Several times over the past couple of years, our guests have asked me if there is a flea market in Zagreb where they can buy some unique things. That question surprised me, as I didn’t realize visitors & tourists of Zagreb would be interested in checking out flea markets, so I decided to write this article about Zagreb’s famous “Hrelic,” also called Jakusevec.

Hrelic flea market is located in the southern part of Zagreb near the River Sava. It’s a huge open area where anyone can sell and buy almost anything. It takes place every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday year round, from 7am-3pm and it’s free to enter.

In Zagreb we say you can buy everything “from a needle to a train”. It’s a great place to spend Sunday morning and definitely a unique spot to visit when you’re in Zagreb. This might be the only place in the world where you can buy a toothbrush, a bed and car all at the same place. There is a huge variety of unique things to find, which varies from week to week based on what the vendors bring. ​

How to get to Hrelic
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If you are located Downtown Zagreb you can get there by public transportation without a problem. Take the tram line 6 which will bring you to the area of Zaprude and from there you can take bus number 295 to Jakusevec. The bus will drop you off at the entrance of Hrelic. 

Another way to get there is of course by Uber, or another transfer service like Zagreb City Transfers. It will cost you approximately 10-15EUR, one way.

Lastly, you can drive yourself if you’re up to it! Parking for the car costs about 1.5EUR(10KN), but be very patient if you go in the morning because there is almost always a long car line to enter the lot.

Best time to go to Hrelic
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Hrelic is open every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from 7am to 3pm but a lot of the vendors pack up earlier so I suggest coming as early as you can. Wednesdays are much less busy than Sundays, but that also means there are fewer vendors - so you can either deal with the crowds and many vendors, or fewer crowds and fewer vendors / opportunities to find unique things. We prefer Sundays. 

Hrelic is open through all year but maybe it is the best time to visit during the spring and fall because it won’t be too hot or too cold when you walk around. Also many more vendors and customers will be there so you will have the chance to experience a very lively and busy place around that time of year.

Selling cars at Hrelic

Hrelic is sectioned-off into a few different areas based on similar products. One section is specifically dedicated to car sales (buying and selling), but this section is only open on SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS. If you want to sell your used car, just drive to Hrelic, pay a small fee (7 EUR / 50kn) and park your car in the sales lot for the day for prospective buyers to look at.

You can stick around and potentially make a sale that day, or you can simply leave a note with your name and number and price/details of the car, and someone can call you to meet at another time. Make sure to come early in the morning, though, to get a good spot where the most number of visitors will walk through.

Buying cars & car parts at Hrelic

If you want to buy a car, you can find almost any make or model, even many oldtimers which are fun to just go and have a look at. There is also a section dedicated to car parts (used and new), anything from tires and hubcaps, to engines and other under the hood gadgets

What else can you find?

One of the sections at Hrelic is dedicated to new clothes, shoes, purses, sunglasses (with plenty of ‘fakes’), toys, gadgets, kitchenware, tools, etc. I usually skip this section and look more at the following:

Carpenters and other wood makers sell everything from beds, dressers, tables and chairs, to smaller items like brooms, baskets, toys and games. You can even custom order specific hand made products which they will gladly make for you.

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The main section (and my very favorite section) of Hrelic is reserved for the miscellaneous, unique, weird, quirky items. This part is in the middle of the flea market and it’s just rows and rows of people selling everyday things that they have found, or inherited and are trying to sell off. 

This part is so interesting because you can buy old and authentic pieces of history like real antiques, old bills, books, furniture, paintings, army clothes and artifacts from the II World War, chandeliers, bikes etc. This part can really take you back to old memories of your childhood when you see old music records of Yugoslavian and foreign bands from the 70s and 80s.

Looking to sell some of your things at Hrelic? 

The key here is going early. You will get your own “rectangle” concrete block or sectioned off spot to sell your things on, and it costs just 10kn. I’ve never sold anything there personally, but it would be fun to try one day. It’s like a massive garage sale - who doesn’t love garage sales? The best day to sell would probably be on a Sunday, as Sundays get the most traffic (but it might be the hardest to secure your spot) so again, go early.

Buying and Bargaining 

My best advice is to not pay the asking price for anything! This is the rule there so if you buy something at full price, the vendor will definitely have a lucky day. Lots of vendors are experienced in sales and they pump up their prices in the beginning, knowing that hard bargainers will come along, and they’ll get a fair price in the end. ​

Be brave and drop the price low, then find a price somewhere in the middle to settle on. If the vendor says no and isn’t willing to bargain, walk away and they will usually call you back as you leave and give you a better price. So be persistent.

Place to eat
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After a long day walking around, I’m sure you’ll be hungry. You can buy pastries like burek, potato pie and Croatian traditional barbecue dishes like cevapi, sis - cevapi, raznjici, etc. but my friendly advice is to skip it. It smells good and it seems tempting but one time I ate cevapi and got food poisoning. Maybe it was a coincidence, but I’ve decided not to eat at Hrelic again.

Restrooms
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I just wanted to add a quick note because my wife said it would be a good idea to mention for all of the other ladies eager to go to Hrelic. There are just a couple of toilets in an old “shed” type of structure. There is also no toilet paper, so in other words, use the facilities at home before you leave and save yourself the ultimate “Hrelic experience.”

The atmosphere
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Often times, there are Gypsy brass bands who walk around and play their instruments. It’s very lively and fun to listen to and adds a great vibe to the market. In this way, the band tries to advertise themselves to play at upcoming weddings. They are well known as great musicians whose purpose is to fire up the atmosphere at big events like weddings and parties. 

Conclusion 

Hrelic is one of the best flea markets in this part of Europe and shows a different side of Zagreb. There’s nothing like it downtown, so venture out if time permits to see this special spot and maybe find yourself a gem of a keepsake from your time in Croatia.

​From my experience, sometimes you grab there a great piece but sometimes you come home (very rare) with empty hands. The key is, you can’t go to Hrelic looking for anything specific, because you might not find it that day. You just stumble upon things that you didn’t know you needed, but then wonder what you did without them all these years.

Written by Ivan

A guest post by Tanya Milankovic.

In case you are a lover of untouched nature that spreads over the turquoise blue waters, then Croatia will definitely become the place of your dreams. The denying beauty and remarkable purity of the Adriatic Sea make everyone come back and feel the magic over and over again.
 
If you are a first-time visitor, then you should be prepared for many medieval monuments and ruins that proudly stand and bear witness to the rich Croatian history. The things that make this European country so exceptional are hundreds of stunning and picturesque beaches that are mostly gravel. However, there are also dozens of sandy such as Sunj in Lopud Island, Uvala Lapad in Dubrovnik, Prapratno in Pelješac Island and many others.
There is also an island that is a total winner when we talk about the number of sandy beaches. The island of Rab offers more than 20 beaches with warm and shallow water.
 
Every stone, every curve, and every corner of Croatian coastline is full of hidden gems that will help you experience a real carpe diem. It’s true that our list won’t be enough to describe all the serenity of fairy tale-looking gems for spending a perfect honeymoon in Croatia. However, it will surely help you to make a decision on where to make the memories that you’ll remember for the rest of your life.
 
Royal Croatian tours is a Croatian travel agency that can help you discover unique wonders and enjoy hiking, sailing and swimming in the Adriatic Sea. There are also many wine tasting and culinary tours that can revive all your senses and help you experience the most delicious Croatian gastronomical offerings. Croatia offers you 1,246 islands full of hidden bays and coves. So, you don’t need to worry. There are enough beaches you can visit every day of your life.

1. Sakarun Beach- Dugi Otok

 
Otherwise called Croatian Carribean, the Sakarun beach is settled on Dugi Otok (Long Island) in Zadar County. The whiteness of the sand and the crystal clear water surrounded by hundreds of pines is a pleasure by itself.
 
Unlike Korčula and Hvar island, Long Island is less commercialized. If we take a look through the centuries, we will realize that Dugi Otok succeeded to resist many great forces such as Ottomans and Venetians. It doesn’t have huge harbor towns, and it remained the story unto itself.
 
The fertile plots planted with olives and vineyards will make you wish you never come back. The picturesque beach of Sakarun is special for the shimmering white sand, pine smell, and the melody of crickets that spreads all across the island as the sun goes down. So, if you choose to visit Sakarun beach while spending your honeymoon in Croatia, you certainly won’t regret it!
 
 
2. Zlatni Rat- Brač Island
 
The Island of Brač is famous for its elongated small - pebbly horn of land that is being splashed with crystal clear Adriatic sea. The shape of the horn changes as the wind blows, so the visitors are able to experience a uniquely-shaped coast every day. Otherwise called the Golden Cape or Horn, this area is naturally protected.  
 
Tourists from all around the world enjoy watching the sunset and spend all day on the beach. There is also an approved spot for nudists on the western side of the Golden horn, so this beach offers the piece of everything for everyone.
 
On the other hand, Brač Island is also famous as one of the best honeymoon destinations in Croatia. The breathtaking scenery, luxury accommodation, and wine tasting tours ensure you’ll have a wonderful time for your honeymoon stay.
 
3. Sveti Ivan – Cres Island
 
One of the most famous beaches on Cres Island, Sveti Ivan beach is nested at the lowest point of the village Lubenice. Since it’s difficult to reach by land, this hidden gem presents a favorite stopping place for yachts and smaller boats.
 
German magazine Bild has placed Sveti Ivan Beach on 15th place among the most beautiful beaches in the world. There are no attractions, restaurants, and crowds. The tiny town of Lubenice has only 2 nameless streets. Here you’ll find only 5 churches, dozens of houses and one school that became closed a few decades ago.
 
However, the town of Lubenice isn’t dormant all year long. This petite town organizes musical evenings every summer and gathers a large number of tourists.
The stunning Sveti Ivan beach is perfect for enjoying nature, the Mediterranean air, and peaceful atmosphere.
 
4. Banje beach- Dubrovnik
 
Settled in the King’s Landing of the Game of Thrones, Banje beach is perfect for those who love to experience the dazzling and buzzing spirit of the city of Dubrovnik. Banje beach offers you not only daily sports activities but also a perky nightlife. So, if you want to spend an active honeymoon in Croatia, and enjoy walking through the historic streets of Dubrovnik, then this is the right place for you. 
 
 
Dubrovnik has a piece of the soul for everyone. Luxurious accommodation, seafood restaurants, and domestic wine-lists on every corner will make you fall in love at first sight.
 
5. Punta Rata – Brela
 
On the half way between Makarska and Split there is a sleeping beauty proudly protruding with the highest level of ecological sea clearness. The American Forbes magazine named this beach for the 6th most attractive beach in the world for 2004. Surrounded by dozens of Aleppo pines, Fig trees, and Olive trees, this beach presents a true masterpiece of nature. The main trademark of this beach is the Stone Brela which is actually the most common motive you’ll find on Croatian postcards.
 
The couples often choose this place to spend their honeymoon in Croatia not only because of the romantic and picturesque landscapes but also because it’s a great base for visiting other famous Croatian summer destinations.
 
 
6. Valalta Resort
 
If you want to spice up your honeymoon in Croatia, we assure you that you’ll like the Naturist Valalta Resort near Rovinj. The camp was established in 1968 on the wild slopes of the northern part of Rovinj and it was named for the best Naturist Camp in Europe.
 
The resort offers dozens of 4-star intimate bungalows, luxury apartments, and caravans settled just a few meters away from the turquoise blue sea.
There is also a naturist harbor, so the visitors can enjoy nautical tourism and rent smaller yachts or boats.
Unlike many other beaches in Croatia, the Valalta beach has sandy coast that stretches along 4km. Even if you are not naturist, this peaceful oasis is the place to try!

​By Tanya Milankovic
 

​A Croatia honeymoon can be designed to perfectly match your traveling style. With so much to offer, there’s something for every couple! Read on to find out just a few reasons you should start your married life with a trip to Croatia!

A guest post by Igor Resiti

​Croatia is one of those destinations you have to visit for yourself to truly understand its beauty. Once you arrive, you’re smitten for life. But don’t take our word for it.

Warning: swim at your own risk when you travel to Croatia. These are the top eight hidden dangers you should watch out for when you head to the coast this summer.

1. There are too many secluded spots around the islands so you might get lonely without the crowds. You can easily find hundreds of hidden coves and bays that are scattered off the coast, so this is a big danger and takes many by surprise each season.

Have you been to Croatia? Do you have Croatian roots? Planning a visit to this lovely country? Take the quiz and find out how much you really know about Croatia!

​Tell us how you did in the comments section :) 

When you go to Croatia for a perfect holiday and you do your best to take some memorable photos, except they become memorable in "different" way....

1. When you tried to take that sexy beach shot, but the sea had other plans.

Croatia is still a little hidden gem of a country, relatively undiscovered, but with so much to offer! We've put together our top 11 photos to highlight the very best. Enjoy, and tell us which one was your favourite!