Christmas Markets in Croatia

December is a very vibrant time to be in Croatia! Wherever you go, you’ll see festive Christmas ornaments, street events, seasonal displays and markets. No longer is Croatia exclusively a summer destination – it is a beautiful exciting winter holiday destination. Most towns and cities in Croatia are exquisitely decorated and offer wonderful Christmas markets, but the ones you should definitely visit during your vacation here are in Zadar, Dubrovnik, Split and, especially, Zagreb.

Advent in Zagreb was voted Best European Winter Market Advent destination in 2016! Many say that it is the most stunning Christmas market in Europe. With special events and almost the entire city center decorated in the glitter and lights of Christmas spirit, providing a sparkly winter holiday atmosphere. You can ice skate on Tomislavac ice rink, walk around magical Zrinjevac or Gornji grad, and catch the local vibe on Cvjetnitrg, Tkalciceva’s music, or Trg bana Josipa Jelačića.

Another Christmas market worth your visit while in Croatia during Advent is in Split. Split is famous for so called “kućice” or little stands that offer traditional Christmas food like “fritule” or various meats and delicious hot wine and rakija shots. The welcoming spirit of Dalmatians is magnified during the holidays which means Advent in Split is a great destination. Festive celebrations and street shows are happening throughout the whole city centre –Riva, Pjaca and Prokurative square. This year the festivities even include Diocletian’s palace which usually sits almost empty during the winter. This year it hosts booths and restaurants offering delectable dishes, souvenirs and music.
If you want to experience winter in Croatia, schedule a visit during between Christmas and New Year celebrations for an unforgettable European winter holiday.