Although January is a fairly quiet time of year as far as events go, it is the month that one of the most charming items on the calendar takes place. Vincekovo! Vincekovo is St Vincent’s Day, officially on 22nd January each year, although most celebrations take place on the weekend before or after. What celebrations might that be, you wonder? As the patron saint of wine, Vincekovo marks the start of the new wine-growing year.
Vincekovo in Sveti Ivan Zelina
In Sveti Ivan Zelina, the small town that lies around 40 kilometres northeast of Zagreb, Vincekovo celebrations will be held this Sunday, 26th January 2025. The day will start with a mass at 11am at the Chapel of the Holy Spirit (Kapela Duha Svetoga). The mass will see winegrowers praying to St Vincent to bless them with an abundant wine harvest during the year, and to protect the vines from frost or hail, disease, pests and similar.
At 12pm, the day moves on to the blessing of the vineyards. Winemakers visit their vineyards to pour a drop of good wine on the wines and adorn them with homemade sausages. These symbolise gratitude and hope for the year ahead.
Winemakers also take a cutting of the vines, to take home and place in water. After a few weeks, they will show how the wines survived through the winter, indicating the possibility of a good harvest.
Following this traditional ceremony, the Hrvatsko pjevačko društvo Zelina (Croatian Singing Society Zelina) will perform, and guests will be able to indulge in a warming glass of mulled wine and a delicious meal of cooked sausages.
The organisers say – “Come, enjoy the charms of the wine-growing tradition and start the new year in good company!”
Wine and Sveti Ivan Zelina
The town has a long tradition of winemaking and indeed of celebrating wine – the first wine exhibition having been held here as far back as 1860. It was Dragutin Strazimir, the parish priest of Donja Zelina who did much to promote winegrowing. As well as writing the first modern book on viticulture in Croatia, he encouraged winegrowers to exhibit their wines and strive to achieve the best quality in their product. This, in turn, improved the economic standing of the region.
His legacy lives on in the wine exhibitions that are still held in the town to this day, and to the importance of wine growing in general in and near Sveti Ivan Zelina.
I
More info
You can learn more about the town and its Vincekovo celebrations on the Sveti Ivan Zelina Tourist Board website. Why not come down for the weekend and stay in one of the lodgings there and take part in this traditional event?
https://www.visit-croatia.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Vincekovo_4.jpg7491000annazhttps://www.visit-croatia.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/visit-croatia-logo5.jpgannaz2025-01-21 14:15:352025-01-21 14:15:40Vincekovo in Sveti Ivan Zelina, 26 January
John Clayton is a UK citizen who has been living in the coastal city of Rijeka for 15 years. Following on from his previous post about Croatia: cycling heaven, and also cycling hell, in his latest post here, John talks about something you may now consider about Croatia – cross-country skiing!
I’ve just discovered the perfect winter activity for Croatia. I’m just not quite sure what it is called: Nordic ski touring? off-track cross-country skiing? Backcountry cross-country skiing? All are used but none quite have the right ring. Whatever the name is it, the mountains in Croatia are perfect for it.
Maybe it’s easier to describe than name, making your own cross-country ski trails to explore the mountains. This is very common in Nordic countries and in parts of the US but rare elsewhere. However, it turns out I have the perfect terrain on my doorstep. Gorski Kotar is the mountainous region just northwest of Rijeka, bordering Slovenia. It is almost entirely forested and when the snow falls the forestry trails transform into a perfect, picturesque network of snowy tracks just waiting to be skied.
Beautiful skiing wildernessSkiing in the twilight on Bitoraj
We discovered this niche type of skiing almost by accident. A couple of times a year we would go cross-country skiing in Slovenia using rented gear. It was certainly fun but the equipment was never very good and the boots always hurt. So we bought cheap sets of traditional track cross-country skis, aiming just to have something cheap but better than worn-out rental equipment. Once we had the equipment of course we wanted to use it. So whenever there was enough snow, we’d find ourselves making our own tracks up at Platak – the main ski “resort” in Croatia. We made many excellent trips but clearly our equipment wasn’t ideal so last year we invested in wider skis, stiffer boots and binding, and touring poles with wider baskets. It has proved to be a great decision as it has opened up so many new amazing winter adventures in the mountains.
Bear tracksWolf tracks
Over Christmas this year we explored the forest around Begovo Razdolje, the highest village in Croatia, near Mrkopalj. We had two beautiful sunny days, skiing our way up into new areas with trails forking off at every turn, all waiting to be explored another day. Other than a handful of hikers on snowshoers in the distance, we had the mountains to ourselves. Ourselves and the bears to be precise, both days we came across fresh bear tracks – shouldn’t they be hibernating?
Heading down to Begovo RazdoljeHeading up from Begovo RazdoljeSkiing past a memorial to Patizans at Matic Poljana
Transport to skiing and cross-country skiing locations in Croatia
Unfortunately, there is no public transportation to Begovo Razdolje so we had to hire a car, which luckily is remarkably cheap here in winter. More conveniently there is a public bus to Platak from Rijeka on weekends. Platak is the most popular ski area in Croatia and is just 35km from Rijeka. We recently had another fabulous snowy day exploring the trails in this area, and as usual, the more we explored the more potential we found for future trips. The weather was great in the morning but the snow forecast for the afternoon turned out to be rain, so we retreated to “Mali Dom” at Platak to dry out and to be revived by hot wine.
More surprisingly for Croatia, we even managed to go skiing by train. The trains in coastal Croatia are notoriously bad so rarely useful for leisure purposes. I like to think that we might even be the first people ever to ski by train in Croatia. We took the early afternoon train from Rijeka to Vrata, just a few minutes past Fužine, and headed up the slopes of Bitoraj mountain. We turned back just in time to catch the train back at 5pm. It was only a two-hour ski trip but a truly remarkable one, boarding the train in Rijeka in ski boots and being back home within four hours having skied in Gorski Kotar. All for less than €5 each!
Just in time for the train back to RIjeka
Of course, Croatia, famous as a hot summer destination, does not have reliable snow and like everywhere else is affected by climate change. As I write this, the mountains are almost bare of snow. Three days of rain cleared the snow completely and the few flakes that fell yesterday look pretty but are nowhere near enough to ski on. Now we have to be patient and hope for more snow while appreciating that we had such an excellent Christmas.
Croatia can be very snowyOn Bitoraj mountain
I’d love to be able to propose Croatia for a cross-country skiing holiday but it’s just not realistic. It really can be truly incredible but luck plays too much of a role when planning any snow sport here. You need to be nearby and waiting. However for anyone in the region when the snow does fall, the opportunities are as good as anywhere in the world. Maybe there should be a name for this combination of skiing, patience and luck, Gorski Hrvatskiing? No, perhaps not.
On a practical note, we are now using 80mm backcountry cross-country skis with backcountry “BC” NNN boots and bindings. This set-up is perfect. However, there is plenty of fun to be had on traditional track ski gear. The narrow pole baskets sinking into fresh snow is probably the biggest frustration.
Thank you once again, John, for such an informative and in-depth post, with some gorgeous photos too! Hopefully, this will inspire readers to give cross-country skiing in Croatia a go!
https://www.visit-croatia.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Beautiful-skiing-winderness.jpg5631000annazhttps://www.visit-croatia.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/visit-croatia-logo5.jpgannaz2025-01-17 21:49:022025-01-17 21:49:04Is Croatia a cross-country skiing paradise? Almost!
I had the very pleasant experience of visiting Zagreb this past weekend and enjoying one of its prime attractions – the Advent in Zagreb Christmas celebrations. Read on to find out what I thought in my review: Advent in Zagreb.
(Then, once you’ve read this review, book yourself a flight – or other mode of transport – and get yourself to Zagreb!)
What is Advent in Zagreb?
Taking place from 30th November 2004 to 6th January 2025, Advent in Zagreb is the large-scale Christmas celebration (and for New Year too, when the time comes!) that takes over so much of the city. Many of Zagreb’s squares, main streets, parks, museums and more are taken over with pretty Christmas decorations, with a number of different markets selling festive food and drink and Christmas trinkets. There are also lovely interactive installations in certain locations, such as in the Gric Tunnel.
Let’s go back to this “festive food and drink” that you mentioned…
Yes, let’s, because you know what’s even better than regular food and drink? Festive food and drink! Also, judging by the crowds at some of the food stalls, this seems to be everyone’s priority!
The absolute top spot for food and drink is Fuliranje in Strossmayer Park which has so many different options. Sausages are practically everywhere (served in a bun with toppings of your choosing) but you can also opt for inventive versions of mac and cheese, pizza, sandwiches, noodles and more.
Fuliranje does get crazy busy in the evenings, however. If your mission is to knock back a drink or three and have fun with friends, definitely come down to Fuliranje on an evening. If you’re simply hungry and want to sample as many of the different food options, try it during the daytime!
There is also a smaller Fuliranje setup on the terrace of the five-star Hotel Esplanade. The food options here are slightly more upscale – including stalls from the hotel itself and the Michelin-starred Noel Restaurant, for example – so I would recommend heading here if you fancy trying something slightly different.
Music, music, everywhere
There seemed to be music playing absolutely everywhere I turned, certainly in every marketplace. Many times it was a DJ playing, but my musical highlight was in Zrinjevac Park where different bands played live music in the evenings. And they were truly excellent, drawing rather large and very merry crowds of all ages.
A band plays in Zrinjevac Park
There are other special musical events taking place throughout Advent in Zagreb at certain dates and times. I caught the end of a Zagreb Soloists classical concert at the Zagreb City Museum on Sunday morning which was wonderfully stirring. Another gem was the lighting of the lantern at the base of Lotrscak Tower (which takes place at 4.30pm on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays) which was accompanied by the excellent acapella group Klapa Kana G.
My absolute favourite Advent in Zagreb spot was Zrinjevac Park. The organisers have done such a good job of decorating the park’s trees, greenery and fountains to give it a really magical feel. The photos (or maybe just my photos!) don’t do it justice. The park’s main avenue hosts a number of little wooden huts with Christmas and other lovely souvenirs on sale – for the most part fairly unique and great quality, no tourist tat here!
Zrinjevac Park, fully decorated for Advent in Zagreb
The central part of this park is the bandstand which featured live music every evening (see above) which really put everyone in a happy, party mood. Around the bandstand were food and drink stalls, and I spied St Nicholas walking through the crowds, occasionally doling out a small present to a young child.
Santa also gives sleigh rides (actually in a horse-drawn carriage) around Zrinjevac although I sadly didn’t witness this. (Technical difficulties meant these rides couldn’t operate on Saturday night. I blame Rudolf.)
Ledeni Park Ice Skating Rink
As you walk south from Ban Jelacic Square through Zrinjevac Park and then through Strossmayer Square/Park (where Fuliranje is), you’ll come to Tomislav Square (in front of the Art Pavilion) in the next block. It is here that Ledeni Park (ice park in English) is located, a large-scale ice skating rink. And such a beautiful one at that! Gorgeously decorated – with the imposing Art Pavilion, all lit up, providing a grand backdrop – the ice rink has one central rectangular rink. There are then two ice paths that go around the edge of the park which is such a great idea – allowing the flow of skaters to pass by quickly.
Ice skating at Ledeni Park – the Art Pavilion can be seen in the distance
Not being the biggest fan of ice skating (despite taking ice skating lessons in my youth!) I didn’t get my skates on, but it was lovely to watch the young (and young-ish) people of Zagreb – as well as many visitors – whizzing by.
There are also some food and drink stalls here and they were much quieter than those in the other parks and on the main square. So Ledeni Park is a good place to head to if you don’t fancy waiting in long queues for food! There are a number of high tables set next to the rink for watching, as well as a large elevated cafe-style area which is an ideal spot to climb up to for a wonderful view.
Christmas Tram
I’ve always loved trams as a method of public transport, so Zagreb’s blue trams have a special place in my heart. For Advent in Zagreb, there’s a special Christmas tram – adorned with all sorts of Christmas decorations, including a large Santa hat on the front – that operates on a special loop starting and ending on the main square, Trg ban Jelacic. It’s a very fun and unique experience!
The old-fashioned version of the Christmas Tram. Hey Santa, put your hat on!
There are two trams that operate as a Christmas tram – a modern tram and a 100-year-old tram! (Yes, really!) Try and go on the old tram if you can to get a really special experience; I believe this tram departs on the hour and half past the hour.
So what happens on board? Well, you travel with Santa and Mrs Claus who generally make jokes and have a bit of a back-and-forth (in Croatian) and get everyone excited and happy. We were put through our paces of a round of “If You’re Happy and You Know It…” (again, in Croatian) whilst the rest of the time Christmas music (of course including Mariah) played in the background. Santa tried to have a bit of fun with the younger travellers by asking them silly questions – this time in English and Italian too, depending on the child – on his microphone and at the end the kids could also take a photo with him and Mrs Claus if they weren’t too scared. (Why is it that some young kids are terrified of Santa?) The kids were also given a couple of chocolate bars as a treat towards the end of the journey.
All in all, a must! And it’s very nice to see Zagreb’s trams used in this special way.
Things to know:
Tickets for the tram cost €5 per person and can be bought at the special booth on the corner of the main square and Praska Street. This is also where the tram departs.
The Christmas tram operates with departures every 15 minutes from Monday to Thursday, 4pm to 7pm; on Fridays, 12pm to 4pm; and on Saturdays and Sundays, 10am to 4pm.
Note that at busy times you will need to buy a ticket in advance of your journey. Meaning that you might turn up to buy a ticket at 12.30pm, but the next tram that has a free seat is at 2pm.
Journey time is just under 30 minutes
Trg ban Jelacic
Of course, I can’t not mention Zagreb’s main square as a highlight of Advent in Zagreb. It’s here that the main Christmas tree – a 16-metre tall fir tree – is positioned, right next to the statue of Ban Jelacic himself. Good ol’ Josip isn’t decorated in any way, but behind him a large LED-lit “2025” has been hung on a building, whilst to the right of him stands a little festive forest with the main “ADVENT ZAGREB” sign. A prime photo opportunity!
The Christmas Tree on the main square, Trg ban Jelacic (who can be seen in the distance)
The main square is also home to Mandusevac Fountain, which traditionally is the location of the four advent candles. I think the decoration and “candles” around the fountain look so pretty, a big thumbs up to whoever thought of it originally.
Further to the edge of the square are the stalls selling food and drink, centred around a stage where most times I heard a DJ “spinning” tunes. Among these food stalls are large-scale decorations depicting famous elements of Zagreb – such as Gric cannon, an old-fashioned Sljeme cable car, a wooden version of Princess Manduša and others.
Polar Express in Gric Tunnel
Gric Tunnel – running west of the main square – is often the location for interesting art installations should there be a special event taking place in Zagreb. Advent in Zagreb is no exception, and this year there’s an audiovisual interpretation of the animated film The Polar Express. It’s a rather magical experience, despite being relatively simple – the tunnel certainly creates some of the magic. Look out for a mini train above you about halfway through the tunnel!
Polar Express in the Gric Tunnel
Fritule
These mini doughnut balls are a must. Have them for breakfast, lunch and dinner and then a late-night snack too. Try a different topping each time!
Advent in Zagreb 2024’s most infamous fritule offering – if doughnut offerings can be infamous – was something called Dubai Fritule. These fritule are topped with a melted version Dubai chocolate – kataifi pastry that’s covered in pistachio and tahini and then chocolate. Apparently Dubai chocolate is a viral sensation…well, I’ve not heard of it before!
Whilst these fritule are apparently fantastic, they do cost a whopping €11.10, so save up before you buy a portion. A hearty portion of “normal” fritule, which is easily enough for two people (or one very greedy Visit Croatia) go for around €5.
Fritule and hot gin
Hot festive drinks
Is it just me who thinks mulled wine is the only hot festive drink? (Putting hot chocolate to one side for a minute.)
Imagine my surprise to find white “cooked wine” (as it’s called kuhano vino in Croatian) which is far more delicious to drink. (Top tip for Brits: Marks and Spencer are apparently selling this for the first time this Christmas, so stock up!)
And then further surprise at the offer of HOT GIN! Like regular gin but hot, with a few spices and a lemon slice. Immense, the perfect winter drink. (Hey, Marks and Spencer – want a drink idea for Christmas 2025?!)
What is called “Hot Pelin” is certainly also worth a try. It is made with Pelinkovac, a Croatian herbal liqueur that has some health benefits. (Of course it does.)
H
I spotted other hot festive cocktails on offer – including something intriguing with whiskey – but didn’t partake. But I would recommend you try it!
T
Review: Advent in Zagreb Conclusion
Wonderful!
Seriously, I thoroughly enjoyed Advent in Croatia, and I think you will too! It’s a very merry and very festive Christmas event that’s easy to get to and easy to walk from place to place.
Zagreb was also truly bustling with locals and visitors from other countries (I mostly overheard Italian, German and Spanish voices, with some Brits here and there) which was great to see.
Have a look at my recap video below to see some of the best highlights:
Our itinerary for Two Days in Zagreb might give you further ideas for what to do beyond Advent in Zagreb!
Finally, take a look at our Getting to Zagreb page for information on the best ways of reaching the city, including flights from the UK, Ireland, Europe and further afield.
On you’re in Zagreb, be sure to pick up a copy of the Advent in Zagreb guide from the tourist office on the main square. It has a FULL (very full) listing of everything that’s taking place during the event. (*Whispers* more so than the official website!)
https://www.visit-croatia.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/advent-in-zagreb.jpg7501000annazhttps://www.visit-croatia.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/visit-croatia-logo5.jpgannaz2024-12-09 14:20:182024-12-27 13:23:11Visit Croatia Review: Advent in Zagreb
I recently wrote about the fantastic Advent in Zagreb that will be kicking off this Saturday, 30th November in Croatia’s capital city. Many of the favourites of this largest of Christmas events will return this year, including the beautiful tree on Ban Jelacic Square, a great atmosphere and excellent food at Fuliranje, multiple concerts and live music, special events at museums and ice skating at Ledeni Park. But let’s take a look at some of the other Christmas celebrations in Croatia being held this 2024 festive season for there are many!
Many of these Christmas events feature very similar elements – all will have regular live music sessions, plus food stalls telling typical Christmas and winter fare (think fritule – doughnuts – mulled wine and hot drinks, and bakalar – cod – in Dalmatia). New Year’s Eve is always a big event, with a free concert to see in the New Year that will normally be accompanied by fireworks!
If you’re visiting a location not mentioned here, you won’t be missing out. Just ask locally for even small towns really get into the festive spirit with Christmas food, drink, music and good cheer. (And beautiful decorations!)
Christmas celebrations in Croatia – Istria
Advent Porec will largely centre around the main Matija Gupca Square. It is here the Advent will open at 4.30pm on Friday 6th December with the lighting of the first advent candle and the arrival of St Nicholas and Krampus, the two figures who will either reward good children or “punish” naughty ones! The square then hosts many events over the course of Advent Porec, from concerts to children’s plays, photo opportunities with Santa and of course the New Year’s Eve concert. Advent Porec will also offer an ice skating rink that is free for the duration of the event.
Illuminated stiltwalkers at Advent Porec – watch out for them at the opening! (Credit: Advent Porec)
Advent in Pula opens this Sunday, 1st December, running until 6th January. A highlight will surely be the Arena being covered in 1,200 square metres of snow (yes, really!), decorated with Christmas trees and pumped with mist and illuminated. This very festive setting will be the setting for Pula’s 600-square-metre winter ice rink. (Wow!) Another highlight is the merry train that will operate from 21st to 30th December. The start and end point of the train’s journey will be The Arena, and it will embark on a marvellous 30-minute journey through the streets of Pula to take in all the festive cheer. Of course, there will be a full musical programme as well as multiple fun events for kids. Watch out for a multitude of skydiving Santas landing at Uljanik Stadium on 16th December between 10am and 11am! (And handing out sweets!)
Christmas celebrations in Croatia – Kvarner Region
If you like your winter fun all sparkly and twinkly, you must head to Opatija Advent. On from 29th November to 6th January, this event was placed on European Best Destinations‘ list of the “Best Christmas Lights in Europe”. Multiple locations of the town will be festooned with hundreds of lights – if you like to see a preview, take a look at this Advent Virtual Walk. Head to the famous lungomare seaside promenade which will be turned into a “Xmas Street”, or the Hotel Imperial for food kiosks selling tasty treats. The Amadria Park Opatija Hotel will also be offering festive food fun, such as Breakfast with Santa on 5th December! Finally, be sure to swing by beautiful Angiolina Park for all sorts of live performances.
Advent in Rijeka (30th November to 7th January) will be filled with gastro offerings and a Christmas market on the prettily decorated pedestrianised thoroughfare, the Korzo. An absolute must is visiting Advent on Gradina (3rd December to 6th January) at a Christmas light-adorned Trsat Castle which itself hosts live music, kids’ activities, food booths and a nativity scene.
Adent on Gradina in Trsat Castle, above Rijeka (Credit: Rijeka Tourist Board)
Christmas celebrations in Croatia – North Dalmatia
Would you believe – there’s one Christmas festival that is already under the way in Croatia! The Zadar Advent & Christmas Market actually opened this past Sunday 24th November (it will run until 2nd January). The central part of it is indeed the Christmas market on Petar Zoranic Square – come here to indulge in fritule (mini doughnuts), mulled wine and more and enjoy numerous concerts, sometimes several in one day. Head to Five Wells Square on the morning of 24th December to catch the arrival of Santa Claus!
Adventura Sibenik is one of the loveliest Christmas festivals in Dalmatia; this year it will be on from 6th December to 4th January. A whole heap of live music events will feature including two New Year’s Eve concerts – one in front of the cathedral (featuring singer Mario Biondi), and one in the park (with Dubrovnik band Silente and local faves BluVinil). There will also be a Christmas Fair with plenty of delicious food, ice skating and more. Adventura Sibenik is also the only plastic-free Advent in Croatia!
Christmas celebrations in Croatia – Split
This year’s Advent in Split (30th November to 6th January) will have the rather sweet tagline “to you and yours”. Befitting Croatia’s second-largest city, this is a very big event – live concerts in multiple locations (on the Riva, on Pjaca Square and more); kids’ activities including crafting and workshops; a Christmas bus; full-on festive decorations on the Riva, in Dioceletian’s Palace cellars, and on the Peristyle; and much, much more.
Christmas celebrations in Croatia – Dubrovnik
The Dubrovnik Winter Festival is a large-scale event that is now in its 11th year. It will kick off on 30th November and run until the 6th January. You can enjoy Santa at the Rector’s Palace; a retro fair; “Days of Codfish” and of course New Year’s Eve celebrations on Stradun. And much more, of course!
A highlight for visitors will be the free sightseeing tours in English at 9.30am every Saturday morning. Meet outside Pile Gate Tourist Office to join a tour of the Old Town and finish it at St Blaise’s Church where there will be a free folk performance at 11.30am. (Tours conducted in Croatian take place at 12.30pm.)
Christmas on Stadun (Credit: Dubrovnik Winter Festival)
Christmas celebrations in Croatia – Northern Croatia
Advent in Varazdin starts on 29th November (to 6th January) – it’s where you need to head to visit “the most beautiful advent in Croatia”! Santa has his own city here which is a real highlight – board the elevator to head directly up to Santa’s house! If he’s temporarily not in when you visit, snap some festive shots and enjoy a sweet treat instead. Be sure to make time for the panoramic Advent Ferris wheel that’s open daily, a true festive treat and a great way of seeing Varazdin from above. Enjoy live music and excellent food on the Korzo – where the Advent wreath in front of the Cathedral will be lit every Saturday.
The Ferris Wheel in Varazdin (Credit: Adent Varazdin)
ll-on festive decorations on the Riva, in Dioceletian’s Palace cellars, and on the Peristyle; and much, much more.
Christmas celebrations in Croatia – Eastern Croatia
Advent in Osijek will take place from 30th November to 31st December and will be full of “good wishes from Osijek”. Join Santa at the Archaeological Museum or pop along to the fun fair in King Drzislav Park. Ride the fun-filled Christmas tram and have a skate at the rink!
More info on Christmas celebrations in Croatia
Take a look at the following websites to learn more about what’s happening where and when for Christmas celebrations in Croatia 2024:
https://www.visit-croatia.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/advent-porec.jpeg9201300annazhttps://www.visit-croatia.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/visit-croatia-logo5.jpgannaz2024-11-26 15:18:222024-11-27 14:06:19More Advent and Christmas celebrations in Croatia 2024
A study conducted by Privacy Journal has revealed the perhaps surprising news that Dubrovnik is the number one location for remote working at Christmas time, topping a list of forty-eight cities across the world. Judging all of the the cities on the list by criteria including connectivity, costs and prices, fun, shopping and festive atmosphere and safety, this southernmost Croatian city emerged as the winner, beating larger cities such as London, Amsterdam, Rome, Tokyo and even New York.
How was the study into remote working at Christmas conducted?
Individual elements across the five previously mentioned criteria were researched for each city, awarding each a score between 1 (best) to 48 (worst).
In the category of connectivity, factors such as broadband speeds, number of co-working spaces and availability of free Wi-Fi in the city were considered. Costs of course included accommodation (AirBnB) costs, transport costs, and the average price of wine and beer. The fun category took a look at how many restaurants, bakeries, coffee shops and nightlife options were available per capita. The most important category for Christmastime – “shopping and festive atmosphere” – took a look at how many shopping centres and gift shops per capita existed, as well as taking a look at the Google search volume for the terms “Christmas markets”, “Christmas in…” and “Christmas lights in…”. And the safety category of course judged just that for each city.
Whilst Dubrovnik emerged the overall winner, the other cities in the top ten were (in order from two to ten) Prague, Krakow, Budapest, Edinburgh, Bruges, Kyoto, Warsaaw, London and Bratislava.
What did Dubrovnik score highly on?
Whilst Dubrovnik can’t compete with some of the larger cities in elements such as the number of coworking spaces and internet speeds, it did very well on most nightlife venues, culinary options, coffee shops and gift shops (all marked per capita). In fact, the city was number one for the “fun” category which includes all of these elements!
Dubrovnik also placed second in the shopping and festive atmosphere category (behind the mighty London!) and third in the category of safety. This is no surprise, surely – Dubrovnik and Croatia are very safe for visitors.
What else is so good about Dubrovnik at Christmas time?
Well, Dubrovnik is a true gem of a destination in summertime, there’s no denying that and its many visitors delight in its gorgeous scenery, excellent sights, lovely beaches, coastal day trips and more.
But the city is expanding its tourist offering, doing its best to entice visitors year-round.
Whilst you can’t dive into the Adriatic in winter, you can still enjoy many restaurants, cafes, and wine bars in the Old Town and the rest of the city. The city’s many sights are of course open (most, understandably, with reduced opening hours) and the Old Town Walls look just as majestic! And if you think Stradun and the other Old Town streets look magical in summer, just imagine them adorned with twinkly Christmas lights. (Below is a little preview.)
But what about Christmas? Well, it’s the wonderful Dubrovnik Winter Festival that will cover that aspect of December fun. Now in its 11th year, the festival will start on 30th November 2024 and run until 6th January 2025. The festival is actually a multi-event celebration, with many different components on the four weeks of the programme.
Amongst the festival’s highlights are city tours in English every Saturday morning at 9.30am – followed by a folklore performance at 11.30am in front of St Blaise’s Church; Santa Claus appearing at the Rector’s Palace; workshops and special exhibitions at some of Dubrovnik’s museums and galleries; many, many concerts; a retro fair on 14th & 15th December; fun at what is called “North Pole Station” on Luza Square; Dubrovnik restaurants participating in “Days of Codfish” (cod – bakalar – being a typical winter dish); a Christmas market and much, much more.
New Year’s Eve will also be massively celebrated, with day-long celebrations. These will culminate with the usual free evening concert on Stradun to see in the New Year – this year Italian singer Zucchero and famed Croatian singer Tony Cetinski will be performing.
New Year celebrations on Stadun, Dubrovnik (Credit: Dubrovnik Winter Festival)
Getting to Dubrovnik in winter
If you’re not already in this fine city working hard and doing all of your (no doubt) excellent remote work, this year it’s easier than ever to reach Dubrovnik in winter. That’s largely in part down to Ryanair who in 2024 introduced year-round flights to this southern Croatian city. At this time of year, they operate flights twice a week – on Wednesdays and Sundays.
Otherwise, consider flights with Croatia Airlines by flying via Zagreb.
Will you be visiting Dubrovnik – for remote working or not – this winter?
T
https://www.visit-croatia.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/plan-a-holiday-to-croatia-dubrovnik-christmas.jpg600800annazhttps://www.visit-croatia.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/visit-croatia-logo5.jpgannaz2024-11-21 23:31:452024-11-25 13:19:07The best place for remote working at Christmas time? Dubrovnik!
There’s no escaping it – Christmas season is very nearly upon us! (Although judging by some of the Christmas decorations I’ve already seen up and about, we may already be in it!) More and more Croatian towns and cities are hosting ever more elaborate and wonderful Christmas markets and festivities at the end of each year, but the biggest one of all is the highly impressive Advent in Zagreb 2024. This year, Zagreb’s Christmas market will be taking place from Saturday 30th November 2024 until 7th January 2025. That leaves plenty of time for you to enjoy Zagreb and its Christmas decorations!
What is Advent in Zagreb 2024?
I’ve called it a “Christmas market” but Advent in Zagreb 2024 will be so much more. A “Christmas market” might give you the idea that it’s just a few Christmassy stalls selling trinkets and hot wine on the main square.
In reality, Advent in Zagreb sees practically the whole city taken over by multiple events and celebrations, traditional wintery activities and beautiful decorations. There’s a fantastic atmosphere all around, and multiple opportunities to try hearty, warming local food and indulge in a hot beverage or three.
What will be the main attractions at Advent in Zagreb 2024?
The Main Square – Trg Ban Jelacic
Of course, Zagreb’s main square – Trg Ban Jelacic – will offer many fun things to do for this year’s Advent. One of which is the traditional lighting of the advent candles themselves, the first of which will be done on the opening day of the celebrations, Saturday 30th November. These candles are placed around the square’s iconic Mandusevac Fountain. Each year, the opening of Advent in Zagreb welcomes a special guest – the mayor of a foreign capital city. This year it is the turn of the mayor of Budapest, Gergely Karácsony,
The advent candles around Mandusevac Fountain (Credit: Julien Duval & Zagreb Tourist Board)
The main square is also home to Zagreb’s main Christmas tree, a fine, super-tall specimen that’s beautifully adorned with many decorations.
And it’s Zagreb’s main square that will host the high-spirited New Year’s Eve celebrations, with a live concert to ring in the New Year. This year, 2024 Eurovision runner-up Baby Lasagna will perform!
The 2023 Advent in Zagreb Christmas Tree on Trg Ban Jelacic (Credit: Julien Duval & Zagreb Tourist Board)
Santa comes to Zrinjevac Park
Zrinjevac Park is always beautifully decorated every Advent, so it’s no surprise to hear that Santa will be taking a break from consulting all of the naughty and nice lists and offering sleigh rides around the park! These will be offered from 6pm to 8pm every Tuesday to Sunday.
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Christmas Trams
Here’s something I’m super excited about! Two Christmas trams will be driving through the city during Advent to jazz up Zagreb transport. Riding on one of the city’s trams is a fun experience on any ordinary day; a Christmas tram is even better!
A Christmas tram
Watch out for a Tram Flash Mob (assorted times and days; held for the first time at 5.30pm on 5th December) on Ban Jelacic Square and join in with the singing and dancing!
Polar Express in Gric Tunnel
Zagreb’s fascinating Gric Tunnel will once again magically turn into the North Pole (based on Chris Van Allsburg’s book, the Polar Express) featuring snowy scenes and polar animals. Open daily.
Gric Tunnel (Credit: Julien Duval & Zagreb Tourist Board)
Christmas at the Museums
Zagreb’s many wonderful museums will also be celebrating Christmas with a number of fine events. Venues taking part in Christmas celebrations include the Natural History Museum, Zagreb City Museum, the Ethnographic Museum and the Chocolate Museum.
Musical Events
What is Christmas without the festive cheer of music? It’s no surprise that this year’s Advent in Zagreb will once again feature many excellent musical events, from one-off concerts to regular live music.
The base of Lotrscak Tower will see Advent Under the Lantern held at 4.30pm every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Various singing groups such as Klapa Kana G and gospel group The Messengers will delight the crowds.
Vocal group Vox will be celebrating with Zagreb Advent Postcards – a series of pop-up concerts at various central Zagreb locations such as Oktogon Shopping Centre and Ilica Skyscraper. Both international and Croatian Christmas classics will be performed!
Chamber music group The Zagreb Soloists will be performing Advent Concerts (at 11am on 1st, 8th, 15th & 22nd December) at either the Zagreb City Music or the Ethnographic Museum. The concerts are free but you must pre-register by emailing press@zagrebacki-solisti.com.
In From Christmas Balconies to Zagreb, six-piece brass band Ad Gloriam will be performing from some of the prettiest balconies in the city – such as at Caffe Lav at Opaticka ulica 2.
Chamber Choir Ivan Filipović will be performing what will no doubt be a truly heartwarming concert on Trg Ban Jelacic at 11am on 24th December for the Choirs on Christmas Eve Concert.
Fuliranje
The much-loved Fuliranje (translated to fooling around in English) will be back on Josip Juraj Strossmayer Square from 27th November. It is one of the best places in the city to go to during Advent in Zagreb, with its excellent atmosphere, many food and drink options live music and other festivities.
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Advent Celebrations for Children
As with every year, there are several events and locations that are targeted specifically for the younger generation. For 2024, this includes a live nativity scene that will take place in Opatovina Park multiple times a day from 20th December. Teatrino klincolino will be putting on performances of popular and lesser-known children’s tales from Wednesdays to Sundays each week throughout Advent.
The Croatian Chamber of Trade at Ilica 49 will once again be hosting a Craftsman’s Advent (28th November to 7th January). Beautifully handcrafted wooden toys and games from days gone by will come to life, delighting both young and old.
The very sweet Zagreb Zoo will also be joining in with the Christmas celebrations and is an ideal place to take kids for an animal adventure.
Getting There
Zagreb is a fantastic city to visit any time of year – just take a look at the Visit Croatia guide to Zagreb for a full rundown of the many attractions, museums and galleries, restaurants and cafes, events, things to do with the kids and much more to see what to do there.
But Christmas time is when Zagreb’s delights ramp up to another level with all the many attractions mentioned above. Really, why wouldn’t you visit Zagreb at this time of year? It really is so suitable for a weekend or short break.
From the UK & Ireland, Ryanair offers daily flights from London Stansted and flights three times a week from Dublin. British Airways and Croatia Airlines offer flights several times a week.
There are also numerous flights, plus train and bus services from other European cities. Take a look at our Getting to Zagreb page for more details of all of these travel options.
More info on Advent in Zagreb 2024
I feel like I’ve barely touched the tip of the iceberg when it comes to talking about all of the Advent in Zagreb events! So make sure you take a look at the official Advent in Zagreb website for all the details about what is on, where and when. You can also learn more on the Zagreb Tourist Board website.
When you’re in Zagreb, do also pop along to the Tourist Board on the main square to pick up lots of useful brochures and leaflets. They can also help you with any questions you may have!
https://www.visit-croatia.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Advent-Zagreb-2023-Julien-Duval-2-trg-ban-jelacic-christmas-tree.jpg6671000annazhttps://www.visit-croatia.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/visit-croatia-logo5.jpgannaz2024-11-18 14:15:562024-11-18 16:20:13Advent in Zagreb 2024
The leaves are turning brown and/or a-falling, the rain keeps lashing down the days are definitely getting shorter and it’s almost the end of October. Do you know what this means? Well, sure Halloween in a second or two, but in other news – it’s almost winter! So there’s no time like the present to think ahead and consider Croatia in winter. But what would you do when visiting this fine country during the coldest months of the year? I’d love to hear your thoughts but in the meantime – here’s what I’d do!
Croatia in Winter: December
Let’s jump right in and talk about Christmas! I mean, what else is there to talk about in December…right?!
One of the biggest draws in Croatia during this month is the spectacular Advent in Zagreb Christmas fair and market that takes place in Croatia’s capital city each year. This year’s event will take place from 30th November 2024 to 7th January 2025, so December will be absolute prime time to attend. It’s often mentioned in the press as being one of the best Christmas markets in Europe and would be an excellent alternative to some of the more famous Christmas markets held in Germany and Austria. Advent in Zagreb was also voted “Best Christmas Market” in 2016, 2017 and 2018 by European Best Destinations.
But what’s actually atAdvent in Zagreb? Zagreb’s main square, Trg ban Jelacic, is obviously adorned with a giant Christmas tree that stands proudly for the duration of the festival. Here, too, you will find little stalls selling Christmas trinkets, delicious treats and piping hot drinks. Madusevac Fountain in the same square also houses the four advent candles that are lit in the countdown to Christmas.
There will be a large-scale ice rink – normally in front of the grand Art Pavillion – where you will be able to skate until late at night. On New Year’s Eve, you can normally even skate until the early hours!
The main square in Zagreb, Trg ban Jelacic, during Advent in Zagreb (Copyright: Julien Duval)
The magical Gric tunnel in the city is also a must, normally being decked out in full Christmas decor.
Christmas food and drink will of course be readily available. Two of the best places to try out local Chrismassy delights are at Fuliranje on Trg Strossmayer and in Zrinjevac Park. Both will have all manner of stalls selling excellent quality, hearty winter grub and warming drinks.
There are also concerts galore at venues across the city – both indoor and outdoor – with some being ticketed affairs and others open to all. Fuliranje, as mentioned above, has live music through its Advent run.
Kids will be fully catered for as well with all sorts of fun activities being held in December, and Advent very often also hosts events for our four-legged friends too
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Really, a few days or a week-long break in Zagreb in December would be ideal to take in the full Advent in Zagreb experience.
Note: this year’s Advent in Zagreb calendar has yet to be announced, but it will be soon. Keep an eye on their website – and this one! – to
Alternative: Head to one of Croatia’s other larger towns and cities – such as Split, Dubrovnik, Pula or Zadar – for New Year’s Eve. Experience the festive and lively countdown to midnight on the Croatian coast, with live music, fireworks and a general all-around brilliant atmosphere.
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Croatia in Winter: January
I know what it’s like in January. The madness of Christmas and New Year’s has died down, you’re cold and tired and just want to wrap up warm. But maybe you’re a tiny bit miserable and fed up with the weather and decide that January should actually involve a bit of fun.
The Croatian coast will be too cold and blustery for January and, anyway, it’s not like you can head down to the beach during this month. So why not explore parts of the Croatian interior for a true wintery experience?
One of the best places to head to would be the Plitvice Lakes. A truly glorious location any time of year, winter makes the whole park rather magical and you may well be lucky to experience frozen waterfalls and very snowy paths and walkways. Make sure you bring your waterproof hiking boots and padded winter jacket!
The Plitvice Lakes in winter…complete with frozen waterfalls!
The park has reduced opening hours and limited trails at this time of year, but that’s no problem as you will still be able to do a good amount of exploring and see many of the main lakes and waterfalls. Visitor numbers will also be severely reduced from what they are in the peak summer months, and you may even feel like you have the park to yourself at times.
Spend a few days in the Plitvice Lakes region and explore some of the other attractions too. There are some very helpful suggestions on the websites of the Plitvice Lakes Tourist Board and Plitvice Valleys. And make sure you book yourself into a cosy B&B or guesthouse in the region and indulge in some hearty grub – the Licka Kuca restaurant is ideal for this.
If you want to do more exploring of the Croatian inland in winter, consider the Gorski Kotar region too. Yes, this mountainous region can get very snowy during the coldest months of the year, so this option is perhaps for the braver (and for the true winter lovers) amongst you. But you’ll be rewarded with a fabulous winter experience.
A very snowy scene in Gorski Kotar
Alternative: Croatia’s ski resorts – which are few and far between, let’s face it – start to open for the season in January. Whilst most of them offer not much more than fun for a few hours of skiing and snow play up a mountain, this activity would certainly be unusual enough (i.e. a must-try!) when visiting Croatia in January. Take a look at our Skiing in Croatia section for details of what ski resorts to head to.
Croatia in Winter: February
We’ve done Christmas, we’ve done snow fun so what shall we turn to in February? Love, of course!
There’s no getting around it – February is the month of love with the the arrival of the magical or tiresome (depending on your point of view) Valentine’s Day in the middle of the month. So why not choose Croatia to whisk your other half to for a romantic mini-break at one of the country’s top hotels. Better still, pick a hotel with a luxury spa and excellent dining options and you will both enjoy a relaxing, restful and romantic little break.
Our top choice would be the Grand Hotel Brioni in Pula. With an expansive spa offering multiple treatments, a sauna, an indoor swimming pool (there is an outdoor one too, of course, for the warmer months!) and multiple restaurants you will find plenty to do during your stay. But the fascinating sights of Pula are just a stone’s throw away too.
The indoor pool at the Grand Hotel Brioni (Copyright: Matthew Shaw)
The sauna at the Grand Hotel Brioni
Another option would be the Hotel Esplanade in Zagreb. A historic hotel, first opened in 1925 to accommodate guests travelling on the Orient Express, the Hotel Esplanade offers smart, luxury rooms, a lovely spa centre and exquisite cuisine at Zinfandel’s.
Or if you fancy exploring the gem that is Dubrovnik’s Old Town as part of your romantic getaway, consider the very fine Hotel Excelsior. With stunning views out to the Adriatic Sea and overlooking the Old Town itself, you will be able to enjoy 850 square metres of spa and three restaurants. Make sure you make time to have a coffee on the outdoor terrace.
So that’s my suggestions for winter in Croatia. Now I’m going to throw it over to you – what would you do for winter in Croatia?
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