Dolac Market

The market is divided into two sections: a raised, open-air market square for fresh fruits, vegetables, and eggs and a street-level indoor market for meat, fish, dairy products, and flowers. From early morning on, the market buzzes with shoppers and traders. Watch from one of the bars or cafés around the edge where you can dine on gableci (cheap, hearty lunches). Explore independently or with a tour guide. Most Zagreb sightseeing tours include a market stop.

• Bring cash to pay for purchases.

• Bargaining has fallen out of favor at this local market and most vendors now have fixed prices. If no prices are listed, feel free to try and negotiate, but be aware that you may be rejected.

• Get there early to nab the best produce.

Dolac Market is strategically located between the Lower Town (Donji Grad) and Upper Town (Gornji Grad), overlooking Trg bana Josipa Jelacica, Zagreb’s main square. Take the tram (lines 1, 6, 11, 12, 13, 14, or 17) to Trg bana Jelacica. The market is just a five-minute stroll away.

The market is open daily from 6:30am to 3pm (until 1pm on Sundays) and is at its busiest and buzziest on sunny weekend days. The best time to go is in the morning, when the baked goods are still warm and the finest fresh produce has yet to be snapped up. Many traders start packing up their stalls in early afternoon.

Dolac Market is the ideal place to delve into Croatia’s culinary scene. Among the must-try dairy products for sale is sir i vrhnje (cream cheese), which is often served with a sprinkling of salt or spices. Other typical ready-to-eat Croatian meals you may see on menus include grilled fish with a side serving of blitva (garlic-spiked sautéed Swiss chard and potatoes), grah (bean stew), and purica s mlincima (roasted turkey with baked noodles).