Advent Adventure Tour: Christmas Markets in Zagreb

They always say that you shouldn’t go around picking fights with anyone bigger than you but in the case of Zagreb, fortune definitely favours the bold! The city’s Christmas Market started out as an underdog on the European stage but it has quickly become the undisputed champion, voted Europe’s Best Christmas Market two years in a row, stealing the crown from the continent’s most well established Christmas Fayres and Festivals. So Zagreb is surely the only destination to consider when deciding on which Christmas Market to visit this year, right?!

The really special and exciting thing about Zagreb’s flourishing Christmas scene is that there are actually over 25 markets to choose from! And on this festive tour, we will take you to the best of them, fork in hand. 

We promise that by the end of your 3.5 hour walk you’ll not only experience the tastes and smells of Christmas — including delicious samplings of festive donuts, traditional walnut or poppy cakes and warming mulled wine to accompany all that sugar — but you’ll also learn about our charming advent traditions and customs. We will also visit a local craft stall that specialises in Christmas decorations, have a chat with the friendly vendor and even give you a chance to have a go at making your own, personalised gift to take home. And as Christmas is the time for giving, your gift is on us (well, it’s included in the tour but it sounds better when we say it’s a Christmas present doesn’t it?!). 

We’ll start our tour in Jelacic Square, which transforms itself into the largest and oldest Christmas market in Zagreb over the winter months. We’ll check out which concert, exhibition or show is on at the nearby European Square and admire the live nativity scene that is set next to the magnificent cathedral. 

We’ll then explore the Christmas markets of the old town where amazing gift ideas abound, including gingerbread hearts, wheat seeds, Christmas tree decorations, advent wreaths and loads more. You’ll admire charming churches and hidden courtyards and delight in the amazingly festive atmosphere of the Fuliranje market, which literally translates as ‘fooling around.’ 

But don’t spend all your money yet, as there are more amazing places and artisan stalls and food vendors to visit! How about exploring a secret tunnel that is now beautifully decorated for the winter months?! 

Then we’re off to see the Secret Garden before heading to the loveliest and definitely our favourite park in the city, Zrinjevac (there are three different Christmas markets here alone!), which, together with an awesome-looking ice rink, provides almost endless foodie treats to tickle the taste buds.

Finally, it’s time to get your (rented) skates on and take an (optional!) turn around the rink and show us your best pirouette. 

It will truly be the best and most festive day ever! Merry Christmas!