoj is thought to be one of the most beautiful cemeteries in all of Europe.

The sculpture tops the gravesite for the soldiers of WWI

The walkways in Mirogoj are never ending. Miles of ground can be walked amongst the history of the town.

The outside walls of Mirogoj cemetery are striking with their antiqued domes.