From its middle ages and baroque Upper Town to the Lower Town filled with Habsburg and art nouveau architecture, the city of Zagreb, tucked into Croatia's northwest corner, is appealing throughout the year. At Christmas, nevertheless, the good-looking capital actually sparkles. Arrival Zagreb, which happens from late November to 7 January, fills squares, parks, pedestrianised streets and even a tunnel with stalls, pop-up bars and magnificent light setups. From subtle starts in 2010, Advent has actually turned into among Zagreb's most significant tourist attractions. Here's how to take advantage of the city and its celebrations this Christmas.
Zagreb's streets are illuminated and extravagantly embellished throughout Advent.
Picture by M. Tomaš, Zagreb Tourist Board
1. Walk perfectly lit streets
Development starts in the city's primary square, Ban Jelačić, where the season's very first candle light is lit. The square's art nouveau structures are embellished with Christmas lights and designs, while the larger location, consisting of neighbouring Europe Square, is loaded with wood market stalls and shimmering lights. Check out even more celebrations in the trio of parks simply a couple of minutes' leave. Soak up the environment at Zrinjevac Park, where thousands of spectacular lights cover the trees and bandstand. Later on, head to King Tomislav Square to move around the outside ice-skating rink under sparkling illuminations. For an immersive experience, detour through the Grič Tunnel in downtown Zagreb. Integrated in 1943 and utilized as an air-raid shelter throughout the Second World War and Croatian War of Independence, it's now a pedestrian road and occasion area. For Advent, the tunnel shows an amazing light program, with a various style each year.
2. Enjoy timeless Croatian food
Whatever season you check out, do not miss out on Zagreb's everyday early morning market, Dolac. Simply a minute's walk north of Ban Jelačić Square, its indoor and outside stalls display outstanding regional fruit and vegetables. There are plenty more grocery store to check out throughout Advent, too– fill on kobasice (grilled smoked sausages), sarma (cabbage rolls) or huge portions of slow-cooked ham hock. For something lighter, keep an eye out for the Dalmatian flatbread soparnikfilled with garlic, chard and olive oil. Follow the savoury with the sweet at Strossmayer Square's Advent market Fuliranje (‘messing around'). Attempt fritule (fried doughnut balls) dipped in chocolate sauce, and surface with a shot of rakija — a brandy made with anything from plums, grapes and pears to walnuts, honey and herbs.
Come early night, feel the joyful buzz amongst the bars and dining establishments of Tkalčićeva Street, which extends from the city centre to the Upper Town, and along the up-and-coming Martićeva Street in the Lower Town. Development likewise spills into the pedestrianised Bogovićeva, where food stalls capture in between bar and dining establishment balconies. At the street's western end is Peter Preradović Square, understood in your area as Cvjetni Trg (Flower Square), a preferred location for Zagrebians seeking their everyday caffeine repair. Or get on a cable car– keep an eye out for the one covered in Christmas designs and driven by Santa– and head east to Maksimir Park,
