For years Zagreb, Croatia’s capital, has been becoming increasingly popular among travellers for its Christmas market. The city is home to around 770,000 people, but punches above its weight to compete with much larger urban centres such as Brussels and Vienna. And it does this very successfully, as the Christmas market in Zagreb has consistently been voted as among the best in Europe.
The first thing that strikes you about Zagreb is just how pretty it is. Its centre and inner-city suburbs are filled with many outstanding examples of Austro-Hungarian buildings that date mostly to the 18th and 19th centuries. Some of them have been rendered and painted in bright shades such as yellow and pink, which adds to the charm. During Advent the city really comes alive. As soon as December arrives a huge Christmas tree appears in Ban Josip Jelacic Square, Zagreb’s main meeting place. The entire square and much of the city centre becomes home to countless stalls selling food and souvenirs whilst spectacular light installations manifest on every corner.
A significant advantage of visiting Zagreb during Advent is how walkable everything is. Its centre is extremely pedestrian friendly, whilst an efficient tram service will easily get you to the suburbs. The Christmas market stalls are also spread around rather than being concentrated in just one location. Unlike the Christmas markets in larger European cities such as London, Zagreb has a much more relaxed feel even when tourists descend on it in December. You won’t generally find crowds packed like sardines or otherwise feel rushed.
Enjoying Mulled Wine in Zagreb
If you get tired from walking around, then there are countless pop-up bars you may visit pretty much on every street. Alternatively, you can sit down in one of the many traditional cafes along with the locals. The entire Balkans – including Zagreb – is famous for its café culture, which sees people slowly sipping coffee at all hours of the day. Whichever you choose, the mulled wine served everywhere is delicious! Or, if you prefer a non-alcoholic beverage, excellent quality coffees and decadent hot chocolates are also on offer.
One of the numerous food stalls in Zagreb during December
Other Attractions in Central Zagreb
As Zagreb is so pretty and pedestrian friendly, I would encourage you to simply walk around and see what you can find. Plan a rough route from the Upper Town (Gornji Grad) to Ban Josip Jelacic Square and down to Zrinjevac Park and neighbouring Strossmayer Square. If you see something enticing along the way, do take a detour. Being surprised and getting a little lost is all part of the fun!
If you do want something different from the festive fun, however, a good option is to visit one of Zagreb’s many museums. There are countless ones choose from – Zagreb is famous for both the quantity and unusual nature of some of them – but a personal favourite of mine is The Museum of Broken Relationships. Whilst some of the exhibits do deal with messy breakups of former lovers, this is only a small portion of the subject matter. The museum ultimately explores all types of relationships that have ended, everything from those with food, parents who have lost children and unrequited love. It’s a truly unique place where I’ve found myself laughing, crying and contemplating life all at once! And the café serves the most delicious drinks and hot chocolate to warm you up from the cold.
Have you been to Zagreb to see its Christmas markets or would you like to go? If you have been, how does it compare to other Christmas markets? Comment below and let us know
