CHRISTMAS CROATIA – ZAGREB’S ADVENT MARKET

Christmas in Dubrovnik - Photo Croatian Tourist Board
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Christmas Croatia – Zagreb’s Advent Markets

By Saron Lease, 25th November 2022

If you have a weakness for a Christmas Market you have to head for Zagreb, Croatia’s stylish capital city. They don’t just have one Christmas Market they have 14! The markets always begin in late November – in 2022 it is 26th November. The Zagreb market regularly comes into the top 5 European Christmas markets.

Zagreb does love its markets and they do it in style. Not just the usual mulled wine and wooden tree ornaments, they have everything covered from local specialities to the weird and wonderful.

What to expect

It’s a delight for the foodie – our favourite Gajeva Street just off the main square is where stalls sell local specialities from Slovacia to Dalmatia.  Across at the Fuliranje, there is a more trendy ‘vibe’ with food stalls giving their own modern twists on the usual classics. Strossmayer Square veers towards the craft beer crowd, whilst Zrinjevac Park likes traditional with lots of fairy lights, colourful sweets and decorations.

To work off all those calories have a  wander along to Zagreb’s railway station. Just opposite is King Tomislav’s Square which is transformed (yes the whole square!) into an Ice Park. Look out also for the Winterland funfair, with a big wheel. Also the artisanal jewellery and accessories are on sale at Artomat. This is an arts-and-crafts fair held at the Croatian Fine Arts Association (HDLU). This annual event runs from 10th – 24th December.

Most of the markets also have some kind of music stage set up to add to the festive feel, and even the trams are decorated for Christmas and have Santa drivers!  Not got time to get a visit in before Christmas? Think you have missed it for this year? No, it’s on until the 7th January, so enjoy your home yuletide celebrations, give the January sales a miss and head for some extended Noel at the Zagreb Christmas market.

Photos: © Gloria.hr & Putovnica.net

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