If you’re wondering where you can get the best Christmas atmosphere in Croatia, keep reading to find out more about the Christmas markets in Croatia.
Croatia loves its Christmas markets, so you’ll find plenty of them all over the country in different cities. The magical Christmas markets in Croatia capture the festive spirit through tradition, lights, local delicacies, and various entertainment. This blog post will go through some of the best and most popular Croatian cities with great Christmas markets.
IS IT WORTH VISITING CROATIA IN WINTER?
It depends on what you expect from the trip during that time of the year, but visiting Croatia in winter can be a lovely experience. While people visit Croatia for its sunny beaches and Mediterranean climate, the winter season offers a different, quieter charm. It’s especially magical for people who like Christmas markets and snow (if you’re visiting inland Croatia).
Croatia is more than just its Adriatic Sea, so I would highly recommend visiting it during winter, at least the capital city Zagreb for a few days.
ARE CHRISTMAS MARKETS IN CROATIA POPULAR?
Yes, Christmas markets in Croatia are quite popular, especially in larger cities like Zagreb, Split, and Dubrovnik. The most popular one is Zagreb’s Christmas market, which is often ranked among the best Christmas markets in Europe.
The markets have really festive atmosphere, beautiful decorations, traditional food, and local crafts. Croatians love celebrations, and if it includes great food and drinks, they’ll be the first in line to enjoy it. That’s the vibe they try to pass on to the tourists visiting their Christmas markets as well, so you’ll surely have a great time.
BEST CHRISTMAS MARKETS IN CROATIA
Zagreb Christmas Market
Zagreb’s Christmas market, also named “Advent in Zagreb,” is the most popular and most visited Christmas market in Croatia. It has been named the Best Christmas Market in Europe several times, and each year something exciting is added. The market spreads throughout the city’s squares and streets, so you’ll have plenty of places to visit. Some of the key spots are Ban Jelačić Square, Zrinjevac Park, and the Ice Park at King Tomislav Square. For foodies, the best location is “Fuliranje” at the Strossmayer Square.
Zagreb is stunningly decorated and each location is full of lit decorations. On most locations you’ll also find some type of live entertainment, as well as loads of traditional Croatian food like sausages, fritule, and mulled wine. The Christmas market in Zagreb usually starts at the last weekend in November and lasts until the first weekend in January. Read the complete Christmas Market Zagreb guide right here!
Dubrovnik Christmas Market
If you’re wondering what Dubrovnik’s like in winter, Christmas time is the perfect time to find out. Dubrovnik’s Christmas market is one of the most magical ones in Croatia, since it’s set within the walls of Dubrovnik’s Old Town. Because of it being in the Old Town, the market offers a more intimate and historical setting than Zagreb for example.
The iconic Stradun Street is where most of Dubrovnik’s Christmas market is located. It’s beautifully decorated with lights and full of stalls selling handcrafted goods and food. You can find parts of the Christmas market at Pile Gate as well, with more Christmas stalls and lights.
Similarly to Zagreb, Dubrovnik’s market also hosts live concerts and cultural events in its many squares, so you’ll have plenty of ways to experience the local culture and celebrations. The Christmas market usually starts at the beginning of December and last until early January.
Split Christmas Market
Split is the second biggest city in Croatia, so it obviously has a lively Christmas market. The Christmas market in Split is usually set along the Riva and around the Diocletian’s Palace. These locations make the Christmas market quite unique, as you don’t often experience Christmas markets by the sea. Split’s Christmas market, as many others, features stalls offering festive decorations, gifts, and food specialties like prosciutto, wine, and fritule.
While you won’t get any snow, the mild Mediterranean winter creates a unique experience where you’re not freezing at Christmas time. The Christmas market starts in early December and lasts until early January!
Opatija Christmas Market
Opatija is generally one of the most charming towns in Croatia, but during Christmas Opatija transforms into a winter wonderland. This town has maybe the prettiest Christmas lights and decorations in the country. The city’s parks, especially Angiolina Park, are lit with thousands of lights, creating a magical atmosphere.
Just like everywhere else, Opatija’s Christmas market is full of charming wooden stalls selling artisanal products, food, and drinks. You can also catch Christmas concerts and different live performances in open spaces. This Christmas market starts in late November and lasts until early January. If you’re coming to Croatia for Zagreb’s Christmas market, I would highly recommend taking a detour and visiting Opatija as well. This one really needs to be on your list of Christmas markets in Croatia!
Zadar Christmas Market
Zadar is another lovely coastal town with a charming Christmas market. The Christmas market is usually set up at 2 locations, Petar Zoranić Square and Pet Bunara Square. On these locations you’ll find food stands serving local specialties like pršut and local pastries, mulled wine, and several traditional desserts. There are also many live performances throughout December which you can enjoy. It’s a cozy and charming market, with an emphasis on music and food. It starts on November 24th and this year it will last until January 2nd.
Rijeka Christmas Market
Rijeka has an exceptionally lovely Christmas market which is definitely worth visiting. Rijeka’s Christmas market takes place in Korzo Street, and there you’ll find plenty of decorations, performances, and holiday-themed food. Another stunning location you shouldn’t miss in Rijeka is their “Advent na Gradini”. It’s situated near the Trsat Castle which is completely covered in Christmas lights. If you’re coming with kids, you’ll really enjoy Rijeka’s market as it caters to children with many fun workshops and activities.
The Christmas market starts in early December and ends in early January.
Varaždin Christmas Market
In recent years, Varaždin has become a synonym for hosting a great Christmas market, and each year it gets more exciting. Varaždin’s Christmas market is set against the picturesque backdrop of the city’s main square, King Tomislav Square, and its old town. The Christmas lights are stunning, and there’s plenty of great Christmassy food and drinks. This market has a smaller but cozy feel, with charming wooden huts selling crafts, local sweets, and other goodies.
Varaždin also has a magical Santa’s Village, where children and their parents can meet Santa and experience the enchanting village. Varaždin is only an hour and 15 minutes away from Zagreb, so I would definitely recommend visiting if you’re nearby. The market starts in December and lasts until early January.
Osijek Christmas Market
Osijek, while quite far from Zagreb and the coast, often has one of the best Christmas markets in Croatia. This town hosts a warm and welcoming Christmas market in various different locations which change every year. Most of the time, there’s some type of Christmas market at Ante Starčević Square, which is the main city square. There’s also plenty of food stalls and live performances, as well as the big Ferris Wheel in Tvrđa, Osijek’s Old Town.
The Christmas market in Osijek is famous for its local food specialties, such as Slavonian sausages and wine. But you can also ice-skate in Osijek’s skating rink, visit the Christmas tram with your kids, or attend various concerts if you want a lively experience. Osijek’s market is the best one east of Zagreb, so if you’re thinking of visiting, I would highly recommend it. It starts in December, usually on December 2nd and it lasts until early January!
Wow, so many beautiful markets that all look so cozy and charming! I had never thought about Croatia as a Christmas destination before but this has proved me wrong, it looks stunning 🙂