5 TOP Advent destinations in Croatia

If searching for the perfect Advent destination in Europe, why not visit Advent in Zagreb which was voted twice in a roll as the Best Christmas Markets in Europe. Zagreb, as a capital of Croatia, is the role model for many other Croatian cities providing creative and exciting December all over the country.

Here comes that wonderful time of year when all seems possible and love and giving take the most important role in our lives. So, give your precious a hand and take him/her for across Croatia in memorable advent(ure) called Advent in Croatia. 

Advent in Zagreb

Advent in Zagreb won the best European Christmas destination title twice, in 2016 and 2017, and that`s not a mislead. What is so special about Advent in Croatian capital? Well, from 2nd December 2017 to 7th January 2018, you can enjoy a unique atmosphere with every little square of the city center turned into a dancing field out in the open. Let's even say that Zagreb won the title among the selection of some of the most famous European Christmas destinations like Strasbourg, Vienna, Tallinn, Prague, Helsinki and others.

Step on streets of Zagreb and find yourself in Christmas carol with the sounds of Christmas bells and scent of cinamon, in a colourful lightning of joy and love. Choose Ice park, Fooling Around, Advent in the Tunnel, Christmas Fair, Pop Up Winter Garden, take a sightseeing with Marry Christmas Tram or pick anything among numerous events, concerts, performances, fashion and other shows out in the open.

Find fun on Zagreb squares or streets, taste local delicacies and selection of beverages which will rise your temperature and mood. Zagreb is never too cold, average temperature in December is above 0 Celsius degrees, with the highest temperature ever measured of 21,5 degrees in 1989. It means all day discovery of cityscape, finding fun every step of the way.


Must see spot on Advent at Zagreb: Ice Park in King Tomislav Square takes 800 square meters and bring joy of skating out in the open across skating paths that intersect and follow the paths of hearth accompanied by fine music and the aroma of Christmas lush.


Must attend event at Advent in Zagreb: Want to meet Christmas Carol on rural side 60 kilometres from Zagreb. Be at the main square at 16th December and take an excursion to Cazma to meet family Salaj and their Christmas story decorated with over 2 million of light bulbs and listing for 16 years now. Let the light in!


Must try food at Advent in Zagreb: Sarma and paprenjaci. Build your immunity with sour cabbage rolls stuffed with minced meat than later sweet your apetite with peppery gingerbread cookies, common at this time of the year.

Private apartments and other accommodation in Zagreb.

Dubrovnik Winter Festival

From the North of the country we`ll take you to its bare South, in Dubrovnik where Winter Festival takes place from 2nd December 2017 to 6th January 2018. Dubrovnik Winter Festival is actually the overture for the most exciting New Years Eve in the World, as it was recognized as the best New Year celebration destination for many years.

Temperatures here are much higher than those in Zagreb and mostly exceed 10 degrees, thus the brave one among you can actually take a swim in wonderful and clear Dubrovnik sea. Dubrovnik rarely has a snow at all, but the Christmas spirit is cherished in joyful concerts and cultural events, lush city decoration and cuisine traditional for this time of year. Thus, try some hotter Christmas atmosphere in Croatian south and warm your blood for the unforgettable year 2018 we are getting in.


Must see spot at Dubrovnik Winter Festival: Find your spot right in front of the St. Blaise Church, and you`ll find your self just at the stage where all the main events of DWF are taking place. Mediaeval scenery and tame weather conditions will keep you in this spot forever, along with the fine selection of Christmas food and beverages.


Must attend event at Dubrovnik Winter Festival: Even if the New Year`s Eve kept you awake all night long, there is a little chance you would sleep over the New Year`s Concert with oysters and sparkling wine at 1st 2018. Traditionally it takes place at noon on Stradun, main city square and it is the rare occasion to listen to Symphonic Orchestra and enjoy high quality bubbly wine and fresh shells from the Adriatic sea.


Must try food at Dubrovnik Winter Festival: Oysters. Doesn't get much better than this. World`s famous aphrodisiac right from the sea at your plate to wish you a fruitful New Year and ever lasting summer.

Private apartments and other accommodation in Dubrovnik.

Advent(ure) in Sibenik

Now travel back north and meet Advent(ure) in Sibenik for this is the only "green" Advent in Croatia. It means that it is completely plastic free Advent and all food and beverages across the town are served in disposable dishes. The main programme takes place in the main town`s park offering a great number of concerts, performances and shows.

Find out why Sibenik is one of the most beautiful jet not discovered cities in Dalmatia at pleasant 8 degrees above 0 in average, and get to know the Christmas Fairytale with astonishing view on the decorated city visiting all the fascinating Mediaeval fortresses around the centre of Sibenik.


Must see spot at Advent(ure) in Sibenik: You do not want to miss a visit to Barone Fortress which is usually open till 8 pm during a winter time. It offers an opportunity to enjoy a somehow more peaceful moments than those in the town centre with memorable view on islands of Sibenik archipelago and appropriate Christmas program.


Must attend event at Advent(ure) in Sibenik: Last Saturday morning before Christmas is reserved for the contest in making fritters with many locals bringing their own recipes and frying it out on the open, everyone can taste them and enjoy special atmosfere od giving and sharing, in disposable dishes, of course.


Must try food at Advent(ure) in Sibenik: Luganige. The easiest way to describe this food is that it is a top quality sausage. The thing is a bit more complicated than that since the recipe for this sausage is a secret still, but it has dominant aroma of cinamon. The first written testimony of luganige dates back into the year of 1754, and it is produced and consumed in Christmas time only. Must taste it! Bon apetite!

Private apartments and other accommodation in Sibenik.

Opatija Advent

If there is a right time to get to know Opatija, it is this time of year when it rises in its most romantic appearance, with all its streets and squares lightened by Christmas lights of Opatija Advent, and scented by sweet aroma of cookies and chocolate. Meet the synergy of Mediterranean culture and continental Secession in a delightful cafes decorated in Vienna style for a memorable feeling of Christmas fantasy.


Must see spot at Opatija Advent: Visualia Christmas Park is the place to visit and take a peak in the art of light installation. Exhibition is open every day from 1st till 23rd December when the daylight go down from 6 pm till 8 pm.

Must attend event at Opatija Advent: Orasar and Circuits House you cannot miss if you come her with your children. Creative workshops with shows for the youngest takes time every working day between 4 pm till 7 pm, while it starts at 10 am on weekends. Parents are invited too.


Must try food at Opatija Advent: Chocolate. Opatija Advent starts with Chocolate Festival, exactly the first weekend in December is reserved for all of you who enjoy in chocolate in many combinations and forms. And who doesn't? The scent and taste of chocolate remains with visitors of Opatija through the whole Advent time and accompanies us in the New Year to be tasty and sweet like chocolate always is.

Private apartments and other type of accommodation in Opatija.

Advent in Osijek

Now that you have met Christmas in Croatian coastal destinations try something completely different, jet equally appealing. Replace high temperatures with those more suitable for Christmas time and head east towards Baranja and Slavonia, continental regions of Croatia.

There are no many places on Earth with such a hospitality and rich culture which can be tasted in lush festivity dishes and wines, and danced through a night on traditional Slavonia feasting. Advent in Osijek is moving from the city fortress Tvrđa to the main city square to meet growing demands of joyful guests at this time of year.


Must see spot at Advent in Osijek: Museum of Slavonia, but not because it is the largest general-type museum in Croatia, nor because it is one of the oldest. Museum of Slavonia has a beautiful composed workshops and programme for all ages and many different occasions. From wine making to crafting beers, yes, you can learn even that in Museum since it follows local tradition heritage and arranges meetings of local with guests desiring to find first hand experience. Interesting and fun!


Must attend event at Advent in Osijek: Time flies when you have fun, it is a common saying, jet here, at the beging of December, you`ll find out why Slavonians say the wine flies when you have fun. It is the byword od WineOs - Osijek Wine Fest which will be held from 1st till 2nd December at Esseker Centar in Osijek. If you miss this, do not despair, Advent in Osijek offers many occasions for tasting high quality Slavonian wines and meet the tradition of wine making of this Croatian region. You`ll find it!


Must try food at Advent in Osijek: Everything. Slavonia is famous as the region of good food and there is not a single thing you should avoid when tasting its culinary excitements. From kulen till sweets, everything is delightful and hard to taste everywhere else. Still pay your tasteful buds attention on Original Osijek Noodle which you could easily find as a great way to start another day in fun and joy at Advent in Osijek.

Private rentals in Slavonia.
 

Bonus Advent

Advent in Zadar

Let`s find out why there is a saying that Zadar has its Santa Clause for a race. This year Advent in Zadar will offer you an opportunity to bet on a Santa Clause in a unique race of this jolly fellows through the center of the town. Zadar Advent takes place from 2nd December 2017 to 6th January 2018, and occupies the center of the city with jingle bells and hot aroma of boiled wine. Events and shows on a pleasant temperatures around 10 degrees and salty air from Adriatic sea will make your foot tireless in a all day search for adventure.


Must see spot at Advent in Zadar: Five Wells Square is the spot you would not like to miss if in Zadar in the time between 12th and 232Th of December. Our Little Delights is a Christmas fair taking that place and time with many food, souvenirs and goods to by from traditional crafts of Zadar county.


Must attend event at Advent in Zadar: Although the programe of the Advent in Zadar is not published jet, we are quite sure there wont lack of entertainment. Let`s just say that Michael Jackson had a concert last year. Due to hologram technology, but still... wow! Do not miss Santa Clause Race as well.


Must try food at Advent in Zadar: Nadine fritule. Fritters by Nada are supposed to be the best fritters in Croatia. Since fritters are the most common festivity sweet in Dalmatia, you`ll get to eat it pretty often, let us know if this ones are truly the best you`ve ever tasted.

Apartments and other rentals in Zadar.

Have a sweet and joyful Advent vacation in Croatia!