Zagreb opens free pools, museums and libraries during heatwave

Facing an imminent heatwave, the city of Zagreb announced that residents can use selected public swimming pools, museums and libraries at no cost from Friday 31 July through Sunday 2 August. Mayor Tomislav Tomašević said the measure aims to provide cooling spaces and cultural refuge as temperatures rise.

The free‑access venues include the Šalata, Iver, Utrine and Jelkovec swimming pools, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Archaeological Museum, the Crafts Museum gallery, the Ethnographic Museum, the Natural History Museum and the Croatian School Museum exhibition space. All 42 city library locations remain open with air‑conditioned rooms, and nearly 200 public drinking fountains are available throughout the city.

Zagreb is also drafting a new regulation that would formalise free entry to cultural sites during future periods of extreme weather.