Visit The Beloved Dolac Market In Zagreb

You're exploring the pretty and historic core of Zagreb when you stumble upon a lovely square filled with flower boxes, dollhouse-like buildings and the stunning cathedral of Zagreb with its ornate spires rising high into the sky as a backdrop, and a sea of red umbrellas, underneath which a cornucopia of fresh produce, baked goods, and other market goodies are on sale: you've managed to find yourself at the city's famous Dolac Market. Merely yet another of the many wonderful delights to discover in the city, this charming historic market is another reason to browse our vacation rentals in Zagreb and plan a trip to this gem of a holiday destination.

Located centrally in the Gornji Grad - Medveščak city district of Zagreb, right behind the main square of Ban Jelačić Square, Dolac Market is both the most-visited and the best-known of farmer's markets in the city. Combining a traditional open market with stalls and a sheltered market below, the open market is on a raised square that can be reached via a staircase from Ban Jelačić Square and the covered market is downstairs.

The city's major trading place and market since 1930, the upper market is where farmers from surrounding villages and towns come and sell home-made food products (such as jams, condiments, locally-produced honey, oil, and more) and the freshest eggs, fruit and vegetables that you can imagine. The covered market, meanwhile, is where there are more permanent shops and structures and is where butchers and the older ladies who sell the local specialty of, “sir i vrhnje,” are all located. Sir i vrhnje, a kind of cream cheese, is something that any self-respecting foodie visiting the area will make a point of experiencing and is the sole item that drives many locals and visitors alike to come to the market. It is served up in little plastic cups or in a receptacle of your choice that you can bring along to be filled. The older women who sell this beloved delicacy are called, “kumica,” a word that combines the concept of a trader and a godmother, and are beloved fixtures of the market in their own right. Friendly and well-liked figures, each kumica will have a loyal fan base of customers who will buy from them and only them; in fact, the kumica are so important that there is a statue of a kumica at the entrance to the market.

The covered part of the market is also home to the renovated fish market, or Ribarnica, which is based on the design of the example in Trieste. Dolac Market is, additionally, a great place to get beautiful bunches of fresh flowers, lace products that are handmade locally, other handicrafts, and various inexpensive street foods made onsite. Various kinds of eateries and bars are located around the market to grab cheap lunches, snacks, and more with a glass of wine. Nicknamed the, "Belly of Zagreb," this wonderful market is open daily; with the open-air part of the market accessible from Monday to Saturday from 6.30am to 3pm and until 1pm on Sunday and the covered area of the market open from Monday to Friday from 7am to 2pm, until 3pm on Saturdays and until 1pm on Sundays. The fishmongers trade daily, bar Mondays.

So, if you are a foodie who happens to find yourself dreaming of a holiday in Croatia but you're not sure where exactly you should go, then consider a vacation rental in Zagreb and come and explore this vibrant, vital, and charming traditional market while you're in town. Stop and smell the roses, grab a bunch, stock up on some wonderful fresh produce, enjoy a snack and glass of wine, pick your favourite kumica, and come home to prepare a fresh and delicious dinner in one of our beautiful villas! It is the perfect day out for a food-lover wanting to learn more about the food culture of Croatia.